If you’re a regular at the nail salon, you might not even think about cuticle care since you're regularly outsourcing it to your nail technician. But, it's time to learn why they do what they do, and how you can care for your cuticles at home!

Cuticles are actually part of your skin. They shouldn't be cut with nail clippers, scissors, or the like because once they open up to your nail beds, they're more prone to infection. They can, however, be pushed back with an orange stick or metal tool—though even metal is too harsh for most. Below, we've detailed a quick, step-by-step cuticle care routine you can master in minutes.

Step 1: Soak in warm water

The softer your cuticles are, the more receptive to products they will be. 

Step 2: Oil them up

Massage a cuticle oil into your cuticles to help them stay hydrated and healthy and to protect from infections.

Save: Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil ($7)

Splurge: Deborah Lippman Cuticle Oil ($20)

Step 3: Gently push the cuticles out of the way before a manicure

Using a pro tool or a wooden stick, and a dose of cuticle oil, gently and slowly push back your cuticles.

Save: Sephora Collection Push Back Cuticle Pusher ($7)

Splurge: Tweezerman Stainless Steel Pushy Cuticle Pusher and Cleaner ($18)

Step 4: Apply hand lotion to spread the moisture and avoid hangnails

Hangnails are the worst but they are avoidable. To prevent their appearance, use a quality hand cream regularly to keep your hands (and nails!) hydrated. 

Save: Vaseline Intensive Care Hand & Nail Lotion ($3.79)

L’Occitane en Provence Dry Skin Hand Cream ($12)

How do you care for your cuticles? Let us know in the comments below!