An All-Natural Handscrub for Tired, Dried Out Nails and Cuticles

Brittle nails, dry hands and rough cuticles can surface at any time, but winter seems to be the worst season for unseemly hands. Dry, forced air heat, the cold, lack of drinking enough fluids which causes dehydration are all reasons why your nails and cuticles grow more damaged during the coldest months of the year.

Oftentimes, using lotion isn't enough to keep your nails strong and cuticles smooth. Regular lotions only contribute a thin layer of moisture which isn't enough to satiate very dry skin and nails. In order to maintain healthy hands anytime of year and particularly in the winter, a therapeutic hand scrub is the answer. While many hand care preparations can be purchased at your local beauty supply or drugstore, one of the most effective treatments can be made with items you may already have at home.

A walnut, honey, olive and castor oil concoction that you can make in your own kitchen is miraculous for dry, brittle nails and cuticles. Castor oil is especially beneficial for hydrating nails, hair and lips due to its high vitamin E content. When used alone and rubbed into dry, cracked cuticles, castor oil immediately reduces the damage and protects them from future damage. Castor oil can also be used to strengthen and add shine to dried out nails.

When castor oil and olive oil are combined and used on the nails, they enhance the nails ability to ward off chipping, breakage and also makes them more flexible. The combination of oils also keeps cuticles moisturized and smooth. Adding ground up walnuts to this super hydrating oil mix helps to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, heals excessively dry spots, and replenishes moisture. The honey that is added to the hand scrub not only aids in thickening the preparation, but is also chock full of anti-inflammatory properties which helps reduce any redness around your cuticles.

Making the walnut, honey, olive and castor oil hand scrub takes just a few simple steps and even fewer minutes. The ingredients that you will need are a 1/2 cup of shelled walnuts, two tablespoons of castor oil, two tablespoons of olive oil, and two tablespoons of honey. In a blender or coffee grinder, grind the shelled walnuts until they become a coarse, powdery consistency and pour them in a bowl. Next, add the olive and castor oils, and lastly the honey. Blend them together with a wooden spoon until the walnuts are evenly distributed and the mixture becomes paste-like. For a more intense hand hydrating experience, you can even mix the ingredients together by hand.

Once the hand scrub is ready, dip your hands into it and rub them together with vigor. Scrub and massage your hands for as long as feels good to you, although a minimum of 2-3 minutes is recommended. After scrubbing with the mixture, you may rinse your hands with warm water and moisturize as usual.
This scrub can also be used on tired, dried out feet.

During winter months, using this scrub two to three times a week will keep your hands supple, nails strong, and cuticles tamed. If your hands are particularly dry, this hand scrub can be used daily as it is completely natural and devoid of any parabens or harsh chemicals.

Dried out hands, cuticles and nails can look aged and can also be painful. With a few simple steps and natural ingredients your hands will look and feel great, no matter what the elements throw at them.