Your nails undergo loads: handwashing, sharpening, possibly some absent-minded selecting (responsible). It’s solely regular to seek out the occasional chip—however in case you’re noticing that your suggestions are peeling or cracking far past what a manicure can repair, utilizing a nail strengthener might help.

Consider these hydrating remedies like moisturizers in your mani. They might help hydrate and defend your nails so that they’re much less susceptible to breakage, Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founding father of Radiant Derm in Fort Wayne, Indiana, tells SELF. Bonus: They’re skinny, (largely) clear, and dry sooner than common polish, so that they solely take a couple of minutes to use.

To search out the most effective nail strengtheners, we chatted dermatologists as much as study which key components you must search for. We additionally examined a bunch of choices from high manufacturers like O.P.I and Sally Hansen to seek out out in the event that they actually work. Able to strive one? Store our favorites beneath.

Our high picks

1. Finest General: O.P.I. Nail Envy Authentic Nail Strengthener
2. Runner-Up: Olive & June Superior Nail Strengthener
3. Finest Finances Decide: Sally Hansen Arduous As Nails

FAQs about nail strengtheners

Store the most effective nail strengtheners

In between manis, these strengtheners might help you retain your nails trying (and feeling) wholesome.

Finest General: O.P.I. Nail Envy Authentic Nail Strengthener

Professionals

• Is available in a number of colours
• Offers nails loads of shine
• Can be utilized as a base coat

Cons

• On the expensive aspect
• Peels after about 5 days

Should you really feel bare with out nail polish on, strive O.P.I.’s Nail Envy. It’s full of conditioning components like biotin, however is available in colours which are simply as opaque as common polish. (You may even seize it within the model’s staple shade, “Bubble Bathtub.”)

If you apply this remedy, it’ll kind a movie over your nails to forestall them from shedding any extra moisture. Our tester loves utilizing the clear shade, which she says immediately makes her nails look more healthy. “Making use of two coats of OPI Nail Envy is like an IRL model of the wonder filter for my nails,” she says. “It provides a delicate shine that appears to blur any imperfections on my nails’ surfaces.” It additionally hydrates with panthenol—considered one of our specialists’ favourite components.

Runner-Up: Olive & June Superior Nail Strengthener

Professionals

• Dries tremendous quick
• Very hydrating

Cons

• Gained’t add any sheen or protecting movie to your nails

Olive & June’s strengthener comprises main hydrators glycerin and panthenol, to deeply moisturize your nails whereas stopping flakes and breakage. I’ve been utilizing it for the previous couple of weeks, and I’m formally a giant fan. I utilized it two or 3 times every week (because the bottle recommends “for an intensive remedy”), and I positively seen a distinction.

My nails have been tremendous dry from the chilly NYC winter, and I’ve had hangnails galore. However after every week of usually making use of this, I spotted that the layers of my nails weren’t peeling as a lot and I had much less breakage. One of the best half is that it dries instantly, so I can do a fast layer earlier than mattress and never fear about it sticking or smudging, like nail polish can. It now has a everlasting spot on my nightstand.

Finest Finances Decide: Sally Hansen Arduous As Nails

Professionals

• Offers nails a shiny end
• Brush is straightforward to make use of
• It’s considered one of our dermatologist’s private favorites

Cons

• Takes longer to dry down
• Smells like nail polish

Sally Hansen’s Arduous As Nails is an OG—Dr. Spearman says she is aware of it really works as a result of she makes use of it on her personal nails, and he or she recommends it to her sufferers usually. Its ingredient lineup consists of butylene glycol to hydrate, in addition to quite a lot of oils (safflower, linseed, and soybean) to nourish.

One SELF tester says the packaging gave her no bother—the comb has a helpful form and is straightforward to make use of (not like that cumbersome, frayed brush in your most well-loved bottle of polish). She additionally likes the shiny end that’s paying homage to a high coat.

Extra nice choices

Nonetheless haven’t discovered “the one?” Beneath are just a few extra well-liked, dermatologist-recommended picks. Despite the fact that we haven’t examined them for ourselves but, we nonetheless assume they’re price a strive.

ISDIN SI-NAILS Nail Strengthener

Professionals

• Journey-friendly packaging
• Can be utilized on nails and cuticles
• Soaks in effectively

Cons

“The bottom line is to discover a nail strengthener that’s straightforward sufficient to be in step with and addresses your particular nail considerations,” Dr. Houshmand says. For her, that product is that this ISDIN serum as a result of it’s straightforward to use any time, anyplace. “It helps with each nail thickness and power,” she says.

Its star components are hyaluronic acid, a hydration superhero, and pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree) gum, which has been proven to extend nail firmness, Dr. Houshmand says. Pop this pen into your purse, automobile, or work bag so you’ll be able to apply it on the go.

Tenoverten The Basis Base Coat

Professionals

• Smooths nails
• Combats dryness

Cons

Tenoverten’s The Basis is a base coat that doubles as a nail strengthener, with moisturizing components and a formulation that fills in cracks, so your mani appears to be like smoother. Dr. Houshmand recommends it to anybody with dry nails as a result of it has vitamin E, which helps hydrate and restore nails which are susceptible to cracking and breaking. (It doesn’t harm that the smooth packaging may also look good in your vainness.)

Essie Arduous to Resist Superior Nail Strengthener

Professionals

• Has a shiny end
• Is available in just a few sheer colours

Cons

• Some Amazon reviewers say it begins to yellow after just a few days

Take a look at Essie’s Arduous to Resist line if you need one thing that’ll add a pleasant tint to your nails whereas strengthening them on the similar time. It is available in just a few sheer colours that each one have a shiny end to spruce up your DIY mani. Dr. Spearman additionally says the formulation stays put (learn: no chipping).

Nails.INC Gimme Power Nail Therapy

Professionals

• Finances-friendly
• Provides a delicate pink sheen

Cons

• Packaging is finicky to open

Whereas I’m at present testing this Nails.INC remedy, my first impression was a optimistic one: Its creamy pink coloration immediately made my nails look extra presentable (which was a troublesome feat, contemplating I broke two nails proper earlier than making an attempt it).

I’m additionally impressed with the ingredient checklist, which features a bunch of moisturizing oils like coconut, avocado, apricot, and rosehip, to call just a few. I’ve been skipping common polish to let my nails heal, however I’d moderately put on this than go bare, so I’ll maintain making use of it usually and replace my evaluation quickly.

duri Rejuvacote 1 Nail Development System

Professionals

• Good for very dry nails
• Prevents chipping
• Dries rapidly

Cons

• Some Amazon reviewers say it stings

This formulation “creates a protecting barrier in your nails with hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, and calcium,” Dr. Houshmand says. It’s an ideal possibility in case you’re fighting nails that chip, peel, or crack, because it’ll create a seal over these layers to carry moisture in and maintain dry air out.

Orly Nail Protection

Professionals

• Prevents chipping
• Finances-friendly

Cons

• Amazon reviewers say it has a chemical odor

Orly’s Nail Protection additionally makes use of hydrolyzed wheat protein to guard your nails and provides them time to heal. Plus, it has soybean and safflower seed oils to moisturize and horsetail extracts to enhance texture and brittleness.

Amazon reviewers say it really works properly as a base and high coat, so you’ll be able to proceed reaching for it even when your nails are sturdy once more.

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