"While [olive oil] does not promote new growth per se, it does improve brittleness and reduce breakage, allowing the nails to grow to the best of their ability," says Dr. Zeichner.
You can soak your fingertips in warm olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes to promote the moisturization of your nails and fingers, then dry your hands naturally without wiping.
On top of keeping cuticles healthy, olive oil can actually help your nails grow. “Because of the rich vitamin E olive oil contains, it is extremely moisturizing and easily absorbed, which makes it great for nail growth,” says Russak.
Natural oils like, almond oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, cotton-seed oil, and coconut oil are the best for nail growth. All you need to do is massage your nails and cuticles with one of these oils on a daily basis and you'll be surprised with the outcome.
To use olive oil on your nails, simply warm a small amount of oil in your hands and massage it into your nails and cuticles. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. You can also mix olive oil with other ingredients, such as lemon juice or honey, to create a nourishing nail mask.
Lim recommends applying it twice a day, but there is not such thing as "too much" when it comes to cuticle oil: More really is better. Here, the best cuticle oils recommended by nail and beauty experts and shoppers to soften and heal dry skin, plus keep nails looking healthy and polished.
Mineral oil remains on the surface of the nail plate and skin and doesn't absorb. Any oil or oily substance that won't penetrate the skin is also unlikely to penetrate nails.
"Cuticle oil does not specifically stimulate nail growth," says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY. "But it can help to keep the nails and the skin around the nails healthy by optimizing the skin barrier function."
Biotin is a form of vitamin B that is responsible for nail growth. If your nails are not strong, studies show that biotin supplements strengthen nails and help with growth. 2.5 mg of biotin daily is recommended by studies but you should consult your doctor as well.
Soak your nails in a mixture of three tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice for 10 minutes. Follow this home treatment for about 10 minutes every day to strengthen your nails. Simply applying warm olive oil to the ends of your nails also serves as an effective treatment to grow your nails.
You can apply using the brush itself or by dropping some oil onto a cotton pad and dabbing it onto your cuticles. Once applied massage into each nail and the skin surrounding it for around 1 minute to reap the benefits. For best results, cuticle oil can be used every day.
It takes 3 days. "Oil is absorbed into the nail plate to plasticize it (flexibility), but much more slowly than water. Just as oils are absorbed more slowly into the nail plate, it is also more difficult for the oils to escape.
Less vitamin D:
Several vitamins such as A, C, D, B12 are vital for nail growth, and with changed dietary in winter it may fluctuate during the colder months. So less vitamins leads to slower nail growth.
You can apply cuticle oil three times a day. However, if you have worn out cuticles, you can apply the oil every time you wash your hands. Place a few drops on your cuticles and gently massage them in an upwards motion. With consistent use, you will notice hydrated nails with healthy skin around them.
How long should you leave cuticle oil on? Once absorbed into the skin, cuticle oil can remain on until your next hand wash—the longer it's on the skin the better. If applying before nail polish, make sure the oil has been completely absorbed first or the polish won't set properly.
Step 3: Soften Your Nails and Cuticles
Soften nails and cuticles in a bowl of warm water mixed with cuticle oil, olive oil, or body lotion. After a 10-minute soak, dry off and apply cuticle cream or lotion.
The standard rate of growth of a normal fingernail is between 0.5 – 1.2mm per week, but this differs from one individual to another. On average, this is approximately 0.1mm a day.
Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age.