Adding This Simple Step Into My Nail Routine Made My Manicures Look Salon-Grade

With the right cuticle care (and a few expert tips), achieving a clean, professional manicure at home is easier than you think.

Eleanor Vousden's avatar
By
last updated
in Buying Guides
A collage of professional manicures
(Image credit: @paintedbyjools, @paintedbyjools, @raelondonnails,)
Jump to category:

If there's one thing I've learnt about getting an elevated-looking, trending manicure, it's good cuticle work. Way back when I first started doing my nails, I couldn't work out why my DIY manicures never ended up quite as neat as my nail tech's or pictures I'd see on Instagram. Now, having sat in the salon chair with many a celebrity nail tech and best nail artists in my role as a beauty journalist, I've come to learn that expensive-looking nails are 80% good cuticles.

Groomed cuticles—the skin around our nail plates—really do lay the foundation for a long-lasting, professional-looking manicure. And they can make or break the overall appearance of your nails. With "cuticle removers" receiving over 6000 Google searches each month, we're clearly all wanting to upgrade our manicures. However, there are some important things to know about keeping your cuticles healthy and how to safely improve the appearance of your cuticles. So, I enlisted the help of Michelle Class, celebrity manicurist and Sally Hansen ambassador, to shed light on how to safely remove our cuticles and the best cuticle removers to try at home.

The Best Cuticle Removers, Tried and Tested

The best cuticle removers

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

1. Essie Ready. Prep. Go. Advanced Cuticle Remover

2. Navy Cuticle Serum Pen

3. Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

4. Tweezerman Pushy & Nail Cleaner Tool

5. OPI To the Rescue Overnight Cuticle Balm

6. CND Cuticle Eraser

7. Blue Cross Cuticle Remover

8. Diptyque Exfoliating Hand Wash

9. Tweezerman Rockhard Cuticle Nipper

What Is the Nail Cuticle?

Sheer pink manicure

(Image credit: @raelondonnails)

Okay, so what actually is the cuticle, anyway? "The nail cuticle is a layer of clear skin located along the bottom edge of your finger or toe, known as the nail bed. Its primary function is to protect the new nail from bacteria when it grows out from the nail root," says Class.

It turns out that this small piece of skin actually plays a big role in the overall appearance of your nails, as well as the longevity of your manicure. "Cuticle prep is crucial for the overall look of a manicure. Properly prepped cuticles help create a clean, polished look, allowing the nail polish to be applied smoothly and last longer," she says. "Neglected cuticles can lead to a messy appearance and may cause the polish to lift and chip prematurely." Pushing back your cuticles can also make your nails look longer, and maintaining healthy cuticles helps to prevent hangnails, too.

How to Remove the Nail Cuticle

How to remove your cuticles

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

There are several ways to remove the nail cuticle, but some should only be done by a qualified nail tech to avoid causing damage.

1. Cuticle Softener and Pusher: Apply a cuticle softener or remover, then gently push back the cuticle with a cuticle pusher. "For non-professionals, the safest and best method to remove the cuticle is to use a cuticle softener or remover, followed by gently pushing back the cuticle with a pusher," says Class. "This minimises the risk of injury and infection."

2. Cuticle-Remover Creams: These dissolve dead skin around the nail bed, making it easier to wipe away.

3. Cuticle Trimmers: A small tool to trim away excess cuticle skin. However, these should only be used by a professional nail technician. "It is not recommended for non-professionals to cut their own cuticles," says Class. "Cutting the cuticles can lead to nicks, cuts and potential infections, as well as damage the nail bed. It's safer to push back the cuticles gently after softening them."

4. Cuticle Exfoliation: Using a gentle exfoliant to slough off dead skin cells.

How Often Should You Remove Your Cuticles?

How often to remove cuticles

(Image credit: @michelleclassnails)

"Cuticles should be managed and maintained regularly, but not necessarily removed frequently," says Class. "A good practice is to push back the cuticles once a week after a shower or bath when the skin is soft. Over-manipulating or frequently removing cuticles can damage the skin and nails."

So there you have it: everything you need to know about removing your cuticles. Now, time to give my nails some TLC...

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Eleanor Vousden
Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.

With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.

Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.