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I found an old jar of face cream in my drawer that I had forgotten about that is a few years old. Instead of throwing it away, I started using it on my cuticles. I rub it in well and then push back the cuticle. I find I now have fewer hangnails, etc. Plus it also softens my hand. I usually do it while sitting at the computer.
By sharons61755 from Mackinaw, IL
If you have super dry cuticles but you don't have any cuticle cream, lip balm works very well.
By Robin from Washington, IA
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I have dry, hard cuticles in the summer and in Florida, no less! I've done the topical application of oils, Chapstick, gloves and socks at night and it works temporarily. But I'm thinking what's the cause? Attack it at the cause for a permanent solution. Has anyone out there found more than just a band-aid remedy? I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks!
By MT from Tampa, FL
I know there are good tips here. However, you might consider whether simple dehydration is contributing to or causing your problem.
Our bodies are 75% or so water. That means we need a lot of water intake to maintain good hydration. You might try keeping a short-term "water journal." Jot down how much water you drink on any given day, or keep track for a week, whatever works for you. If you're drinking less than, say, a quart of water a day, you probably need more. That's only a guess, everyone is different. One surefire signal of dehydration is a headache. Try drinking a glass of water. If it helps, dehydration was what gave you the headache.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
I have very dry hard cuticles. I have spent so much money on lotions etc. to make them soft, no luck. Even saw the Dr. Has anyone got any suggestions? I will appreciate any help. Thanks
Donna from Victoria B.C.
This might sound really nuts, but you might want to give this a try. During the winter months, sometimes my hands get so chapped that the skin on my hands start cracking. Oh! do they become sore.
What I do is I rub Vaseline all over my hands, then wear a pair of gloves at night when I go to bed. This way the Vaseline won't stain my blankets and sheets.
You might want to rub Vaseline on your cuticles and this might rid you of the dry hard cuticles. But be sure to wear a pair of gloves.
Marge from NY (10/01/2007)
By MCW
Thanks for the advice to use Vaseline for hard cuticles, it doesn't work for me. I also asked at drugstore about A and D ointment, but she said they don't have it anymore. Said to try compound" drugstores. They can make it up for you. I will give that a try.
Donna Victoria .B.C. (10/01/2007)
By preppy56
Hi, I was a manicurist for a few years in FL and the women from up north told me to get Bag Balm sold in feed stores. They had been using it for years and it works to soften the skin. (10/01/2007)
By Denise w
I use Blistex or Carmex (for lips) and after putting it on my lips, I rub it into my cuticles. Because I use it several times a day, my cuticles get it, too. Works for me. Probably any kind of chapstick or lip gloss would work.
(10/01/2007)
By Susan from ThriftyFun
2 suggestions...
Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle cream. it's a little expensive, but it last forever and a little goes a long way.
Corona Hoof cream, sold at horse places. It's full of lanolin and great not only on your hands, but feet (10/01/2007)
By Tigger1971
Use the liquid vitamin E capsules, just prick them with a pin and let the liquid soak in to your cuticles. Also try buying sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, etc.These various oils are wonderful for dry hands, elbows, feet and legs! Good luck, hope this helps. -kim (10/02/2007)
By pabk
Try anhydrous lanolin from the chemist (I'm in Australia). Also called woolfat. It's not expensive and although the smell is not great it should help.
Apparently woolfat is very close to the sebum produced by human skin. As suggested in previous posts - when wearing at night put some cotton gloves on. When doing household chores also put some on with cotton gloves and rubber ones if required. This really should work.
Ps. I have been using woolfat for 20 years as an ingredient in moisturisers and creams. (10/02/2007)
By maree
Try warming some cooking oil and soak your nails for 5-10 minutes. Not too hot, you don't want to cook them.:) (10/02/2007)
By msettamae2
The best thing I've found for cuticles and extremely dry hands is just before bed to put Vicks or Mentholatum on my hands and rub it in well, put on a pair of gloves, nylon holds the body heat in better. The next morning wash hands well with warm water and a MILD soap then use a good lotion. Works wonders! (10/03/2007)
By SalTCBug
Hi Donna. Pure lanolin (from the drugstore) should work well as it does for me. In addition, every time you wash your hands, gently push your cuticles back with a towel. Eventually, your problem should disappear. (10/03/2007)
By sheilamay
Many thanks to Susan, editor of ThriftyFun.com, who gave me advice to use Carmex or any lip balm. It works! I am starting to see improvement after 3 days. My nails seem to be growing better too.
Donna from Victoria B.C. (10/03/2007)
By preppy56
First of all, you need to get rid of the existing hard cell clumps on the sides by sanding them down (I read this somewhere) and then take good care of what's left. (10/04/2007)
By cookwie
Well, what I do is put Vicks on them! But I read something about how olive oil or any natural oils like coconut oil, rosemary oil, jojoba oil, etc. works so good! (10/04/2007)
All you need is some cuticle oil, or vitamin E oil. That's all. (10/07/2007)
By Trisha
Use creative cuticle eraser. It really works! Don't cut your cuticles. They will become harder. (10/12/2008)
By
I thank all of you for your time and feed back. I may try all of what you said might work. One at a
time of course! Thanks again. (11/13/2008)
By Carolynn C.A
Exfoliate them gently with a mixture of olive oil or any oil and just enough sugar to make a gentle abrasion. I did this just a few times and it was nothing short of a miracle. I didn't even need any cream after although you surely could. (02/11/2009)
By Judy
Instant manicure! In between manicures, my cuticles tend to be very dry at home. It's isn't a problem to apply cuticle oil, but invariably, when I'm on the way to an appointment in the car, I look at my hands and wish I had treated my cuticles before leaving home.
To solve this problem I take 3 or 4 Q-tips and break off one cotton end off, leaving a long stem and a cotton end. I saturate them with olive oil and store them in a small medicine bottle in my purse.
Take one out and rub along the cuticle line. Add some lotion to your hands and rub in, it's so simple. You can use each Q-tip at least 2 times each. It really makes your cuticles look good!
By Deborah from Vero Beach, FL
Great idea and I am going to use baby oil instead because it has such a lovely smell and penetrates as well. Thanks so much for a great tip! (12/14/2009)
By Deeli
