The Secret to Great Looking Nails? These 13 Celeb Nail Artist-Approved Cuticle Removers (2025)

TL;DR

Our favorite cuticle remover, Butter London Melt Away Cuticle Exfoliator, is an amazingly effective formula that gets the job done with very little (if any) irritation. Plus, it contains skin-softening ingredients to replenish the nail beds. If you're looking for a tool to maintain your nail beds, the Tweezerman Dual Sided Pushy is our go-to.

Our Top Picks

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Carrageenan, potassium hydroxide | Size: 0.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Liquid cuticle removers work by exfoliating and essentially dissolving dead skin, and Butter London's aptly named Melt Away Cuticle Exfoliator is our favorite. All you do is swipe it on with the brush attached to the twist top (it's designed like a nail polish bottle), then let it marinate for two minutes while it softens and breaks down those beat-up cuticles. Next, gently push the skin back and wipe off any excess with a tissue or cotton pad—no clipping required.

It may sting slightly if you leave it on too long, but the formula is gentle and doesn't seem to cause any damage to the nail beds. This liquid cuticle remover also softens skin and preps nails for polish. It's ideal for anyone looking for a gentle, effective, user-friendly cuticle remover.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Carrageenan, lanolin | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

For just a few dollars, you get a big ol' bottle of this effective formula (which consistently pulls in great reviews from satisfied shoppers). Infused withmoisturizing lanolin (which can even help brittle nails grow), it goes above and beyond cuticle removal and nourishes and replenishes dry, brittle nail beds. Just a heads up, lanolin comes from wool, so it's not vegan.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Sodium hydroxide, witch hazel, aloe vera | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We love a tried-and-true nail care product that can be found at most drugstore chains. This low-pH solution contains natural, gentle ingredients like witch hazel and aloe vera and is a good option for overgrown cuticles that need some TLC.

You need to leave it on a bit longer—anywhere from three to five minutes—and wash it off afterward, but we promise you'll love the results. We also appreciate that it comes with several manicure sticks to help you push back cuticles after you soften them.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You may have seen this bottle at your localnail salon—it is, in fact, a professional formula. ProLinc Cuticle Eliminator works lightning-fast and can even tackle the thickest skin—think the cuticles on your toenails (yep, you have them there too).

We love that it's as inexpensive as our drugstore and budget options. It's also safe to use on gel polish or acrylics.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide, sesame seed oil | Size: 0.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It happens to the best of us—you try out a fun, super dark nail polish, and when you try to remove it, it leaves the ghost of its color behind. But perhaps you didn't realize that cuticle removers can also quickly remove stains. Orly Cutique is ideal for nail beds that appear discolored or dingy after removing dark nail polish.

"This is my personal favorite because it both removes cuticles and also gets rid of stains," says Gerstein. To reap those brightening benefits, apply a couple of drops to each nail bed, rub it around with a cotton pad, and then rinse it off.

Type: Gel solution | Active Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide, aloe vera, chamomile | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Manicures can be fun and feel great, but they can also eat up a chunk of time you might not have. If you're looking for a super quick at-home nail care boost, Sally Hansen has your back. Another one of Gerstein's picks, this speed demon gets the cuticle-eliminating job done in just 15 seconds.

While using it too often may dry out your nails, we appreciate that the gel solution is formulated with hydrating, skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile. Some testers have noted it can still be a little dry, though.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide, lanolin | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Yes, a bottle of Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Treatment may cost more than aprofessional polish change, but it might still be worth a splurge. Gerstein loves how the exfoliating formula quickly breaks down dead, dry skin.

We're big fans of the dropper applicator, which makes it easy to apply just the right amount onto each nail bed—though it can sting a bit. And for the price, we do wish the bottle was a bit bigger.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Call us shallow, but we'd be willing to shell out more dollars for this pick just because of the chic, recyclable bottle; the formula is no joke, either.

Tenoverten's Cuticle Eraser effectively removes cuticles with just a few drops while softening and smoothing your nail beds. We also love that it's vegan and cruelty-free. The brand says you can use it weekly, but overuse might lead to drying.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide, avocado oil, argan oil, jojoba oil | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You may not realize it, but even the skin around your nails can react to certain ingredients and be prone to irritation. If that happens to you, go with Olive & June.

The brand's take on cuticle remover is this gentle, fragrance-free solution that moisturizes and nourishes nail beds with avocado oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. It's also vegan, cruelty-free, and has been tested by dermatologists, so you can feel confident it's as good for your skin as possible.

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, malic acid, plant oils, aloe vera | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

If your nails are dry, Gerstein says to be wary of formulas containing potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide; both ingredients have a high pH and can cause more dryness. Instead, seek out a cuticle remover that relies onexfoliating AHAs(alpha-hydroxy acid, a chemical exfoliant), like this one. CND Cuticle Eraser uses lactic acid and malic acid to dissolve dead skin tissue while plant oils and aloe vera hydrate and condition.

Type: Liquid solution | Active Ingredients: Sodium chloride, lanolin | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Gerstein is just one of many fans of this Amazon top seller. Happy shoppers rave about how well (and fast) it dissolves and softensdead skin. Beyond giving cuticles the boot, SuperNail can remove actual stains—not just discoloration on your nail beds.

We're talking ink, hair dye, wine, you name it. The only thing we don't like about it is it contains cocomide DEA, a chemical version of coconut oil that has been linked to cancer.

Type: Tool | Active Ingredients: N/A | Size: 4.25 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches | Cruelty-Free: N/A

Sometimes, you have to go back to basics to get the cleanest-looking cuticles—that's where this trimmer tool comes in. Some people advise against trimming your cuticles, but we can't deny that it makes for a smooth-looking manicure. Also, sometimes, you just need to snip a hangnail.

We like this Japanese-made stainless steel trimmer, which boasts extra-sharp, flat-edge blades that make it easier to clip offdead skin. However, this tool is not for trimming nubies—it's easy to pull into live skin accidentally, so proceed with caution.

Type: Tool | Active Ingredients: N/A | Size: 2 x 1 x 3 inches | Cruelty-Free: N/A

Pushing back your cuticles is arguably the fastest way to make your nails look better. That's why we love this convenient little tool from Tweezerman. The soft-touch handle makes for a comfortable grip, while the dual-sided tips make it easy to reach every part of your nail, although the curved side is a little thick.

You can use it on dry nails, but apply a liquid cuticle remover solution first for best results. Then, push your cuticles back. Just be careful not to push too hard, or you might push up onto thicker skin, which doesn't feel good.

FAQ

• How do you use cuticle remover?

  Swipe or drop a small amount of the cuticle remover along the nail, then spray it with a tiny bit of water to help emulsify the formula. Gently push the cuticle back, then finish by wiping off the dead skin and remaining residue with a cotton pad or tissue.

• How do you remove cuticles on toenails?

  Any cuticle remover product can be used the same way on your toes as you would on your fingers. "The nails and cuticles are the same, no matter whether they're on your hands or toes," says Gerstein.