Removing and conditioning your cuticles it very important when doing your nails.
MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CLIP YOUR CUTICLES!
I use a gentle cuticle removing gel that I got at Sally's Beauty Supply.
After 2 minutes of it on I wash my hands and use O.P.I's Avoplex Cuticle Oil
to really hydrate my nails and cuticles and then I clean it off with hand sanitizer and then a lotion to recondition the hands.
I do this every time I remove my polish and my nails are healthier than ever!