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We tested the top brands to find the treatments that will help you achieve longer, stronger nails Matte Ceramic Coating
The secret to longer, healthier-looking nails is to make them stronger, avoiding peeling or premature breakages. So, if your nails aren’t looking their best, it may be time to try a strengthening treatment to repair the damage.
Nail strengtheners come in a range of formats — from creams to oils to polishes — so you can find the best one for you, and give your tips some extra TLC.
The GHI has put a range of products to the test and here are the winning formulas:
Just like with our skin and hair, nails can become brittle and dry when we don’t drink enough water, so make sure to get your two litres a day.
Ripping off gel nails or getting acrylics without a break in between appointments will also weaken them. Always get them removed professionally, or give them the proper DIY removal treatment at home.
Wearing rubber gloves when handling detergents and bleach is also a must, as overexposure to these chemicals can make nails soft, resulting in them splitting or breaking.
Noticed it takes your nails forever to grow? You could be lacking in vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes foods that are a good source of vitamin C, including peppers and broccoli. Taking a supplement may also help improve the quality of your nails, as well as your skin and hair.
However, all these methods do require a bit of patience. A strengthening product, on the other hand, can make a huge difference to the appearance of your nails in weeks.
Most strengthening treatments include proteins and nourishing oils to help relieve any brittleness and peeling, leaving nails looking and feeling stronger.
We’ve also noted whether the below products contain formaldehyde, phthalates and toluene. They’re most commonly found in industrial cleaning products, so it’s understandable to be wary of applying them to your skin, but in beauty products they’re used to prolong shelf life. While they do have a bit of a bad reputation, they don’t cause any damage at this low potency or in this format.
Our panel of 770 women tested 42 brands of nail strengtheners over one month. They judged each one based on how easy it was to apply, drying time, and if they saw any improvements in nail strength. They also noted whether the products helped with peeling or flakiness, as well as if they had an impact on smoothness. Here are our top picks for your tips.
Our winning formula is enriched with proteins that aim to seal and prevent breakages. We found it lived up to this promise, and were impressed by how well it kept nails intact.
Some testers spotted nail growth too, while others appreciated its glossy sheen and how well it lasted without chipping. For best results, use as a base coat.
This oil claims to soften tough skin and moisturise nails and the skin surrounding them, making it a top choice for anyone with dry hands.
On test, it lived up to its claims and was voted best for hydration, with all testers finding it relieved their nails of dryness, without causing any irritation. Testers found the oil quickly absorbed into skin too, and helped improve the condition of their cuticles.
This polish can be used as a base or top coat and aims to leave nails looking stronger and more even. It did take over two weeks to see results but most said it left nails stronger and helped to prevent the usual peeling and breakages.
A staple among celebrity manicurists, this polish works to create that your-nails-but-better effect. Testers loved the healthy tint it provided, with almost everyone saying it made uneven nails look and feel smoother. One tester even found it immediately stopped their nails from peeling, too.
Promising not only to make nails shine bright like a diamond, but to be as strong as them too, our testers rated this one for its instant strengthening impact.
Our panel felt it made nails instantly more resilient against breakages, with most experiencing less peeling. Some felt it wasn’t as good at improving the long-term condition of their nails, but it’s ideal if you’re looking for a quick fix.
The compact design of this serum was a hit among testers, while the brush applicator makes it ideal for on-the-go use. Our panel felt it was nourishing without being greasy, with most saying it left their nails hydrated. They were impressed with its strengthening ability too, with most saying it made their nails look and feel stronger.
Here’s another quick fix. If you’re short on time, our testers found this oil had the quickest positive impact on their nails. It improved their condition after just one week, with all testers saying that it boosted hydration, and most reporting stronger nails.
Many said it helped relieve cracked and chapped hands too, which is essential after using drying antibacterial gels. An added plus, this multipurpose oil can be used on elbows, feet, knees — you name it.
Promising to be a “one coat recovery” solution for damaged nails, testers found this polish lived up to its claims, noticing a difference to their nails in just one week.
Testers with damage caused by gels or acrylics also noticed a difference, with all saying nails looked stronger after use.
If a cream is your texture of choice, testers found this one absorbed instantly into cuticles, without any greasiness. They also noticed a difference in the strength of their nails after two weeks, with many reporting less breakages. One tester even said it improved their ridged nails, which helped them feel less brittle.
Want stronger nails but not willing to compromise on looks? Our testers found this polish worked great as a base coat, so you can get that punch of colour and know your nails are still being nourished underneath.
After two weeks, almost everyone said their nails felt more resilient, with most finding it helped keep tears at bay.
Leighton Denny Rock Solid Nail Strengthening Base Coat, 80/100, £12
Essie Treat Love Colour Care Nail Polish, 80/100, £8.99
Dr Organic Tea Tree Nail Solution, 80/100, £5.99
Revlon Nail Care Multi Care and Top Coat, 79/100, £7.99
Typology Hand & Nail Serum 1% Plant-Based Keratin + 2% Hyaluronic Acid, 78/100, £11.80
Nailberry The Cure Ultimate Nail Hardener, 76/100, £19.50
JASON Purifying Tea Tree Nail Saver, 75/100, £6.99
Rimmel Nail Nurse Polish Care Stronger, 71/100, £4.49
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
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