6 Nail Strengtheners That'll Repair Your Brittle Nails
Few things are more frustrating than getting a beautiful new manicure only to have your nail break immediately.
But if you have weak, brittle, or peeling nails, this has probably happened more times than you can count. It may feel like, no matter what you do, you can't get the strong and healthy-looking nails you want.
Believe it or not, you're not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), about 20% of people have brittle nails.
Your nails can become brittle for various reasons, including age, the weather, and even how often you wear acrylics. But no matter the cause, a natural nail strengthener (also known as a nail hardener) will help repair your nails and make them longer and stronger.
If you're ready to say "goodbye" to brittle nails, Flip is here to help. Check out some of our favorite nail strengtheners.
1. butter LONDON Jelly Preserve Nail Strengthener
Give dry, brittle nails a much-needed break from nail polish, gel, and acrylics and enjoy the skin-loving benefits of this tinted Jelly Preserve Sheer Strengthening Nail Treatment. This revolutionary 2-in-1 translucent nail color and 10-FREE nail treatment formula gives a delicious sheer jelly look while working hard to rejuvenate nails and help repair damage from harsh nail formulas and practices.
2. Dermelect Launchpad Nail Strengthener
Grow your natural nails longer, stronger, and healthier. Discover Dermelect Launchpad Nail Strengthener, an anti-aging nail treatment that utilizes protein-peptide technology (Dermelect's breakthrough ingredient, derived from New Zealand sheep's wool) to help strengthen and hydrate nails. This keratin treatment is specially formulated to help damaged nails recover and become naturally long and strong. The fast-drying formula goes on clear and provides a soft shine to wear on bare nails or as a protecting base for under nail polish.
3. Blossom Cuticle Oil
This cuticle oil offers an all-natural way to care for and strengthen your nails. Hydrate and repair your dry cuticles with essential oils that feel good and smell like summer in a bottle. Filled with dried, natural flowers, this blend of nurturing and fortifying oils softens and conditions your cuticles and restores your nails to their natural beauty. Brush on the goodness with a light floral scent.
4. butter LONDON Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer
Create perfect nails with one of the best nail strengthener polishes around. This posh butter LONDON nail lacquer features their Patent Shine 10X good-for-you nail formula that’s proven to promote brighter, stronger, healthier-looking nails. The patented Shock Resistance Polymer Technology delivers a gel-like finish and undeniable shine with up to 10 days of wear. Radiant curing hardens and dries the nail polishes with the ease of natural light. From beachy nails to a British brunch, use the unique dense, curved brush applicator which hugs nails for flawless, full-color coverage that coats nails brilliantly.
5. LONDONTOWN kur Cuticle Gel Pen
This probiotic-packed nail care pen leaves cuticles thoroughly replenished and refreshed. Formulated with a complex of fermented botanicals and infused with nourishing oils, this easy-to-use pen makes on-the-go care as convenient as possible. A mess-free applicator and weightless formula delivers essential moisturization and works to re-balance and strengthen microbiomes. Simply twist to dispense the perfect amount every time.
6. LONDONTOWN kur Nail Probiotic Instant Boost
A transformative nail essence and mask that hydrates, revives, and protects. This multi-tasking kur treatment features a revolutionary probiotic complex and dual-exfoliating benefits and delivers instant gratification — even when you’ve got less than a minute on your hands. Use it as a pre-manicure pick-me-up for healthier, stronger-looking nails and cuticles or as a leave-on mask for added hydration.
FAQ
What’s the most effective nail strengthener?
When looking for an effective nail strengthener (or creating a DIY nail strengthener at home), it's essential to use one that contains ingredients that nourish and protect your nails. Check the labels and look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, silicon, calcium, and keratin. A great, simple at-home option is using vitamin E cream as a mask for your nails because it nourishes the cuticle and protects nail growth.
And while you're checking the label, make sure you don't see formaldehyde or formalin. Even though these ingredients make your nails feel stronger at first, the FDA reports that these ingredients make your nails more brittle in the long run.
As long as you've got beneficial ingredients in the bottle, you can use any nail strengthener you want. Grab a strengthener pen if you prefer something that's easy to use. If you want something that looks great and saves you time, get a polish-strengthener combo. Ultimately, the best nail strengthener is the one that you’ll use consistently.
Does nail strengthener actually work?
A nail strengthener works in two ways. First, it creates a protective layer over your nail plate, giving it a safe place to recover from damage. Second, the best nail growth strengtheners are packed with vitamins and other nutrients that "feed" your nails and help them become stronger.
These benefits explain why it's important to use your best nail strengthener after wearing acrylic nails or a gel manicure. When you get artificial nails, your manicurist has to file down the surface of your nail until it’s rough enough to adhere to the acrylic. Gel manicures don't always require filing, but if your polish starts chipping and you peel it off, you're likely to lose bits of your nail with it. Both these processes are rough on your natural nails, leaving them weak, brittle, and simply not cute (which is why you end up getting more acrylics).
Luckily, most nail strengthener treatments are very effective at healing your nails. If you use a strengthener consistently, you should see results in just a few weeks. And if you don't want to wear "naked nails" during that time, use a nail strengthener as a top coat or base coat for your nail polish.
What can I use to strengthen my nails?
The nail products we mentioned here are great options for healing your nails and making them stronger and longer. But some other nail care products will help, too.
Research suggests that consuming extra biotin helps improve nail health. You can get biotin by supplementing or eating plenty of sardines, cooked eggs, and legumes. Check also our dedicated page with biotin supplements.
Your relationship to water also affects your nails. While dehydration makes your nails brittle (so make sure you drink up), exposing them to too much water also weakens them. The nail softens as it absorbs water, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Avoid soaking your hands too much by thoroughly drying them or even wearing gloves when doing "wet" jobs like the dishes.
If you’re tired of having weak, unhealthy nails, these suggestions are a great first step to helping those nails heal. And if you couple our advice with a great nail strengthener, you'll have long, gorgeous nails that give everyone nail envy in no time. Get started today by checking out product reviews on Flip to find the best nail strengthener for your needs.
