When you invest in a premium gel polish system and dedicate significant time to perfecting the manicure, the last thing you want is for the results to degrade prematurely. That’s where cuticle oil comes into play — especially after using gel polish. For professionals and nail art enthusiasts alike, understanding why cuticle oil is essential and which formulations to choose makes all the difference. For users in the GCC region, where climate and salon conditions differ, this is especially true.
At Makear, we specialise in high-quality gel polishes for salons and home users alike. Alongside our gel colour collections, our Makear Cuticle Oil range supports the finish, health, and longevity of your manicure — providing a complete system that delivers results.
Let’s dive into why cuticle oil is essential after gel polish, and then which Makear product works best — so you can get both performance and care in one routine.
1. The Role of Cuticles & Nail Plates After Gel Polish
First, let’s clarify what happens during a gel polish application and why the cuticles and surrounding skin need special attention:
- Gel polish application often involves prepping the natural nail (cleaning, buffing, dehydrating), applying base coat(s), colour layers, and a top coat — all cured under LED/UV.
- The gel system bonds to the cleared nail surface; it doesn’t adhere well to oily, dehydrated, or neglected cuticles.
- After the manicure, the nail plate is sealed, and the gel film sits on top — for durability and gloss.
- However, the surrounding skin, cuticles and nail edges remain exposed and vulnerable to environmental stress, frequent hand washing or climate factors (especially in hot, dry or air-conditioned GCC environments).
- Without sufficient nourishment and care, cuticles can dry, crack or peel — which can affect the edge integrity of the gel job (lifting, chipping, and reduced lifespan).
In short: The gel polish gives the visible finished look, but the cuticles and nail edges need care to maintain that look and prevent underlying weakness.
2. Why Cuticle Oil Matters After Gel Polish
Here are the key reasons why integrating cuticle oil into your post-gel routine is essential:
a) Hydration & Barrier Repair
Gel polish prevents water and air exchange at the polished surface, which means the surrounding skin and cuticle area may lose moisture or become compromised.
Cuticle oil replenishes lipids and oils, restoring the natural barrier and preventing dryness or cracking.
b) Preventing Lifting & Chipping
When cuticles are rough or separated, the sealing of gel around the free edge is compromised. Moisturising the cuticle zone helps maintain adhesion at the edges. Over time, this supports lasting wear.
c) Skin & Nail Health
Many cuticle oils (including Makear’s) contain vitamins (e.g., Vitamin E, Vitamin F) and plant oils that promote epidermal regeneration, improve elasticity, soothe irritation, and reduce the risk of damage or splitting of nails. (Product detail: “Rich in Natural Ingredients: Vitamin E, plant oils … Nail Strengthening …” )
d) Enhancing Finish & Professionalism
A final step of applying cuticle oil gives that “studio polish” finish — soft, healthy-looking cuticles, no dryness or visible roughness around the nail. For salon clients in the GCC — where high humidity, frequent air-conditioning, and hand-washing are common — this step elevates the result.
e) Client Retention & After-care
By educating clients to use cuticle oil after their gel manicure, salons support longevity of the service — fewer lifts, longer wear, more satisfied clients. That generates repeat bookings and builds reputation.
3. What to Look for in a Good Cuticle Oil (especially after gel polish)
When choosing the right cuticle oil, consider these aspects — and Makear ticks all of them:
- High-quality ingredients: Look for plant oils (sweet almond, rice bran, germ oils), vitamins (E, F), extracts that support nail and cuticle health. Makear’s formulation includes these.
- Non-irritating and salon-safe: Especially for clients who get frequent gel applications — the product must be safe for daily use and should not interfere with polish adhesion.
- Easy applicator & elegant finish: For salons this matters: quick, precise application, no mess, pleasant scent and finish. Makear’s oils mention “convenient applicator … distinctive fragrance”
- Compatibility with gel-polish system: The oil should not degrade the seal of the gel but rather support it — so it should be applied after curing and top coat wipe (if required).
- Brand credibility & regional support: For the GCC region, ensure distributor support, shipping, and product relevance. Makear states the GCC & MENA region distributor Arabesque Trading W.L.L has served since 2014.
4. Which Makear Cuticle Oil Works Best? (Our Recommendation)
Within the Makear collection, there are multiple variants of cuticle oil. To choose the best one:
- Makear Cuticle Oil – Bloom (10 ml): Considered a core option, ideal for everyday use. Product page describes it as delivering intense hydration, nail strengthening, and a fragrance inspired by Armani’s My Way.
- Makear Cuticle Oil – Goddess (30 ml): Slightly larger size, premium fragrance “Inspired by Paco Rabanne ‘Olympea’”. Same benefits, perhaps more suited to salon stations or heavier use.
- Other variants (e.g., Oh Girl, Moi Lolita): These offer smaller size or different scents — excellent for retailing to clients to take home.
Our guidance: For salons looking to incorporate as a standard after-care step, we recommend the 30 ml “Goddess” variant for station use, and retail smaller sizes (10 ml) to clients to promote home use. For home users, the Bloom 10 ml offers an excellent ratio of performance and affordability.
5. How to Use Cuticle Oil Effectively After Gel Polish
To maximise benefits:
- Finish gel manicure completely (base, colour, top coat, cured).
- Allow nails to cool for ~30 seconds (prevents oils interfering with adhesion).
- Then apply a small amount of Makear cuticle oil around the nail plate, on the cuticle and adjacent skin.
- Massage gently for 10-15 seconds until absorbed or lightly on surface.
- For clients, advise daily use — especially after hand-washing, swimming, or exposure to air-conditioning.
- Encourage at-home retail: provide the small bottle for clients to maintain healthy cuticles between salon visits — promoting both product sales and client retention.
6. GCC-Specific Considerations (Climate & Salon Environment)
For salons in the GCC region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman), there are additional factors making cuticle oil even more essential:
- Dry indoor air: Strong air-conditioning can dehydrate skin and nails; cuticle oil helps maintain moisture balance.
- High water exposure: Frequent hand-washing, pool or spa areas — cuticle oil helps protect the cuticle zone from repeated wet/dry cycles.
- Rapid growth/regrowth: Clients often prefer frequent fills and styles; maintaining healthy cuticles supports better gel adhesion and repeat business.
- Retail opportunity: Clients often look for take-home care; offering Makear cuticle oils can add revenue and strengthen your brand’s after-care reputation.
7. The Link Between Cuticle Care & Professional Results
When charting manicure success, professionals often look at: wear time, edge lift, chipping, nail health between services. Good cuticle and surrounding skin care contributes to all these. By integrating a high-quality cuticle oil:
- You reduce client complaints about early lift or peeling.
- You build your salon’s reputation for “lasting gel manicures”.
- You position yourself as a professional brand that invests in full-cycle care (not just colour).
- You differentiate from salons that skip after-care steps — thereby elevating perceived value and client satisfaction.
8. Myth-Busting Common Misconceptions
Myth: “Cuticle oil is optional if I used good gel polish.”
o Reality: Even the best gel polish benefits from cuticle and edge care; skipping it leaves a vulnerability.
• Myth: “Cuticle oil will interfere with gel polish adhesion.”
o Reality: When appropriately applied after curing (and directed to skin/cuticle not the overlay), it supports—rather than undermines—the manicure.
• Myth: “One size fits all – any cuticle oil is fine.”
o Reality: Professional salons should use a quality product designed for frequent use and compatible with their gel system – Makear meets this requirement with salon-grade formulation.
9. Business Benefits for Salons & Brands
For salons using Makear or considering adopting it, the inclusion of a cuticle oil product offers several business returns:
- Product retail: Offer cuticle oils for home use; clients appreciate the recommendation and you benefit from repeat sales.
- Increased fill/maintenance business: Well-maintained nails reduce breakage and depressed regrowth issues, leading to more consistent visits.
- Brand positioning: Position your salon as premium and comprehensive — you don’t just apply colour, you care for nails.
- Client loyalty & word-of-mouth: When clients see their nails remain strong and healthy, they talk about it — and recommend you.
10. Conclusion: Makear Cuticle Oil + Gel Polish = Winning Combination
In the world of gel manicures, the polish system often takes the spotlight — the bold colours, the gloss, the longevity. But the silent hero behind the scenes is often the humble cuticle oil. Without proper cuticle and edge care, even the best gel can falter. With Makear’s premium cuticle oil formulations, you’re choosing salon-grade care that supports your manicure from finish to fill.
For professionals in the GCC region, where environment, usage patterns and client expectations all intensify the demands on manicures, embracing cuticle oil is not optional — it’s essential. Pair your Makear gel polish with Makear cuticle oil, integrate it into your after-care routine (and retail offering), and you’ll deliver manicures that look great, last longer, and keep clients coming back.
Whether you’re styling nails in Dubai, Riyadh or Bahrain, your clients will notice the difference — and so will your business.
About Makear ME
Makear is a professional nail care brand distributed across the GCC and MENA region by Arabesque Trading W.L.L. Established to support salons with high-quality gel polishes, builder gels, accessories and care products, Makear is committed to performance, design and after-care excellence. Discover their full range at makearme.com.