Looking to nail it in the beauty department? It requires more than a focus on hair and skin. Your nails are also crying out for some love (and sorry, that monthly trip to the salon doesn’t count). If anything, it leaves them more tarnished and brittle than before thanks to harsh products such as gel and acetone. But Lively is here to help.
Ready for strong, healthy nails? The key to this level of TLC is through learning about the best vitamins for nails. Ahead, the beauty experts share all.
What vitamin are you lacking when your nails split?
The answer here is plural, as there are several vitamins you might be lacking.**
“Nutrients and elements can have an effect on the size, shape, brittleness and texture of your nails,” explains Adina Mahalli, a beauty expert on behalf of Maple Holistics.
If they split, look for deficiencies in these vitamins first: vitamin A, B-complex (mainly biotin), C and E. Biotin, for instance, promotes healthy cell growth and aids in protein-building amino acids that are essential for nail growth, says Autumn Grant, Owner and Founder of The Kind Poppy.
how can I strengthen my nails?
One of the first things you can do to strengthen your nails is to take a break from the salon.
“Avoid using acrylic nails or gel polishes, as these services can make the nail bed weak and damaged,” says Grant. Even household cleaners and nail polish remover can be harsh, adds Dr. Monica Gavin, M.D. She recommends wearing gloves for the first and avoiding the latter.
If you can’t quit the salon cold turkey, try these alternatives instead: Use nail polish that is 5-free or higher. “These polishes are made without formaldehyde, camphor, formaldehyde resin and other toxic chemicals,” explains Grant.
You could even have your own spa night at home by soaking nails in warm water for a few minutes and then applying lotion that has lanolin, says Dr. Gavin. When you file your nails, Christina-Marie, a licensed cosmetologist, says to avoid doing so in a back-and-forth motion. “Your natural nails should be filed going one direction. This will help prevent splitting and damaging your natural nails.”
Finally, strengthen your nails through a healthy mixture of diet and sleep. If you want an extra boost, consider adding a collagen supplement to your daily routine. Collagen helps support healthy nails and using a hydrolyzed collagen powder is as easy as scooping, stirring into coffee (water, smoothies and more!) and sipping! Vital Proteins Original Collagen Peptides is a must-have if you’re looking for a versatile supplement that easily dissolves in hot and cold liquids.**
what vitamin oil is good for nails?
Vitamin E is one of the best oils you can take to strengthen your nails. “Using vitamin E oil is a great way in preventing cracked cuticles, nail peeling and cracked nails,” explains Grant, who adds that it’s also a great way to add nutrients back into your nails.
You can use it on its own or with some sort of carrier oil, saysMahalli. She recommends olive oil and jojoba, which can be combined with these ingredients: tea tree oil and myrrh. Play around to find what works best for you.
When it comes to application, Grant likes to massage the oil on her cuticles and rub the remaining oil into her nail beds. Want to give other beneficial oils a try? The experts recommend apricot kennel and rose oil.
how can I grow my nails naturally?
Growing your nails naturally starts from the inside-out. That is, eating right and getting enough sleep. “Eating right may very well cancel out any need for supplements such as biotin, or treatments such as keratin,” says Mahalli.
As for your sleep, well, it’s called beauty sleep for a reason. “Sleep deficiency, like nutritional deficiencies, can affect the shape, size, growth, brittleness and texture of the nail tissue,” addsMahalli.**
does vitamin E help hair and nail growth?
According toMahalli, the answer to“does vitamin E help hair and nail growth?” is not black and white. “You could be ingesting or taking the right amounts of vitamin E, but still experience unhealthy nail growth due to any number of reasons,” Mahalli tells Lively.
With that being said, it certainly doesn’t hurt to give vitamin E a chance. You will especially raise your chances of growing longer hair and nails when you combine it with a balanced diet and the right vitamins that work for you.**