Type:polish | Active ingredients:alcohol, maleic acid | Size:0.3 fl oz | How to use:apply two times a day on bare nails for six days for max results; afterwards, use once daily.
What we like
Addresses damaged bonds
Deeper repair
No parabens
Something to note
Daily use for best results
“After a few back-to-back Gel-X manicures, my nails need a breather — but once I leave them bare they immediately start breaking. That’s when I turn to this nail strengthener from OPI. It keeps my nails healthy for when I head back to the salon for a new set,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez.This nail serum is designed to rebuild the damaged keratin bonds in your nails to help make them stronger, according to the brand. It has maleic acid to penetrate the surface of the nails and strengthen them from within, making them more resistant to breakage and giving them less ridges and better color.
Type:polish | Active ingredients:keratin, vitamin D, wheat protein | Size:0.55 fl oz | How to use:apply two coats to clean nails,letting each coat dry fully. Apply an additional coat every three days.
What we like
Fast-acting
Buildable formula
Something to note
Chips easily
Keratin is one of the essential proteins required for nail growth, which is why it’s a common ingredient in nail strengtheners and frequently recommended by our experts. This Nail-Aid treatment, a favorite of NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson and associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, facilitates nail growth in just a few days, especially when used regularly.
I use the Nail-Aid Keratin treatment to strengthen my nails when taking a break from gel nail extensions.Courtesy Ashley Morris
Type:polish | Active ingredients :protein peptide | Size:0.4 fl oz | How to use:apply 1-3 coats on natural nails as a treatment or under polish as a base coat.
What we like
Smoothing
Fast-acting
Great for everyday
Something to note
Shimmery finish
NBC Select editorial intern Andriana Kourkoumelis uses Dermelect’s smoothing ridge filler to help her bare nails look healthy after years of biting and damage from extensions. “I’m on my journey to grow out my natural nails this year and this product truly gives my hands a makeover. No matter how weak or short they are, just one coat helps them look like I got them cleaned up at a salon,” she says. The polish has strengthening protein peptides to smooth over any imperfections on the nail, plus it has a sheer shimmery pink finish.
This polish is quick and easy to use and makes my dry, brittle nails look manicured in less than 10 minutes. Courtesy Andriana Kourkoumelis
Type:lotion | Active ingredients:mineral oil, keratin | Size:3.4 or6.8 fl oz | How to use:rub into hands as often as needed/desired
What we like
Easy, no-hassle application
Safe for sensitive skin
Something to note
Has strong scent
This hand and nail lotion not only helps to moisturize skin with Vaseline Jelly, but it also has mineral oil and keratin, two ingredients Green recommends in any nail strengthener. This product has a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,500 reviews on Amazon, with several reviewers citing a noticeable improvement in nail strength in a couple of weeks.
Type:polish | Active ingredients:hydrolyzed silk, corn protein, wheat protein | Size:0.45 fl oz | How to use:apply one coat to clean nails every other day, or use as base coat under polish
What we like
Can be used as a base coat
Something to note
May effect manicure longevity
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown loves acrylic tips, but when she’s ready to give her nails a rest, this Sally Hansen nail strengthener is her favorite product. “I like this one because it doubles as a clear polish, so my nails are naked but not that naked, and still getting the nourishment they need from the protein and silk formula,” she says. “Whenever I’m wearing this, my nails feel harder and break way less.”
Brown likes that this strengthener can be used alone or combined with other polishes as a base coat.Courtesy Nikki Brown
Type:cream | Active ingredients:vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, beeswax | Size:1 oz | How to use:apply to nail beds, cuticles and underside of nails three times a day or as often as needed
What we like
Non-greasy
Moisturizing formula
Something to note
Strong coconut scent
Morris was initially introduced to this nail-strengthening cream by her roommate, who’s sworn by it for years. It has vitamins A, C, E and D, beeswax and jojoba oil to condition and nourish nails while moisturizing the skin around them, according to the brand. Morris says the formula isn’t drying, and that there’s no strong chemical smell — instead, it has a lovely coconut scent.
Type:primer | Active ingredients:panthenol, biotin | Size:4 fl oz | How to use:apply on bare nails before base coat with a cotton pad.
What we like
Cleans the nail plate
Hydrates
Improves flexibility
Something to note
Not a polish
Editorial operations associate Jem Alabi loves to prep her nails before a manicure with this nail strengthening primer by Dazzle Dry. “It comes as part of a system for nail care, and I plan to buy the bundle in the future,” she says. This product removes excess oils and cleans the nail to create a clean canvas for an at-home manicure, according to the brand. The formula also prevents chipping, according to reviewers.
Type:oil/polish | Active ingredients:vitamin E oil, almond seed oil, jojoba oil | Size:0.25 fl oz | How to use:apply daily to nails
What we like
Used for nail and cuticles
Something to note
Needs daily application
Vitamin E, which Green notes is critical for healthier nails, is a primary ingredient in this nail and cuticle oil. Jojoba oil, which helps lock in moisture over time, is also a primary ingredient.
Type:polish | Active ingredients:wheat protein, vitamins A, E, and C, biotin and calcium | Size:0.5 fl oz | How to use:apply two coats and then one additional coat daily for six days
What we like
Variety of colors
Something to note
Requires daily application
You can use this polish either a standalone treatment or as a base coat underneath your manicure. “I stopped biting my nails just last year after over 20 years, and this treatment was one of the only products that actually brought my brittle, damaged nails back to life,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. Ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium help build stronger nails over time, while the variety of color options lets you maintain a stylish manicure while your nails heal.
Type:cream | Active ingredients:lanolin, oxyquinoline, beeswax | Size:0.35 oz | How to use:apply two to four times daily
What we like
Easy application
Absorbs quickly
Something to note
Must be applied multiple times
This nail cream works best when applied a couple of times daily, according to the brand. Its main ingredient, lanolin, has been found to reduce the amount of water lost through the skin by up to 30%, which in turn helps to prevent nail cracking and cuticle peeling. This cream has a 4.5-star average rating from 1,800 reviews on Amazon.
Type:polish | Active ingredients:vitamin E | Size:0.45 fl oz | How to use:for two weeks, apply one coat to clean nails, removing and reapplying every seven days. For the following two weeks, apply one coat every other day, removing each coat before re-applying.
What we like
Vegan formula
Works as a base coat
Something to note
Requires repeated use
Expert-recommended vitamin E enhances this vegan and cruelty-free formula, which is made without harmful chemicals like acetone and formaldehyde. You can also use it underneath polish, but it may affect how long your manicure lasts. The product has a 4.3-star average rating from 9,700 reviews on Amazon.
Type:polish | Active ingredients:wheat protein, soy protein, calcium | Size:0.45 fl oz | How to use:as a base cost, apply once and continue applying as a top coat for seven days. For solo use, apply two coats and follow the same.
What we like
Used as a top or base coat
Dries quickly
Something to note
May peel
You can use this Duri product as both a base coat and a top coat to help keep in moisture and provide a healthy dose of collagen and fatty acids, which are two expert-recommended ingredients for stronger, healthier nails. It has a 4.4-star average rating from over 4,700 reviews on Amazon.
Type:polish | Active ingredients:bamboo extract, hemp seed oil, Vitamin C | Size:0.6 fl oz | How to use:apply one to two coats daily for seven days; remove after seven days and repeat. Continue as needed with one week breaks in between cycles.
What we like
Good for damaged nails
Stops peeling
Something to note
Takes two weeks
This Orly nail treatment works over two weeks to promote strong and healthy nail growth, according to the brand. It has bamboo extract, green tea, hemp seed oil and vitamin C to prevent your nails from peeling, splitting and breaking, and it’s especially great for nails that have been damaged by acrylic or gel nails. It also has a 4.2 star average rating from 80 reviews at Ulta.
When it comes to finding the right nail strengthener for you, experts say that there are a few ingredients to look for and avoid while shopping. “When looking for a nail strengthener, you should look for key ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E,” says Dr. Jaafar.
In addition to looking for certain nourishing ingredients, she recommends steering clear of nail polishes and other nail-strengthening products that contain harsh chemicals, which can damage nails.
Calcium: Brittle bones and nails are often linked to calcium deficiencies, especially since calcium is a key mineral for stronger nails. Insufficient calcium intake could result in nails that break or chip more easily or become thinner over time.
Magnesium: Given that magnesium is necessary for protein synthesis in your body (which nails need to grow), it isn’t surprising that this mineral is important for healthy nails. Folks with vertical ridges in their nails may even have a magnesium deficiency.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps keep your nails hydrated and promotes nail growth, says Dr. Jaafar. In particular, vitamin A promotes the synthesis of keratin, which is what our nails are made of.
Vitamin C: Collagen production in the body depends upon vitamin C intake, and the collagen protein helps build fingernails (hair and teeth). Insufficient vitamin C intake could result in more brittle nails or slower-growing nails.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is crucial for keeping your nails hydrated and protecting your cuticles. Our experts note that using vitamin E oil — especially around your nail bed and cuticle — can help to undo the damage done by polish use.
Formaldehyde: Jaafar and the FDA warn that excessive use of products containing formaldehyde can make nails more brittle and likely to peel. Moreover, some folks have sensitivities to this compound, which could result in allergic reactions.
Toluene: While toluene can help to keep your nail polish smooth upon application, the chemical has been linked to nervous system damage; so much so that the EU has restricted toluene inclusion in a range of beauty products, including nail polish.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): While DBP can make nail polish more durable, some studies have linked the compound to endocrine issues, making it difficult for the body to produce hormones. As with toluene, the EU has banned DBP use in nail polish and other beauty products.
Frequently asked questions
Gel polish is still legally available for purchase in the United States. However as of Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the European Union has banned trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), which is a common ingredient in UV gels and hybrid nail polishes. According to the Health Products Regulatory Authority, TPO helps gel and hybrid polishes harden under UV light, but it is now prohibited in all spaces, with regulators citing potential fertility concerns found in animal studies as the reasoning.
It's best to remove and reapply nail strengthener polish every four to five days, according to experts. This helps your bare nails stay protected at all times promoting flexibility and nail growth.
Although all nail strengtheners don’t necessarily encourage nail growth, experts still emphasize their importance. The point of nail strengtheners is mostly to prevent breakage, which in turn can allow your new growth to stay intact.
Whether or not a nail strengthener can be used underneath polish varies from product to product. Experts say many traditional nail strengtheners can't be worn under gel manicures because the systems don’t work together. However, it's advised to use a strengthener between manicures, especially if you often get them done.
While the safety of gel manicures has been questioned regarding nail health, our experts say that these types of manicures are not in and of themselves harmful. That said, repeated exposure to UV light (which is used to seal the gel manicure) can be problematic. For that, our experts suggest applying sunblock before and after gel manicures.
More significant nail damage, however, can be done if the gel is applied or removed incorrectly. Gel manicures should be removed by a professional in a salon whenever possible or follow these best practices:
First, buff down the surface of the gel with a file to help the product break down faster.
Saturate a cotton pad with pure acetone (regular nail polish will not suffice for this task), place it directly on top of the nail and wrap it tightly with a square of tinfoil, experts say.
Repeat this on all nails and leave them on for 10-15 minutes. Working one nail at a time, remove the tinfoil. If the gel has started flaking off, remove the rest by gently pushing it away with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher.
Repeat this process on all nails, and buff with a 240 grit (or higher) buffing block.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. Randa Jaafar, MD, is an anesthesiologist, interventional pain specialist, and the founder of FILD Studio, which focuses on precision wrinkle prevention.
Thea Green MBE is the founder of Nails. INC. Since founding Nails. INC. in 1999, her brand portfolio has expanded to include INC.redible Cosmetics, My Mood, and Holler & Glow.
Lulu Chang is a freelancer based in Washington, DC and New York City. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness and more. For this piece, they interviewed nail experts on everything you need to know about nail strengtheners, including how to find the best one for you.
