There exists no shortage of skin care regimens designed to preserve and protect our faces, our hands and even feet. But our nails — made of the same protein the body uses to create the top-most layer of our skin — sometimes get overlooked, potentially resulting in nails that split or break in uncomfortable ways.
Having brittle nails that crack or peel is not uncommon — in fact, Harvard Medical School suggests that over one in four women have onychoschizia, or nail fragility. This can be caused by a range of factors, including dehydration, nail-biting and even mundane, everyday tasks like typing. Because of this, nail care experts recommend nail strengtheners for folks who frequently find their nails splitting or cracking.
LEARN MORE Best nail strengtheners | How to shop for a nail strengthener | How to use a nail strengthener | Are gel manicures bad?
Pure Strength Nail Strengthener
“Nail strengtheners work by providing extra protection to your nails and helping them to become thicker and stronger over time, ” says Dr. Randa Jaafar, who specializes in interventional pain and wrinkle reduction. “They contain ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E, which help to nourish and protect the nail. When used regularly, these ingredients can help to improve the overall strength and health of your nails.” While nails generally become weaker over time, with regular use, nail strengtheners can help to rebuild and revitalize nails.
“A great strengthening regime would be to remove and reapply a nail strengthener every four to five days, ” says Rita Remark, Essie’s global lead educator and nail artist. “This can help to keep your manicures fresh and your nails protected” from beneath your polish layer. Alternatively, for lotions and oils designed to help with nail strength, daily application and use can be most effective.
There are dozens of nail strengtheners on the market today, many of which use similar ingredients to achieve the best results for your nails. Deciding which brand works best for you depends on a range of factors, including application type, frequency of use and price point. To help you, we’ve rounded up some highly rated picks that nail enthusiasts say they are loving right now.
Instant Strength Nail Hardener
This well-known brand is a customer favorite, with over 40, 000 Amazon reviews giving this product an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. You can use OPI Nail Envy either as a standalone treatment or as a base coat underneath your manicure. Ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium help to build stronger nails over time.
Customers love this hand and nail lotion for its dual purpose - not only does it help to moisturize skin with Vaseline Jelly, but it also contains mineral oil and keratin, two ingredients that Green recommends in any nail strengthener. Over 2, 000 Amazon customers have given this product 4.6 out of 5 stars, with several citing a noticeable improvement in nail strength in a couple of weeks.
With over 14, 000 customers giving this Essie product an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars, this is another tried and true fan favorite. The primary active ingredient in this product is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which studies have shown to benefit nail strength. Reviewers note longer-lasting manicures when using this nail strengthener as a base coat on a weekly basis.
Strong Botanical Nail Strengthener With Horsetail
This nail and cuticle oil gets a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from over 26, 000 customers on Amazon. Vitamin E, which Green notes is critical for healthier nails, is a primary ingredient of this product, as well as jojoba oil, which helps lock in moisture over time.
Remark warns customers to steer clear of nail strengtheners that include formaldehyde, and this nail strengthener from modelones emphasizes that its formula is free from not only formaldehyde, but other potentially toxic and weakening ingredients (including fragrances and phthalates). Instead, the product relies on expert-recommended ingredients including keratin and jojoba oil. This quick-dry formula gets an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 7, 000 customers on Amazon.
Expert-recommended ingredients including vitamin E, amino acids like arginine and tea tree oil play a role in this Quimica product, which gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2, 000 Amazon customers. While the brand notes that the product should first be used as a base coat to directly aid in nail health, it can also be used as a top coat to prevent chipping post-manicure.
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Best Nail Strengtheners And Hardeners That Repair And Protect
This nail cream works best when applied a couple of times a day, the brand notes. Its main ingredient, lanolin, has been found to reduce the amount of water lost through the skin by up to 30%, which in turn helps to prevent nail cracking and cuticle peeling. Over 1, 300 customers have given this cream a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
Expert-recommended vitamin E helps to enhance this vegan and cruelty-free formula, made without harmful chemicals like acetone and formaldehyde. One particularly pleased Amazon customer notes that this product helped to heal previously peeling and splitting nails, and promoted nail growth after just a few days of usage.
Given that keratin is one of the primary proteins involved in nail growth, it comes as little surprise that it is often cited as a key ingredient in nail strengtheners, and one that comes recommended by our experts. A favorite of editor Lauren Swanson at NBC Select, this product helps with nail growth in just a few days' time, especially with regular use.
China Glaze China Glaze Nail Strengthener & Growth Formula, 0.5 Oz Live In Color With Over 300 Nail Colors
You can use this duri product for both base coat and top coat to help keep in moisture and provide a healthy dose of collagen and fatty acids - two expert-recommended ingredients for stronger, healthier nails. It has an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 3, 000 reviewers.
When it comes to finding the right nail strengthener for you, experts say that there are a few ingredients to look for, a few ingredients to avoid and best practices in terms of application.
“When looking for a nail strengthener, you should look for key ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E, ” says Dr. Jaafar.
Ultra Nail Hardener Treatment
In addition to using nail strengtheners, Dr. Jaafar recommends steering clear of nail polishes and other products that contain harsh chemicals, which can cause damage to your nails.
“When using a nail strengthener, it is important to apply it to the entire nail, including the edges and underneath the nail, ” saysJaafar. “Make sure to apply a thin layer and allow the strengthener to air dry for the best results. You should also take extra care to protect your nails from chipping, splitting or breaking, ” even aside from using nail strengtheners Jaafar adds.
While some nail strengtheners claim to be appropriate for top-coat usage, our warn that this is a dubious claim for proper nail strengtheners. “Make sure to always apply nail strengthener to clean bare nails, ” says Remark. “Never apply them over a base coat - it’ll prevent the strengthener from working.” Our experts also recommend regular application (at least once a week) for maximum results.
Best Nail Strengtheners Of 2023 For Healthy Nails
While the safety of gel manicures has been called into question with respect to nail health, our experts note that these types of manicures are not in and of themselves harmful – that said, repeated exposure to UV light (which is used to seal the gel manicure) can be problematic. For that, our experts suggest applying sunblock before and after gel manicures.
More significant nail damage, however, can be done if the gel is applied or removed incorrectly. Remark notes that gel manicures should be removed by a professional in a salon whenever possible, or follow best practices;
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The 15 Best Nail Strengtheners Of 2023
Lulu Chang is a freelancer based in Washington, DC and New York City. She is eagerly living out her dreams as an aspiring food critic, and writes often about health, wellness, and travel.By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for , from ingredients to acne advice.
Onyeka Obioha, MD is an LA-based board certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, as well as a member of the Skin of Color Society.
Nail Tek Citra 1 Nail Strengthener For Strong, Healthy Nails
/ Jaclyn Mastropasqua Acrylics, gel manicures, cold weather, or age can compromise nail health and lead to flimsy, peeling, and breaking nails. While cutting back on damaging nail treatments can help bring your nails back to health, we get it—it can be hard to part with your nail tech. So instead of forgoing your beloved acrylics or gel manicures, consider adding a nail strengthening treatment into your nail care routine. Infused with a host of essential vitamins and proteins, nail treatments can make nails harder, stronger, and healthier. We conducted hours of research on the best nail strengtheners, evaluating formulas on active ingredients, ease of application,
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