From sunscreens to lotions, there is an abundance of skin care practices to keep our faces, hands, and feet looking their best. But, beyond the occasional manicure, our nails — composed of the same protein as our top layer of skin — often remain untreated, leading to frequent splitting and breaking.
We spoke to nail experts about everything you need to know to nourish your natural nails properly, including their recommendations on the best nail strengtheners for healing damaged nails.
Brittle nails that crack or peel are not uncommon—in fact, Harvard Medical School suggests that over one in four women have onychoschizia, or nail fragility. Various factors like dehydration, nail-biting and even mundane, everyday tasks like typing can be the cause. That being said, experts recommend nail strengtheners for people with nails that frequently split or crack.
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To pick the best nail strengtheners, we followed expert guidance and included only options with active healing ingredients, which you can read more about below.
“Nail strengtheners work by providing extra protection to your nails and helping them to become thicker and stronger over time,” says Dr. Randa Jaafar, who specializes in interventional pain and wrinkle reduction. “They contain ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E, which help to nourish and protect the nail. When used regularly, these ingredients can help improve your nails’ overall strength and health.” While nails generally become weaker over time, with regular use, nail strengtheners can help to rebuild and revitalize your natural nails.
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There are dozens of nail strengtheners on the market today, many of which use similar ingredients to achieve the best results for your nails. Deciding which brand works best depends on various factors, including application type, frequency of use and price point. To help you, we’ve followed expert advice to round up some highly-rated picks that our editors and nail enthusiasts love.
Best overall nail strengthener: Essie Hard To Resist Advanced
What we like
- One-time application per use
- Dries quickly
Something to note
- Not to be used under polish
The primary active ingredient in this product is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which studies have shown to benefit nail strength. It’s also a favorite of Rita Remark, Essie’s global lead educator and nail artist. “Nail strengtheners like Essie’s Hard to Resist are perfect to use when nails have been thinned, weakened or damaged from gel or acrylic manicures,” she says.
Type: polish | Active ingredients: methylsulfonylmethane | Size: 0.46 fl oz | How to use: apply two coats to clean nails and wear for three days in between manicures
Best nail strengthener for nail growth: Nail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Nail Treatment
What we like
- Fast-acting
- Buildable formula
Something to note
- Chips easily
Keratin is one of the essential proteins required for nail growth, which is why it’s a common ingredient in nail strengtheners and frequently recommended by our experts. A favorite of editor Lauren Swanson at NBC Select, this Nail-Aid treatment facilitates nail growth in just a few days, especially when used regularly.
Type: polish | Active ingredients: keratin, vitamin D, wheat protein | Size: 0.55 fl oz | How to use: apply two coats to clean nails,letting each coat dry fully. Apply an additional coat every three days.
Best nail strengthener for damaged nails: Modelones Nail Ridge Filling Strengthener
What we like
- Application lasts up to a week
- Quick-drying
- Can be used as a base coat
Something to note
- Has slight smell
Remark warns customers to steer clear of nail strengtheners that include formaldehyde, and this nail strengthener from modelones emphasizes that its formula is free from not only formaldehyde but other potentially toxic and weakening ingredients (including fragrances and phthalates). Instead, the product relies on expert-recommended ingredients, including keratin and jojoba oil.
Type: polish | Active ingredients: vitamin E oil, keratin, jojoba oil | Size: 0.5 fl oz | How to use: apply two coats to clean nails and wear for up to seven days
Best nail-strengthening hand lotion: Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Conditioning Lotion
What we like
- Easy, no-hassle application
- Safe for sensitive skin
Something to note
- Has strong scent
Customers love this hand and nail lotion for its dual purpose — not only does it help to moisturize skin with Vaseline Jelly and contains mineral oil and keratin, two ingredients Green recommends in any nail strengthener. This product has an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,224 reviews on Amazon, with several reviewers citing a noticeable improvement in nail strength in a couple of weeks.
Type: lotion | Active ingredients: mineral oil, keratin | Size: 3.4 or 6.8 fl oz | How to use: rub into hands as often as needed/desired
Best value nail strengthener cream: Onyx Professional Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
What we like
- Non-greasy
- Moisturizing formula
Something to note
- Strong coconut scent
I was initially introduced to this nail-strengthening cream by my roommate, who’s sworn by it for years now. It uses naturally-derived ingredients like Vitamins A, C, E and D, beeswax and jojoba oil to condition and nourish nails while moisturizing the skin around them, according to the brand. I’ve used it a few times myself and I like that the formula isn’t drying, and that there’s no strong chemical smell — instead, it has a lovely coconut scent.
Type: cream | Active ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, beeswax | Size: 1 oz | How to use: apply to nail beds, cuticles and underside of nails three times a day or as often as needed
Best nail strengthener oil: CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care
What we like
- Used for nail and cuticles
Something to note
- Needs daily application
Vitamin E, which Green notes is critical for healthier nails, is a primary ingredient of this nail and cuticle product. Jojoba oil, which helps lock in moisture over time, is also a primary ingredient. This nail and cuticle oil gets a 4.5-star average rating from 32,360 customers on Amazon.
Type: oil/polish | Active ingredients: vitamin E oil, almond seed oil, jojoba oil | Size: 0.25 fl oz | How to use: apply daily to nails
Best nail strengthener polish: OPI Nail Envy
What we like
- Variety of colors
Something to note
- Requires daily application
This well-known brand is a customer favorite. It can be used as either a standalone treatment or as a base coat underneath your manicure. Ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium help build stronger nails over time, while the variety of color options lets you maintain a stylish manicure while your nails heal. This strengthener has a 4.5-star average rating from 3,181 reviews on Amazon.
Type: polish | Active ingredients: wheat protein, vitamins A, E, and C, biotin and calcium | Size: 0.5 fl oz | How to use: apply two coats and then one additional coat daily for six days
Best nail strengthener cream: Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner
What we like
- Easy application
- Absorbs quickly
Something to note
- Must be applied multiple times
This nail cream works best when applied a couple of times daily, the brand notes. Its main ingredient, lanolin, has been found to reduce the amount of water lost through the skin by up to 30%, which in turn helps to prevent nail cracking and cuticle peeling. This cream has a 4.4-star average rating from 1,704 reviews on Amazon.
Type: cream | Active ingredients: lanolin, oxyquinoline, beeswax | Size: 0.35 oz | How to use: apply two to four times daily
Best vegan nail strengthener: ella+mila “First Aid Kiss” Nail Strengthener
What we like
- Can be used underneath polish
Something to note
- Extensive application process
Expert-recommended vitamin E enhances this vegan and cruelty-free formula, which is made without harmful chemicals like acetone and formaldehyde. According to the brand, it can also be used underneath polish, but it may affect how long your manicure lasts. The product is also fully vegan and has a 4.3-star average rating from 9,512 reviews on Amazon.
Type: polish | Active ingredients: vitamin E | Size: 0.45 fl oz | How to use: for two weeks, apply one coat to clean nails, removing and reapplying every seven days. For the following two weeks, apply one coat every other day, removing each coat before re-applying.
Best nail strengthener top coat: duri Rejuvacote 1 Nail Growth System
What we like
- Used as a top or base coat
- Dries quickly
Something to note
- May peel off
You can use this Duri product as both a base coat and a top coat to help keep in moisture and provide a healthy dose of collagen and fatty acids—two expert-recommended ingredients for stronger, healthier nails. It averages 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from 4,420 reviewers.
Type: polish | Active ingredients: wheat protein, soy protein, calcium | Size: 0.45 fl oz | How to use: as a base cost, apply once and continue applying as a top coat for seven days. For solo use, apply two coats and follow the same.
Best nail strengthener base coat: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth
What we like
- Can be used as a base coat
Something to note
- May effect manicure longevity
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves acrylic tips, but when she’s ready to give her nails a rest, this Sally Hansen nail strengthener is her favorite product. “ I like this one because it doubles as a clear polish, so my nails are naked but not that naked, and still getting the nourishment they need from the protein and silk formula,” she says. “Whenever I’m wearing this, my nails feel harder and break way less.”
Type: polish | Active ingredients: | Size: hydrolyzed silk, corn protein, wheat protein | How to use: apply one coat to clean nails every other day, or use as base coat under polish
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When it comes to finding the right nail strengthener for you, experts say that there are a few ingredients to look for and avoid while shopping. “When looking for a nail strengthener, you should look for key ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E,” says Dr. Jaafar.
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- Calcium: Brittle bones and nails are often linked to calcium 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.
- Magnesium: Given that magnesium is necessary for protein 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.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps keep your nails hydrated and promotes nail growth, says Dr. Jaafar. In particular, vitamin A promotes the synthesis of keratin, which is what our nails are made of.
- 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.
- 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.
- Formaldehyde: Jaafar and the FDA 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.
- 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 the EU has restricted toluene inclusion in a range of beauty products, including nail polish.
- 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, the EU has banned DBP use in nail polish and other beauty products.
Frequently asked questions
“A great strengthening regime would be to remove and reapply a nail strengthener every four to five days,” says Remark. “This can help to keep your manicures fresh and your nails protected” from beneath your polish layer. 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.
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.
- Dr. Randa Jaafar, MD, is an anesthesiologist, interventional pain specialist, and the founder of FILD Studio, which focuses on precision wrinkle prevention.
- 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.
Lulu Chang is a freelancer based in Washington, DC and New York City. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness and 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.
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Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang is a freelancer based in Washington, DC and New York City. She is eagerly living out her dreams as an aspiring food critic, and writes often about health, wellness, and travel.
Ashley Morris
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for Select on NBC News.