How Do I Get Rid of Hangnails? Your Complete Guide to Cuticle Care

How To Get Rid Of Cuticles: Key Takeaways

 ● Hangnails are caused by dry, damaged skin around the nail – not the nail itself
 ● The best way to get rid of hangnails is to trim (not pull) and deeply moisturise
 ● Cuticles should be softened and gently pushed back, not aggressively removed
 ● Using a cuticle remover helps dissolve excess dead skin safely
 ● Regular use of cuticle oil is essential to prevent dryness and tearing
 ● At-home cuticle care routines can keep nails healthy between manicures

What Are Cuticles and Hangnails?

Cuticles are a thin layer of skin that sit at the base of the nail, acting as a protective seal between your nail plate and the surrounding skin. Their role is to defend against bacteria and irritation, which is why maintaining their health is essential rather than removing them entirely.

So, what are hangnails? Hangnails, on the other hand, are small tears in the skin around the nail – usually not the cuticle itself, but the surrounding area. They tend to form when the skin becomes dry, tight, or damaged, often due to frequent hand washing, exposure to cold weather, dehydration, or habits like picking and biting.

How to Care for Hangnails and Cuticles Properly

Keeping both cuticles and hangnails healthy requires a good cuticle care routine including using moisturising oils and creams and being gentle when pushing back cuticles. Below is our complete guide to taking care of cuticles and hangnails so your mani can truly shine.

How to Care for Cuticles

The key is treating the area gently – this is skin repair, not removal! So, if you’re wondering how to get rid of cuticles, think again. The key is to soften and moisturise your cuticles, rather than getting rid of them.

Healthy cuticles are the foundation of healthy nails. Knowing how to care for cuticles helps prevent hangnails before they start.

Daily Cuticle Care Routine

 ● Apply a cuticle oil daily, like our Apricot Cuticle Oil
 ● Massage oil into the nail bed to boost circulation
 ● Keep hands hydrated with a rich hand cream
 ● Avoid over-cutting or picking

Best Oils for Nails and Cuticles

Apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E are widely considered some of the best oils for cuticles due to their ability to deeply nourish and protect the skin.

Together, these ingredients work to penetrate deeply and prevent dryness – the main cause of cuticle lifting and hangnails. That’s why essie formulated its cuticle oil with these key ingredients, to help keep cuticles soft, healthy, and resilient with regular use.

How to Soften Cuticles

If your cuticles feel dry or tough, softening them is the first step:

 ● Soak hands in warm, soapy water for 5–10 minutes
 ● Apply cuticle oil or balm and massage into cuticles
 ● Use a gentle cuticle remover if needed

This is the simplest way to soften cuticles at home and prep them for shaping.

How to Use a Cuticle Pusher Correctly

Using a tool incorrectly can damage your nail bed. Think of it as tidying, not removing. Here’s how to use a cuticle pusher safely:

 ● Work on softened cuticles only
 ● Hold the pusher at a slight angle
 ● Gently push back (never scrape aggressively!)
 ● Focus on removing only excess dead skin

How to Remove Cuticles (The Right Way)

“How do I remove cuticles?” is a common question, but it’s important to clarify: cuticles should never be fully removed! They’re there to protect your nails. If your cuticles have overgrown, then learning how to remove cuticles with a cuticle remover safely is key:

 ● Apply a cuticle remover to dissolve dead skin
 ● Leave on for the recommended time
 ● Gently push back softened cuticles with a cuticle pusher
 ● Rinse thoroughly and hydrate

How to Cure a Hangnail

Hangnails are often confused with cuticles. But hangnails are small tears in the skin surrounding the nail, often caused by dryness, picking, or damage to the area. Because they’re essentially broken skin, the focus should be on how to prevent hangnails using gentle treatments, rather than removing them.

How to Prevent Hangnails

Preventing hangnails starts with consistent cuticle care and keeping the skin around your nails well-hydrated. Dryness is the main trigger, so applying a nourishing cuticle oil daily helps maintain flexibility in the skin and reduces the risk of tearing.

It also helps to use a rich hand cream after washing your hands, wear gloves in cold or windy weather, and avoid picking or biting the skin around your nails. Keeping cuticles soft and supple is the most effective way to stop hangnails from forming in the first place.

How to Get Rid of Hangnails

If you’re dealing with a hangnail, the first step is to remove it safely without causing further damage:

 ● Start by soaking your hands in warm water to soften the skin
 ● Use clean cuticle nippers to carefully trim the hangnail
 ● Never pull or bite it (this can lead to infection)

How to Cure Hangnails

After removing a hangnail, the focus shifts to helping the skin heal and preventing recurrence. Treat the area like a small skin injury by keeping it consistently hydrated with cuticle oil or balm.

Reapply throughout the day to maintain moisture and support the skin’s natural repair process. Avoid picking at the area as it heals, and continue to care for the surrounding skin to restore softness. Proper aftercare not only speeds up healing but also reduces the likelihood of future hangnails forming.

Discover essie Cuticle Care Essentials

Ready to upgrade your routine? Explore essie’s cuticle oil and nail treatments for healthy, salon-fresh nails from the comfort of your own home.