Should You Remove Your Cuticles?

Last Updated on April 6, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Should you remove your cuticles?

Let’s get one thing straight: I love a good manicure. I love fresh polish, glossy top coats, and the satisfying feeling of perfectly shaped nails. But there’s one thing I won’t touch – and it drives people mad.

“Gio, I love your nail colou… wait! Why haven’t you removed your cuticles?!,”

Yep. Apparently, it’s a sin for a beauty blogger to paint her nails without removing her cuticles. But, I don’t care. Cuticles may not look all that pretty. But they’re SO useful, and getting rid of them is never a good idea. Here’s why:

So What Actually Is the Cuticle?

Let’s clear this up because the internet’s been getting it wrong for years.

People love to call everything at the base of the nail “the cuticle,” but that’s not the full story. There are actually two players down there:

• The cuticle is that super thin layer of dead skin that sticks to your nail as it grows out. It’s not cute, but it’s important.
• The eponychium (yeah, weird name) is the bit of live skin just above it – the one that gets angry and red if you mess with it too much.

The real cuticle (the thin dead skin) is basically your nail’s bouncer. It keeps out dirt, water, and all the nasty stuff you definitely don’t want sneaking into your nail bed. Slice it off and boom! The club’s wide open for bacteria.

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Why Salons Still Remove Them (Even Though They Shouldn’t)

Here’s the deal: removing the cuticle makes your manicure look cleaner, more polished. It gives you that flawless, “model hand” finish. But it’s purely aesthetic. Not medical. Not healthy. And definitely not necessary.

Salons have done it for so long, it just became the norm. Some techs are trained to do it without questioning whether they should. And yes, some people genuinely love the look of a cuticle-free nail bed. But again, it’s risky.

Even worse? If the salon isn’t properly sterilising their tools, or if they go too deep (which happens a lot), you’re walking out with an open wound. That’s how people end up with infections, swollen nail beds, and damaged nail growth.

Should You Cut Your Cuticles At Home?

A lot of people try trimming their cuticles at home between salon visits, but honestly, that’s even riskier. At least pros have steady hands (and hopefully clean tools). At home, you’re one slip away from cutting too deep or causing micro-tears you don’t even see until it’s infected.

If you really feel the urge to “clean things up,” focus on softening the area with oil and gently pushing back – never cutting. And absolutely no metal cuticle clippers. Just… no.

Are Cuticle Removers Any Better?

You’ve probably seen liquid cuticle removers promising to “dissolve dead skin” without needing to cut. And yes, they sound safer. But most of them use harsh chemicals (like lye or potassium hydroxide) that literally melt skin cells.

If you’re not careful, they can burn the live skin too, especially if left on too long or applied too often. Bottom line? They’re not the miracle solution they claim to be. Hydration and gentle maintenance are still your best bet.

What Happens When You Keep Cutting Them

If you’re regularly cutting or pushing back your cuticles, here’s what you’re actually doing to your nails long-term:

• Inviting bacteria straight into the nail bed
• Damaging the nail matrix, which can cause weird growth patterns
• Creating hangnails, those little bits of torn skin that hurt like hell
• Triggering inflammation that makes the whole area look red, puffy, and irritated
• Causing tougher, thicker skin to grow back as a defense response

So not only are you risking infection. You’re also creating more cuticle problems than you started with. Neat!

If You Shouldn’t Cut Them… What Should You Do?

Good question. The goal isn’t to just let them grow wild and take over your nails. You can still keep things tidy and polished… without compromising your skin barrier.

Here’s how to care for your cuticles properly:

1. Moisturise Daily (Seriously, Every Day)

Dry cuticles = messy-looking cuticles. Keeping them hydrated makes them soft, flexible, and way less noticeable.

Try:

• Cuticle oil (jojoba, almond, vitamin E)
• Thick hand cream or balm before bed
• A cuticle pen you can throw in your bag

Hydrated cuticles don’t crack, peel, or scream “cut me off!” They just chill.

Push Them Back (Gently And Occasionally)

If you really want a clean nail bed, wait until after a shower or bath (when your skin is soft), then gently push them back with a wooden cuticle stick. No digging. No scraping. No metal tools. This keeps things looking neat without damaging the skin.

Stop Picking

I get it. You see a dry flap and suddenly you’re peeling it like it’s plastic film on a new phone. But the second you rip skin, bacteria’s already moving in. Moisturise instead. If you’re a chronic picker, keep your hands busy. Fidget ring. Stress ball. Whatever it takes.

Switch To Non-Acetone Polish Remover

Acetone is the devil when it comes to moisture. It strips everything: polish, oil, hydration, your will to live. Go for a non-acetone remover if you’re trying to give your cuticles a chance at survival.

What If Your Cuticles Are Already A Hot Mess?

Don’t panic. Here’s how to rehab cuticles that are dry, cracked, inflamed, or just generally tragic:

1. Stop cutting. Completely.
2. Soak in warm water + oil for 5–10 minutes every night for a week.
3. Moisturise after every wash.
4. Use a healing balm (like Cicaplast or plain Vaseline) if things are really raw.
5. Wear gloves for cleaning, dishes, and literally anything rough on hands.

It’ll take a couple of weeks to see a change, but the difference? Huge.

Why You Should NOT Remove Your Cuticles

Because they’re not the problem — they’re the protection.

They might not be Insta-perfect or salon-slick, but your cuticles are literally guarding your nail beds from bacteria, moisture, and infections that can take months to heal. And for what? A smoother polish line that lasts a few days?

There are so many ways to keep your nails looking clean and fresh without slicing off the one thing keeping them safe. Hydrate. Push gently. Be kind to your hands.

Let the cuticles live. Your nails will thank you.