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Attempting a DIY manicure and pedicure can be a difficult task, especially when it comes to the cuticles. Removing the cuticles can be the hardest part of the manicure or pedicure but we have found some homemade cuticle removers that will make the process a little easier!

Homemade Cuticle Remover Recipes

Making your own cuticle remover at home is easier than you may think! All you need is lemon and oil…in fact, you may already have them in your kitchen cupboards.

Lemon contains a strong amount of citric acid which can weaken the cuticle, meaning it’s easier to remove. Oil is naturally moisturizing and will soothe the skin.

Here is a simple method to get you started when making homemade cuticle remover:

You will need:

How to make the cuticle remover:

  • Step 1: Mix the lemon and the oil in a glass jar and store until the ingredients are combined.
  • Step 2: Gently rub the mixture into your cuticles and nails and leave for 5 minutes.
  • Step 3: Use a wooden nail stick to push the cuticles backwards or use a cuticle clipper to clip the cuticles.
  • Step 4: Wash the mixture off your hands and follow with a lotion.

How do you make homemade cuticle softener? We have found a simple but effective method on how to make homemade cuticle softener, made and demonstrated by Aysu Inan.

Here is a breakdown of the method and steps used.

You will need:

To make the softener:

  • Step 1: Combine all four ingredients into a glass jar and stir until the consistency of the mixture turns thicker and into a paste.
  • Step 2: Apply the mixture onto your nails and cuticles and leave on for 5 minutes.
  • Step 3: Massage the mixture into the uticles for two minutes.
  • Step 4: Wash your hands with warm water and apply hand lotion.

Homemade Cuticle Remover For Toes

When removing the cuticles around the toes, it’s best to make sure the cuticles are softened, allowing the cuticle removal to be easier and less abrasive to the delicate area.

The best way to soften the cuticle skin is to use moisturizing oils such as jojoba and almond oil. Oils are very easy ingredients to use in homemade recipes and can be very effective on their own.

Here is a simple method to get you started when learning how to make homemade cuticle remover for toes:

You will need:

Here’s how you make the cuticle remover for toes:

  • Step 1: Combine all three oils together in a glass or plastic container and make so the oils combine.
  • Step 2: Apple the oil even over each cuticle and massage into the nail.
  • Step 3: Allow the oil to penetrate the skin for up to 20 minutes.
  • Step 4: Start removing the cuticles by pushing them backwards with a wooden nail stick.
  • Step 5: Add a few more drops of the combined oils and massage into the skin after removing the cuticles.
yellow nails

DIY Cuticle Remover: Baking Soda

Baking soda is a common ingredient found in all of our kitchen cupboards and can be used for multiple recipes, including for cuticles! Baking soda is naturally a strong exfoliator making it effective when softening cuticles.

Here is a step by step method on how to remove cuticles with baking soda:

You will need:

  • 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda
  • 1/2 tablespoon of honey
  • Moisturizing lotion or oil
  • Water
  • Flannel
  • Cuticle clipper

Here’s how to make this:

  • Step 1: Mix half a tablespoon of baking soda with half a tablespoon of honey to make a paste.
  • Step 2: Apply the baking soda and honey paste to the nails and cuticles and leave on for 3 minutes.
  • Step 3: Use a cuticle clipper to clip the cuticles to remove them.
  • Step 4: Wash the baking soda and honey paste off your nail with a wet flannel. Ideally use lukewarm water as it will be more gentle on your nails.
  • Step 5: Once dry, apply either a moisturizing lotion or moisturizing oil to each nail as the baking soda will leave the skin around the nails dry.
clear glass jar with white liquid

Coconut Oil Cuticle Remover

Coconut is very hydrating and can help retain water, keeping the skin hydrated for longer. As coconut oil is naturally very soothing and moisturizing, it is a great natural ingredient to help loosen cuticles. If the cuticles are hydrated, it can make it easier to remove them.

Here is a step by step method on how to remove cuticles with coconut oil:

You will need:

  • Coconut oil
  • Wooden nail stick
  • Lotion

Here’s how to make a coconut oil cuticle remover:

  • Step 1: Rub a pea-sized amount of coconut oil onto each nail, specifically over the cuticles. Leave the coconut oil to sit on the cuticles for 20 minutes.
  • Step 2: When the cuticles look soft, use a wooden nail stick to push the cuticles backwards.
  • Step 3: Wash the coconut oil off with warm water.
  • Step 4: Apply lotion to the nails and cuticles.

Apple Cider Vinegar Cuticle Remover

Apple cider vinegar is a great natural ingredient to help the cuticles soften, making them easier to remove. The well-known apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which also helps to loosen the cuticles.

Here is a simple method using apple cider vinegar as a cuticle remover:

What you will need:

  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Wooden nail stick
  • 1 teaspoon of moisturizing oil such as jojoba or coconut oil

Using this is as follows:

  • Step 1: Select a medium sized bowl and fill it half full with apple cider vinegar.
  • Step 2: Soak your nails in the apple cider vinegar for 5 minutes.
  • Step 3: Once you have soaked your nails, wash your hands with lukewarm water.
  • Step 4: Apply a pea sized amount of jojoba or coconut oil per nail. This will help to soften the cuticle.
  • Step 5: Use a wooden nail stick to push back the cuticle.

How To Remove Cuticles With Cuticle Remover

A cuticle remover is a product made up of a formula designed to weaken the cuticles and make them easier to remove. Often, cuticle removers can contain harsh chemicals and are full of strong ingredients. Using a cuticle remover is one of the most popular ways to remove cuticles and is often used in salons during manicures and pedicures.

You will need:

Here is a simple method of how to remove cuticles with cuticle remover:

  • Step 1: Apply a pea size amount of the cuticle remover on each cuticle you wish to remove. You can either apply the cuticle remover with your hands or with an applicator.
  • Step 2: The average time to wait once you have applied the cuticle remover is 5-8 minutes. This will depend on each product and brand.
  • Step 3: Once you have waited the appropriate time for the cuticle remover to be effective, use a wooden cuticle stick to gently push the cuticles backwards towards the skin.
  • Step 4: To clean up any areas of the cuticle the cuticle remover hasn’t been able to effectively breakdown, use a cuticle clipper. Gently use the clipper to snip off the cuticles that are ready to be removed.

How Can I Remove Cuticles At Home?

According to professional manicurists, the best way to remove cuticles at home is to use soothing ingredients and a cuticle remover.

You will need:

  • Cuticle remover
  • Water
  • Nail stick
  • 1 teaspoon of a moisturizing oil of your choice (we recommend olive oil as it is very nourishing to the skin)
  • Hand lotion

Here is a step by step method  of how to remove cuticles easily at home:

  • Step 1: Fill a medium-sized bowl full of warm to hot water and place your hand or toes into the bowl. Allow to soak for 20-30 minutes or until your nails feel softer.
  • Step 2: Use a wooden nail stick to gently push back the cuticles towards the skin around the nail. Do this for all of your nails.
  • Step 3: Choose a moisturizing oil of your choice and rub into each cuticle and nail to soften the cuticle and moisturize the area.
  • Step 4: Use a cuticle remover to clip off the dead skin.
  • Step 5: Once you have finished with the cuticle remover, apply a hand moisturizer to make sure the skin is hydrated and healthy.

FAQs

What Is The Main Ingredient In Cuticle Remover?

Professional cuticle removers that manicurists use contain strong chemicals like potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide are chemicals that will weaken the cuticle and dissolve the dead cuticle tissue. Some people can have allergic reactions to cuticle removers containing these as they can be harsh ingredients and can trigger redness or burning. It is best to use a soothing, oil based moisturizer after using a chemical cuticle remover to calm the skin.

What Is A Good Substitute For Cuticle Remover?

Most professional manicurists either use cuticle remover or moisturizing ingredients such as olive oil, jojoba oil or almond oil. These oils can make excellent substitutes for cuticle remover, especially for dry cuticles.

How To Remove Cuticles Without Cuticle Remover

There are many ways to remove cuticles without a cuticle remover that use natural ingredients and items you may already have in your kitchen or bathroom. Here is a list of the different way you can  remove cuticles without a cuticle remover:
– Use a professional cuticle remover containing potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide
– The lemon and oil method
– The apple cider vinegar method
– The baking soda and honey
– Using a hydrating oil and nail stick
– Applying a combination of oil, soap and water
– Using an exfoliant designed for the face to weaken the cuticles

Homemade Can Be Just As Good As Shop Bought!

Before you head out to buy a fancy cuticle remover, check your kitchen cupboards as they may have the answers. The ingredients in your kitchen cupboards may be able to effectively remove your cuticles and lower the level of chemicals you are putting on your skin.

How do you remove your cuticles? Do you use natural ingredients as a natural cuticle remover?