DIY Cuticle Oil: 3 Homemade Recipes

DIY is becoming increasingly popular. Not only is it a cost-effective option, but it also gives the creator complete control over the ingredients.

While you might already be doing DIY skincare treatments like face masks and deodorant, there is one more crucial DIY project you don’t want to miss out on: cuticle oils.

Cuticle oil (otherwise known as nail oil) is imperative for overall cuticle health.

The ingredients nourish, hydrate, soften, and strengthen the cuticle and surrounding skin and nail bed, creating a beautiful set of fingertips.

The best part is, making DIY cuticle oil at home is easy-peasy.

It requires as little as one or two ingredients (although there is typically more, depending on what is desired) and can be mixed in seconds.

What are we waiting for? Let’s fastrack your nails to their peak of perfection with a DIY cuticle oil.

Common Homemade Cuticle Oil Ingredients

Homemade cuticle oil really only requires one essential natural ingredient: vegetable oil.

However, it is more common for these homemade oils to contain a few other ingredients, such as essential oils, for added benefits and scents.

So, as long as you have some vegetable oils and essential oils lying around (for example, almond oil, jojoba oil, Vitamin E oil, etc.), you can whip up a batch of cuticle oil in no time.

Regardless of which recipe you choose, it’s important to remember that your homemade cuticle oil needs to be stored properly to extend the shelf life.

The best options include:

• Roller bottle
• Glass bottle
• Dropper bottle
• Empty nail polish bottle

Below you will find three of the very best recipes to make your own cuticle oil (plus a quick and easy cuticle hand cream, if you’re into that sort of thing).

Recipe 1: Optimal Nail Growth

If you’re looking to promote nail growth, you’ll be glad to have this DIY cuticle oil recipe in your arsenal.

Cuticle Oil Recipe

• Two tablespoons castor oil
• ¼ Teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Six drops rosemary essential oil
• Six drops Frankincense essential oil
• Optional: Six drops of myrrh essential oil

Castor oil is a thick oil, which will create a prominent layer of protection on the nail plate.

Aside from that, it has anti-fungal properties and anti-inflammatory properties to strengthen nails.

Paired with the anti-inflammatory benefits and increased circulation produced by Frankincense and rosemary, this homemade cuticle oil with essential oils is designed for impressive nail growth.

Recipe 2: Improved Strength

Are you struggling with brittle nails? Then you need a nail strengthening cuticle oil that works like magic.

All you need to do is mix these ingredients, gently massage onto your nails and cuticles, and strengthen brittle nails like never before.

Cuticle Oil Recipe

• Two tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil or sweet almond oil
• Six drops lavender essential oil
• Six drops lemon oil
• Optional: vitamin E oil

Olive oil and jojoba oil are highly nourishing, thanks to the fatty acids. And healthy, nourished nails are going to encourage growth more readily.

But what really makes this simple DIY cuticle oil a standout option is the essential oils used.

Lavender and lemon essential oils smell fantastic and are known for their nail-strengthening abilities.

Recipe 3: Extreme Hydration

Those dealing with cracked cuticles need to find relief - and that’s exactly what this nourishing DIY cuticle oil with essential oils is all about.

These ingredients are specifically designed to moisturize rough cuticles and revitalize beautifully soft nails and cuticles.

Cuticle Oil Recipe

• Two tablespoons Apricot kernel oil
• ½ teaspoon sunflower oil
• Six drops tea tree oil
• Six drops Geranium essential oil
• Optional: Vitamin E

Apricot kernel oil contains a multitude of nourishing fatty acids and A and E vitamins to restore hydration in dry cuticles and cracked skin.

The sunflower oil works side-by-side apricot kernel oil to lock in moisture and rehydrate for extended periods.

Together, these are two of the best oils for knocking out dryness.

On the other hand, tea tree oil and geranium essential oil is necessary to alleviate specific skin issues that may come from dried-out cuticles, such as inflammation and redness.

They are also one of many essential oils that are deeply hydrating and prevent cuticle peeling.

Tip: tea tree oil is one of the best essential oils for tackling nail fungus problems. You can add it to any one of these recipes if necessary.

Bonus: Cuticle Cream

Don’t have any essential oils on hand, but want to give your cuticles and surrounding skin the five-star treatment?

You can make a cuticle cream instead.

To make cuticle cream, mix a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a tablespoon of olive oil in a bottle of hand lotion.

Shake the bottle generously until the ingredients are incorporated.

Use the mixture as a regular hand cream every morning and night.

The scent is nothing short of lovely, and you will notice silky-smooth hands and strong, soft, and beautiful cuticles.

DIY Cuticle Oil FAQ

What can you use in place of cuticle oil?

If you don’t want to mix a bunch of ingredients together, you can always simply add a few drops of vegetable oil onto your nail and massage.

Olive, fractionated coconut oil, safflower oil, and other oils can all work well.

But honestly, it isn’t too difficult to toss in a few essential oils to create a homemade cuticle oil that will transform your nails.

Which oil is best for cuticles?

While any oil can be used on the cuticles as a DIY beauty hack, the top five include jojoba oil, olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil.

Can coconut oil be used as cuticle?

Coconut oil (liquid coconut oil or firm) is an excellent choice for cuticles, especially if they are dried-out, cracked, or brittle.

Coconut oil is extremely hydrating, so it is such a great idea to use it when you’re struggling with roughness and dryness (which can typically occur after removing acrylic nails).