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The 7 Best Nail Strengtheners To Prevent Breakage, Peeling And Splitting For Stronger, Healthier Nails
The best manicures start with a healthy canvas.
With so many showstopping nail designs - from marble nails and Wimbledon green to aura designs and navy blues - and various in-salon treatments such as Korean gel and BIAB, it's important to make sure you take a minute to assess the health of your natural nails in between manicures. Even if you prefer to go bare with natural nails, a good nail strengthener is useful to have on stand-by.
The Expert
- Georgia Rae, manicurist
Our hands go through the wringer daily, so if your talons are feeling fragile and thin or is prone to breakage, extra care is in order to restore them back to health.
The best nail strengtheners, at a glance
What is a nail strengthener and how does it work?
As the name suggests, these are essentially treatments that aim to fortify and repair the nails. 'I would recommend a strengthener to anyone with damaged nails or nails that tend to break easily. If you don’t wear gel nails or are between manicures, they’re perfect for protecting and maintaining the health of your nail,' says the manicurist Georgia Rae, who's also a fan of BioSculpture's Ethos range.
Each product performs slightly differently depending on the ingredient it uses, but generally, nail strengtheners work by either sealing the surface of the nail plate to create a protective barrier or improving hydration levels which help to prevent chipping, splitting and breaking.
How to use a nail strengthener
The method of application varies, too. Most formulas recommend applying daily for around five to seven days to restore the nails and build its resilience, while some are available as a base coat you can layer under your nail polish. You can also find strengthening formulas in nail serums and masks.
'I’d advise removing the strengthener every few days to check your nail and see if there are any improvements in the appearance or condition of them. However, this will become more evident over a couple of weeks or so as new nail grows out,' says Rae.
What causes weak nails
Brittle nails can be down to internal and external reasons including improper removal of gel polish and acrylics (or extensions), sensitivity to UV lamps, exposure to the elements and drying ingredients along with nutritional deficiencies. If you suspect the latter, do check in with your GP to see if you're lacking in specific minerals and vitamins.
Dry nails tend to break easily, too. 'My top tip for healthy nails is applying a cuticle oil regularly, at least every evening, as a final step in your routine so it has time to soak in and hydrate overnight,' says Rae. 'Apply to the cuticle and the underside of the edge of the nail. Take time to massage it in to stimulate blood flow and nail growth.'
The best nail strengtheners for dry, brittle nails
Experts in hands, feet and nail care, this strengthening formula from Margaret Dabbs not only fortifies brittle nails, it also restores peeling and smoothes out any uneven ridges. It contains nourishing argan oil to hydrate dry nails, thus preventing it from splitting or breaking.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Sheer neutral pink |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Smooths, hydrates |
| Key ingredients: | Celery seed complex, argan oil |
Breakage and brittleness can impede healthy nail growth, which is where Glow and Grow comes in. Hyaluronic acid and moisturising raspberry leaf extracts flood parched nails so they're less prone to splitting and cracking. The sheer pink hue imparts a healthy, glossy finish, too.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Ultra-sheer pink |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Hydrating, shine |
| Key ingredients: | Hyaluronic acid, raspberry leaf extract |
OPI Repair Mode Bond-Building & Deep Repairing Nail Serum
Similar to a bonding treatment for your hair, this nail serum uses patented Ulti-Plex technology that goes deep into the nails to repair the nail keratin. Use it twice a day for six days to properly restore the strength - just apply two coats on bare nails and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before using anything else.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Strength, repair |
| Key ingredients: | UltiPlex Technology |
Nail artist Georgia Rae is a big fan of this base coat, not only for its ability to extend the wear of your polish, but also for its caring formula. Camellia oil hydrates and nourish the nails, keeping breakage at bay.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Sheer rose |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Hydration, manicure prep |
| Key ingredients: | Camellia oil |
Gels and extensions are all well and good, but if you find your nails feeling a little worse for wear from being cured under UV light, try giving them a break by using To The Rescue instead. It creates the effect of natural-looking nails, but the formula is fortified with peptides and ceramides to repair damage and restore strength so it's less prone to breakage and splitting.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Pale rose |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Strengthen, protects, hydrates |
| Key ingredients: | Peptides, ceramides |
CND's nail care range is a hit amongst beauty editors as they deliver impressive results. For those concerned about thin, weakened nails, this water and oxygen-permeable formula creates a protective barrier against damage while creating a thicker feel to the nail. Use on its own, or as a base coat.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Thickening, protecting |
| Key ingredients: | Tsubaki oil, celery seed extract |
Manicurist S.O.S. Nail Mask
Keep this one on your bedside table. The ultra-hydrating formula aims to rescue brittle nails by infusing it with intense moisture. Apply a generous amount on your nails before heading to bed, and wash it off the next morning. Soothing panthenol works overnight to restore parched nails.
Product specifications
| Colour: | Clear |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Hydrating, soothing |
| Key ingredients: | Panthenol |
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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