Dec. 02, 2024
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There is no greater disappointment than having a nail chip after spending weeks trying to grow them out. Handwashing, exposure to household cleaning products, regular acrylic and gel manicures, and even the climate you live in can all affect nail health. While you can't control a lot of those factors, what you can do is find a great at-home nail strengthener to infuse your nail beds with the nutrients they need to be rock-solid.
Many of the best nail strengtheners on the market don&#;t even require you to skip your regular manis while using them. "A lot of people feel like if their nails are weak, they have to let them breathe," says celebrity manicurist Rita Remark. Instead, it&#;s more important to layer on the moisture, just like you would for dry skin or hair, she says.
If you've seen nail strengthening products before and wondered, "Is that stuff really worth the money?" we feel you. That's why Women's Health went on a quest to figure out the answer&#;and spoiler alert, there are some solid options out there. Before adding a nail-strengthening treatment to your routine, here&#;s what to keep in mind before you buy.
Most nail strengtheners come in bottles that look a lot like nail polish. Others come as brush-on treatments with pen-like applicators. Both types are easy to use. However, if your nails are in really rough shape, strengthening creams or multi-step treatments may be the better way to go, Remark says. This is because they provide more hydrating benefits, offering more thorough and effective care when used properly and consistently.
Like any other skincare product, it pays to take a peek at the ingredient list. For greatest efficacy, look for ingredients like vitamins A and E, calcium, biotin, and keratin, which can nourish nails, improving the overall health of both the nail bed and cuticle. These ingredients can also help prevent breakage, says dermatologist Macey Delcambre, MD. Other formulas that work also contain conditioning agents like jojoba oil or aloe vera gel, which can help give nails added TLC. Finally, certain treatments may include an MSM compound, which is a stronger chemical that acts as a bonding agent and can help fix ridged nails, says Remark.
The editors at Women&#;s Health, including editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, commerce editor Jasmine Gomez, and contributor Brigitt Earley, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated nail strengtheners. Our team also consulted two celebrity nail artists and a dermatologist to find out which products they recommend and even use on their own nails. Then, we vetted the most widely-praised formulas, evaluating important attributes like type, key ingredients, ease of use, and overall efficacy. After thorough review, these are the eight best nail strengtheners for brittle nails.
This best-in-class nail strengthener has a rich ingredient list packed with vitamins A, C, and E, along with biotin and calcium to stimulate growth and prevent chipping and breaking. The brand is also stocked in nearly every nail salon and drugstore. The experts we interviewed love that it&#;s vegan and easy to use. Simply paint it on like nail polish.
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When first applied, users say the treatment feels like a gel. It goes on thick, but feels very lightweight and thin once dried. For best results, apply two coats initially. Then, add a new coat once per day for six days. If you prefer, you can layer it with nail polish and lacquer. In this case, the strengthener will function as your base coat.
When applied over your nail polish after the initial treatment, the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener acts as a shiny top coat. In a sense, it works behind-the-scenes while giving your nails an immediate visual glow-up. Based on our previous testing with similar formulas containing biotin, you can expect to see stronger nails in as little as a week, meaning you should experience less peeling, breakage, or hangnails.
The product serves as reinforcement for your nails, ultimately preventing your manicure from cracking. That being said, the actual nail strengthener is prone to chipping after a few days. An easy fix is to simply apply another coat, though. Extra layers go on smoothly without looking cakey.
Read more: Best Cuticle Oils
$18.95 at amazon.com
It may be a fraction of the price of the other nail strengtheners on this list, but this treatment is incredibly effective at strengthening nails. The formula, which is a cult-favorite on Amazon, is essentially a keratin treatment for your fingers. It's formulated with amino acids that absorb into the weakest layers of your nails to harden and promote growth. Like our top overall pick, you&#;ll get better results without nail polish, but you can technically use it as a base and top coat with colored polish.
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&#;After a manicure gone horribly wrong, my nails were in dire shape&#;I&#;m talking about true divots in my nails,&#; says contributor Brigitt Earley. &#;I popped this formula in my cart and it was at my doorstep the next day. After about two weeks, I began to see noticeable repair&#;my nails became a lot smoother and free of pits in the nail beds.&#;
$3.88 at
Celebrity nail artist Temeka Jackson loves this top coat because she finds it lasts longer than other options she&#;s experimented with. Plus, if you're looking for an affordable find, this fan-favorite can be found at most drugstores. The formula is designed to provide an extra hard, high-shine finish, so nails don't break or split.
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The strengthening treatment is also formulated with omega-3 and soy to lessen the look of ridges. Despite it going over layers of nail polish, it acts as a protective barrier that reduces moisture loss to the nail, preventing them from becoming brittle and weak.
After just a few uses, you&#;ll notice fewer tears on the sides of your nails and a longer-lasting manicure. It has a quick drying time, too&#;you only have to wait a few minutes. The formula has an immediate strengthening effect that you&#;ll notice helps lessen chips during everyday activities like dishwashing, and also delivers more permanent results with consistent use.
$3.49 at amazon.com
While this product is definitely a splurge compared to the rest of our top-rated nail strengtheners, it definitely lives up to the hype. The formula, which is rich in camellia oil, cellulose, vitamin E, and argan oil, is designed to nourish your nails while simultaneously visually correcting any discoloration.
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GLS Package supply professional and honest service.
It&#;s an editor-favorite we recommend using before a manicure, whether at home or at the salon (bring the bottle with you!). "I love using press-on nails, but sometimes they cause damage, making my nails look rough and ragged if I take them off too soon," says WH editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert. "This provides such a nice shine to my nails, making rough patches virtually unnoticeable while keeping them healthy between sets."
$32.00 at
Essie may be known for their pretty shades of nail polish, but they also make a quality nail strengthener. This one in particular provides a shiny, subtle pink tint to nails while giving them some extra TLC&#;great if you&#;re skipping manis but really miss color while you&#;re trying to fortify your nails. The thick formula dries fast, but does require a learning curve to apply if you aren&#;t used to painting your own nails. It&#;s best to apply a thin coat because if you apply too much users say it easily smudges and takes a longer time to dry.
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Since it does have that pink tint, you should give yourself a little extra time to apply it carefully since a messy application may be more noticeable than those from nail strengtheners that apply clear. Paint it on and let it sit for just three days, and then enjoy dramatic results. Just two coats reduces yellowing and gives nails a healthy glow. Over time, it targets overall durability, too. The brand says you&#;ll notice stronger, harder nails in just three days.
$10.97 at amazon.com
Everyone has, at one point or another, scraped off gel or ripped off an acrylic and regretted it. In case of those emergencies, this nail recovery kit includes a nail strengthener, cuticle oil, and ridge filler so your nails feel as good as new in just a few days. "I recommend this every time a client has brittle nails," says Jackson. "They have a great system for layering and creating great results with consistency.&#;
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The clear coat stays on nails without chipping for an extended time, and you can truly see a difference in strength and color within a matter of days, she says.
$14.49 at amazon.com
Creams aren't quite as convenient as lacquers since they're a little messier than top coats that dry in a few seconds, but they work absolute wonders, says Remark. This nail cream, by luxe brand Londontown, works best on dry, cracked, and brittle nails when worn overnight with gloves.
Yes, it&#;s a pricey pick, but we think it&#;s worth every penny. You don&#;t need a lot to get the job done, so a single container will serve you well for a month and counting, even with consistent use. And it doesn&#;t just target the health of the actual nail. In addition to stronger beds, you&#;ll also notice healthier, more hydrated cuticles. Its formula is designed to replenish the nail&#;s keratin, fortifying it to prevent breakage.
$22.50 at amazon.com
Creams and other nail-strengthening treatments you rub on can often get messy, but not this one. This spill-proof nail strengthener is designed with a pen brush applicator that allows you to apply the treatment with precision, making it ideal for travel. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, including vitamin E for strengthening and jojoba oil for conditioning.
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Some nail products come with harsh, unpleasant smells, but users particularly liked that this strengthening treatment gives you a fragrance-free option. There&#;s also a choice between several fun scented options, like vanilla and pumpkin spice latte, something no other product on this list offers.
$8.99 at amazon.com
Rita Remark is a celebrity manicurist in New York.
Temeka Jackson is a Loos-Angeles-based celebrity nail artist.
Macey Delcambre, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, TX.
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The best way to harden your nails naturally is through your diet and self-care. Nail strengtheners are a great supplement, but if you aren't staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet, it probably won't do much for you.
"To me, the best way to get your nails looking and feeling strong is with consistent care," Remark says. "It's not like a magic, one-stop shop, but you should take note of how your nails feel on a regular basis. If they feel really soft, maybe it's time to trim them down."
Remark also emphasizes that nails are different for everyone. Thin nails doesn't necessarily mean unhealthy nails&#;that could just be your genetics.
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Best Nail Polish Removers | Best Cuticle Oils | Best Press-On Nails | Best Polygel Nail Kits | Best Dip Powder Nail Kits | Professional-Level Gel Nail Polishes And Kits | Beginner And Professional-Level Acrylic Nail Kits | Best Nail Drills
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