If you’re currently inhabiting planet Earth, you’re likely no stranger to the diligent use of hand sanitizer. While essential for hygiene, this constant sanitizing can take a toll on your nails, leaving them looking less than their best – perhaps a bit brittle, flaky, or simply lackluster. Fear not, because we’ve compiled the definitive guide on how to care for your nails, revitalizing them back to their glorious and healthy state.
Nail Care is not just a trend; it’s the cornerstone of a flawless manicure and the secret to ensuring your nail polish always looks its absolute best. However, many of us are still operating on outdated nail care myths. It’s time to discard those old wives’ tales and embrace a modern, effective approach. Achieving healthy, strong, and beautiful nails is easier than you might think, especially with the right routine and products. Consider incorporating a dedicated nail care set into your regimen, featuring products specifically designed to promote longer and stronger nails.
10 Essential Nail Care Tips for Strong, Healthy Nails
Here are ten nail care tips that are guaranteed to deliver results, preventing cracks, peels, and breaks, and leading you to your best nails yet.
1. Break the Nail-Biting Habit
Does this even need to be said? Nail-biting is detrimental to your nail health and appearance. It weakens your nails, ruins your manicure, and introduces bacteria directly into your mouth. While nail-biting can be a hard habit to kick, often stemming from stress or anxiety, there are effective strategies to stop. Start by keeping your nails trimmed short. This minimizes the temptation. Applying a nail strengthening treatment can also deter biting due to the taste and the awareness of investing in nail health. Remember, healthy, well-cared-for nails are far more appealing than bitten ones.
Our award-winning Miracle Treatment Base Coat is celebrated for its remarkable ability to restore nail strength and health. As Erin M. testifies, “This truly has been a miracle in improving the strength and quality of my nails… Never going back to shellac!”
2. Hydrate Your Nails and Cuticles Regularly
Frequent hand washing, sanitizing, dishwashing, and showering – everyday necessities – are paradoxically harsh on your nails. These activities strip away natural oils, leaving your nails vulnerable to breakage, splitting, peeling, and cracking. To counteract this, incorporate a quality cuticle oil into your daily nail care routine. Applying cuticle oil replenishes lost moisture and natural oils. For optimal hydration, apply cuticle oil before bed, allowing it to deeply nourish your nails overnight. For intense hydration, consider using a dedicated cuticle oil like our Self Love Oil . Its versatile formula is praised for its “unexpectedly wonderful” effects, not just on nails and cuticles, but also on dry lips and elbows. Applying cuticle oil before showering or swimming can also act as a protective barrier against water damage.
If your nails are in need of serious repair, particularly after gel manicures, our award-winning Rest & Repair Nail Serum offers intensive treatment. This serum, packed with botanicals and bioactives, works to repair, regenerate, and deeply hydrate your nails while you sleep. Laura R. raves about its effectiveness, stating, “Oh my LORD – the best!… My nails improved virtually overnight, which sounds crazy, but is magical.”
3. Manage Nail Length for Nail Health
If you consistently experience nail cracking, especially along the edges, reconsidering your nail length is crucial for nail care. Long nails, while stylish, are more susceptible to damage. Daily activities can put stress on longer nails, leading to cracks and breaks. For active individuals, maintaining shorter, well-shaped nails is often more practical. Shape your nails weekly to keep them in optimal condition and prevent breakage. Explore different nail shapes to find one that suits your lifestyle and aesthetic; resources are available online to guide you in finding the most flattering nail shape for your hands.
4. Seal and Protect with Top Coat
A high-quality top coat is an essential component of nail care. It acts as a sealant, protecting your nail color from chipping and enhancing its longevity. Crucially, top coat also adds a layer of strength, preventing nail breakage. Ensure you apply top coat to completely cover the tips of your nails, effectively sealing the manicure and maximizing protection. Users like Julianne D. express regret at not using top coat sooner, noting its effectiveness in preserving manicures. “Why didn’t I buy this earlier?!… Nail polish seems to last longer before chipping too.”
Important Tip: Always check the product label, as some top coats, like our Supersonic Top Coat, are specifically formulated to adhere to polish, not directly to the natural nail.
5. Fortify with Base Coat
The often-underestimated base coat is another secret weapon in nail care. It functions as a double-sided adhesive for your nails, creating a superior bond between your natural nail bed and the polish. Base coat adheres more effectively to the nail surface than colored polish alone, and it also enhances the adhesion of subsequent polish layers. This results in a significantly longer-lasting and more durable manicure.
Beyond improving manicure longevity, a quality base coat can also contribute to nail health. Our award-winning Miracle Treatment Base Coat is formulated with moisturizing oils and brightening pearls for a naturally healthy sheen. Enriched with organic cherry blossom, botanicals, and vitamins, it combines cosmetic enhancement with nail nourishment.
6. Choose Gentle Nail Files
Using overly rough emery boards can be detrimental to nail care. Aggressive filing can create microscopic cracks in your nails, which can then lead to splits and breakage. To maintain healthy nail structure, opt for gentler files with a grit of 180 to 240, or consider glass files. These finer files effectively shape and shorten nails without causing damage. When filing, use slow, even strokes in a single direction, rather than a back-and-forth sawing motion, which can weaken the nail.
7. Preserve Your Cuticles
Cuticles are vital for nail health. Resist the urge to aggressively remove them. They are nature’s protective barrier against infection. Disrupting this barrier can lead to inflammation and ragged cuticles, detracting from the appearance of your manicure and potentially leading to infections that can permanently damage the nail. To manage cuticles effectively, address them after a shower or after applying cuticle oil, such as our Self Love Oil, which softens and prepares them for gentle care. Focus on trimming only loose skin around the nail sides and gently push back cuticles using a rubber cuticle pusher or an orange stick.
8. Protect Nails with Gloves
Harsh detergents and cleaning chemicals are damaging to nails, stripping them of moisture and weakening their structure. Everyday tasks like cleaning and gardening expose your nails to risks of breakage. Protect your nails by wearing gloves during these activities. This simple precaution can significantly reduce chemical exposure and physical stress on your nails.
9. Select Non-Toxic Nail Polish
Conventional nail polishes often contain harmful chemicals. However, you can prioritize both beauty and health by choosing non-toxic options. Look for the “12-free” label on nail polishes. This indicates that the polish is free from the twelve most common toxic chemicals found in standard formulas. All Kester Black polishes are formulated to be 12-free, ensuring a healthier choice for nail care.
10. Nourish Nails from Within
Nail health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Your body builds, nourishes, and maintains your nails through blood flow to the nail bed. Therefore, providing your body with strengthening nutrients through a healthy diet is essential for nail care. A balanced, plant-based diet rich in colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts provides the necessary vitamins and minerals to support nail growth and strength. You’ll typically begin to see noticeable improvements in nail health as new nail growth emerges over one to two months.
Bonus Nail Care Tip
Always keep essential nail care tools readily accessible – a soft file, cuticle oil, top/base coat, and hand cream. Store them in your office drawer, bathroom cabinet, or makeup bag for convenient touch-ups and maintenance. Investing in quality nail care tools is a worthwhile investment in the long-term health and beauty of your nails.
With these nail care secrets at your fingertips, you’re well-equipped to achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful nails. Now you can focus on perfecting your nail art and expressing your style. Explore our tutorials for inspiration and guidance in nail design.
And if you’re choosing between classic red or versatile nude nail polish, consult our guides on choosing the right red and the best nude nail polish to find the perfect shades for your skin tone.
