If you wear a beautiful watch, you don't want to neglect your hand care. uka nail oil easily moisturizes your fingertips and leaves them with an uplifting scent, making it a valuable tool for maintaining healthy hands during this dry season. Aso Aya, a talented editor and essayist with many years of experience working in women's magazines, proposes such a "reform of the wrist" to watch enthusiasts.
Text by Aya Aso
Photo by Senta Murayama
Photograph by Senta Murayama
[Article published in the July 2025 issue of Kronos Japan]
Transform your hands with a delightfully fragrant nail oil
This nail oil has been a best-seller since its release in 2009. It comes in a palm-sized roll-on type that is easy to use, and the base oils are highly penetrating argan oil, sweet almond, and wheat jam. The brand believes in organically grown plants and has obtained the international Ecocert certification. (From top) Ukanai Oil 7:15 (Nanaichigo), 13:00 (Ichisanzerozero), 18:30 (Ichihachisanzero), 24:45 (Niyonyongo). Each is 5ml, 3630 yen each (7:15 and 13:00), 3960 yen each (18:30 and 24:45).
First, I'd like to ask a slightly harsh question, even though I know it may be rude.
"Does your wrist have the quality to match that beautiful watch?"
I apologize for the harsh words to those who are indignant and can immediately reply, "Of course! I always keep my hands clean and go to the nail salon." However, I'm sure there are some who were taken aback. In this issue, I would like to suggest moisturizing and fragrant hands for those who are in the latter group and feel a little unsure about their hands.
Have you heard of uka nail oil? It is an undisputed bestseller in the beauty industry, having celebrated its 15th anniversary last year. It is not only popular among fashionable women, but is also a favorite among many men.
It's a convenient roll-on oil that you can use by rolling it around your nails and cuticles. Although it's a fingertip care product, it's also renowned for its fragrance, created by Gilles Bertomeu, president of Sirius, a company in southern France known for its high-quality oils. When applied, it releases a pleasant, uplifting scent without being ostentatious. It's easier to use than perfume, making it a perfect gift for yourself or as a casual, gender-neutral gift. I once gave one to a professional guitarist, whose nails are his tool of trade, and he was delighted.
The four standard products are designed to be worn multiple times a day, and the scents are linked to the expected timetable for the day. The product names are directly based on the time of day. For example, "7:15," which is popular among men, is reminiscent of the first bath in a Japanese inn in the morning, with the aromas of yuzu, cypress, and sandalwood flooding your nostrils one after another. The next, "13:00," has a refreshing and clear lemon-mint scent that is perfect for starting work in the afternoon, and a single swipe on the fingertips, neck, temples, etc. will leave you feeling refreshed.
"18:30" is a rose and jasmine scent perfect for the relaxed feeling after work, while "24:45" is a combination of refreshing lavender with a soothing effect and sweet vanilla. You can use different scents for different occasions, or just keep one that you love with you at all times. Not only are the scents soothing, but the more frequently you apply it, the stronger your nails will become and the more supple your fingertips will become. Even in this season when dryness is a concern, you can have healthy hands that you won't be embarrassed to show off anywhere, anytime.
From a woman's perspective, a man's hands and fingers are symbols of his daily life and attentiveness. In fact, they are often observed without even realizing it. The fingertips are said to be antennae of good fortune, so why not start this spring by renovating what's in your hands?
Author Profile
Aya Aso
Beauty editor/essayist and copywriter. Raised in Tokyo. Over 30 years of experience in the beauty section of women's magazines, she has served as deputy editor-in-chief of "25ans" and "Fujingaho" (both published by Hearst Fujingaho) and "VOGUE JAPAN" (Condé Nast Japan), as well as editor-in-chief of "etRouge" (Nikkei BP). Her hobbies include beauty, finding delicious food, watching depressing anime, and engaging in other niche activities.
