Try a Dead Sea body scrub.....great all over but the combination of oil and salt not only gets rid of the nasty scabby bits around the nail it actually strengthens and stimulates nail growth.
I use a dab of natural yoghurt after I've soaked my nails for a short time and then rub off with a orange stick and muslin cloth (you probably could use a fruit yoghurt). It works brilliantly. Could be something to do with the enzymes in the yoghurt breaking down the skin.
This works whether or not you wear nail varnish. Take a smallish dab (maybe 1/4 teaspoon TOTAL) of either Vaseline petroleum jelly or A&D ointment and rub it into each cuticle and up the sides of the nailbed. Don't wipe it off--then rub your hand favorite lotion into your hands, including nails and cuticles, and voila! Gorgeous skin and gorgeous cuticles that will stay moisturized for hours, even through a couple of hand-washings.
Try OPI nail envy - I have worn gel nails for the last four years and decided to take a break. I put the nail envy on every single night last thing before bed and also Avoplex cuticle oil 4 weeks later fab all round
I make an oil with a few drops of Geranium Essentiol oil in an Apricot oil base, and rub this on my nails and hands every night. 1 month after stopping biting my nails they are really long and strong, and my skin is really soft.
Invest in some Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle creme. It works fantasticly! Its very intensive care for dry cuticles, brittle nails, and chapped, cracked fingertips. Its made of all natural ingredients and of course has beeswax in it which is funky but does wonders for you surprisingly!