Nail care 101: Simple tips to keep your nails happy and healthy

There are two kinds of people in the world—those who religiously paint their nails and those who constantly pick on their cuticles. Now, no matter which one you are, we can all agree that a freshly done manicure wields insane amounts of power. It not only makes your hands look more youthful and elegant but also gives you a much-needed boost of confidence, a fact that has led to a surge in nail art and various other treatments. 

But in all of this, have you stopped to think about the health of your nails? Sure, they look stunning but are they really healthy? Amid our elaborate skincare routines, we often forget about our nails. Which is why we’ve rounded up a few simple tips that you can incorporate into your self-care routine to give your nails some much-needed TLC.

Avoid overexposure to water  

We aren’t saying don’t wash your hands when needed. But in order to keep your nails healthy, it’s important to reduce the amount of time your hands spend in water. Think about it this way—when wet, our hair is extremely vulnerable. Similarly, spending a lot of time in contact with water can weaken your nails' structure and lead to brittle, broken nails. This is why our nails get soft and bendy after a long bath or a swim; it's also why people are advised to wear gloves when doing the dishes.  

Use an enriching cuticle oil   

Cuticles are thin films of dead skin cells that sit around the nailbed. But don’t let this fact mislead you into believing they are useless. The truth is, they have a very important role to play—they seal the base of the nail and serve as a protective shield. And cutting or removing them could leave your nails vulnerable to a host of problems. But if you need to push your cuticles back, do it once a week, immediately after you shower. Using a cuticle oil or cream hydrates your cuticles giving them some much-needed TLC. Pick a product that is brimming with skin-loving nutrients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, grapeseed oil, etc. This small practice will turn your nail game right around.

Your nail’s health is more important than its length   

We get it, long nails make a statement. But if you struggle with hangnails, brittleness, and breakage, it’s best to keep your nails short. At least until they can get stronger and healthier. You can experiment with different shapes on shorter nails to avoid subjecting your nails to further damage and still have them all glammed up.

Don’t skip the base coat 

Before you paint your nails, be sure to apply a coat of clear polish. Not only does it protect your nails from breaking, damage, and staining but also makes your polish look brighter and more saturated. We're all guilty of taking the base coat for granted but it works behind the scenes to keep our nails happy and healthy.

Give your nails some breathing space   

Sure, dolling your nails up with bold colours, nail art, or extensions might look gorgeous and boost your confidence, but have you ever thought about how it impacts your nail health? Continuously using products on your nails can dry them out, turn them yellow, and, over time, weaken their structure. So it’s important to let your nails breathe. In the meantime, you can rejuvenate them with hand creams and cuticle oils.

Products to use: 

Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream, ₹2,200 

Caudalie Vinotherapist Hand & Nail Cream, ₹1,250  

OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum - Keratin Protein, ₹2,365 

 

L'Occitane Shea Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil, ₹1,700 

Inglot O2M Breathable Base Nail Care, ₹2,300

 

Farmacy Honey Savior All-In-One Skin Repair Salve, ₹3,550
 

Jo Malone London Vitamin E Hand Treatment, ₹4,800

Also read: How to fight skin ageing if retinol doesn’t work for you

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