what's the best nail treatment for weak nails?

nail strengthening: key takeaways

 ● nails can become brittle and weak for several reasons, including age, deficiencies, harsh cleaning chemicals, manual labour, and over-wearing acrylic nails.
 ● if you’re living with weak or broken nails, then you should try a nail strengthening treatment like essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener.
 ● nail strengtheners like those in our hard to resist range work to form a protective coat over the nail and guard against everyday wear and tear.
 ● to keep your nails happy and healthy, you can also use our apricot cuticle oil, which hydrates the cuticle and helps keep nails healthy.

why are my nails weak and brittle?

first, let’s take a quick look at the reasons why your nails might be weaker or more brittle than usual. weak nails can be caused by several factors, including:

 ● deficiencies in B vitamins, iron, calcium or fatty acids: if you spot changes in your nails, such as spots, changes in colouration, or brittleness, it may be because of a deficiency.
 ● using harsh cleaning chemicals, or overexposure to moisture: If you often use detergents and strong cleaning products, it might be advisable to wear gloves when doing so for a while. whenever you wash your hands, your fingernails absorb a little water and can swell, going back to their original size when they’re dry. this cycle can wear down and soften your fingernails over time.
 ● using your hands for manual tasks like gardening: hard or rough manual work can contribute to weak and bendy nails, so use hand cream or gloves if this is unavoidable for you.
 ● wearing acrylic or gel nails: if false nails are your go-to, then it may be time to go natural for a while. frequently using acrylic or gel nails can dry out your natural nails and weaken them.

our top tips for nail repair treatment

if you’re struggling with weak nails, then don’t give up hope; there are plenty of nail repair treatments you can use to get your hands looking perfect again.

here’s a few of our favourite nail strengthening treatments and products that you can use to get your nails in tip-top shape.

use a nail strengthener

possibly the best remedy for brittle nails is a coat of nail strengthener.

essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener is designed to protect and strengthen your nails. after applying a coat of our nail strengthening treatment, a protective coat is formed that provides instant nail strength and uses nail bonding technology to improve fragile, weakened, and brittle nail surfaces.

try cuticle care

it’s not just your nails that you have to look after. cuticle care is an important part of keeping your nails happy and healthy, and that’s where essie’s apricot cuticle oil comes in.

designed to nourish and moisturise your cuticles and nails, our cuticle oil protects the cuticle from dryness and helps create the perfect frame for healthy nails.

trim and groom your nails properly

a super simple nail strengthening treatment is to make sure you take care of your nails properly when you trim them. if you’re struggling with brittle nails, try to keep your nails short so they absorb less water, file your nails regularly to avoid splitting and damage, and buff your nails in the same direction as the nail grows.

wear gloves and hand protection

when you’re doing household chores like dishwashing or gardening, try to wear gloves. excess moisture and harsh cleaning chemicals can dry out your nails and damage them, causing cracks, breaks, and brittleness.

how do nail strengtheners work?

nail strengtheners are the simplest and best at-home nail repair treatments. essie nail strengtheners are formulated with MSM technology that creates a protective barrier over the nail, which protects against everyday wear and tear.

using nail bonding technology, our strengtheners offer instant strength and resistance, with 96% of users agreeing their nails feel instantly protected*. 3 days after using our nail strengthening treatment, nails appear less brittle and healthier, with a natural shine. if you’re struggling with yellowing, brittle nails, you can also try our hard to resist strengthener purple tint, which works to neutralise yellow, dull tones.

*essie consumer study

how to use nail strengthener step-by-step

new to nail repair treatments? here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to use essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener:

1. apply your base coat: start with a base coat to help reinforce your nail. essie’s strong start is infused with biotin and helps to reinforce nails for a less brittle feel.
2. add your nail strengthening treatment: after your base coat, apply two coats of your chosen nail strengthener. if you’re using essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener, you can skip directly to this step, as you don’t need a base coat.
3. use a few drops of cuticle oil: next, apply a few drops of our apricot cuticle oil and massage it into your cuticle.
4. finish with a top coat: end your nail repair treatment with a topcoat. essie’s topcoats range from gel-like colour to platinum-grade matte coats, browse our full range to discover the perfect top coat for you.

keep your nails strong with essie

if you’re struggling with weak and brittle nails, essie is here to help. our nail strengtheners protect and boost your nails' natural look, giving you a healthy glow and less brittle feel.

strengthen your nails with Essie