Nail and Hand Care

[JoSometimes]

EDIT: What started as a journey for me has become this wealth of information for anyone wanting to step up their nail game. If you are looking for help with your nails, please scroll down and read through. There’s a lot of great information here!

Thank you @ather @WinglessOne @RGbrown @CynthieLu and anyone else I may have missed for your contributions and to everyone else who will contribute in the future!

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Since discovering the joys of manicures and nail polishes, I’ve been wondering about proper hand and nail care. I have a handle on skincare, especially because my eczema forces to me to be prudent with it, but nail care is new to me. 

Lots of hand washing from work plus eczema on my hands means my hands are usually dry. I do keep hand cream or lotion handy for after washing. I also have a nail brush for cleaning up under my nails when they get really dirty (usually after working on my car or in the garden.)

My questions are: Is there anything else I should be doing to keep my nails in top shape? And what can I do when my cuticles are damaged? (Sometimes happens when my eczema flares up on top of my fingers). The internet has proven to be a wealth of information though some of it is contradictory.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@ather good to know!  The Burt's Bees might be more in my ideal spend range!  🐝 

[RGbrown]

@greeneyedgirl107 

Honestly, I don't really look at much that's marketed specifically as a "nail cream", so I don't have any recommendations for that category...I want my jojoba oil first, and then if my hands themselves are dry after that, I use whatever lotion or cream I've got scattered around the house. Sorry I couldn't help you narrow that down further!

[greeneyedgirl107]

@RGbrown can lanolin help nails?

[RGbrown]

@greeneyedgirl107 

Honestly, I'm not sure if it's particularly beneficial to nails or not, but it certainly couldn't hurt as a thicker barrier to help retain moisture, especially if you are putting oil underneath it. 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@JoSometimes maybe layering would best for me.  Thanks for the input!

[JoSometimes]

@greeneyedgirl107 I think you meant to tag @RGbrown! 😁

Following what @WinglessOne said, I don’t see why good skin care can’t be applied to your hands to benefit your nails too. If it works for you, why not?

[greeneyedgirl107]

@JoSometimes thanks for catching that!

[greeneyedgirl107]

@RGbrown that's OK.  I have CND Solar Oil but whenever I apply it, I always seem to have to go to the bathroom shortly thereafter and then wash my hands...so the oil never stays on long.  

[ather]

@JoSometimes  I like to use cuticle oil before I go to bed at night. My all time fav one is by Dior! Keeping your hands moisturized is also a great way to take care of your nails! Making sure to keep your cuticles don’t grow out to far. I like to push them back with a cuticle stick. I also like to nip any hang nails before they cause a bigger issue. @WinglessOne  @RGbrown  are basically experts. Any better tips and tricks. 

[Saradestin]

I need to take much better care of my nails @ather , you remind me how important cuticle oil is and I rarely use it 🙈

[ather]

@Saradestin  I wash and sanitize my hands all the time so it’s a must for me!!!

[Saradestin]

I compete with the squirrels at digging holes in my garden @ather , so I am in deep need of further care than the one I provide to my nail/hands 😅

[JoSometimes]

Thank you @ather for the tip about cuticle oil. And I know those two are a wealth of information. Hopefully they’ll chime in here too.