5 Natural Solutions To Strengthen Brittle Nails

Nails can be weakened for various reasons and need to be determined in order to provide proper treatment. In this sense, strengthening fragile nails becomes essential to avoid discomfort that goes beyond breaking and flaking.

Commonly, nail fragility can be the result of a nutritional deficiency, the use of cleaning products without gloves, blows, among others.

Except in cases of nutritional deficiency, nail weakness does not usually directly affect health. However, it does disrupt their normal growth.

The good news is that there are several cosmetic treatments that allow you to strengthen them  so that they remain beautiful. We share some natural options that can be prepared at home. Would you like to know them?

Home remedies to strengthen nails

Below we will reveal which are the most popular home remedies to strengthen nails and, in turn, make them grow back healthy and strong.

1. Olive oil to hydrate and strengthen nails

Olive oil has been used for many years as a product to hydrate and care for the skin. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is also used in the care and strengthening of nails.

Thanks to its texture and its fatty acids, it can help nourish the nail, preventing its weakening. Next, we share a recipe for you to start benefiting from this ingredient.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of olive oil (60 g)
• 5 drops of lemon juice

Process

• Add the lemon to the olive oil first, then soak your nails for 15 minutes. Then wash your hands thoroughly in water and dry them properly.
• Finally, keep the mixture in the refrigerator and repeat the treatment every day.

2. Papaya with almond oil and egg to nourish nails and cuticles

This homemade nail and cuticle mask contains nutrients that help nourish and hydrate the nails, making them stronger.

First of all, almond oil, like most oils, helps to hydrate the nail. As for papaya, it contains papain, which, according to various investigations, could protect the skin against attacks by external agents.

In this way, it is also possible that it helps to strengthen the nail by avoiding damage caused by external pathogens. And the fact is that the hands are especially exposed to the environment, since they are constantly used to grasp objects or carry out activities.

As for the egg, this has been added to the recipe mainly to give consistency, but, in principle, there are no studies that allow us to affirm that its direct application has any effect on the nails.

However, according to an article published in the journal Advances in Dermatology and Allergology , skin and nail weakness would also be related to the lack of certain nutrients, such as fatty acids (present in eggs). So, in addition to this recipe, do not hesitate to include them in your diet.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of papaya juice (20 ml)
• ½ teaspoon of almond oil (2.5 g)
• 1 tablespoon of egg yolk

Process

• First, put the three ingredients in a bowl and mix them until you get a homogeneous product.
• Next, take an enamel brush and apply it on your nails and cuticles.
• Finally, let it act for 30 minutes and rinse them with cold water. Remember to dry your hands well.
• Repeat the treatment every day.

3. Mint and chamomile to protect nails

The mint and chamomile treatment is a very healthy tonic to protect the nails from the aggressions of the environment.

Peppermint contains vitamin C, which participates in the formation of collagen, one of the components of the skin and nails. Therefore, it can be beneficial to strengthen the nails.

As for chamomile, various studies show that it has antimicrobial and healing properties, so it could help you protect your nails against external agents, thus preventing them from deteriorating and weakening.

Ingredients

• 4 mint leaves
• 1 glass of water (250 ml)
• 2 tablespoons of chamomile (20 g)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (14 g)
• 2 tablespoons of wheat flour (20 g)

Process

• First, add the chamomile and mint leaves to a cup of boiling water.
• Then let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
• After this time, add the olive oil and the wheat flour.
• Next, pour the product into a jar and rub it on your nails and cuticles.

• Finally, let it act for half an hour and rinse with fresh water. Dry your hands well.

4. Horsetail and comfrey against external agents

Horsetail is a traditional remedy to strengthen brittle nails, although there are still no studies to support its effectiveness or to explain how it works.

As for comfrey, this plant has antioxidant properties that, according to research published in the Cuban Journal of Medicinal Plants , are beneficial in skin conditions, promoting wound healing.

In this way, comfrey could help strengthen nails and, above all, protect them from environmental damage.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of horsetail (5 g)

• 1 teaspoon of comfrey (5 g)
• Optional: 3 drops of olive oil.
• 1 glass of water (250 ml)

Process

• First, bring the water to a boil and add the horsetail and comfrey.
• Lastly, let it rest and soak your nails for 15 minutes. Afterwards, wash your hands well in water and dry them immediately.
• Repeat this treatment several times a week.

5. Castor oil and vitamin E to strengthen nails

Vitamin E has been used for a long time in cosmetic products for the skin due to its protective action against threats from the environment. Therefore, it can help you protect your nails and prevent them from becoming weak.

For its part, castor oil will help hydrate and nourish them, in addition to providing consistency to this recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil (14 g)
• 5 drops of vitamin E

Process

• First, mix the vitamin E with the castor oil, and then apply it to your nails using a paintbrush or brush.

• Remember that once you are done, you should wash and dry your hands well.
• Repeat the process every day.

What makes nails weak?

As we mentioned at the beginning, brittle nails can appear due to a nutritional deficiency, the use of cleaning products without protection or some diseases.

However, although it is perhaps less well known, it is also possible for nails to become brittle due to overexposure to moisture or polish. Therefore, it is very important that you dry your nails well after using the above remedies and that you do not abuse products such as nail polish.

If you are constantly applying these types of articles on your nails, you do not let them ‘breathe’, which causes them to weaken and end up breaking easily.

Therefore, in addition to applying the remedies that we have recommended here to strengthen them, it is very important that you also change your habits and do not overexpose your nails to cosmetic products, use protection when cleaning and eat properly. What are you waiting for to apply these tips?