My sister works as a nail technician. Literally all I’ve done is watch her work for the past few years. Something quickly became clear when studying her clients for an extended period: healthy looking nails don’t typically just happen.
Some clients always seemed to have beautiful nails no matter what. Other clients always seemed to be dealing with peeling, splitting, thinning, brittle nails, or some combination of the three. So what gives? Why can some people not catch a break when it comes to nails?
The biggest thing I noticed is that healthy nails are rarely accidental. But that also got me thinking about how she recommends that her clients care for their nails after they leave the salon.
What simple habits do the majority of healthy nail owners have in common? Let’s dig into fifteen easy tips you can start doing at home today to help you have healthier nails.
15 Nail Care Routine at Home Tips
1. Moisturize Your Cuticles Every Single Day
Probably the number one thing I see my sister recommend to everyone is moisturizing their cuticles daily. Most people pay so much attention to the nail and completely neglect the skin around it.
Dry cuticles can lead to hangnails, cracking, irritation, and slow nail growth. Apply a little petroleum jelly, coconut oil, shea butter, or hand cream before bed every night. Massage the product into your cuticle area for thirty seconds per hand. Don’t just rub it on and go to sleep.
Think of your cuticles as a protective seal that your nail lives under. When that is taken care of and stays hydrated, the nail underneath will grow stronger and look much better.
Read also: 7 Things Your Nails Say About You and Your Health
2. Stop Using Your Nails as Tools
Listen, I know we all do it. We use our nails to open soda cans, scrape labels, pry packages open, rip off stickers, you name it. Every time you do this, you’re putting unnecessary stress on your nails.
Nails were not made to replace tiny screwdrivers or knives. You may not see the damage immediately, but every time you use your nails as tools, you’re creating tiny fractures that will later cause your nails to split and peel. That’s why some people claim that their nails “never grow.”
Make a conscious effort to use tools instead of your nails. Keys, scissors, bottle openers, household tools… use them whenever possible. Trust me, cutting down on breakage using this one tip will make a huge impact over time.
Read also: 10 Simple Things to Help You Stop Biting Your Nails Starting Today
3. File Your Nails Correctly, Don’t Saw Back and Forth
Filing your nails is something a lot of people do, but not everyone knows the correct way to do it. If you’ve ever watched someone file their nails, you’ve probably seen them quickly saw back and forth across the tip.
I know it feels like you’re getting a lot done when you file that way, but what you don’t see are tiny tears you’re creating along the edge of your nail that will later become split nails and cracks.
Instead of sawing your nails, try filing in one direction. Start at the side of your nail and file toward the center of your finger. Make sure to use gentle strokes. I promise you’ll have a much cleaner edge without as much stress on your nails.
Think of filing your nails wrong as bending a piece of cardboard back and forth repeatedly. Eventually, it’s going to get weak and tear. Your nails work the exact same way. Take the time to learn proper nail shaping techniques and watch your nail strength improve over time.
4. Wear Gloves While Cleaning
Cleaning products are actually really terrible for your nails. Bleach, dish soap, degreasers, and other chemicals that we use to clean our homes can strip our nails and skin of their natural oils.
I always notice that people who are constantly cleaning but never wear gloves have dry, brittle nails. It’s not a coincidence. Your nails need moisture and flexibility to be strong. Wiping away that natural protection week after week will take a toll.
Buy a cheap pair of gloves and keep them under your sink. Make it a habit to wear them anytime you’re doing chores that require harsh chemicals. Small changes like this make a big difference over time.
Read also: 10 Grooming Tips for Women Beauty
5. Keep Your Nails at a Reasonable Length
Long nails are gorgeous, but they aren’t always practical. Think about your day to day activities. Do you do a lot of typing? Cooking? Cleaning? Any manual labor? Have kids? Gym goer? Long nails may be prone to breakage with your lifestyle.
Keeping your nails too long can make them more susceptible to damage. Shorter nails have less leverage against your finger when you knock them against something hard. They are also less likely to get caught on something.
That being said, short nails aren’t necessarily what I’m advocating for, either. Keep your nails at a length that you know you can maintain. That’s the key.
6. Give Your Nails Breaks From Polish
There’s nothing wrong with wearing nail polish! But if you find yourself wearing polish nonstop, you may benefit from taking the occasional break.
Polish doesn’t damage nails by itself, but wearing polish all the time can hide stains, ridges, and discoloration. You won’t even notice these things if you’re wearing polish more often than not.
Take a few days every couple of weeks to let your nails breathe. Don’t wear any polish and use that time to moisturize and inspect your nails. Are they drying out? Peeling? Discoloration? Any other irregularities?
Allowing yourself to go polish free for a few days will help you catch things that may have been hiding. It also does wonders for long term natural nail maintenance.
7. Don’t Cut Your Cuticles!
Something else I hear all the time is that you should not be cutting your cuticles! Understandable, because everyone thinks cutting them makes your nails look nicer.
Cuticles serve as a protective barrier for your nails. Once you remove too much of the cuticle, you’re inviting irritation, inflammation, and infection.
Instead of cutting your cuticles, soak your hands in warm water and use a cuticle pusher or your finger to gently push your cuticles back. It’ll still give you that nice clean look without stripping away that protective barrier.
8. Dry Your Hands After Washing Them
Feel like your hands get washed more than anything else in your house? Yeah, me too. But you know what most people neglect to do? Dry their hands thoroughly afterward.
It doesn’t take long for moisture to build up underneath your nails and around your fingers. When this happens frequently, it can cause irritation and weaken your nails.
Make sure to pay special attention to around your fingers and nails when drying off. Use a clean towel and dry your hands all the way. Tiny improvements like this go a long way, especially during the winter when skin is more dry and prone to cracking.
9. Apply Hand Cream After Every Major Hand Washing Session
One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed between people with healthy nails and people with weak nails is moisturizing habits. Healthy nails and skin require moisture to stay that way.
Every time you wash your hands, you’re stripping your skin of its natural oils. The trick is to replenish that lost moisture.
You don’t have to slather on cream after every time you wash your hands, but after every major hand washing session, make sure to lotion up. Doing the dishes? Cleaning? Showered? Washing your hands a lot? Apply some cream!
Buy a small travel size bottle and keep it next to your sink, on your desk at work, or in your purse. Convenience is often what determines whether or not a healthy habit actually becomes a habit.
10. Don’t Peel Your Gel Polish or Nail Products Off
Ugh, I hate when this happens to me. Nail polish starts lifting, and instead of taking the proper steps to remove it, you just start peeling it off.
The problem is that when you peel your nail polish off, half the time you’re taking layers of your natural nail with it. It might not show immediate effects, but after years of repeating this, you’ll wonder why your nails have gotten so weak.
If your polish or nail product needs to be removed, use the proper removal method or take it to a professional. Your nails will thank you.
11. Eat Better for Improved Nail Growth
Trust me, I’m not expecting you to start eating cabbage and rice every meal. But your diet does play a larger role in the health of your nails than most realize.
No amount of cuticle oil is going to fix horrible eating habits. Your body needs protein, vitamins, minerals, and water to build strong healthy nails.
Eat more eggs, fish, beans, nuts, leafy vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Your body uses these nutrients to repair and maintain stronger nails. You may not see results immediately, but your nail strength will improve over time with better eating habits.
12. Use a Nail Brush When Washing Your Hands
This may sound strange, but hear me out. When was the last time you took a close look at the underside of your nails? If you garden, cook regularly, or work with your hands a lot, dirt, oils, and dead skin can build up.
Buy yourself a cheap nail brush and use it when you wash your hands. Not only will this help clean off the built up residue, but it helps keep your nails looking clean and healthy.
Don’t go crazy with the brush! Scrubbing your nails too hard will cause damage. Gentle cleanses are enough to remove debris.
13. Buff Sparingly and Only When Needed
Buffing your nails is totally fine, but if you buff aggressively every week, you might not realize you’re thinning out your nail beds.
A light buff is fine once every few weeks to remove minor ridges and smooth out your nail surface. If you find yourself needing to buff your nails more often than that, take a closer look at your nails.
Are they really that rough? Are you buffing because you’re addicted to the feeling? Or did you maybe just change your mind about the nail polish you wanted to wear?
Remember that every time you buff, you’re removing a thin layer of your actual nail. You can’t put those layers back once they’re gone.
14. Designate a Nail Maintenance Day Each Week
This tip is simple yet so effective. Pick a day each week to devote 15 to 20 minutes to nail care and maintenance. This isn’t saying you have to go all out and do a full nail tutorial every week.
Trim your nails, shape them, moisturize your cuticles, inspect for damage, apply hand cream, etc. Doing this once a week can help you stay on top of your nails and prevent small issues from turning into big problems.
We often neglect our nails because we wait until something is wrong to try and fix it. Create a set day that you’ll take care of your nails no matter what. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference this makes.
15. Protect Your Nails While You Sleep
Protect your nails overnight? Yes. Did you know that right before you go to sleep is actually one of the best times to take care of your nails?
Take your usual cuticle oil or grab some thick hand cream and apply it to your nails before bed. The longer you let it sit, the better it will absorb. For an even better night, wear a pair of cotton gloves after application.
Since your hands are tucked away for the next 7 to 9 hours, they aren’t going anywhere. You’ll also be waking up with longer lasting moisture than if you applied product during the day and your hands were moving.
Conclusion
Healthy nails aren’t the result of expensive salon visits, ridiculous amounts of products, or timely procedures. Nine times out of ten, they’re the result of small habits done consistently.
By moisturizing your cuticles, protecting your nails while cleaning, filing your nails correctly, not using your nails as tools, and so on, your nail health will improve over time. Trust me.
What I love about all of these tips is that they can all be done at home. No special training or education required. Start with three or four things that you think will be easiest for you and stick with them. Slow improvements done daily will always outshine getting it “perfect” once in a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I moisturize my cuticles?
Ideally, twice a day. But I find that applying moisturizer before bed works best because you can leave it on for hours before going to sleep.
What causes nails to split and peel?
Too much water, harsh cleaning chemicals, not filing your nails correctly, and nutritional deficiencies can cause your nails to split and peel. Dryness can be another cause.
Is it bad to always wear nail polish?
No, but your nails will benefit if you give them a break every now and then. When you don’t wear polish, you’re able to properly inspect your nails and give them extra hydration if needed.
How can I make my nails grow faster?
There’s only so much you can do to speed up growth. However, eating right, drinking water, protecting your nails from damage, and moisturizing your cuticles will allow your nails to grow at their fastest rate.
Should I cut my cuticles?
Nope. Your nail technician gently pushes back your cuticles for a reason. Cuticles help protect your nails from irritation and infection.
Why do my nails keep breaking?
Typical causes for broken nails include frequent water exposure, cleaning product exposure, nutrition, buffing too much, dehydration, and using your nails like tools.
Can house cleaning damage your nails?
Yes, frequently washing your hands with dish soap or using chemicals like bleach can wear down your nails. Wearing gloves while cleaning can help prevent damage.
How long will it take for my nails to get better?
You’ll likely see small changes after a couple of weeks, but giving your nails a complete revival will take time. Remember that your nails don’t grow overnight.
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