Beauty Tip: Nails and Cuticles

Failing to take adequate care of your cuticles can not only lead to an array of unsightly nail disorders and diseases, but drastically increase the risk of unnecessary damage to the matrix (the only 'living' reproducing part of the nail), but what makes this seemingly simple overlapping epidermis surrounding our nails so important? Allow me to explain...

The cuticle's primary purpose is to form a protective barrier between the nail and skin, preventing invading bacteria and physical damage to the matrix. Divided into two parts, the eponychium situated at the base of the nail and the peronychium, located either side of the nail, it covers roughly one fifth of the developing nail and is constantly discarding old cells as well as producing new ones. 
It should therefore come as no surprise that unless this particular part of the nail is kept soft and pliable, the cuticle is not only susceptible to splitting, causing hangnails and potential infection, but excessive growth onto the nail's surface forming an unsightly thick, hardened growth of dry cuticle (pterygium) may occur.

A great tip to ensure that your cuticles remain adequately maintained is to simply combine regular professional manicures with the daily application of cuticle oil. The moisturizing effects of this particular product will not only keep cuticles soft and pliable, but reduce the risk of unwanted splitting and potential infection considerably.