Taking a break from gel polish? These nail strengtheners can help repair damage

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There are plenty of skin care rituals to keep our faces, hands and feet looking their best. But, beyond the occasional manicure, our nails — composed of the same protein as our top layer of skin — often remain untreated, leading to frequent splitting and breaking.

We spoke to nail experts about everything you need to know to nourish your natural nails properly, including their nail strengthener recommendations for healing damaged nails. We also included everything you need to know about the recent ban on gel nail polish products in Europe (more on that, and what it means for you and your nails, below).

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The best nail strengtheners

Brittle nails that crack or peel are not uncommon. In fact, Harvard Medical School suggests that over one in four women have onychoschizia, or nail fragility. Various factors like dehydration, nail-biting and even everyday tasks like typing can cause it. That being said, experts recommend nail strengtheners for people with nails that frequently split or crack.

Deciding which one works best for you depends on several factors, including application type, frequency of use and price point. To help you, we’ve followed expert advice to round up some highly rated picks we love.

Best overall

OPI Repair Mode

This nail serum is designed to rebuild the damaged keratin bonds in your nails, which results in stronger and smoother nails, according to the brand. It uses maleic acid to penetrate the surface of the nails to help strengthen them from within, making them more resistant to breakage and giving them less ridges and better color. The serum is also formulated without formaldehyde or parabens.

Best for nail growth

Nail-Aid Keratin 3-Day Growth Nail Treatment

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 Selected editorial director Lauren Swanson and associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris , facilitates nail growth in just a few days, especially when used regularly.

Best for damaged nails

modelones Nail Strengthener

Rita Remark, Essie’s global lead educator and nail artist, warns customers to steer clear of nail strengtheners that include formaldehyde. This nail strengthener from modelones is free from not only formaldehyde but other potentially toxic and weakening ingredients (including fragrances and phthalates) as well. Instead, the product relies on expert-recommended ingredients, including keratin and jojoba oil.

Please note: Any Essie product recommendations were made independently of Remark.

Best hand lotion

Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Conditioning Lotion

Customers love this hand and nail lotion for its dual purpose — not only does it help to moisturize skin with Vaseline Jelly, it also contains mineral oil and keratin, two ingredients Green recommends in any nail strengthener. Several reviewers also cite a noticeable improvement in nail strength in a couple of weeks.

Best base coat

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth

NBC Selected senior 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.”

Best value cream

Onyx Professional Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream

Morris was 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 it smells like coconut instead of chemicals.

Best oil

CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care

This nail and cuticle oil is formulated to hydrate and soothe damaged cuticles, and helps nails to feel harder and stronger in as little as two weeks, according to the brand. Vitamin E, which Green notes is critical for healthier nails, is a primary ingredient, alongside jojoba oil, which helps lock in moisture over time.

Best polish

OPI Nail Envy

This well-known brand is a customer favorite. It can be used as either a standalone treatment or as a base coat underneath your manicure. 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 as your nails heal.

Best cream

Elon Lanolin-Rich Nail Conditioner

This nail cream works best when applied a couple of times daily, says 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. The conditioner is formulated to work for all levels of nail damage, and visibly improves nails in two to three weeks, according to the brand.

Best vegan formula

Ella+mila First Aid Kiss Nail Strengthener

Vitamin E enhances this vegan and cruelty-free formula, which is made without harmful chemicals like acetone and formaldehyde. According to the brand, it can also be used underneath polish, but it may affect how long your manicure lasts.

Best top coat

duri Rejuvacote 1 Nail Growth System

You can use this Duri product as both a base coat and a top coat to help lock in moisture and provide a healthy dose of collagen and fatty acids—two expert-recommended ingredients for stronger, healthier nails. It’s especially great for those recovering from damage caused by acrylics and other nail extensions, according to the brand.

Best for peeling

Orly Nailtrition

This nail treatment from Orly works over 14 days to promote strong and healthy nail growth, according to the brand. It uses bamboo extract, green tea, hemp seed oil and vitamin C to help stop your nails from peeling, splitting and breaking, and is especially great for nails that’ve been damaged by acrylic or gel nails, according to the brand.

How we picked the best nail strengtheners

To pick the best nail strengtheners, we followed expert guidance and included only options with active healing ingredients, which are detailed below.