8 Simple Nail Care Tips for Healthy, Hydrated Nails

Laura Jul 18 • 29 min read

Having dry, brittle nails can be frustrating, but you can achieve strong, healthy with the right care and products nails. Here are eight simple nail care tips to help you banish dry, brittle nails for good.

1. Moisturize Your Nails

Moisturizing is crucial for maintaining healthy nails. Dry, brittle nails often indicate a lack of moisture. To keep your nails hydrated:

Hand Lotion: Regularly apply hand lotion, paying extra attention to your nails. Massage the lotion into the nail bed to ensure proper hydration.

2. Leave Cuticles Alone

Cuticles play an important protective role for our nails, forming a barrier between the nail plate and the skin around it. As the thin layers of skin that surround and overlap the nail, cuticles are designed to keep dirt, debris, and bacteria from getting underneath the nails where infections could develop.

Removing or cutting cuticles disrupts their protective function and can damage the nail matrix, which is the tissue under the cuticle that produces new nail growth. When the matrix is damaged, it can lead to problems like brittle, cracking nails that grow unevenly.

Rather than constantly pushing back or cutting cuticles, it's best to leave them alone and focus on keeping them hydrated and healthy. Cuticles naturally push debris away from the nail as they soften and detach from the skin over time.

Frequent manipulation of cuticles interrupts this natural process. However, massaging cuticle cream or oil gently into the skin around the nails helps moisturize the cuticles so they remain soft and flexible.

Proper hydration ensures cuticles act as an effective protective barrier while still allowing them to shed layers in a controlled way. Leaving cuticles alone to do their job and focusing on moisture keeps them functioning normally to promote strong, healthy nails.

3. Avoid Excess Water Contact

Nails absorb water much more than skin, making prolonged exposure to water harmful. It weakens the nails, causing brittleness and damage. To protect your nails:

Wear Gloves: Use gloves when doing dishes or any wet work to minimize water exposure.
Limit Wet Work: Try to limit activities that require prolonged water contact.

4. Be Gentle with Nails

Treat your nails with care to avoid trauma and damage:

Avoid Digging Under Nails: Digging under your nails can separate the nail plate from the nail bed.
Don't Use Nails as Tools: Using your nails to open cans or perform other tasks can cause them to break or weaken.
Remove Acrylics/Gels Carefully: Peeling off acrylics or gels can peel off layers of your natural nails, weakening them.

5. Treat Nails Like Hair

Nails and hair are both made of keratin, so many hair care principles apply to nail care as well:

Limit Chemicals: Avoid excessive use of nail polishes, gels, and harsh chemicals that can weaken nails.
Hydrate: Just as you condition your hair, regularly moisturize your nails to keep them hydrated.

6. Moisturize in Winter

Cold, dry weather can dehydrate nails, leading to brittleness. The frequent changes in temperature from indoors to outdoors further damage nail cells. To protect your nails in winter:

Moisturize Frequently: Apply a good hand and nail lotion regularly.
Wear Gloves: Protect your nails from the cold by wearing gloves when you go outside.

7. Choose Nail Files and Polishes Carefully

Using the right tools and products can make a significant difference in nail health:

Glass Files: Opt for glass files over emery boards, which can tear nails.
Non-Acetone Polish Removers: Limit the use of acetone polish removers, which can be very drying. Instead, use oil-based non-acetone removers.

8. Be Patient

Achieving strong, healthy nails takes time. With consistent good care practices, your nails will become stronger and less prone to breakage. Keep your nails short initially until they regain strength.

Nail Strengtheners: A Closer Look

In addition to the tips above, using nail strengtheners can provide extra support to your nails. Here are 11 highly recommended products:

Essie Hard to Resist Advanced

Price: $10.97
Materials: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Benefits: Strengthens nails, one-time application per use, quick-drying

Check out other available hot promo coupons at Essie >>>> HERE <<<<

Nail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Treatment

Price: $4.48
Materials: Keratin
Benefits: Promotes fast nail growth within 3 days, buildable formula

Check out other available hot promo coupons at Nail-aid Works >>>> HERE <<<<

model one's Nail Strengthener

Price: $5.99
Materials: Free of formaldehyde and fragrances
Benefits: Ridge-filling formula, lasts up to a week, quick-drying, can be used as a base coat

Check out other available hot promo coupons at MODELONES >>>> HERE <<<<

CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care

Price: $9.90
Materials: Vitamin E, jojoba oil
Benefits: Moisturizes nails and cuticles, promoting healthy growth

Check out other available hot promo coupons at CND >>>> HERE <<<<

Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Lotion

Price: $4.99
Materials: Mineral oil, keratin
Benefits: Moisturizes skin and strengthens nails

Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner

Price: $16.99
Materials: Lanolin
Benefits: Reduces water loss from nails, preventing cracking

ella+mila Nail Strengthener

Price: $10.49
Materials: Vitamin E
Benefits: Strengthens nails, can be used under polish, vegan and cruelty-free

duri Rejuvacote Nail Growth System

Price: $13.95
Materials: Proteins
Benefits: Strengthens nails, can be used as a base or top coat

Check out other available hot promo coupons at duri Cosmetic >>>> HERE <<<<