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Photo: Liudmila Chernetska/Getty ImagesYou follow a daily skin care regimen and never skip your shower routine, but when was the last time you pampered your nails? Even if your nail technician handles your cuticles and files your nails every couple of weeks, it’s still essential to have a daily care routine for maintaining your nail health.
“Nails require regular attention for healthy growth, aesthetic appeal, and to prevent potential issues that can arise if neglected,” says Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “Just like hair, nails continue to grow and need to be trimmed and cleaned regularly. This is crucial not only for the health of the nail and surrounding skin, but also for their functionality.”
Thankfully, a daily nail care routine is quick and simple. All it takes is a few minutes and some basic products that you likely already have available.
Simple and Fast Daily Nail Care Routine
Follow this straightforward nail routine daily and enjoy strong, long, healthy nails that always look their best.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
The essential tools for basic nail care include the following:
- Nail brush
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Nail buffer
- Cuticle oil
- Hand lotion
You may also choose to apply a nail-strengthening polish—this can be done every two weeks, weekly, or as often as you prefer.
Step 2: Clean Your Nails
We could describe the unpleasant things that tend to gather under your nails, but we'll let your imagination fill in the blanks. Dr. Camp suggests gently cleaning your nails using a nail brush and some hand soap to easily reach underneath them.
Step 3: Buff, File, and Trim
You might not need to do this every single day, but take a moment to inspect your nails for any uneven lengths, hangnails, or rough edges. Buff, file, and trim to ensure everything looks neat and uniform. If done daily, there shouldn’t be much to address. When trimming, Dr. Camp advises, “Follow the natural curve of your fingernails when clipping, but cut toenails straight across.”
Step 4: Moisturize
Dr. Camp recommends moisturizing nails and cuticles daily. “Use a rich cream or ointment-based product to lock moisture into the nail plate, folds (skin on either side of the nail), and cuticles,” he explains. “If the skin around the nail fold and cuticle dries out, it can peel back, causing hangnails that can be painful and increase the risk of infection.”
For added benefit, Dr. Camp suggests wearing socks or gloves after moisturizing (ideally overnight) to help seal in moisture.
Step 5: Apply Strengthening Polish
This is an optional step you can apply as needed to bare nails, and it can make a significant difference for nail health. Strengthening clear polishes are infused with proteins and other nourishing ingredients that promote healthier nails.
