Natural Secrets to Make Your Nails Stronger and Healthier

Are your nails weak and brittle? Do they easily break and look unhealthy? A lot of people think that this has something to do with a lack of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but that’s not always the case. There are so much more reasons why your nails lost their natural vibrant and healthy look. Are you clipping your nails and keeping your hands moisturized? Do you work a lot with your hands without giving them a proper protection? Do you bite your nails? Are you using a lot of nail polish and acetone based remover? Are you spending a lot of time soaking your hands in water? All your daily actions have an impact on your nails.

It can be very painful and frustrating. These days there is an overload of commercial products and moisturizers to polish your nails, all making the promise to make them stronger and harder. But all of them contain harsh chemicals that are not helping the healing process. So why spend a fortune on these?

Are you looking for a natural way to conquer weak, brittle, ragged, vulnerable, and splitting nails? Look no further! I’ll list some natural ways and recipes to heal your nails and give them a vibrant and healthy look. They are easy to make and don’t cost a fortune.

Healthy Foods to Make Your Nails Stronger

When your diet and lifestyle are not giving you the proper amount of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals you may consider to make little tweaks to it. How can your body provide strong and healthy nails if you’re not giving it the right building blocks to do so? Not only your nails will benefit from this but your whole body will look healthier. Vitamin A, C, D, E and many of the B vitamins, folic acid, zinc, iron, calcium, biotin, silicon, and omega 3 are all nutritional compounds that reduce the risk of weak and brittle nails.

• Fish, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions are rich in silicon and sulfur
• Cauliflower, whole grains, and brewer’s yeast are rich in biotin that will help to strengthen and thicken your nails
• Herbs such as alfalfa, horsetail, dandelion, royal jelly, burdock root, kelpall, yellow dock, oat straw, and black cohosh are all rich in minerals and silica to strengthen nails
• Almonds are a great source of fatty acids that are good for your nails
• If your diet is healthy and you still suffer from weakened nails you may consider to take high-quality supplements to strengthen hair, skin, and nails

Protect your nails

Frequently washing your hands or exposing them to harsh chemicals such as household products and nail polishes and removers are reducing the moisture and can cause brittle and weak nails. Give them the right protection.

• Wear gloves when using harsh chemicals
• Use dish washing gloves
• Protect your nails from the elements, especially in winter
• Use moisturizing hand crèmes or lotions. Not only will they keep your hands soft and moisturized but your nails and cuticles a well. Check my previous blog post on how to make them yourself
• If you fill your nails then do this in one direction. This prevents the nails from splitting and improves nail quality
• Give your nails a break and don’t use nail polish all the time
• Buff your nails with a four-sided nail buff, this brings blood and lymph to the tissue under your nails which is responsible for producing new nails. Buffing makes your nails smooth, classy and shiny. So instead of using chemical nail polish try buffing for beautiful looking nails

Cuticle Nail Oils for Healthy Looking Nails

Oils do seem to have a great effect on your nails. Especially when you add essential oils to enhance the effect. Here are some oils that are known for their restorative effects.

• Base or carrier oils: coconut, olive, grapeseed, avocado, tea tree wheat germ, hemp seed, camellia, pumpkin seed, jojoba, almond, flax seed and vitamin E oil. They all show great moisturizing, nourishing effects and contain a lot of fatty acids to help protect and restore your nails. They are all excellent cuticle oils to apply daily to your nails
• Essential oils: carrot, cypress, and eucalyptus help maintain moisture balance; grapefruit, lavender, and lemon have healing as well protective benefits; peppermint and rosemary are stimulants and are promoting blood flow to the nail bed.

Never use essential oils directly on your nails or skin. They are very concentrated and you need to dilute them in a base or carrier oil before use. Scroll down for some amazing recipes. Some oils may be harmful when you lack the knowledge of aromatherapy. If you’re uncertain apply this safe for all oils dilution. Normal dilution of essential oils is 2.5%, for instance, add 15 drops essential oil to 1 ounce or 30 ml or 2 tablespoons base oil.

If you want to soak your nails, then use 1 cup or 250 ml water, 1 tablespoon or 15 ml base oil and up to 15 drops of essential oils. Soak for 10-15 minutes. Apply once or twice a day and be patient. It can take a while before you see the benefits.

Scroll down for DIY natural nail care recipes.