How to strengthen nails

For many of us healthy nails, well-shaped, with a touch of polish and soft, well-cared-for hands, are essential—a calling card with which we present ourselves to the world, as important as what we wear, or that detail that makes us feel put together even in sweats and with messy hair. However, sometimes our nails don’t cooperate, losing both strength and their rosy, slightly transparent appearance. Stress, vitamin and calcium deficiencies, frequent manicures, or harsh products are just a few factors that can weaken them, making them more prone to splitting or breaking. You can take several small steps to get them back to being healthy and strong. The first ones? Eliminate the causes stressing your nails and give them a little extra care.

Why do nails become fragile?

Nails protect the tops of our distal phalanges, aid in fine movements and tactile perception. Protected by cuticles, they are mostly composed of keratin, and in smaller percentages, also contain fats, amino acids, water, vitamins, and minerals. When healthy their surface is smooth, regular, rosy, and semi-transparent. However, many external and internal factors can impact their health, making them weak and dull. Splitting and breaking can be a sign that something is wrong. It could be stress, dehydration, or an unbalanced diet. Often, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can interfere with normal nail growth. Likewise, prolonged contact with water without protection and certain chemicals can also negatively affect them. Be cautious of too frequent and non-professional manicures, done without the necessary care, delicacy, or hygiene. Lastly, avoid soaps, detergents, solvents, and other products with highly acidic or overly harsh pH levels that can alter the nail structure, making them more likely to break and split.

How to make nails stronger and more resilient

It’s not dramatic when a nail suddenly breaks, but it’s not pleasant either, especially if it snags on clothing or happens at the wrong time when a perfect manicure could make a difference. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce the chances of this happening and say goodbye to fragile, damaged nails. From small healthy habits like applying moisturizing cream every time you wash your hands to using the right tools for your manicure, from grandma’s remedies to new-generation nail polishes, here’s how to improve your nails’ condition, making them stronger, more resistant, and more attractive:

Shorten your nails

It may seem trivial, but shortening your nails can help prevent everyday accidents that could break them. It also gives them time and space to regenerate and grow without risking splits and breaks. Finally, short nails tend to look healthier and neater.

Use a glass nail file

Experts say this hack can make the difference between having healthy, well-shaped nails. Forget scissors and nail clippers; for length adjustment, rely on glass files. Unlike cardboard or traditional emery boards, which cause small tears and leave the nail tip rough and more prone to snagging on objects and breaking, the glass version creates a much smoother edge.

Occasionally leave nails bare

Temporary, especially long-lasting, manicures can be great when you want a flawless look to show off for weeks without constant touch-ups, but they can stress your nails. Polish or the pressure of artificial nails can take a toll on their health, especially if they’re already weak. Therefore, experts recommend taking a break between manicures, leaving your nails free to breathe. This reduces the risk of them becoming dehydrated and fragile.

Always protect hands and nails

A simple but valuable tip for stronger nails is to avoid exposing them to excessive contact with water, especially hot water, as the liquid penetrates the nail plate, promoting flaking and weakening. To prevent this, just wear protective gloves, particularly when, in addition to water, you come into contact with harsh chemicals and detergents.

Hydrate

We’ve already mentioned that it’s a good habit to apply moisturizer every time you wash your hands because soap and hand sanitizers dry out both your hands and nails. The cuticle is where healthy new nails begin to grow, so it’s important to nourish and hydrate this area. Ideally, you should apply a specific cuticle oil at least once a day. It’s best to choose dedicated creams or natural products like olive oil and aloe vera, carefully massaging them onto the nail area. Look for ingredients like occlusives, such as shea butter, and humectants, like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. You can also apply masks a couple of times a week for an extra hydration boost. Lastly, hydration is key, so drink the recommended amount of water daily and eat foods rich in water, like seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Choose an acetone-free nail polish remover

All nail polish removers are formulated with some type of solvent. Each has the downside of being drying, thus contributing to making nails more fragile and prone to damage. The most aggressive? Acetone. Opt for gentle, acetone-free and allergen-free formulas that effectively remove polish while protecting both nails and cuticles.

Apply strengthening products

Many products are available on the market to help make nails more resilient. To try and use consistently for the desired results, there are various types of strengthening polishes. Their formulations contain hardening agents like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or Argan oil, which simultaneously nourish, hydrate, and strengthen the nails. An added benefit? They’re often transparent and make an excellent base for applying your preferred nail polish color.

Try grandma’s remedy

Sometimes grandma’s remedies work. Try a natural treatment with olive oil to hydrate and strengthen your nails. Just mix two tablespoons of lemon juice and two tablespoons of olive oil, then soak your nails in this DIY solution. Alternatively, you can simply massage it onto the nail area. The result? Nourished nails that are also shinier thanks to the lemon’s whitening action. Some prefer to use castor oil or jojoba oil, green tea, and tea tree oil instead of olive oil.

Follow a healthy and balanced diet

Beauty routines are also influenced by what we eat. A healthy and balanced diet solves many "esthetic" problems too. As mentioned earlier, one cause of fragile nails is a lack of vitamins and calcium. So, it’s best to restore minerals by eating vegetables and fruits, including dried fruits like walnuts. Salmon, avocado, egg yolks, nuts, dairy products, and yeast are rich in biotin, a B-complex vitamin that promotes healthy keratin growth, which nails are made of. For calcium, there are various dairy products, but don’t forget the proteins from white meat, fish, legumes, and whole grains.