For strong, healthy-looking nails, it’s essential to take proper care in their maintenance. That means avoiding external traumas (like finger-tapping and using nails as tools), as well as regularly moisturizing with products designed to nourish them.
Non-toxic nail care products are gentler on nails and help them retain their natural oil balance to prevent dryness, splitting and flaking issues. Furthermore, these products contain less dangerous chemicals which could potentially enter our bodies over time.
1. Cuticle Oil
Cuticle oil is an intensively nourishing treatment applied directly to your cuticles (the thick layer of skin surrounding the base of your nails) to keep them looking their best and prevent fungal infection. It helps keep fungus at bay, moisturizes nail bed skin and nail bed bed itself and can extend manicure life by acting as a barrier that stops polish from drying prematurely.
Opt for nail and cuticle care products containing ingredients such as jojoba and sweet almond oils to provide extra hydration and moisture, with nongreasy finishes preferred and rollerball pen or brush applicators providing easier application – we like L’Occitane’s pen which features shea and apricot oils as well as vitamin E for an effortless experience – plus its light weight makes application much simpler!
2. Nail Envy
Byrdie staffers love this panel-recommended nail strengthener packed with antioxidant-rich kale and camellia oil for stronger nails. Plus, its vibrant array of colors make it great for nursing damaged ones back to health!
This formula, an award winner by Best of Beauty magazine, features a formaldehyde-free strengthening formula packed with nail-shielding ingredients and softening kukui nut oil to prevent breakage and prevent breakage of natural nails. It should preferably be applied directly over natural nails, although it can also be worn underneath polish.
OPI’s new strengthening formula comes in many eye-catching shades such as Alpine Snow, Samoan Sand and Bubble Bath – not to mention exclusive Nail Envy hues like Powerful Pink and Pink to Envy!
3. Nail Strengthener
Nail hardeners provide an essential protective shield to keep your nails healthy. Available in cream, polish or oil formulas, these products can either be used alone or as base coat underneath polish.
Corre explains that nail strengtheners “replenish lost nutrients and restore the keratin needed for strong and healthy nails. A nail strengthener can provide tremendous relief to damaged nails while serving as a great preventive maintenance measure if applied frequently or even daily.”
This nail strengthening polish is perfect for those with weak or damaged nails, whether natural or damaged from polish. Russell uses this nail strengthener to give her natural nails a break from polish. Additionally, it contains vitamins and minerals to promote nail health.
4. Nail Polish
Nail polish adds color, style, and creativity to your nails; however, regular application of it may cause the nails to weaken due to harmful chemicals found within its formulation. Biting or picking at your nails could cause live tissue to be torn away allowing bacteria into your nail bed leading to infection.
Avoiding harmful ingredients in nail polish is an excellent way to protect the health of both nails and skin. Look for formulas without formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
Check your nail polish ingredients carefully when shopping for the ideal polish, including UV inhibitors such as stearalkonium hectorite and bentonite which prevent the polish from changing when exposed to sunlight, while some contain plasticizers such as benzophenone which help keep resin flexible when dry.
5. Nail Care Kit
An at-home nail kit provides a simple solution for maintaining healthy nails that look stylish while stopping biting (which can lead to infections). These kits contain all the tools necessary for an at-home manicure, including cuticle oil that moisturizes both nails and skin, a brush designed to clean underneath fingernails, clippers to maintain neat trimming of fingernails, clipper to trim nails neatly, as well as file for shaping the tips of nails.
Choose an all-in-one nail care kit like our eco-friendly, vegan Mani in a Box or Pedi in a Box 4 Step system for DIY manicures and pedicures that don’t rely on harsh chemical polish removers, base/top coats or cuticle oils with natural ingredients like jojoba, castor, grape seed and shea oils for at-home manicures and pedicures without harsh chemical solvents like harsh removers or base/top coats. It includes sea salt soak soak and cuticle oil made with natural ingredients like jojoba, castor grape seed oils among others for DIY DIY manicures/pedicures without damaging surfaces like those provided by salon professionals.
