6 Hand And Nail Care Products For Strong Healthy Nails

Weak, brittle nails can really ruin your look – not to mention your self-confidence. As well as being totally inconvenient having nails that break faster than our New Year’s resolutions (yes, we mean our half-hearted promises to hit the gym more often and stop bringing chocolates into FTF HQ…), it can also be an indicator that you have an underlying health condition.

In most cases though, it’s factors like ageing, frequent hand washing, contact with chemicals, and exposure to the elements (like the frosty, cold winter weather) that can cause our nails to be less than happy and healthy. But the good news is, there are lots of things you can do at home to help your nails to grow stronger, longer, and most importantly, healthier.   

What are the signs of healthy nails?

First, let’s look at what makes healthy nails: these tend to be smooth and have a natural sheen to them thanks to the layers of keratin and natural oils. They also have an even, uniform colour with white tips, and should feel strong, but flexible. Healthy nails won’t show signs of peeling or brittleness and should be able to withstand any day to day knocks without breaking (like clipping your nails on the door handle or a light switch, or even typing at your desk). Healthy nails will have comfortable-feeling cuticles that are well moisturised, and don’t display any signs of redness or swelling around the nail.

What are the signs of unhealthy nails?

When it comes to spotting unhealthy nails, there are many signs to look for – from changes in your nail thickness and colour, to swelling and bleeding around your nails.

Here are some common signs of unhealthy nails to look out for:

• Discolouration (such as yellowing of the nail)
• Pitting
• Brittleness
• Bleeding around the nails
• Swelling or redness around the nails
• Changes in nail shape (clubbing or curling)
• Changes in nail thickness (thinning or thickening)
• Separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis)

How to get healthy nails at home

Healthy nails start from the inside. So today, we’re looking at some of our favourite nail care treatments, like nail vitamins to support your talon goals, and nourishing oils to give you the best cuticle care from the comfort of your own home. Discover our healthy nail necessities below.

1. Nourish your nails from the inside with Advanced Nutrition Programme Nail Science

Often, your nails can be brittle, flaky, or weak due to nutritional deficiencies. Taking a targeted daily supplement like Advanced Nutrition Programme’s Nail Science can be helpful.

Your hair and nails are made from keratin, so any changes in your body's keratin production influence your nails and hair, too.

Designed to aid the condition and strength of your nails, the two-a-day capsules contain a balanced combination of natural ingredients, including biotin, zinc, copper, lysine, horsetail, and specially selected vitamins and minerals that have been shown to benefit nails.

2. Keep your hands and nails clean with Olverum Purifying Hand Wash

Keeping your hands and nails clean is one of the keys to having beautifully healthy nails – it helps to stop bacteria from gathering which can cause infection and irritation, particularly at the back of your nails. But whilst it’s important to cleanse your hands and upkeep good nail hygiene, the key is using gentle, nourishing products that won’t dry your skin out or cause irritation.

Olverum’s Purifying Hand Wash helps you to purify and protect your hands, all whilst comforting them with a unique ‘cushion of protection’ complex.

Formulated especially for dry, dehydrated, hard-working hands that are exposed to external aggressors, this comforting formula is suitable for even the most sensitive of hands. And with a gentle scent of the herbaceous essential oils marjoram, lavandin and geranium, the formula helps to not only soothe your skin, but your senses, too.

The hand wash is made from over 90% natural origin ingredients, and helps to protect your skin, leaving it clean, supple, soft, and comfortable.

3. Gently exfoliate dead skin away with Decléor Rosemary Officinalis Handwash Scrub

The cells in your skin are constantly replacing themselves by the process of regeneration and repair, but sometimes, the old cells can sit on the surface of your skin, giving a dull lacklustre appearance. To help gently slough away the dead cells to reveal the new cells underneath, and a healthy glow, you can use an exfoliating scrub.

Decléor’s Rosemary Officinalis Handwash Scrub helps to gently purify and exfoliate with a blend of rosemary essential oil and walnut powder.

Starting as a gel, the formula turns into a soft foam when mixed with water that helps to remove dead cells and impurities, leaving your hands feeling ultra-soft and smooth.

4. Strengthen your cuticles with Dr Hauschka Neem Nail & Cuticle Oil

Your cuticles are an important factor in keeping your nails healthy. Acting as a barrier between the base of your nails and the rest of the world, they help to protect your nail bed from germs, infections, and fungus. Years ago, cuticles would be pushed back and trimmed down by nail technicians during professional manicures, however, today, trusted dermatologists advise against this practice and instead, recommend that you keep your cuticles intact.    

Dr Hauschka’s Neem Nail & Cuticle Oil will help to strengthen and fortify your nails whilst keeping your cuticles soft and preventing cracks.

With a nourishing formula enriched with apricot kernel oil and extracts of chamomile, your nails will be moisturised, and carry less chance of breakage, too.

The 100% natural, vegetarian, vegan, and certified organic formula penetrates your nail to strengthen and fortify while softening your cuticles. Suitable for both your hands and your feet, the oil will leave your nails and cuticles feeling comforted and nourished from the very first use.

5. Moisturise your hands with Cebelia Multi-Active Cream Hands and Nails

Get immediate relief for weak, split, or cracked nails whilst also repairing dry, damaged hands with this multi-active cream.

With natural sweet almond oil to nourish and protect your epidermis, your nail suppleness will be restored. Meanwhile, vitamin A and vitamin B work to strengthen and nourish your nails, stimulating them to grow. The addition of allantoin soothes any discomfort, whilst glycerin helps to regulate the hydration levels of your skin and nails, leaving your skin feeling relieved and revived.

6. Tackle the signs of ageing hands with  Avant Skincare Hand Nail & Cuticle Anti-Ageing Cream

Restore the moisture levels of your hands and nails whilst tackling the signs of ageing with this hand, nail and cuticle anti-ageing cream.

Formulated to restore the pH levels of the skin whilst delivering an anti-ageing treatment, this comforting cream will leave your skin feeling soft and supple.

With emollient shea butter to nourish, and citric acid to adjust the pH of your cream to ensure it’s not too alkaline your hands and nails will be left intensely hydrated.

For a more effective treatment, apply a generous amount of cream to your hands in the evenings and wear silk gloves as you sleep to allow the product to penetrate. You’ll wake up to beautifully soft, comforted hands that feel incredible.

Now your hands and nails are taken care of, are you all set to start the New Year fresh-faced? Its time to  ready, set, prep! Your New Year’s Eve Skin Prep Guide is here just in time to help you feel incredible ahead of the celebrations.