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There’s a certain power in having healthy, resilient nails, whether you love experimenting with bold colors, prefer to go bare, or enjoy a subtle, neutral look. Well-maintained nails (and the benefits of proper cuticle care) are those quiet confidence boosters, much like choosing to wear luxurious underwear just for yourself or treating your feet to cozy socks beneath your boots.
Whether nail care is part of your self-care routine, a treat for yourself, or simply a habit, keeping your nails in top condition is a valuable investment. The great news? Healthy nails don’t require spending a fortune, just a bit of time.
Achieving stronger, longer nails relies mostly on simple lifestyle changes, not expensive tools. But healthy nails also mean breaking some bad habits, like using your nails as makeshift tools. For practical and expert-backed nail care advice, we spoke with professionals about the do's and don'ts for everyday nail maintenance. Follow these tips and you’ll soon enjoy healthier, longer nails.
Keep your nails hydrated
Hydration is widely recognized as essential for healthy skin, yet it’s often neglected in nail care. While dry, brittle nails can result from several factors, they’re ultimately signaling a need for moisture, so consider hydration the cornerstone of your nail care routine. When you apply hand lotion, make sure to give your nails some extra love. While there are numerous moisturizing nail products available, simply applying lotion is just part of the solution—there’s more to achieving strong nails than using a fancy cream or serum.
Leave Your Cuticles Alone
It’s common to trim, push back, or completely remove cuticles, but they’re not the enemy. In fact, the cuticle acts as "the nail's natural protective seal," according to Dana Stern, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and nail expert. Tampering with cuticles can cause more harm than good—even if a professional is performing the procedure. Dr. Stern warns that disturbing the cuticle leaves nails exposed to potential infection.
Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist, agrees that improperly maintained cuticles can create a chain reaction. "When your cuticles become dry or damaged, they can harm the nail bed and disrupt how your nails grow," Dr. Green explains. She advises moisturizing the cuticles with cream or cuticle oil (such as Deborah Lippmann's Cuticle Oil) to protect and strengthen your nails.
Avoid Excessive Water Exposure
While it's important to continue washing your hands and showering regularly, take note of ways to limit the time your nails are exposed to water. Prolonged contact with water can weaken the structure of your nails. (Wet hair is particularly fragile, so the same caution you apply to wet hair can be used for nail care.) For instance, you might want to wear gloves when doing dishes or other tasks that involve water.
Have you noticed how soft and flexible your nails become after a long soak in the bath? Consider this: "The nail behaves like a sponge. It absorbs water 1,000 times more effectively than the skin, for example, allowing water to easily penetrate the nail," says Dr. Stern. Extended water exposure puts strain on the delicate cells of your nails (known as onychocytes), which can result in brittleness, peeling, and breakage, she explains.
This is also why soaking your nails before a manicure is not recommended. Not only does it make your nails more prone to infection, as Dr. Green points out, but it also reduces the ability of nail polish to stick properly or last long.
Be Gentle
The key to great nail care is to be gentle, according to Susan C. Taylor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and expert in treating skin of color. Dr. Taylor advises against aggressively digging under your nails. "Sometimes people use the sharp end of a nail file to scrape dirt from under their nails," she says. "This can separate the nail from the underlying nail bed and lead to bacterial or fungal infections."
For similar reasons, avoid using your nails as makeshift tools, no matter how tempting it may be. (There are many other clever ways to open a soda can.) And if you choose to get an acrylic or gel manicure—which should only be done occasionally—removing them properly is crucial. Look for a high-quality gel nail polish kit for at-home use that includes all the tools you need to properly care for your nails. "Peeling off [acrylic or gel nails] actually removes layers of your nail plate, which weakens them—so don’t do that," warns Dr. Taylor.
Treat Your Nails Like You Treat Your Hair
This is the new golden rule. Both hair and nails are made of keratin proteins, so it’s no surprise that many of the same care principles apply to both. Dr. Stern explains that both hair and nails can become dehydrated and damaged from excessive treatments. Just like how dyes, chemicals, and heat harm hair, frequent polish changes, gels, and acrylics can damage your nails.
Just like hydration can help fix issues like frizz and split ends in hair, it can also improve dry, brittle nails. While there's no equivalent to second-day hair for nails, treating them with the same care as your hair can help maintain their health and strength.
It’s worth repeating: Hydration is key. "Just as you would nourish your hair with a leave-in or deep conditioner, I recommend conditioning your cuticles to support healthy, growing nails," advises Dr. Green.
Monitor the Weather
Winter can be harsh on your skin, hair, and nails. The cold, dry air can make nails more prone to brittleness, and Dr. Stern explains that the drastic temperature changes when moving from indoors to outdoors can cause even more harm. The transition from a warm home or office to the cold air can lead to nail cells contracting and expanding, which weakens the connection between cells, ultimately resulting in breakage. It’s wise to always wear gloves in the winter and, of course, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize to protect both your skin and nails.
Reevaluate Your Products
Nail files: Instead of using those old, classic emery boards, which Dr. Stern says "create tiny tears in the nail that lead to splits and peeling," switch to a glass or crystal nail file (like OPI’s Crystal Nail File).
Nail polish remover: Ideally, you’d skip nail polish remover altogether. However, since most of us aren’t ready to give up a good manicure, it’s better to opt for non-acetone removers (like ella+mila Soy Nail Polish Remover) that are enriched with hydrating oils and nourishing ingredients.
Nail brush: Instead of using tools like a filer to dig underneath your nails, which Dr. Taylor advises against, try using a soft nail brush (such as the Luxxii Fine Handle Grip Nail Brush) to clean the dirt. Alternatively, you can repurpose an old toothbrush for the job.
Nail growth products: Skip these. "Many so-called nail treatment or growth products are simply clear nail polishes with added marketing ingredients that lack any scientific backing," Dr. Stern explains.
Be Patient With Nail Growth
If you're someone who constantly bites their nails, you know the satisfaction of finally growing them past your fingertips. Healthy habits combined with patience are the key to nail care success. However, the main goal should be strengthening your nails, rather than rushing to grow them quickly.
Stronger nails often lead to longer nails when you follow good nail care routines, but it takes time. If you're struggling with brittle nails and constant breakage, it’s wise to keep your nails trimmed short until they regain their strength. Once they're stronger, they’ll have the solid foundation needed for growth.
