Imagine – you are in a wonderful office, dressed appropriately for an interview or a meeting, looking and smelling your best. The manager walks in and shakes your hand only to find edgy, sharp, ragged, and unattended nails. There, you just ruined your first impression!
While, for most of us, the burden of paying for a bi-weekly or a monthly manicure & pedicure and finding enough time to go for one is a challenge. There are many out there who have even made pampering themselves a ritual. And sometimes, pampering yourself and your nails does not demand a salon visit every time. Sometimes, all you need are smart techniques and natural remedies to take care of you and your nails while you are incredibly busy in your work and personal life. Well, we’re here to give you the inside scoop on nail care: using essential oils for nails is a great way to save money and time using an all-natural remedy that’s beneficial to your health.
Why do you need to have good looking nails?
A manicured, clean hand is any day more pleasing than a hand with ragged nails and cuticles. Rest assured, in no way are we trying to undermine someone’s way of living. Instead, we are bringing the focus on something that’s not only aesthetically pleasing but also clean.
Moreover, it is not just about the beauty. Unhealthy nails are more prone to breakage and sometimes can be incredibly painful while you are indulging in fun and adventurous activities. Damaged cuticles can lead to infections that can increase the pain even further. Because of this, it is important to take care of your nails just as you would take care of any other part of your body.
Washing dishes or washing your hands with hard water and soap again and again, dry weather, and excessive use of nail paint remover can damage your nails and make them weak and brittle. Thus, it is important for you to take good care of your nails in a natural way that won’t end up doing more harm than good.
No matter what forces your nails to become delicate, thin and weak, essential oils can heal them the right way, saving you time by helping you escape the monthly salon rituals.
Below is a list of the top essential oils for nails and their recipes that promote growth, strength, natural shine in nails and moisturize the skin keeping it cuticle free.
Best essential oils for nails:
There is a multitude of essential oils for nails and cuticles available and almost all of them offer great benefits. These natural oils are nutrient rich and possess different properties that not only protect and promote healthy nails but also keep fungal, bacterial and other microbial infections at bay. Here are some of the best options for your nail routine:
1. Myrrh essential oil for nails: This is the best natural product works on promoting the growth of smoother and stronger nails. The oil is beneficial for both hands and feet. However, you shouldn’t use the myrrh oil during pregnancy. Also, a word of caution. Do not use the oil more than three times a week on your nails as it might turn them yellow.
2. Lemon essential oil for nails: Say goodbye to the dark skin around your fingernails and let this citrusy oil add that natural sheen and shine to your nails. You will have no more have to deal with thin nails breaking every now and then. This oil is ideal for treating the yellow-green discoloration of the nails.
3. Lavender essential oil for nails: No infections, an aroma that lingers all around you, and healthy nails are all a result of using lavender essential oils for nails and cuticles. The oil of lavender is ideal for people suffering from nail psoriasis or any other fungal infections. The aroma itself has beneficial properties. Inhaling the scent can enhance blood circulation and help relieve anxiety.
Read More: Essential Oils That Can Help You Treat Psoriasis
4. Carrot seed essential oil for nails: The essential oil of carrot seed is known for regenerative properties. The oil moisturizes the skin surrounding the nails and softens the nail beds. Moreover, the oil is a key ingredient in many cuticle oils. In addition to being arguably the best oil for nails, carrot seed oil can be used as an anticarcinogenic, a disinfectant, and antiseptic, a diuretic, and even an emmenagogue.
5. Roman chamomile essential oil for nails: This is our personal favorite. The fragrance and effect of this oil are magical. Don’t we all love the many benefits of chamomile essential oil? It helps in treating flaky and bent nails. The chamomile oil is great for treating ingrown nails as well as cuts. Also, the oil reduces the yellow pigmentation caused due to chemical exposure or excessive use of nail polish remover.
6. Tea tree essential oil for nails: The last oil on our list of best essential oils for nails is the mystic tea tree oil. The purest form of oil is extremely potent and not all can benefit from the healing powers of this oil. By just dipping your hand or feet in water mixed with tea tree essential oil, you can moisturize your nails, prevent them from splitting, and stray away all types of bacterial and fungal infections.
Note: Every essential oil you pick is a natural blend of highly reactive ingredients. These oils are extremely effective, however, when not used in the right way or in excessive amounts, they can do more harm than good.
The best way to use an essential oil for your nails is to try a patch test. If there’s any allergy or irritation that persists, you should not continue using the oil. Also, it is advised that you dilute the oil in a carrier oil before use.
Now that you know of the best essential oils for nails and cuticles, let us take you through the many versatile ways of using these oils.
Home remedies for getting perfect nails
Remedy #1
What you need: Tea Tree Oil + Olive Oil + Vitamin E
Frequency of nail care: Once a week
Treatment for: Chapped, broken, thin nails.
Time taken: 25 minutes
Ideal for: Both hands and feet
Steps: Take a bowl and pour olive oil into it. Dip your fingers in the bowl for about 20 minutes. You can use a bucket for your feet. Next, after 20 minutes, massage the excess oil on your nails into the skin. Now take the bottle of tea tree oil and a cotton swab. Dip the swab gently in the olive oil (just enough to soak in some oil) and pour about 5 to 6 drops of tea tree oil over the swab. Apply the tea tree oil using the cotton swab all over your fingernails or toenails. Lastly, moisturize using vitamin E.
Alternatively, if you are short on time, take a 15 ml glass bottle and pour about 10 ml olive oil in it, which is another great essential oil for nails. Next, add about 3 ml Vitamin E oil to the bottle and lastly, 2 ml tea tree oil. Shake the mixture well and keep it away from sunlight. Apply this blend once in the morning after you shower and once at night before bed. Also, this blend will keep psoriasis of nails at bay.
Remedy #2
What you need: Hot water + lemon slice + lemon oil + olive oil
Frequency of nail care: Everyday
Treatment for: Dark skin around the nails, cuticles, and brittle nails
Time taken: 5 minutes
Ideal for: Both hands and feet
Steps: Take a bowl and pour some lukewarm water in it. Add a lemon slice to the bowl and pour in about 4 to 5 drops of lemon essential oil. Dip your hands in the bowl of water and rub the lemon slice all over your nails and the dark skin surrounding your nails. Use the slice to clean all forms of dust in and around the nails. Now, wipe off your hands using a clean tissue and apply olive oil as a moisturizer. If needed, you can add a few drops of lemon essential oil to olive oil as well.
Remedy #3
What you need: Hot water + lavender oil + olive oil
Frequency of nail care: Every alternate day
Treatment for: Every nail related issue. Seriously.
Time taken: 15 minutes
Ideal for: Both hands and feet
Steps: Dip your feet and hands in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. Next, mix a tablespoon of olive oil with 7 to 8 drops of lavender essential oil. Massage this mixture on your nails every night before sleeping. This mix of two powerful essential oils for nails is sure to yield great results.
Remedy #4
What you need: Lavender oil + Lemon Oil + Myrrh Oil + Almond Oil + Olive Oil
Frequency of nail care: Everyday
Treatment for: Brittle, breakage prone nails
Time taken: 5 minutes
Ideal for: Both hands and feet
Steps: Take about 15 drops of lavender oil, 10 drops of lemon oil, 4 to 5 drops of myrrh oil and 1 tablespoon each of almond oil and olive oil. Mix these oils together to form a nail nourishing oil blend. Pour the oil blend in a dark colored glass bottle and shake well. Allow the ingredients to synergize. The process should take about 24 hours. Massage the nails with this blend every night before going off to bed. Add tea tree oil to this mixture if you want to protect your nails from microbial infections.
Note: To pamper your toenails, you might have to add more oil than the prescribed amount. Pregnant women and nursing mother are advised to not use any of the essential oils. We highly recommend a patch test for every recipe you try. Though none of these have any side effects, however, if you are allergic to any one of these essential oils, then please consider replacing it with the one that suits you.
Intrigued by the many ways you can use essential oils for nails and cuticles at home for such a low cost? If you are an existing essential oil user, then you already know how beneficial these oils are in our daily lives. For those who still speculating if the oils will work for them, we suggest you give either of these recipes a try. We are sure you are already prepping up for one of these recipes. Do try them and share your experiences using essential oils for nails with us. We would love to hear your secret nail care recipes too.
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