7 Nail Strengtheners For Long, Healthy Nails
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Lately, my nails have been reflecting the wear and tear of 2024. Traditionally, they are long, strong, shiny, and don't show any discoloration. My nails used to be able to handle anything: the occasional Gel-X manicure, press-ons, intricate 3D designs, playful nail trends, and endless color sans breaks — without showing any damage. But in the last six weeks, my nail beds have developed ridges, decreased in size, continuously break, and chip easily when polished.
I started taking Biotin three weeks ago, the protein that aids in nail health. And although it's been helping, in an attempt to speed up the process, I've been investing in nail strengtheners. Formulated with keratin, nail strengtheners are known to rebuild nails that are prone to breaking by creating a protective barrier on the surface. This prevents damage from daily activities, chemicals, and water.
I've been testing different nail strengtheners for three weeks now and am convinced this is the hero product for flimsy, peeling, breaking and damaged nails. The result: a curated list of eight nail strengtheners to help bring life back into your nails.
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Best Affordable Nail Strengthener
Sally Hansen Treatment Hard As Nails Natural Tint ($3)
Not only is this the most affordable on our list, but it also takes the shortest amount of time to see results — just three days. Apply two coats to bare nails and watch it dry into a glossy finish that looks great on its own. You can also place color over the strengthener as the polish works hard to create a barrier to prevent from chipping and breaking.
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Best Colored Nail Strengthener
Orly Nail Defense ($10)
If you're struggling with peeling, brittle, or splitting nails, opt for Orly's Nail Defense Nail Strengthener. It's made with horsetail extract to strengthen the nail, hydrolyzed wheat for nail repair, and for shine, it's infused with chamomile flower extract. Your nails will be breakage-prone in just a few coats of polish.
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Best Drugstore Nail Strengthener
Essie Hard To Resist Advanced ($11)
If you love nail art and color, chances are your nail beds could use Essie's treatment to help strengthen between salon appointments. Plus, your nails will experience growth with this product too.
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Best Glossy Nail Strengthener
Londontown kur Nail Hardener and Base Coat ($20)
Londontown's treatment is made with rapeseed oil, vitamin A and E, and biotin to leave the nails super hydrated with a smooth texture, sans cracking or bending. Not only that, when applied underneath a color, the polish acts as a base coat for flawless paint.
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Best Overall Nail Strengthener
OPI Nail Envy Advanced Strength Nail Strengthener ($20)
Formulated with biotin, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and E, OPI also has the "Tri-Flex Technology" that helps to reinforce the health of the nail. We love that it comes in multiple colors, so you don't have to choose between healthy nails and polish. When applied, (the brand recommends two coats and an additional coat daily for a week) the TLC treatment keeps your nails looking fresh and shiny.
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Best Luxury Nail Strengthener
Chanel La Base Camélia ($32)
This Chanel polish doubles as a nail strengthener and base coat that has a beautiful, milky finish. The natural mineral pigments help to even out the discoloring of damaged nails. Thanks to the camellia oil, it helps alleviate any dullness and dryness.
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Best Repairing Nail Strengthener
Jinsoon HyperRepair ($22)
The Jinsoon HyperRepair will keep your nails looking healthy and shiny long after application. For those suffering with ridges on the nails, the formula will help create a smoother nail bed. Feel free to add cuticle oil to give your nails an extra hydration boost.
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Natasha Marsh (she/her) is a freelance writer who writes about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Prior to freelancing, she held styling staff positions at The Wall Street Journal, Burberry, Cosmopolitan, British GQ, and Harper's Bazaar.