The secret to healthier-looking nails is to make them stronger by avoiding peeling or premature breakages. If your nails aren’t looking their best, it may be time to try a strengthening treatment to repair the damage.
Nail strengtheners come in a range of formats - from creams to oils to polishes - so you can find the best one for you, and give your tips some extra TLC.
Just like with our skin and hair, nails can become brittle and dry when we don’t drink enough water, so make sure to get your two litres a day.
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Ripping off gel nails or getting acrylics without a break in between appointments will also weaken them. Make sure you get them removed professionally, or give them the proper DIY removal treatment.
Wearing rubber gloves when handling detergents and bleach is also a must, as overexposure to these chemicals can make nails soft, resulting in them splitting or breaking.
Noticed it takes your nails forever to grow? You could be lacking in vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes food that is a good source of vitamin C, including peppers and broccoli. Taking a supplement may also help improve the quality of your nails, as well as your skin and hair.
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However, all these methods do require a bit of patience. A strengthening product, on the other hand, can make a huge difference to the appearance of your nails in weeks.
We’ve also noted whether the below products contain formaldehyde, phthalates and toluene. They’re most commonly found in industrial cleaning products, so it’s understandable to be weary of applying them to your skin, but in beauty products they’re used to prolong shelf life. While they do have a bit of a bad reputation, they don’t cause any damage at this low potency or in this format.
Our panel of 770 women tested 42 brands of nail strengtheners over one month. They judged each one based on how easy it was to apply, drying time, and if they saw any improvements in nail strength. They also noted whether the products helped with peeling or flakiness, as well as if they had an impact on smoothness.
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Our winning formula is enriched with proteins that aim to seal and prevent breakages. We found it lived up to this promise, and were impressed by how well it kept nails intact.
Some testers spotted nail growth too, while others appreciated its glossy sheen and how well it lasted without chipping. For best results, use as a base coat.
Testers loved this luxe base coat for its ability to prevent breakages and leave nails looking strong and healthy, in just one stroke. Not only did it add a glossy shine to nails, but it also left the surface looking smoother.
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It did take testers over two weeks to notice an improvement to the overall condition of their nails, but an impressive 94% were satisfied by the end of the trial.
This oil claims to soften tough skin and moisturise nails and the skin surrounding them, making it a top choice for anyone with dry hands.
On test, it lived up to its claims and was voted best for hydration, with all testers finding it relieved their nails of dryness, without causing any irritation. Testers found the oil quickly absorbed into skin too, and helped improve the condition of their cuticles.
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This polish can be used as a base or top coat and aims to leave nails looking stronger and more even. It did take over two weeks to see results but an impressive 79% said it left nails stronger, and helped to prevent the usual peeling and breakages.
A staple among celebrity manicurists, this polish works to provide that your-nails-but-better effect. Testers loved the healthy tint it provided, with an impressive 94% saying it made uneven nails look and feel smoother. One tester even found it immediately stopped their nails from peeling, too.
Promising not only to make nails shine bright like a diamond, but to be as strong as them too, our testers rated this one for its instant strengthening impact.
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Our panel felt it made nails instantly more resilient against breakages, with 74% experiencing less peeling. Some felt it wasn’t as good at improving the long-term condition of their nails, but it’s ideal if you’re looking for a quick fix.
The compact design of this serum was a hit among testers, while the brush applicator makes it ideal for on-the-go use. Our panel felt it was nourishing without being greasy, with 79% saying it left their nails hydrated. They were impressed with its strengthening ability too, with 79% saying it made their nails look and feel stronger.
Here’s another quick fix. If you’re short on time, our testers found this oil had the quickest positive impact on their nails. It improved their condition after just one week, with all testers saying that it boosted hydration, and 75% reported stronger nails.
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Many said it helped relieve cracked and chapped hands too, which is essential after using drying antibacterial gels. An added plus, this multipurpose oil can be used on elbows, feet, knees - you name it.
Promising to be a “one coat recovery” solution for damaged nails, testers found this polish lived up to its claims, noticing a difference to their nails in just one week.
If going for a manicure fills you with dread because of how sensitive your cuticles are, this gentle oil should do the trick. All of our testers reported zero irritation while using it, and said it helped to improve the appearance of cuticles and reduce nail flakiness.
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They described the texture as “luxurious” but some struggled with dispensing the right amount at one time, due to the pump format. However, there is a handy pen alternative to keep in your handbag, if you’d prefer.
If a cream is your texture of choice, testers found this one absorbed instantly into cuticles, without any greasiness. Testers also noticed a difference in the strength of their nails after two weeks, with 71% reporting less breakages. One tester even said it improved their ridged nails, which helped them feel less brittle.
Want stronger nails but not willing to compromise on colour? Our testers found this polish worked great as a base coat, so you can get that punch of colour and know your nails are still being nourished underneath.
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The best shampoo bars for 2023 5 best home gel nail kits The best ceramide serums for 2023 The best hot brushes to buy nowHow do you make weak nails grow, and brittle nails stop flaking and breaking? The answer is… nail strengtheners, of course! Apart from the obvious, they can also work as a good base coat and make your nails look a lot smoother, polish dry faster and your manicure last longer.
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Of all base coats I’ve tried, it meets my nail needs the best. But there are plenty of other fantastic products that address different nail problems. So we asked you, our nail polish savvy readers, to nominate your favorite base coat. There were so many great suggestions that we decided to put together a list of your collective knowledge for everyone to share.
“Right now I’m using Essie Grow Stronger base coat. It strengthens my nails and also makes them grow faster. So far, so good!”
“OPI Natural Nail Strengthener is the best product for me. Have been testing others – Essie, Nailtek, Qtica but always return to NNS + on occasions ridge filler by either Essie or Orly.”
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“My favorite nail strengthener is Revitanail (It’s just called nail strengthener- nothing fancy). I used to have weak nails that broke whenever they grew past the end of my finger… A lady at Priceline recommended the Revitanail and within a month I stopped getting breaks. It has now been over a year since my last nail break!”
“My favorite base coat is OPI Nail Envy, strengthen, grows and helps prevent chipping And cracking on nails, best I’ve ever had!”
“I’ve been using OPI Nail Envy for awhile now! I used to only use it while I was taking a break from colors but then I started just using it as a base coat and it works really well.”
Opi Natural Nail Strengthener Au
“OPI Nail Envy mixed 50/50 with Orly Nailtrition is like the ultimate holy grail base coat. The strengthening of Nail Envy and the good stuff from Nailtrition knocked out every since peel and bad nail issue I had.”
“I haven’t tried a huge number of different ones, but so far I think the best performing ones in my book are the nail strengthening base coat from Sinful Colors, and Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails Hardener (the pink tinted one). Both of them have really good staying power and have definitely made my nails stronger.”
“I’m loving an indie made base coat from Nail Care HQ called Simply Smooth. It really keeps my polish stuck to my
Instant Strength Nail Hardener
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