10 Best Tried and True Japanese Cuticle Oils in 2022 (Ishizawa Laboratories, P. Shine, and More)

RMK Nail Care Gel Oil has a subtle lavender scent that is mild and very relaxing. It is a pen type with which you can apply just the right amount of oil. Its ease of use makes it very beginner-friendly. The slim form also makes it convenient for storage and for carrying around.

In our tests, the gel-like texture gradually absorbed into the dried fruit in between 30 minutes to an hour after applying. After soaking into the skin, the cuticle oil provided noticeable moisturizing effects. The liquid is quite thick, so it takes time for it to penetrate deeply. However, it does not drip very easily, which was a positive point of this product. 

The brush is firm, making it easy to apply directly to fine and detailed areas, and the oil can be blended without having to use your fingers. When using for the first time, click the pen 15 to 20 times to release the liquid.

Our testers loved the refreshing citrus scent of Kosé's Nail Holic Cuticle Oil. They raved about how the fragrance is calming and refreshing, while not being too zesty. The compact size of the nail polish also makes it easy to carry around.

The best thing about this cuticle oil is its excellent skin penetration and moisturizing power. It takes just about an hour to completely penetrate into the skin so you can easily apply it while at work or before commuting to work.

The texture is slightly thick, but it sinks well into the skin without getting sticky on the surface. The matte-texture lid makes it easy to open and apply the product without any handling mishaps.

Nail Oil 24:45 from uka has a sweet aroma of vanilla mixed with the floral scent of lavender, which makes for an elegant and relaxing fragrance. Our testers liked how the fragrance is soothing and the way the aromatic scent develops with time.

The product also scored high marks for its penetration and moisturizing power. It took about an hour to soak into the dried fruit and it had long-lasting moisturizing effects.

The oil has the perfect balance of texture and moisture, making it ideal for year-round use. The package is compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand, so you can carry it around in your purse. The roller applicator makes it perfect for use when on the go.

Ishizawa Laboratories's &nail Nail Bed Oil is 100 percent organic and comes in a tube. Our testers' opinions were split in terms of its fragrance. Some thought it had an unpleasant oily smell while others said it is a mixture of citrus and floral scents, which they thought was fine. The fragrance isn't strong, though, and doesn't linger. 

In terms of penetration and moisturizing ability, the product received a perfect score. The oil began to penetrate into the dried fruit in only about half an hour, and remained moisturized with no signs of drying out after two hours. The oil has a thicker texture, making it good for fall and winter use. It comes in a compact container that easily fits in the palm of your hand, making it ideal for carrying around.

Tsumekenbido’s Nail Care Oil has a simple composition of just five moisturizing ingredients, including rice bran oil and almond oil. The subtle scent of lavender was favored by our testers and they liked how the fragrance was soothing and not overly strong.

The texture is thick and provides decent moisturizing, but it tends to stay onto the surface of the skin, so you will have to reapply more than once. However, the firm brush makes it easy to adjust the amount of the oil and apply it to fine areas with precision, making it great for beginners.

JILL STUART Flower Nail Oil contains four moisturizing ingredients including lavender oil. The testers' opinions were divided on the sweet floral fragrance, with some saying it felt artificial while others feeling that it was elegant.

The oil began to penetrate immediately once applied, however the skin felt slightly dry after an hour had passed. Thus, although it blends in well, it lacks moisture. We recommend using it in conjunction with a hand cream.

The brush is soft and makes it a little hard to adjust the amount of oil used, but the texture is fairly thick and non-greasy, so you can comfortably use it even when you are doing office work.

ADDICTION Cuticle Oil comes in a sleek design and contains organic shea butter as one of its moisturizing ingredients. Although we found it to be slightly lacking in moisturizing power, it soaked into the skin as soon as it was applied. So if you're looking for moisturizing, we recommend reapplying a few times throughout the day or applying a hand cream with it.

Our testers’ opinions were divided on the fragrance, with some saying it had an unpleasant tangy smell while others thought it was a subtle, refreshing scent. The texture is light and not very sticky so you can use it even when you are doing desk work. The soft brush is gentle on the skin, making it easy to apply to small areas.

MUJI Nail Care Oil is fragrance-free, mineral oil-free, paraben-free, and alcohol-free. It is fairly easy to use, dispensing just the right amount of oil needed. The brush is on the thicker side, but the tip is thinner, so it will be easy to apply even to the minute grooves on the sides of the nails.

In our tests for the fragrance, our testers were divided in their evaluations, with some disliking that it was unscented, while others felt it was good since it did not overlap with the scent of their hand cream. It has decent moisturizing power but lacks penetrating power. We recommend it if you need a cuticle oil that doesn't require reapplication, but not if you are looking for the best in terms of moisturizing. 

DHC Nail Care Serum contains sodium dilauroyl glutamate lysine, which works to repair nail damage. In our penetration and moisturizing power tests, we found that it stayed on the skin surface like a gel, without penetrating very well. It is suitable if you want to protect against dryness but not so much for replenishing moisture to your cuticles.

In our tests for fragrance, the monitors were divided in their evaluations, with some liking the fact that it was unscented while others wanting a cuticle oil with a specific scent. Although the texture is very moist, the pen is tipped with a sponge, which can be used to rub in the oil easily. 

Belinda Cuticle Oil is unique, with different types of colorful flowers included inside each product in accordance with the fragrance. The glass container can be a little slippery, so be careful not to drop it while applying. Some may also find the thin cap difficult to open. 

The oil has a light texture, and although it quickly absorbs into the skin, it tends to dry out fairly quickly too. So if you want long-lasting moisturizing, we recommend reapplying a few times throughout the day, or applying a hand cream in conjunction with it. When it comes to the fragrance, some of our testers commented that it smelled a little cheap.