There are numerous skin care products available to keep our faces, hands, and feet looking their best, ranging from sunscreen to lotions. However, our nails, which are made of the same protein as our epidermis, are frequently left untreated after the occasional manicure, which causes them to break and split frequently.
We asked nail professionals for their advice on the best nail strengtheners for repairing damaged nails, as well as everything else you need to know to properly care for your natural nails.
In actuality, brittle nails that peel or fracture are not unusual; according to Harvard Medical School, more than one in four women suffer with onychoschizia, or nail fragility. There are a number of potential causes, including dehydration, nail-biting, and even routine, everyday activities like typing. Nevertheless, nail strengtheners are advised by professionals for those whose nails break or split easily.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy trust NBC Select? How did we choose the top nail strengtheners? The top nail strengtheners of 2024? How do I shop for nail strengtheners?
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Best overall nail strengthenerEssie Hard To Resist Advanced
$undefined$10.97Amazon
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Best for nail growthNail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Nail Treatment
$undefined$4.48Amazon
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Best for damaged nailsModelones Nail Strengthener
$5.99$9.99Amazon
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Best value nail strengthenerOnyx Professional Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
$8.88$10.99Amazon
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How we picked the best nail strengtheners
In accordance with professional advice, we selected only nail strengtheners that contained active therapeutic substances, which you may learn more about below.
According to Dr. Randa Jaafar, a specialist in interventional pain and wrinkle reduction, nail strengtheners help your nails grow stronger and thicker over time while also giving them additional protection. They include nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E that support and strengthen the nail. These components can enhance the general health and strength of your nails when applied on a regular basis. Regular usage of nail strengtheners can help restore and renew your natural nails, even though nails often weaken with time.
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The best nail strengtheners in 2024
To get the finest results for your nails, many of the dozens of nail strengtheners available on the market today employ similar substances. Several criteria, such as the type of application, frequency of usage, and price range, influence which brand performs best. In order to assist you, we have compiled a list of highly regarded selections that our editors and nail aficionados adore, following professional advise.
Best overall nail strengthener:
Essie Hard To Resist Advanced
Essie Hard To Resist Advanced
- One-time application per use
- Dries quickly
- Not to be used under polish
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), the main active ingredient in this medication, has been shown in trials to improve nail strength. Rita Remark, Essie’s worldwide lead educator and nail artist, also loves it. When nails have been weakened, thinned, or damaged by gel or acrylic manicures, nail strengtheners like Essie’s Hard to Resist are ideal, she says.
Type: polish; size: 0.46 fl oz; active ingredients: methylsulfonylmethane How to use it: clean your nails with two coats, then wait three days between manicures.
Best nail strengthener for nail growth:
Nail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Nail Treatment
Nail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Nail Treatment
- Fast-acting
- Buildable formula
- Chips easily
Keratin is a typical ingredient in nail strengtheners and is often suggested by our specialists because it is one of the important proteins needed for nail growth. This Nail-Aid treatment, which is a favorite of NBC Select’s editor Lauren Swanson and associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, promotes nail growth in a matter of days, particularly when applied consistently.
Type: polish; active ingredients: wheat protein, keratin, and vitamin D; size: 0.55 fl oz; How to use: clean nails with two coats, allowing each to completely dry. Every three days, apply another coat.
Best nail strengthener for damaged nails:
Modelones Nail Ridge Filling Strengthener
Modelones Nail Strengthener
- Application lasts up to a week
- Quick-drying
- Can be used as a base coat
- Has slight smell
Customers are cautioned by Remark to avoid using nail strengtheners that include formaldehyde. This modelones nail strengthener highlights that its composition is free of formaldehyde as well as other potentially harmful and weakening components, such as perfumes and phthalates. Rather, the product uses components like keratin and jojoba oil that are suggested by experts.
Type: polish; active ingredients: keratin, jojoba oil, and vitamin E oil; size: 0.5 fl oz; application instructions: clean nails with two coats; wear for up to seven days.
Best nail-strengthening hand lotion:
Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Conditioning Lotion
Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Conditioning Lotion
- Easy, no-hassle application
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Has strong scent
Customers adore this multipurpose hand and nail lotion since it contains keratin and mineral oil, two components that Green suggests be included in any nail strengthener, in addition to helping to hydrate skin with Vaseline jelly. With an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5, this product has received 1,224 reviews on Amazon, many of which mention a discernible increase in nail strength within a few weeks.
Type: lotion; active ingredients: keratin and mineral oil; size: 3.4 or 6.8 fl oz; application instructions: rub into hands as needed or preferred.
Best value nail strengthener cream:
Onyx Professional Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
Onyx Professional Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
- Non-greasy
- Moisturizing formula
- Strong coconut scent
My roommate first recommended this nail-strengthening ointment to me, and she has been using it religiously for years. According to the brand, it moisturizes the skin around nails and conditions and nourishes them using naturally occurring components including jojoba oil, beeswax, and vitamins A, C, E, and D. I’ve tried it a few times myself, and I appreciate that the recipe doesn’t dry out and that it smells nice of coconut rather than heavy chemicals.
Use: Apply to nail beds, cuticles, and the bottom of nails three times a day or as frequently as necessary. Product type: cream; active ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, and beeswax; size: 1 oz.
Best nail strengthener oil:
CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care
CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care
- Used for nail and cuticles
- Needs daily application
One of the main ingredients in this nail and cuticle lotion is vitamin E, which Green mentions is essential for healthier nails. Another important component is jojoba oil, which helps retain moisture over time. 32,360 people have given this nail and cuticle oil an average rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon.
Size: 0.25 fl oz| Type: oil/polish| Active ingredients: jojoba oil, almond seed oil, and vitamin E oil How to use: paint your nails every day.
Best nail strengthener polish:
OPI Nail Envy
OPI Nail Envy
- Variety of colors
- Requires daily application
This popular brand is favored by consumers. It can be applied as a base layer under your manicure or as a stand-alone treatment. Calcium and hydrolyzed wheat protein are two ingredients that gradually strengthen nails, and the range of color choices allows you to keep your manicure looking chic while your nails recover. Based on 3,181 reviews, this strengthener has an average rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon.
Type: polish; active ingredients: wheat protein, calcium, vitamins A, E, and C; size: 0.5 fl oz; application instructions: apply two coats, followed by one more coat per day for six days.
Best nail strengthener cream:
Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner
Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner
- Easy application
- Absorbs quickly
- Must be applied multiple times
According to the company, this nail lotion is most effective when applied a few times per day. Its primary component, lanolin, has been shown to cut down on water loss through the skin by as much as 30%, so preventing cuticle peeling and nail cracking. Based on 1,704 reviews, this cream has an average rating of 4.4 stars on Amazon.
Cream type; active ingredients: oxyquinoline, beeswax, and lanolin; size: 0.35 oz; application instructions: two to four times each day
Best vegan nail strengthener:
ella+mila First Aid Kiss Nail Strengthener
ella+mila “First Aid Kiss” Nail Strengthener
- Can be used underneath polish
- Extensive application process
This vegan and cruelty-free product, free of dangerous ingredients like formaldehyde and acetone, is enhanced by expert-recommended vitamin E. The manufacturer claims that it can also be applied underneath lacquer, albeit this could shorten the duration of your manicure. In addition to being completely vegan, the product has an average rating of 4.3 stars based on 9,512 reviews on Amazon.
Type: polish; size: 0.45 fl oz; active ingredients: vitamin E Apply a single application to clean nails for two weeks, taking it off and reapplying it every seven days. Apply one coat every other day for the next two weeks, taking off each coat before reapplying.
Best nail strengthener top coat:
duri Rejuvacote 1 Nail Growth System
duri Rejuvacote 1 Nail Growth System
- Used as a top or base coat
- Dries quickly
- May peel off
This Duri product can be used as a base coat or a top coat to help retain moisture and provide your nails a healthy dosage of fatty acids and collagen, two components that experts recommend for stronger, healthier nails. Based on 4,420 reviews, it has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.
Type: polish; active ingredients: calcium, wheat protein, and soy protein; size: 0.45 fl oz; application instructions: apply once as a base coat and then again every seven days as a top coat. Apply two coats and do the same for solo use.
Best nail strengthener base coat:
Sally Hansen Maximum Growth
Sally Hansen Maximum Growth
- Can be used as a base coat
- May effect manicure longevity
Nikki Brown, an SEO editor for NBC Select, likes acrylic tips, but her go-to product when she wants to rest her nails is this Sally Hansen nail strengthener. I enjoy this one because it also works as a clear lacquer, so my nails aren’t completely bare, but they’re still receiving the nutrition they require from the protein and silk formula, she says. My nails seem tougher and break much less when I’m wearing this.
Type: polish; size: hydrolyzed silk; active ingredients: corn protein, wheat protein How to use: Use as a base coat under lacquer or apply one layer to clean nails every other day.
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How to shop for a nail strengthener
According to experts, there are a few components to look for and steer clear of when shopping for the best nail strengthener. Dr. Jaafar advises looking for essential components like calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E while searching for a nail strengthener.
In addition to looking for certain nourishing ingredients, she recommends steering clear of nail polishes and other nail-strengthening products that contain harsh chemicals, which can damage nails.
Ingredients to look for in nail strengtheners
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Calcium
: Brittle bones and nails are often linked tocalcium deficiencies
, especially since calcium is a key mineral for stronger nails. Insufficient calcium intake could result in nails that break or chip more easily or become thinner over time.
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Magnesium
: Given that magnesium is necessary forprotein synthesis
in your body (which nails need to grow), it isn t surprising that this mineral is important for healthy nails. Folks with vertical ridges in their nails may even have a
magnesium deficiency
.
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Vitamin A
: Vitamin A helps keep your nails hydrated and promotes nail growth, says Dr. Jaafar. In particular, vitamin A promotes thesynthesis of keratin
, which is what our nails are made of.
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Vitamin C
:Collagen production
in the body depends upon vitamin C intake, and the collagen protein helps build fingernails (hair and teeth). Insufficient vitamin C intake could result in more brittle nails or slower-growing nails.
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Vitamin E
: Vitamin E is crucial for keeping your nails hydrated and protecting your cuticles. Our experts note that using vitamin E oil especially around your nail bed and cuticle can help to undo the damage done by polish use.
Ingredients to avoid in nail products
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Formaldehyde
: Jaafar and theFDA
warn that excessive use of products containing formaldehyde can make nails more brittle and likely to peel. Moreover, some folks have sensitivities to this compound, which could result in allergic reactions.
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Toluene
: While toluene can help to keep your nail polish smooth upon application, the chemical has been linked to nervous system damage; so much so that theEU has restricted
toluene inclusion in a range of beauty products, including nail polish.
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Dibutyl phthalate
(DBP): While DBP can make nail polish more durable, some studies have linked the compound to endocrine issues, making it difficult for the body to produce hormones. As with toluene, theEU has banned DBP
use in nail polish and other beauty products.
Frequently asked questions
According to Remark, removing and reapplying nail strengthener every four to five days is an excellent strengthening regimen. By doing this, you may preserve the freshness of your manicures and shield your nails from the coating of lacquer. Alternatively, daily application and use can be most effective for lotions and oils designed to help with nail strength.
Although all nail strengtheners don t necessarily encourage nail growth, Remark still emphasizes their importance: While they don t stimulate nails to grow faster, nail strengtheners are extremely helpful in preventing breakage; which can be a drag when you re trying to grow out your nails, she says.
Whether or not a nail strengthener can be used underneath polish varies from product to product. Remark says many traditional nail strengtheners cannot be worn beneath gel manicures because the systems don t work together. However, she advises using a strengthener between manicures, especially if you often get them done. If you re a gel mani regular, I always recommend you use nail strengthener whenever you take a break from gel polish, she says. Even if your nails are strong, it s nice to provide them with a treatment and, of course, cuticle oil.
While the safety of gel manicures has been called into question regarding nail health, experts note that these types of manicures are not in and of themselves harmful. That said, repeated exposure to UV light (which is used to seal the gel manicure) can be problematic. For that, our experts suggest applying sunblock before and after gel manicures.
More significant nail damage, however, can be done if the gel is applied or removed incorrectly. Remark notes that gel manicures should be removed by a professional in a salon whenever possible or follow best practices;
First, buff down the surface of the gel with a file to help the product break down faster.
Next, saturate a cotton pad with pure acetone (regular nail polish will not suffice for this task), place it directly on top of the nail and wrap it tightly with a square of tinfoil, she says.
Repeat this on all nails and leave them on for 10-15 minutes. Working one nail at a time, remove the tinfoil. If the gel has begun to flake off, remove the rest by gently pushing it away with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher.
Repeat this process on all nails, and buff with a 240 grit (or higher) buffing block.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Dr. Randa Jaafar
, MD, is an anesthesiologist, interventional pain specialist, and the founder ofFILD Studio
, which focuses on precision wrinkle prevention.
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Thea Green
MBE is the founder of Nails. INC. Since founding Nails. INC. in 1999, her brand portfolio has expanded to include INC.redible Cosmetics, My Mood, and Holler & Glow. -
Rita Remark
is an editorial manicurist and educator in New York. Her creations can be found on runways and fashion magazines, including Alexander Wang and Vogue Korea.
Why trust NBC Select?
Lulu Chang is a freelancer based in Washington, DC and New York City.Ashley Morrisis an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, coveringskin care,wellnessand more. For this piece, they interviewed nail experts on everything you need to know about nail strengtheners, including how to find the best one for you.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage ofpersonal finance,tech and tools,wellnessand more, and follow us onFacebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.
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