Cuticle vs. Eponychium: Understanding the Difference for Beautiful Nails

 The Truth About Cuticles: How to Take Care of Them the Right Way

Are you confused about how to properly care for your cuticles? It's a common misconception that the band of skin at the base of your nail plate is the cuticle. In reality, it's the proximal fold of the eponychium, also known as the nail fold, that serves as a protective barrier against germs and bacteria. The cuticle is a thin layer of dead tissue that sits on top of the nail plate.

Unfortunately, many people tend to bite, clip or nip the proximal fold, which can lead to redness and inflammation. If you visit a salon for a manicure, it's important to make sure your nail technician doesn't cut this skin. Instead, you can keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality cuticle oil that will soften the skin on the nail plate, making it easy to gently push back and remove the excess dead tissue.

For the best results, we recommend using CuticleEraser™ to exfoliate and moisturize your cuticles, followed by SolarOil™ to protect your skin and nails with its synergistic blend of natural oils and vitamin E. Using them together twice a day will give you healthy, beautiful nails, eponychium and cuticles.

It's important to remember not to confuse the proximal fold with the cuticle, and to avoid cutting or biting the eponychium. A well-educated nail technician knows when it can and cannot be cut. If you want to learn more about nail care, we recommend checking out Doug Schoon's book "Nail Structure and Product Chemistry" and Milady's "Standard Nail Technology".

In conclusion, taking proper care of your cuticles is essential for healthy nails. By using the right products and techniques, you can maintain beautiful, strong nails while also protecting them from harmful bacteria and pathogens.