How to Get (and Keep) Strong, Healthy Nails, According to Experts

There are few things more frustrating than a broken nail—especially when you’ve been working on growing them out. But the best strategy to strengthen brittle nails is one that actually gets to the root cause of thin, brittle nails and keeps your tips looking their best—whether you have polish on or not.

Meet the Experts: Rhonda Klein, M.D., the co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT, and a clinical professor of dermatology at Quinnipiac-Netter School of Medicine; Rina Weimann, M.D., a dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in Pennsylvania; Sheel Desai Solomon, M.D., the founder of Preston Dermatology in Raleigh-Durham, NC; Robin Evans, M.D., the founder of Southern Connecticut Dermatology and a clinical instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

First, you should know that it’s normal to experience the occasional bend and chip, and there are plenty of potential culprits. “Our nails are made up of layers of keratin, a protein that’s also found in our hair and skin,” says Rhonda Klein, M.D., co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, CT, and a clinical professor of dermatology at Quinnipiac-Netter School of Medicine. “As we age, the cells in our bodies produce keratin at a slower rate, which can cause the nails to weaken and appear dry and dull.”

Exposure to elements—extreme cold, excessive handwashing, and contact with chemicals—can also exhaust your nails and leave them dry and vulnerable. Unfortunately, routine gel or acrylic manicures can also do serious damage.

Ahead, find expert-backed tips on how to strengthen brittle nails for good, no matter what’s causing the breakage.

Before trying to strengthen brittle nails, ensure that weakness is what you’re dealing with. The characteristics ofdamaged nails can vary and even be a medical concern. Signs you may need to change your nail care routine include:

• Discoloration (yellow nails, white or dark spots/streaks)
• Changes in nail thickness (either too thick or thin)
• Changes in nail shape (ridges, curling of the nail)
• Peeling nails​

If any of those symptoms are afflicting your nails, you may begin to see improvement with these tips.

1. Moisturize regularly.

Frequently moisturizing your nails and the surrounding skin with hand cream can prevent further stress to the nails, saysRina Weimann, M.D., a dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in Pennsylvania. Ointments, such as Aquaphor, fulfill double duties by nourishing your nails with moisturizing ingredients and protecting them with a thick, occlusive formula.

Cuticle oil helps to repair, nourish, and moisturize weak nails as well, saysSheel Desai Solomon, M.D., the founder of Preston Dermatology in Raleigh-Durham, NC. “I recommend L’Occitane Shea Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil,” she says. “It’s formulated with a high concentration of shea oil (30%) to help soften cuticles and nourish nails.”

2. Start short.

While some of us feel the most confident with long fingernails, it’s not the best way to build up their strength. The longer nails are, the more susceptible they are to breakage. “If you’re having trouble with weak nails, consider cutting down the length,” suggests Dr. Solomon. “Shorter nails are less prone to breaking because there are fewer exposed edges to tear, and less surface area where water and chemicals can be absorbed.” Once trimmed, prevent snags by gently rounding the edges with a nail file.

3. Choose gentle nail files.

Go with a soft nail file to keep the edges of your nails smooth, says Dr. Klein. With rougher grains, you run the risk of making tears in the nail, which can lead to peeling and hangnails.

File your nails in one direction, using long and swift (but gentle) strokes. “Back and forth seesaw motions will cause the nail to splinter,” says Dr. Solomon. She recommends trying the Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator 4-Way Nail Buffer, which is made of a microfiber material that is “very gentle on the nails, but still manages to achieve a clean shape,” she says.

4. Mind nail polish remover formulas.

A nail polish remover loaded with acetone (the solvent responsible for dissolving nail polish lightning-fast) is harsh on weak nails and can dry them out. “This can cause peeling, splitting, and those unsightly white, mottled marks,” says Dr. Solomon. Instead, she recommends using a non-acetone remover when you need to erase the surviving bits of your last manicure.

5. Use hand sanitizer sparingly.

Because hand sanitizers are typically alcohol-based, constantly applying the stuff can dry out your nails and leave them super brittle. “If you have to use hand sanitizer, try not to get it on your nails, and don’t overdo it,” Dr. Solomon says. Using hand sanitizer wipes can make it easier to avoid the nail area during application—or if you prefer the liquid variety, make sure to slather on moisturizer afterward to balance the scales.

6. Drink water.

“Drinking enough water is essential for health, and nail health is no exception,” explains Dr. Solomon. “Without adequate moisture, nails can become brittle and break or peel easily.” Staying hydrated will help your nails retain moisture and stay strong.

7. Try not to use your nail as a tool.

It’s usually our first instinct to use our nails to open up a soda can. However, the more often you are using your nails as tools, the more likely they are to chip and break, which can weaken them over time. Instead of abusing your nails, try using the pads of your fingertips to open your drinks and use other tools, like a paper clip, to reach into small spaces.

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8. Consider biotin supplements.

There are several vitamins that can improve nail growth, with biotin (also known as vitamin B7) being the most common. “Because it’s water-soluble, it isn’t stored by the body, so you have to ensure that you consume it daily,” says Dr. Solomon. There is limited research on the direct benefits of taking biotin for improved nail growth, and supplements are usually only recommended if you have a known deficiency, which is rare in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Generally, most adults should be getting 30 micrograms (mcg) of biotin daily, according to the National Institutes of Health. Supplements typically contain much more, but because it’s a water-soluble vitamin, your body will get rid of any it doesn't need, so it's difficult to overdose.

If there’s no improvement in nail strength after a few months of taking biotin supplements, odds are that you are not deficient and don’t need them. But if your nails do become stronger and you decide to make biotin supplementation a regular thing, make sure you stop taking them a few days before getting an lab tests done, as large amounts of biotin in your system can skew test results.

9. Eat foods that promote strong nails.

Make sure you eat enoughprotein andcalcium, which are thought to promote nail health, saysRobin Evans, M.D., the founder of Southern Connecticut Dermatology and a clinical instructor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Loading up on biotin-rich foods such as veggies, eggs, and nuts may also help. Also smart: Avoid extreme diets that cut out certain food groups entirely. TheNational Library of Medicine says that this can lead to nutritional deficiencies that may put the strength of your nails in jeopardy.

10. Minimize water exposure.

When your hands are soaked in water for long periods of time (say, while doing the dishes, taking a bath, or going for a swim), this doesn’t just dehydrate your skin—it sucks the moisture out of your nails, too.

“Water follows water, so the water in our bodies depletes the longer we soak in it,” says Dr. Klein. Strategies like wearing cotton-lined gloves during chores and keeping your nails outside the water for most of your soak or swim can minimize the blowback—and if that’s not possible, thoroughly moisturizing your hands and nails post-dunk is the next best thing.

11. Cut back on gel and acrylic manicures.

They may be touted as an easy alternative for people who have trouble growing their nails, but frequent gel or acrylic manicures can cause your nails to peel and weaken them. These manicures also expose your digits to excessive amounts of acetone in the soak required to remove them, which is very drying, says Dr. Klein.

If you prefer to keep these types of manicures on rotation, make sure to either give your nails time to breathe between applications or save them for special occasions. Applying a keratin treatment between manicures, such as CND RescueRXx, can help nourish your nails during the hiatus.

And when you do treat yourself to that salon visit, make sure that if you are removing your manicure at home, that you do so safely without prying them off and causing more damage.

12. Select non-toxic nail polishes.

“I recommend avoiding polishes that contain formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene, which are harsher chemicals to already weak nails,” says Dr. Evans. Look for polishes that say “3-free” on the bottle, which means they don’t contain these iffy chemicals. (Some brands also call themselves “5-free” or “7-free,” which means they’re also free of formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP, or xylene.)

Popular non-toxic nail polish brands include Zoya, Butter London, and Deborah Lippmann. (If you’re not sure whether your go-to nail polish brands are non-toxic, you can always search for them in the EWG’s cosmetics database.)

13. Never skip base and top coats.

Base and top coats are especially helpful when your nails are on the weaker side because they provide your nails with an additional protective barrier from things like dehydration and breakage, says Dr. Evans.

14. Ask your dermatologist about a prescription nail strengthener.

Prescription topical agents, such as Nuvail and Genadur, can help to strengthen weakened nails. While over-the-counter nail hardeners can do the trick in the short term, prescription strengtheners are the best choice for long-term use because they contain chemicals that both increase the strength of the nail and trap moisture to prevent future brittleness. “Consistent and dedicated use of a nail hardener is key for successful results,” says Dr. Weimann. If you feel that a prescription nail strengthener would be beneficial for you, talk about it with your dermatologist.

When to see a doctor about weak nails

Weak nails are usually due to exposure to elements and the aging process, but you should check in with your doctor if it’s a new, sudden problem or if your nails aren’t responding to at-home remedies. “There are specific conditions, such as an iron deficiency (anemia),hypothyroidism,psoriasis, and Raynaud’s syndrome (a circulatory condition) that can affect nail strength,” says Dr. Klein. The sooner you treat any underlying health issues that might be messing with your nails, the sooner they can grow healthier and stronger.

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.

Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention, and she also writes for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women's Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com.

Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she helps strategize for success across Prevention’s social media platforms.

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