Broken nails are more than a momentary inconvenience, they're an ongoing pain for those suffering from repeat nail breakage. Dry, brittle nails that break, tear, and split can wreak havoc on a fresh manicure just as much as our confidence, snagging on clothes and scraping against bare skin at the most inopportune time. And while the contributing causes are plentiful, we urge you to not be discouraged. There are just as many solutions to rehab nails to a healthy, smooth, and strong state.
01.) Improve Your Diet and Increase Biotin Intake
Like so much of our outward appearance—from how clear our skin is to how shiny our hair is—nail health begins with the nutrients we put in our body. "Eating a well-balanced diet as well as increasing your biotin intake is your best bet for helping to strengthen your nails," explains registered dietitian Melissa Bailey, MS, RD, LDD of The Nourished Fork. "Biotin is a B vitamin found in a variety of foods."
Bailey notes the highest amounts of biotin are found in animal proteins, like eggs, chicken, and salmon. However, you can also consume biotin in plant-based foods including nuts, seeds, spinach, and sweet potatoes. "For comparison, an egg yolk contains approximately 10 micrograms of biotin while a serving of spinach has seven micrograms," says Bailey. "I always recommend getting any vitamin and mineral naturally from your diet, as your body absorbs them better from diet than in a supplement form."
02.) When Necessary, Take a Multivitamin
While biotin supplements are a buzzy product in the beauty space, they're no longer seen by experts as the best option. "Although dermatologists used to recommend biotin as an over-the-counter treatment to help strengthen nails, a 2017 FDA warning highlighted that biotin can interfere with lab tests—so we no longer encourage routine biotin supplementation," explains board-certified dermatologist Peter Hashim, MD, MHS, who recommends focusing more on a balanced diet.
However, if you have a biotin deficiency, New York board-certified podiatrist Adam Cirlincione, MD, says taking biotin can help strengthen and nourish nails. "Deficiencies in biotin can affect hair, nails, and skin, which may be why many people increase their biotin intake to support healthy nails," he says. "Symptoms of biotin deficiency can include hair loss, dry scaly skin, rash around the mouth, eyes, and nose, and brittle fingernails. Biotin has been proven to help strengthen brittle nails, which in turn can help them grow."
Bailey recommends prioritizing real, vitamin-rich foods to get your nutrients. "Your best bet is a healthy diet, and if you still feel like you need an extra boost, a daily multivitamin should be all you need to get the right amount of biotin for strong nails," she says. "Because biotin is water-soluble, meaning your body excretes what you don't need, higher levels are typically okay to consume," she assures. "However, that does not mean you should go out and take massive doses of biotin as your body can't use it all."
03.) Use a Strengthening Base Coat
It may seem counterintuitive, but nail polish can actually be beneficial to weak nails and even help prevent them from breaking—as long as it's the right formula. "Using a base coat with your polish can add an extra layer of protection, but unless you're using a strengthening base coat, it's more for the adherence of the polish versus improving nail health," notes nail artist and technician Sarah Thompson of Chalkboard Nails.
04.) Resist the Urge to Pick or Peel
Just as you're not supposed to pick at your face when you have a breakout, it's best if you leave your fingers alone when your nails are breaking or your polish is peeling. "Try to keep a keratin-based strengthener or serum handy and apply it whenever you notice damage," suggests Thompson. "Replace the picking habit with self-care."
If you have gel or dip nails, avoid picking, peeling, or pulling the artificial nail off. This is not only potentially painful but can damage your nails. To safely remove them, you must soak them in an acetone solution. The acetone solution can dry out your nails, but it won’t damage your nails as much as pulling off the gel or dip nails. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that soak-off gel nails will cause less peeling and brittleness to your natural nails than acrylic nails, however. You can also consider getting artificial nails for special occasions to let your nails recover in between.
05.) Use Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover
There was a time when acetone was pretty much the only option to remove polish—and it's certainly effective. However, it does come with drawbacks certainly not limited to that pungent smell we've become so acquainted with, like drying out nails. Luckily, acetone-free nail polish removers are popping up everywhere, some even with added benefits like nourishing and strengthening properties.
If you have gel nails or dip nails, however, be aware that acetone-free nail polish won’t remove them. Only pure acetone is strong enough to dissolve the artificial layer. If you have artificial nails and soak them off using pure acetone, make sure you use an oil or other hydrating lotion afterward to prevent them from getting brittle and breaking.
06.) Avoid Acrylics
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the process of getting acrylic nails can be seriously damaging to your natural nails. The combination of filing the nail's surface until it's rough, harsh chemicals in the products, exposure to a curing light, and soaking in acetone for removal can lead to damaged nails. If fake nails are your jam, try a gentler alternative like a non-damaging press-on nail.
07.) Apply a Nail Strengthener
"Nail strengtheners can be a great option for those with thin and brittle nails," explains Thompson. "There are different formulas available to target specific problems you may be experiencing." Still, it's best to approach nail health holistically and not rely solely on products to correct the damage. "Keep in mind it's always good to use them in conjunction with better moisturizing habits to create healthy nail growth," says Thompson. Dr. Cirlincione suggests hydrating and strengthening nails with a "hydration treatment infused with Pentavitin and biotin to help moisturize and strengthen nails." Biotin, as we've established, is essential to healthy nails, while Pentavitin is a plant-derived bioactive skincare ingredient meant to boost hydration.
08.) Keep Your Nails Moisturized
"The number one thing you can do to avoid breakage is to keep your hands and nails well moisturized," insists Thompson. "Well-moisturized nail beds grow healthier nails that bend and flex instead of breaking." Thompson also notes not only do moisturized hands promote healthy nail growth, but they make hands and nails feel and look better, too. "Regular lotion application can help prevent signs of aging in hands as well," Thompson adds.
To keep hands and nails moisturized, Thompson says cuticle oil, cuticle cream, and hand lotion are all great options. "Cuticle oil is one of the best things you can use on your nails," assures Thompson. "Not only does it promote flexibility, but if you are wearing polish or gel, it can prolong your manicure." She advises applying it as often as you want, aiming for at least once a day.
09.)Hydrate Overnight
If daily hits of moisture aren't enough for your parched fingertips, consider an all-out overnight treatment. Similar to face slugging, applying an occlusive treatment over moisturizing topicals can help lock all the goodness in. "Before bed soak your fingers for 2-3 minutes, pat dry with a towel, coat with an ointment-based product, like Vaseline or Aquaphor, and then wear white cotton gloves to bed," instructs New York double-board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD. "This occlusive treatment helps fortify and hydrate nails."
10.) Avoid Harsh Chemicals
"Environmental exposures are also important to consider, as frequent contact with cleaning detergents or even overly aggressive manicures can damage nails," warns Hashim. Nails exposed to household cleansers may become damaged, especially if you're using chemicals like acetone or bleach. The same goes for harsh antibacterial kitchen soap that you might be using to clean your dishes. Dr. Cirlincione adds that even prolonged water exposure should be avoided to maintain healthy nails.
You may also want to steer clear of some potentially harsh ingredients in nail polishes. Look for polishes that are “5-free,” which means they do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. Some nail polishes have removed other ingredients as well and will market their products as “9-free,” for example. Harvard Health reports that chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed into the body, however, more studies need to be done to determine if they result in negative health effects. Regardless, it is always a good idea to take a more natural approach and steer clear of the more harsh ingredients when you can.
