Fragile Nails? Try These Natural Remedies!

Brittle nails can be the result of poor care, but can also indicate an internal condition. Faced with the slightest doubt, it is preferable to consult a specialist.

If your nails break easily, it’s important to try some natural remedies that will help strengthen them and improve their condition. Do not hesitate to do a medical check-up to check the causes of your fragile nails and to follow a suitable diet. In this article, we’ll explain everything to you.

Do you have fragile nails?

Whether you are doing household chores, working or playing with your children, a fingernail can suddenly break when it gets caught in an object.

Symptoms or signs of brittle nails are:

• The little thickness
• Breaks
• The fragility
• The finesse
• Splinters
• Layered breaks

The reasons why you may suffer from brittle nails vary, although the most common are as follows:

Food deficiencies

If you do not consume sufficient amounts of vitamins A and B, calcium, iron and zinc, it is very likely that your nails are brittle and break easily.

Decalcification problems show up with white markings near the cuticles. Pay attention to this sign.

Health problems

If the body is weakened due to illness or depression, then the nails break. Do not hesitate to go to the doctor for a routine check-up.

External aggressions

Working without gloves and contact with strong cleaning products can damage the outer layers of the nails. This is also what happens when you are in contact with water for a long time.

Likewise, if the nails are permanently varnished, they cannot “breathe” or rest properly, they will start to become more and more fragile. It is also not good to file them constantly.

Biting your nails or putting them in your mouth all the time can weaken them due to saliva, and broken teeth.

Home remedies to strengthen nails

If your nail problem is due to a grooming problem and not a health problem, there are home remedies you can use to reverse the situation.

Among the most effective are:

The oil and lemon treatment

Olive oil has many properties and is used for various aesthetic purposes.

If your nails break easily and you don’t know what to do to improve them, this recipe can be of great help.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (14 g)
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (5 ml)

Preparation

• In a small container, put the olive oil and mix the lemon juice.
• Wash and dry your hands well, especially the nail area.
• Put a little of this preparation on the cuticles in the evening.
• Massage well, so that the liquid penetrates well into the skin.
• Repeat the treatment 3 times a week and do not rinse.
• If you want, you can use almond or tea tree oil instead of olive oil.

Treatment with vinegar, oil and beer

The most effective home remedies are those that are made with foods that you can have at home or that are very easy to obtain.

In this case, the recipe contains 3 ingredients that you surely have at home.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of beer (10 ml)
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (10 ml)
• A spoonful of olive oil (14 g)

Preparation

• In a container, bring the beer to room temperature.
• Add the vinegar and olive oil, and mix well to obtain a homogeneous liquid.
• Put your fingers in it after washing and drying them.
• Leave on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Herbal treatment

Plants are great allies for beauty and general well-being. In this case, we use horsetail which is an herb rich in silica. This component will bring shine and strength to your nails. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dry horsetail (10 g)
• 1 tablespoon of comfrey (10 g)
• A cup of water (250 ml)

Preparation

• In a saucepan, put the horsetail and comfrey.
• Add the water and heat.
• When the water boils, let the decoction for 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Repeat the process several times a week.

The papaya and egg treatment

The properties of this tropical fruit for aesthetics are very interesting. If you add the enzymes and nutrients from the egg yolk, the result couldn’t be better.

It is an ideal treatment for broken nails, and even for rough hands.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of papaya juice (20 ml)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon of almond oil (4.6 g)

Preparation

• In a container, put the papaya juice (this can be the pulp of the fruit, well crushed).
• Add the egg yolk and almond oil.
• Beat everything well to obtain a homogeneous paste.
• Apply a little of this preparation on each nail with a gentle massage.
• Leave on for half an hour.
• Wash it off with cold water.

Treatment with oils and honey

Among the most effective essential oils for improving the appearance of nails are castor oil and wheat germ oil.

Associated with honey, we obtain a perfect remedy to strengthen the nails.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of castor oil (9 g)
• 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil (4.6 g)
• 1 teaspoon of honey (7.5 g)

Preparation

• In an empty nail polish container, put the two oils.
• Add the honey, close and mix well.
• Apply with a brush, as if you were painting your fragile nails.
• Repeat every night, before sleeping, for a month.