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How do I Choose the Best Cuticle Pusher?

By Jessica Reed
Updated: May 21, 2024

Cuticle pushers are a type of manicure tool used to help shape the cuticles and push them back off the nails. This makes nails appear longer, smoother, and healthier. Manicure kits often come with a cheap wooden cuticle pusher, but anyone who wants an excellent manicure and healthy cuticles can find the best cuticle pusher by learning about the different types and investing a little more money in her purchase.

Typically, a cuticle pusher includes one curved end for pushing and shaping the cuticle and a sharper end for trimming the cuticle and scraping away dead skin. A cheaper cuticle cutter or one used improperly can cause cuts and may damage the skin, causing sore spots and possible infection. The best cuticle pushers have a small cutting end made to only take off the cuticle without damaging the nail or any other part of the hand.

Before taking care of her cuticles, the user should apply a cuticle lotion or oil to soften the cuticles. The cuticle pusher can then push the skin back more easily and cut off dead skin without leaving behind ragged edges of damaged cuticle. Those who struggle with hangnails may want a cuticle pusher shaped to take care of hangnails as well as trim cuticles. Others who use the cuticle pusher often should consider a smaller size to get in hard to reach places and corners of fingernails.

A buyer should first decide whether she wants a cuticle pusher only or a combination of the pusher and the cuticle cutter. Then she should determine a price range. The more expensive pushers are made of stronger materials such as stainless steel that will last much longer than wooden or plastic pushers. Certain pushers are also designed specifically to deal with sensitive skin and will not hurt when the user pushes back her cuticles. On the more expensive models with a cutter, the buyer can check the package to see if that particular model includes a lifetime guarantee on the product and the sharpness of the cutter.

Pricing for cuticle pushers ranges from a few dollars for a basic version up to $50 US Dollars (USD) for a professional version. The higher priced pushers are meant to provide the best cuticle care and last the longest. A user should determine how often she gives herself a manicure and whether the higher priced pusher is worth it, or whether a simple basic pusher will do the trick.

BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Cruze — On May 26, 2011

I wish I could get my boyfriend to use a cuticle trimmer of some kind. His cuticles have grown so that they cover a solid third of his fingernail.

When his hands get dry, like in winter, the cuticles start to crack and split. It's really ugly to look at, and not so great to touch either.

I can't convince him to do anything about his cuticles. He thinks anything related to fingernails, other than using the fingernail clippers is girly.

By otatop — On May 24, 2011

@Othilia-You can buy an inexpensive plastic cuticle pusher that will work just as well as the costly ones. The only real difference is in the quality of the cutting tool, but the plastic ones work just fine.

If you don't need to cut the cuticle, you can use an orange stick as a pusher. They cost even less.

By Othilia — On May 23, 2011

Wow, I had no idea that cuticle pushers were so expensive! I get my nails done at the nail salon, so I don't own one myself. At that price, I probably never will.

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