How to Prevent Your Skin's Epidermis from Peeling

The epidermis is the skin surrounding the nails. Dry, peeling epidermis (hangnails) can be painful and unsightly. Luckily, this issue can be easily tackled without much time or effort. All it takes is a little care and gentle love for your hands.

Make your own cuticle cream at home. If you have time, you can create an effective cuticle cream at home using some hand cream and oil with the instructions below:

• In the microwave, place 1/3 cup of hand cream in a bowl, a few drops of olive oil (or grape seed oil if available), 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil (available at health food stores), and microwave until warm, but not hot to the touch.
• Apply a generous amount of the cream to each nail and gently massage for 1-2 minutes into each nail, cuticle, and surrounding skin. This cream is especially great for softening the skin on your hands (and feet).
• You can store this homemade cream in a dark glass jar in the fridge and reheat it within 3 days.

Treat with Hot Wax. If your budget allows, you can visit a nail salon for a hot wax treatment, which helps nourish your hands, nails, and cuticles wonderfully.

• During the hot wax treatment, a special wax oil will be melted and applied to your hands and fingertips. Then, the nail technician will ask you to wear a pair of plastic gloves and place your hands inside another open-glove set.
• After 10-15 minutes, the open gloves will be removed and the hot wax will be wiped off, leaving your hands and cuticles soft and moisturized.
• You can also purchase a paraffin wax kit online and perform the hot wax treatment at home.

Use Moisturizing Wax. If you're looking for an affordable yet effective solution to moisturize your cuticles, you can buy a tube of moisturizing wax to apply to the cuticles every night before bed. This wax softens the cuticles and helps prevent them from peeling, though it may feel a bit greasy if used during the day.

Try Essential Oils. Essential oils can be great for moisturizing cuticles and they also have a lovely fragrance. Some of the most effective oils include jojoba oil and orange essential oil, while tea tree oil is fantastic for treating mild infections.

If Necessary, You Can Use Some Lip Balm. If you're outdoors and your cuticles are bothering you, you can find a lip balm in your bag and apply a bit to your cuticles. The balm will temporarily soothe the cuticles until you can find a proper hand cream.

Soak Your Fingertips in Warm Water. Soaking your hands in warm water (not boiling) or immersing yourself in a warm bath will help soften the cuticles and any excess skin. If desired, you can add a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar to the water to exfoliate dead skin cells (if present).

Use an Orange Stick to Push Back the Cuticles. Once softened, the cuticles can easily be pushed back using an Orange Stick.

• An Orange Stick is a wooden or metal stick used to push back cuticles and clean under the nails. You can find them at pharmacies or online at an affordable price.
• Use the flat end of the Orange Stick to gently push back the cuticles. Be sure to apply light pressure as pushing too hard can cause injury and worsen hangnails.
• Push back the cuticles until you see the white crescent shape (lunula) beneath each nail. Avoid pushing back the cuticles more than 1-2 times a month as the cuticle skin is quite sensitive.
• Sanitize the metal Orange Stick and dispose of the wooden stick after each use.

Never Cut the Cuticles. The cuticle is crucial as it protects the nail matrix (the area where nails begin to grow) by blocking dirt and bacteria from entering. Therefore, you should never cut the cuticles, but instead, push them back.

• Cutting the cuticles removes this protective layer, making the nails more prone to infection. Additionally, cutting the cuticles causes the skin to become harder, prone to peeling and cracking.
• Don’t worry that the cuticles will grow back faster when you stop cutting them—this is a myth. The growth rate of cuticles remains the same, even if you stop cutting them.

Moisturize the Cuticles Regularly. Regular moisturizing is one of the most important steps in preventing cuticle peeling. Moisturize your cuticles at least twice a day, in the morning and at night.

• Remember that cuticles are made of skin (though thicker) and all skin needs moisturizing to stay soft and prevent peeling.
• During the day, you can use a quick-absorbing hand lotion that won’t leave your hands greasy. At night, however, you should use a thicker cream or ointment to boost hydration.
• After applying moisturizer to your hands and cuticles at night, consider wearing cotton or wool gloves to bed. This prevents the cream or ointment from getting on your sheets while adding warmth to help your skin absorb the moisturizer more effectively. In the morning, you’ll wake up to softer hands and cuticles.

If Your Cuticles Are Cracked and Painful, Apply Antibacterial Ointment. If the skin around your nails feels cracked and irritated, it could be a sign of a mild infection. In this case, you should treat the infection before your cuticles can begin healing.

• To treat the infection, apply a thick layer of antibacterial ointment (such as Neosporin) to the cuticle area.
• After applying the ointment (which is more effective than antibacterial cream), wrap a bandage around each infected nail.
• Leave the bandage on overnight, and by the next morning, you should notice significant improvement in the condition of your cuticles.

Know When to See a Doctor. If your cuticles are painful, have pus, are swollen, or have red spots, this may indicate an infection known as paronychia. If you suspect an infection, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible because antibiotics will be necessary to treat the infection.

Protect Your Hands from Cold Weather. Cold weather can cause your hands to become dry, and your cuticles to crack and peel.

• Therefore, it’s essential to take extra care of your hands in winter or anytime it’s cold outside.
• Always wear gloves when you go out and carry a small tube of hand cream in your purse to apply to your hands whenever needed.

Keep Your Fingers Away from Your Mouth. The habit of biting your nails or chewing on your cuticles increases the risk of dry skin and peeling around your fingers.

• This habit also increases the risk of infection, as the mouth harbors bacteria that can be transferred to your nails. Saliva contains enzymes that break down skin, making it drier.
• One of the most effective ways to prevent your cuticles from becoming dry and peeling is to stop biting your nails and keep your hands away from your mouth.
• Another trick is to apply a foul-smelling ointment to your nails. The taste will deter you from biting your nails again.

Avoid Drying Chemicals. Dry hands will speed up the cracking and peeling of your cuticles. To prevent this, you need to protect your hands and avoid contact with skin-drying substances.

• Washing dishes with hot, soapy water can severely dry out your skin, so you should wear rubber gloves when washing dishes to protect your hands.
• If you dislike wearing gloves, at least consider using moisturizing dish soap to hydrate your hands while doing the dishes.
• Avoid nail polish removers containing acetone, as they strip moisture from your nails. Also, try to limit hand washing, as excessive washing removes the natural oils from your skin and nails.

Choose a Nail Care Specialist Carefully. It is important to be cautious when selecting a nail care professional (for both fingernails and toenails) as improper care can do more harm than good.

• Some nail care specialists may be too rough when handling nails and cuticles, leading to peeling, cracking, and pain.
• If a specialist attempts to cut your cuticles or pushes them too deep, politely ask them to stop. You have the right to decide what happens to your nails.
• If the specialist cuts your cuticles and causes pain or infection, it may be due to improperly sanitized tools. In that case, consider switching to a different salon.