Any tips for dry nails?

[Ally T]

I used to have the most amazing, strong, long nails. They were always beautiful. Since I have had children they have become brittle, soft, peeling & if I bash my finger end on, my nail will break or bend, leaving a white line. I moisturise 3 or 4 times each day with Vaseline, and this has been a huge help - the peeling & splitting has all gone & my nails look good again. But every time I wear nail varnish, once its removed they look horribly dehydrated, dry & brittle again, even if I've only had polish on for 2 days.

My diet is super healthy as it always has been - 80% organic, veg, fruit, seeds, nuts, lean meats etc. I take vitamins & omega 3. Nothing has changed in that respect at all, but my nails haven't been the same for around 3 years. I also have check-up's with the GP & full blood counts done periodically too, so there are no underlying health issues. And my hair is great!

Are there any super base coats out there their hydrate? My nails look so much better polished, but it just seems to wreck them

 

[missy]

I don't usually wear nail polish so I cannot make recommendations regarding which ones are most hydrating etc but I just wanted to recommend GNC hair skin nails supplement if you haven't tried it. My dermatologist recommended this to me over a year ago because they are different than just biotin supplements or other supplements. I have noticed an improvement since I have been taking them. Not an overwhelming one but good enough for me to continue. I think it took a month or 2 to see a difference.

http://www.drugstore.com/gnc-womens-hair-skin-and-nails-formula-caplets/qxp207381?catid=183842

 

[Ally T]

Ooh, thanks Missy. Never occurred to me to get a nail supplement! I think there is a UK equivalent to this here called Perfectil. I've just found it online now & recognize their logo from all over the place. Maybe the answer has been staring me in the face! Will give them a go.

 

[gem_anemone]

I have been smothering my nails with Aquaphor Healing Ointment at least once a day and every time after I shower for the last month. Your nails sound a lot like mine before using the ointment. They were always splitting, breaking, peeling, and looked super dry. They were splitting so much I couldn't even get the bad part to grow out without splitting again. Since using the ointment my nails seem strong and are growing out some. I have not tried any polish yet as my nails seem to do better without. I heard if you use nail polish remover to get one that doesn't contain acetone. I'm hoping to try my luck and paint them soon.

 

[rosetta]

My nails were prefect until I wore nail polish frequently over the course of a few months. Cue brittle nails. My nails have always been super strong, so Ive now stopped wearing and removing polish so often. They're getting better, so I guess I found the culprit. I've also switched to Chanel, my nails are obviously polish snobs!

 

[PintoBean]

Also, how you're trimming them down can contribute to the splitting. My friend the "nail guru" says to never use the nail clippers, and to file in one direction, not back and forth like a saw. (I'm guilty of doing all the wrong things here... )

 

[iLander]

My DD used to have pretty pitiful nails. Short, peeling, ridges.

Then a few months ago, I think it was January, she started take Citrical time release tablets, two per day

http://citracal.com/en/about-citracal/citracal-slow-release-1200/

The effect are her nails was amazing! We didn't expect anything, she just took them because she's growing and we wanted to be sure she had enough calcium since she doesn't drink milk at all. Only an occasional cheese,a little yogurt.

But it really worked!

Her nails are longer than they've ever been, and they're strong and healthy. And she polishes 3-4 times per week, which I think is ridiculous.

Try it, it can't hurt. She started seeing results in 3 weeks. I was really amazed when she first showed me, I couldn't believe it. The only thing that has changed is her taking these vitamins. Nails are dead material, they are created below the nail bed. The only thing that can change them is internal, everything external is purely cosmetic.

 

[mary poppins]

Are there any super base coats out there their hydrate? My nails look so much better polished, but it just seems to wreck them

I don't know if it hydrates, but Nailtiques is great for a base coat to strengthen nails.

Also, in addition to moisturizing your nails and cuticles with moisturizer, keep them away from water by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning.

 

[Ally T]

Thank you so much everyone!

Gem - yes, my nails sound the same. I could never grow the peeling bits off! But they've gone now with the Vaseline slathering.
Rosetta - I am also a Chanel & Dior nail varnish snob, but mine don't even like those
ILander - i 'm really sold on the supplement thing. I shall definitely be investigating.
Pintobean - I ALWAYS use nail clippers! And then I file back & forth like a saw!! So out that goes!
Mary Poppins - I am the queen of the Marigolds! Mostly to protect my rings of course, but the nails have benefited too.

 

[marcy]

I've had good luck with Nail Life that Sally Beauty Supply sells. My nails split and dry out and that stuff really helps.

 

[anne_h]

I rub vaseline into my nails & cuticles before my basecoat. My nails are polished all the time except for 2 hours per week when I change it.

Anne

 

[baby monster]

I take hair, skin and nails vitamins from Andrew Lessman and see a difference in how my hair and nails look. If I run out of them, I usually notice a difference within a month as my nails start breaking and splitting. My diet is also pretty good but guess there is not enough of whatever the nails need.

 

[Ally T]

Ann_h - can I ask if your polish applies OK with Vaseline rubbed into your nails beforehand? I use Vaseline on my nails a lot, but I find if there is any grease on them when I apply polish, the polish separates a little like globs of oil on the surface of water. So I always have to wash my hands thoroughly before I pain them.

 

[lunemo]

I rub the Dior abricot nail cream on my nails and cuticles before bed (too sticky to use during the day) and it works well! Haven't tried supplements yet. I love the Clarins hand and nail cream for the day time.

 

[diamondringlover]

I second Nailtiques I have been using if for some time now and my nails have improved quite a bit...gone are the peeling, splitting nails they now grow much better

 

[Enerchi]

Hi alex, I started a thread about a year ago on nails as well, wondering how the lovely PS hands and nails were always so gorgeous in pics... I had stubs that looked as tho I'd clawed my way out of a cave!! short, broken, split, weak... pathetic! I found Ecrinal at one of our local drug stores (Canadian - Pharma Plus but they carry Boots products so maybe this is available in the UK??) I bought a blue liquid that you apply like a polish but it dries very quickly and just looks like your nail. It also came with a nail cream that I would massage onto the nail bed after the liquid application. In about 4 - 6 weeks, my nails really REALLY improved. I could never find the Nailtiques that others have recommended so this turned out to work really well for me.

Ecrinal - I highly recommend it.

 

[Snowy]

They say some vitamins really help but I wouldn't take them unless you make sure with your doctor your levels are fine to take them. I believe most are fine to take and even women's multivitamins help with nails.

 

[Ally T]

Thanks Enerchi. I am going into town on Monday & there is a huge Boots there, so I'll make a note & check it out.

And Snowy - thanks very much, and I'm sorry to read about your awful 2013 so far. I'm sending you best wishes that things can only get better for you. Keep checking out diamonds & keep smiling.

 

[HollyDolly]

Alex try Rimmel nail rescue, it worked really well for me. Have also used vitamin e oil from holland and Barrett, it's a good all rounder!

 

[luv2sparkle]

I have had good results, in fact, the only thing that has ever worked for me is Perfect Formula Gel Coat. It is a polish that is loaded with keratin. It comes in pink and clear. The only problem is you have to wear it! After a while I get tired of doing it and I quit. It takes about 4 weeks but you will have the most beautiful nails you have ever seen. I know in some of my posts with my ring you can see my nails without polish. After wearing the polish for a couple months continually I could go without fr a while and be fine, but If I quilt wearing it completely my nails go back to breaking.

I initially bought it from QVC but they have a website as well.

 

[anne_h]

Ann_h - can I ask if your polish applies OK with Vaseline rubbed into your nails beforehand? I use Vaseline on my nails a lot, but I find if there is any grease on them when I apply polish, the polish separates a little like globs of oil on the surface of water. So I always have to wash my hands thoroughly before I pain them.

Hi, yes it works fine. There is no separation. But I use a base coat. My base coat is Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Base & Top coat.

My routine is that I remove old polish, wash with soap and water, moisturize my hands with a rich hand cream (including nails), then rub in a small amount of Vaseline into each nail & bed. Then I let it absorb ~1 minute, then apply the base coat. Followed by 1-2 coats of nail color. Finish with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top coat. It dries extremely quickly and lasts all week.

I've been doing this routine for several years and my nails are tolerating it really well. I do believe the Vaseline especially helps prevent peeling. My nails were peeling more before I tried adding it to my routine.

Hope this helps!

Anne

 

[luv2sparkle]

I am a bit surprised to hear that so many people rub vaseline into their nail beds. I avoid vaseline as much as possible. It is a petroleum disstalate product. I wouldnt rub gasoline on my body so I dont like petroleum in lotions, creams or anything. I know there are a ton of toxic additives out there and I am sure I must use a few, but that one is easy to eliminate for me.

 

[ponder]

Nails are dead material, they are created below the nail bed. The only thing that can change them is internal, everything external is purely cosmetic.

Exactly! If you nails have become problematic after having kids you could be experiencing thyroid problems. It is very common to develop problems with the thyroid after having kids. If nothing over the counter works, it may be time for a check up with your MD.