Healthy Nails Are Your Goal? Try These Easy Tips

Writing, tapping, typing, cooking, washing dishes—think about how much our nails and hands go through in a single day! That’s why whether you’re treating yourself to regular manicures, doing your nails at home, or just keeping it simple with the bare minimum, your nails will appreciate some TLC.

So today, let’s explore what you can do to make keeping your nails healthy a part of your daily routine!

What Do Healthy Nails Look Like?

Here’s a simple checklist to consider. Healthy nails

• have a uniform color (usually slightly pink);
• are not super curved;
• don’t have dark or white lines;
• are fungus-free;
• show a half-moon at the base (aka lunula); it should be opaque, not red;
• are smooth, ridge-free, and pit-free.

Pro Advice Is Always a Good Idea

Have you noticed anything off about your nails, or is there a nagging nail health issue that’s been bothering you for a while? No need to panic—it’s awesome that you’re paying attention to them! Your nails can reveal a lot about what’s going on inside your body. If you think a medical consultation could help, don’t hesitate to seek one out. A professional can give you personalized tips for your specific situation, saving you from endless forum threads.

Nail Care: Classic Winning Tips

While these are some go-to recommendations from skin experts, keep in mind they might not cover everything that may come up.

Also, don’t forget that genetics play a big role in how your nails behave. If you’ve had soft nails since you were a kid, the tendency might stick with you. But no worries! With the right care, you can still get awesome results.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

It seems natural for many of us to nourish our faces after washing, but when it comes to our hands (and nails), we often forget and only remember to moisturize when they start feeling really dry and uncomfortable.

To combat dryness, make it a habit to regularly give your hands a hydration boost with a thick hand cream. You might even want to keep a mini version in your bag whenever you head out (just be careful with your phone after applying it! 😉).

What ingredients in hand creams are especially beneficial for nail health? Here are some key ones to look for:

• Vitamin A promotes healthy cell production.
• Zinc supports nail growth and repair by boosting keratin production.
• Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps nourish and fortify both skin and nails from damage.
• Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, strengthens nails and reduces splitting and breakage.
• Folic acid helps nails grow faster and stronger.
• Coconut oil deeply moisturizes and helps prevent fungal infections.
• Celery seed extract boosts overall nail strength.

If you’re unsure whether the ingredients in your cream are safe and suitable for your skin, you can quickly run them through the OnSkin app. It’ll give you an ingredient breakdown, along with potential benefits or risks. Try it today with your favorite hand cream!

Give your nails breaks

If you frequently wear nail polish, gel, or acrylics, it’s important to give your nails a break from time to time. This allows air and hydration to reach them, helping to prevent yellowish discoloration. Who knows—maybe that bare nails natural look will grow on you!

Also, you’re probably already doing this, but always choose salons you trust. Avoid just going to the first places that pop up when you Google nail salons near me. Instead, opt for technicians who are licensed, and make sure the specialist uses sterile tools during your appointment.

Be gentle with your cuticles

When you’re going for that polished look, your first instinct might be to cut those cuticles off, right? But hold up! Dermatologists say your cuticles are super important—they act as a barrier, keeping bacteria out and locking in moisture. Cutting them too much can lead to irritation or even infection.

So, should you leave your cuticles alone? Ideally, yes! But if you want to tidy them up, use a cuticle pusher or a wooden stick and geeently push them back—don’t press too hard, or you could damage the nail bed. If you have any excess cuticle, you can carefully trim it with cuticle nippers.

Besides being gentler with your cuticles, it’s also a great call to “feed” them properly. One of the best ways to care for your cuticles is by using cuticle oil, especially one formulated with jojoba oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, or grapeseed oil, which will hydrate both your cuticles and the nail bed. And “well-fed” nails typically grow strong and long!

Use the right tools

For healthy nails, opt for a glass or crystal nail file instead of the classic emery board. Unlike emery boards, glass files won’t create tears in the nail that can lead to splits and flaking.

Plus, to minimize chipping, it’s best to round the edges of your nails. (But we understand if you prefer the square shape!)

Say no to excessive moisture

Did you know your nail plate is about 15% water and around 1,000 more openly soaks up water than skin, so any moisture that’s too much will probably make your nails “Stop it!” and promote split fingernails and even ups the risk of infection.

When can your nails be exposed to extra moisture? Think hot tubs, cleaning with water, swimming pools, or dealing with wet laundry—make sure your hands don’t stay “soaked up” for too long and dry them clean afterward.

Limit harsh chemicals

Wear cotton-lined gloves when washing dishes, cleaning, or handling any tasks that may expose your hands to chemicals—this helps reduce skin irritation and protects your nails.

In addition to harsh household products, other chemicals can also harm your nails. For instance, nail polish removers containing acetone can be quite damaging. Try to limit the use of such products or switch to a non-acetone remover, and you’ll likely notice your nails getting stronger.

Another thing our nails dread is when we think, “Of course I’ll open it!” and use them to pry open tricky bottles or peel off stickers and tape (all in the name of getting to that long-awaited package ASAP). It’s so frustrating to break a nail over a tiny sticker! Be gentler with your nails to avoid not only damage but also hurting the surrounding skin, which can let bacteria in and increase the chance of infection.

Nutrition for healthy nails

Yes, we know—you’ve heard all about how skin health and a balanced diet go hand in hand. And now, here we go again talking about it for nail health! But honestly, mindful nutrition can make a visible difference in the strength and appearance of your nails. Here’s what you can lean on:

🍊 Orange and yellow veggies are packed with vitamins that help nail strength;

🫐 Berries and fruits—for all you blueberry and strawberry fans, celebrate! These are high in antioxidants, which support healthy nails.

🍳 Eggs are loaded with protein and biotin, which are great for nail growth;

🌿 Leafy greens are rich in iron and calcium, essentials for healthy nails;

🥩 Meat and fish offer protein and zinc, important for nail repair;

🫘 Plant-based proteins (like lentils and beans) are perfect if you’re looking for non-meat options;

🥑 Healthy fats from things like avocados and nuts keep nails flexible and less prone to breaking;

💦 Water is …well, necessary for your overall health and hydration.

If You Bite Your Nails …

We’re not here to lecture you about how bad nail biting is—and let’s be real, if you bite your nails, you know how hard it is to stop. But if there’s any way you can cut back, your nails will thank you for it!

Want an easy place to start? Try picking just one nail—like your thumb—and make it your “no-bite” nail. It’s a small step, but it can help you build better habits!

Let’s Not Overlook Toenails

When we think of “nails,” we often picture our fingernails, but let’s not forget about our toenails—they need some love too! Here are a few tips to keep them healthy:

• Always dry your feet thoroughly after washing them (especially between your toes) to safeguard your nails and feet from fungal infections;
• Try to cut your toenails straight across instead of rounding the edges. This helps the nail grow straight ahead without veering off course.

In Closing: It’s Worth Waiting!

Studies say that nails grow about a tenth of a millimeter per day. Does that sound like a slow process? Well, you have plenty of time to give them the best care while they grow! With a little daily attention (and patience), you’ll nail that healthy nail look every day.