10 DIY Cuticle Removal Methods, Straight From Nail Experts

Try Not to Cut Them—Seriously

Trimming the cuticles might seem healthy, but it can actually create more hangnails and jagged edges—or even cause infection. "The cuticles act as a sealed barrier between the skin and the nail to help keep our microbes and irritants," says dermatologist, Hadley King, MD.

In other words, it's best to keep them as intact as possible—even if they grow back at a fast pace. If you feel like you absolutely must trim, only clip what's hanging and not the cuticle itself.

Use a Cuticle-Remover Pen

Since cutting cuticles can get tricky fast, celebrity manicurist, Deborah Lippmann, recommends leaving the cutting to the pros and using a cuticle remover instead. Her Cuticle Remover Pen makes the dissolving process easy as can be—after applying the pen, Lippmann recommends using a stainless steel pusher to gently ease the cuticles back.

Try Cuticle Nippers

Just as you shouldn't cut your cuticles, you should never pull them, either. "If you have a little piece of skin hanging—just barely attached, use your cuticle nippers," Lippmann says. "Eyeball that piece of skin. Place the head of your nipper at the base of the hanging skin. Close and open the jaw in the same spot but do not pull; simply place the cuticle nippers on the extra skin and open and close." 

If you're curious as to why, hear us out: Pulling your cuticles can cause the tiny piece of hanging skin to rip centimeters down your finger—ultimately causing more harm than good.

Swipe On a Cuticle Oil

Mabelyn Alva, the creative director at NYC nail salon, Paintbox, advises using cuticle oil on nails both for maintenance and prevention. "For at-home maintenance, you can push your cuticles back gently while you're in the shower with a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick," she says. "Apply the Paintbox Cuticle Oil daily to keep nails hydrated and to prevent dry cuticles and hangnails."

Dr. King agrees with using oil on the cuticles. "It's very important to keep the skin around the nails moisturized to boost their function against bacteria that can penetrate and cause infection," she says.

Soak Your Nails

Nicole Wong, a Boston-based manicurist, swears by soaking nails in soapy water. "First, push your cuticles with a wooden stick or use a cuticle pusher to loosen up the cuticles on your nail, then soak them in soapy, warm water for a couple of minutes," she advises. "Soaking your cuticles will make it easier to see and trim dead skin."

Once the cuticles are dry, "end the process by moisturizing your nail beds," she says. "Use a hydrating hand cream and preferably a cuticle oil with healing ingredients to avoid infection. My favorite is the Miniluxe cuticle nourishing oil. It's great because it has natural tea tree oil, which is EWG-certified, antimicrobial, and has nourishing benefits of vitamin E."

Use a Buffer

If dissolving your cuticles doesn't seem to be working, consider buffing them. "Use a nail buffer on dry skin to gently buff away any excess cuticles as needed," says Sarah Gibson Tuttle, the founder of nail salon and brand, Olive & June. "Gently glide the buffer cube back and forth along the edge of the cuticle to erase dry skin and smooth things out."

Incorporate a Hydrating Serum Into Your Routine

One of the biggest and best things you can do for cuticles is to keep them hydrated. The more hydrated they are, the easier they'll be to shape and push back. "Dryness causes damage," Tuttle says. "Applying daily cuticle serum is our number one tip to encourage healthy cuticles and nail growth."

Opt for Multipurpose Nail Products

If you're overwhelmed with nail product recommendations, dermatologist, Mansha Sethi Thacker, MD, suggests using multipurpose products to simplify your routine. "I recommend the ISDIN SI-NAILS Nail Strengthener, which strengthens and hydrates both the nails and cuticles," she says. "It contains mastic oil, which boosts keratin production, making your cuticles stronger and healthier."

Dr. Thacker says to apply it once a day on dry, bare nails. "The applicator pen makes it quick and easy to use. If repeated manicures or cuticle manipulation have left your cuticles dry and brittle, this is definitely worth a try."

Use Exfoliating Scrubs

Keep your nails and cuticles feeling fresh by routinely exfoliating them. Dr. Bowles recommends using an exfoliating scrub of your choice, preferably a sugar-based one. "A DIY sugar scrub can help soften the excess cuticle, making it easier to remove safely without damaging the healthy cuticle," Dr. Bowles says.

Go to a Professional

Sometimes, the best way to maintain cuticles is to let the professionals handle them. For this, Dr. Bowles says to "invest in a high-quality manicure with experts who can ensure your cuticles are trimmed safely."