How to Strengthen Your Nails, 5 Different Ways

Brittle nails or breakage getting you down? Don't worry–a few simple lifestyle changes are all it takes to transform weak nails to strong, healthy nails in no time.  

Nails are composed of the protein keratin, which also hangs out in your hair and skin. As we get older, the production of keratin slows considerably, which makes nails look dull and lifeless. But aside from the aging process, exposure to heat and cold, chemicals, and hard water can take a toll on nail health. 

However, easy solutions are at hand. Continue reading below for tips on how to get longer, stronger, healthier nails.

Sure, gel and acrylic nails can be tempting and oh-so-convenient, but they can also be damaging for your nail health. For one thing, nails continue to grow when you have an acrylic manicure, which means you’ll need to refinish them at the salon periodically. The chemicals in acrylics can also be harsh enough to deplete your nails and lead to breakage and brittleness. Moreover, when you get gel and acrylic manicures, you have to be extra vigilant about cleaning your nails and preventing harmful bacteria from settling into your nail bed. 

Thankfully, you can still create gorgeous nails using regular polish, especially water-based nail polish free of harmful chemicals, like COLOR CLUB Keep It Real Water Colors 18-Free Formula. The odor-free formula doesn’t skimp on color or durability, and removal is an easy peel-off away. If you’re feeling adventurous, spice it up with some fun nail art.

Regardless of whether or not you can fit a full mani into your schedule, a hydrating and fortifying base and top coat are essential for healthy nails. Apply a clear base coat to the natural nail; not only does it strengthen nails and keep them from becoming brittle and flakey, but it also makes your polish last longer. The top coat gets applied over the polish and seals in and protects color while keeping your nails gorgeous.

For stronger tips, try a base and top coat that moisturize and promote nail growth. We like DERMELECT COSMECEUTICALS Nail Strengthening Set, which includes a peptide-infused base coat that gives you chip-resistant nails of steel and more flexibility. The peptide-infused top coat then works to thicken nails up to 50% and also extends the life of your manicure.

Cuticle care is the essence of nail care. Dermatologists tend to agree that getting healthy nails requires resisting the urge to pick or manipulate cuticles, which act as a barrier to infections and also work to seal in hydration. They keep bacteria from inching into the nail bed, which means that cutting them can lead to irritation, or worse, infection. So instead of trimming your cuticles, it’s wiser to gently push them back.

A nail and cuticle oil like WAY OF WILL Strengthening Nail and Cuticle Serum is awesome, because it’s designed to moisturize nails and also protect cuticles from dryness and damage. It’s packed with antioxidant- and emollient-rich meadow foam, argan oil, and vitamin E, which protect against moisture loss and inflammation. Lavender essential oil is antibacterial, while geranium essential oil fades scars and evens out skin, and ylang ylang essential oil strengthens.

Acetone nail polish removers are powerful, but they can also be damaging, especially if you’re trying to build stronger nails. Acetone zaps your skin of the natural oils that it needs to stay healthy and hydrated. It can be especially drying to nails and cuticles, and if you’re prone to breakage and dryness, you should stay away from it altogether.

Consider a nail polish remover like LONDONTOWN USA Strengthening Lacquer Remover, instead. This non-acetone, cruelty-free formula cleans away polish without drying out your nails. It’s enriched with a unique blend of botanicals and vitamins that won’t strip the nail of essential nutrients. Plus, it works great on hard-to-remove polishes.

Finding the proper nail file, and using it the right way, is essential when it comes to weathering daily wear and tear and keeping breakage and splitting at bay. You’ll want to stay away from harder nail files like emery boards, which can be too harsh and cause your keratin layers to shed. For beautiful nails, choose a file like BEAUTY JUNKEES FAB Glass Nail File. The gentle file gives your nails a smooth, ridge-free, glossy finish. It’s a high-quality nail care tool that’ll make you skip the salon altogether.

To use the file, start on the outside edge of your nail and gently pull it to the center, continuing to move in the same direction. Don’t use the file in a saw-like motion, as it can fray the edges of your nail. Instead, hold the file at a slight tilt beneath your fingertip, which will prevent over-filing.

Want in on all the Glam Bag fun? Take the beauty quiz now to get started. And don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.