10+ Best Home Remedies for Brittle Nails | Causes and Cure

Home remedies for Brittle Nails

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. Franz Kalfa

Beauty has been defined in numerous ways, each one is more profound than the other. But the true essence of beauty lies in loving your body and taking proper care of it. Of course, a bit of imperfection adds more attractiveness to the femininity of womanhood. Yet, the best gift you ought to give yourself is self-love. In our extremely busy schedule, we tend to overlook little things. And later we regret it. Especially, our nails.

We look after our skin and hair but give minimal importance to the proper grooming of our nails. Our nails are made up of alpha-keratin (Protein). It grows at an average of 3mm in a month. But how often do we give them the nourishment?

Just like other parts of our body, nails also get dry and infected. Sometimes, the nails go pale and thin, the texture is also lost and it becomes fragile. This is because of not getting the adequate amount of nutrition. Among all, the most suffered problem is that of brittle nails. Sadly, women suffer from Onychorrhexis (brittle nails) more than men. Since nails are treated as an indicator of overall health, one must be aware of nail disorders.

Why do nails break?

Our nails hint a lot about our lifestyle. Healthy nails are a replica of good health and fitness. On the other hand, thin and brittle nails might cause discomfort and be a result of improper attention towards our well-being. Here are few reasons that tend to breakage of our nails.

  1. Vitamin, Protein, and Iron Deficiency:- If your body lacks a sufficient amount of nutrients (vitamins, protein, and iron) then both fingernails and toenails will start appearing weak and break. It is necessary to add eggs, fish, chicken, nuts, whole grains, bananas, etc to your daily diet. Along with that, lack of iron, Vitamin B, C, D, or E might cause nails to break. Try to include these nutrients in your daily diet in order to stop nail breakage.
  2. Dehydration:- Our body is 60% water and we must have more than 3 liters of water in a day. Not drinking enough water is also one of the major causes of unhealthy nails and this leads to nail breakage.
  3. Moisturizing in the right way:- Moisture is both good and bad. While too much dryness leads to irritation, too much wetness also weakens the nails. So, it is important to maintain proper moisture to stop nail breakage.
  4. Excessive use of cosmetics:- Make-up is never bad. Rather, it refines beauty. But knowing what product you’re using is a must. Many nail polishes contain harmful chemicals. Apart from that, trimming them in the wrong way can lead to nail damage, so will cutting the cuticles.

Now, you know why nails break, this will help you to keep your nail healthy and prevent them from breaking.

Read More, Ingrown Toenail: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

What Causes Brittle Nails?

Onychorrhexis or brittle nails are the most common nail disorder. The splits and longitudinal ridging are signs of brittle nails. It is not a disease, but a result of aging, sometimes brittle nails occur in young people and become a symptom of some underlying disease.

Reasons for Nail Breaking
  1. Hypothyroidism:- Low thyroid hormone production causes hypothyroidism. Even if it can be treated after being on medication for a lifetime, the disease weakens the nails. People suffering from hypothyroidism are prone to fungal infections in nails. Their nail bed also splits from the nail plate and causes other problems. This is one of the main problems that cause brittle nails.
  2. Excessive Use of Nail Paint Remover:- Repeated use of nail polishes and other chemicals don’t let our nails breathe. The nail paint contains harmful chemicals but the worse effect is done by the nail polish removers. Most of them are filled with acetone which dried the nails and makes them brittle.
  3. Harmful UV Rays:- Even nails get damaged by the harmful rays of Sun. The upper part of the nail (nail plate) can become brittle upon constant exposure to UV rays. So, it is crucial to protect them from UV rays and properly moisturize them.
  4. Vitamin And Iron Deficiency:- Vitamin H, commonly known as Biotin is an essential vitamin for skin, hair, and nails. Vitamin and iron are important for the healthy growth of nails. Not having a sufficient amount of Vitamin can halt the growth of nails. Whereas, iron deficiency can result in less amount of hemoglobin and bad nails. Having a balanced diet containing all the nutrients is very much important.

Importance Of Vitamins for nails– Vitamins are organic compounds required for the healthy functioning of our body. There are 13 vitamins that play a vital role for humans. Out of which, Biotin or Vitamin B7 is extremely important for nails. The lack of an inadequate amount of vitamins leads to the weakening of nails over time. It is necessary to look after the texture of the finger and toenails. Though vitamin deficiency is not very common, it is still one of the causes of nail breakage.

To add Biotin to your everyday diet, you must have green peas, sweet potatoes, green vegetables, nuts, oats, almonds, and other such food items on a regular basis. Eggs, Salmon, and avocados are also rich in Biotin. Alternatively, one can consume biotin supplements as per the physician’s recommendation. So, understanding the root cause of brittle nails can actually cure the major part of a problem.

Also Read: Best foods for healthy hairs

Home Remedies for Brittle Nails

Below are some best Home Remedies for Brittle Nails. You can use any of them or all of them to strengthen your weak nails and make them look good.

Natural Ways To Strengthen Nails

1. Castor Oil

Castor oil is a magic oil. The oil is filled with ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES. Along with that, the Ricinoleic acid repairs the nail and surrounding skin. You can take an adequate amount of castor oil with 1 part of Epson salt and 3 parts of water. Then soak your nails for 15 minutes. Doing it on a daily basis will definitely rejuvenate your nails. Alternatively, you can add equal parts of castor oil and olive oil in a bowl, add few drops of lemon juice and soak your nails for 15-20 minutes. Castor Oil is definitely the best option in home remedies for the wellness of nails.

2. Coconut Oil

Just like Castor Oil, Coconut oil is rich in antifungal and moisturizing properties. Warm a bowl of coconut oil and add few drops of lemon juice. Then soak your fingers for 10-15 minutes inside it. Alternatively, rub the warm coconut oil on your nails and the skin around them. Massage it for some time. Wearing gloves following the procedure will provide better results.

3. Vitamin-E Oil

Vitamin-E oil fights off the free radicals, also the signs of aging. It moisturizes the skin and the nails too. Puncture the Vitamin-E Capsule and apply it to your nails. Give a gentle massage for a while for increased circulation. Do this regularly, for effective results. This is an effective home remedy for brittle and damaged nails.

4. Tea Tre Oil

Tea tree oil has antibiotic and antifungal properties. Thus, it cures the fungal infection of nails. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a half tablespoon of Vitamin E oil. Then apply it to your nails and massage gently. After half an hour, wash it off with lukewarm water. Once the skin is normal, apply a moisturizer. Doing it twice a day for a month will show definite results and make your nails brittle-free.

5. Drink a lot of water

Water has magical power. It can cure many problems related to the body. Increasing your daily intake of water will nourish your nails. Our nails need to be hydrated and that water level in our body should be taken care of.

6. Lemon Juice and Olive Oil Soak

Lemon and olive oil is the most important ingredient in the beauty industry. They are good for hair, skin, nails, and health. Mix lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl and soak your nails in it. The lemon helps in removing the yellowness of the nails and olive oil repairs and strengthens the nails.

7. Beer Soak

Surely, you have heard that beer is good for hairs but do you know that beer is also good for nails. Take a bowl and pour some beer into it. Soak your nails in the beer for 5 to 10 minutes and see the magic. Beer has potassium, phosphorus, and selenium along with biotin that makes nails strong and prevents them from cracking.

Read more, Natural Sources of Biotin for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

All these home remedies can cure brittle nails. Do follow all in order to keep your nails healthy.

Natural Ways To Strengthen Nails

home remedies for brittle nails

No doubt, there are many cosmetic products and expensive spa care packages to keep our nails hygienic and well maintained. But the best and most trustworthy ways are those naturally done at home. Here are some natural ways to strengthen nails.

1. Avoid Damage And Excess Stress

Our nails are delicate. And repeated stress on them can harm the shape and strength. This might result in the splitting of nails or brittle nails. So being cautious towards it will do the needful.

2. Avoid Harsh Nail Paint Removers

How safe is nail polish is still debatable. But nail removers are never a safe option. They have harsh chemicals in them. Especially the Acetone based nail removers will make your nails dry. You might have noticed the white patch that appears just after you wipe off your nail polish with some mediocre quality product. So look after the composition of your nail removers.

3. Oil The Cuticles

Teasing the cuticles is unnecessary and rather troublesome. But oiling them will definitely enhance their beauty and strength. Take few drops of coconut oil along with any other essential oil (if needed) and gently apply on your cuticles. Massage for 5 minutes and let it get absorbed.

4. Drink Enough Water

Nails also need to remain hydrated. And water is required for that purpose. Drinking more than 3 liters of water in a day is mandatory. It will not only keep you energetic but also throw out the toxins from your body. While drinking water is helpful, always getting your nails in contact with water is not a good idea or keeping it dry for a long time. Moisturising is important, so never forget to moisturize your fingernails and toenails.

Read More: How to Grow Nails Faster in a Week

Beauty is somehow incomplete without good nails. It not only gives us that pleasant look but also boosts our confidence. Good nails are also a sign of good health. It is extremely important to look after our nails. Some basic routines and lifestyle changes largely help you prevent or cure brittle nails. Cutting the nails in your way, moisturizing them, oiling the cuticles, and having the right food will definitely keep you away from any sort of nail disease.

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Owner & Editor of OptimisticGirls, Deepika has 8 years of experience in the digital marketing space specializing in the subjects of Technology, Natural Skincare & Haircare, Home Remedies, and Travel. She is the Digital Marketing Manager at Techlomedia Internet and writes tech-based articles on techlomedia.in.


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