The Top 5 Nail Strengtheners

If your nails feel weak, brittle, and altogether damaged, you're not alone. Sometimes, it's normal to have less-than-stellar nails, especially if you're prone to nail-biting, regularly using acrylics or gel polish, or not drinking enough water. And in those times, it's helpful to have a good nail strengthener in your beauty cabinet, for the ultimate at-home manicure. A nail strengthener is a product that's specifically designed to nourish and strengthen fragile, damaged nails, and prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Of course, there are many different formulas and strengthening products out there to choose from; luckily for you, we've already weeded through them in order to select the five best.

Nail Tek Intensive Therapy

Thick, strong nails in no time

This Nail Tek strengthener takes the cake.

Best Overall

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Fix your damaged nails once and for all with Nail Tek Intensive Therapy, a superior strengthening treatment that’s clinically proven to improve weak, thin, soft, or peeling nails. The protein-rich formula reinforces and thickens weak nails, largely thanks to the hydrolyzed wheat protein (not to mention a bevy of other strengthening ingredients, like calcium and vitamin b5). Use it as a daily top coat or base coat to achieve stronger, smoother, healthier nails in no time at all.

Pros:

Awesomely effective formula is clinically proven to help reinforce and thicken nails.
Protein-rich formula improves the look of nails while also promoting flexibility and strength.
Can be applied as a base coat or daily top coat.

Cons:

You definitely have to be diligent about applying this product every day for a week in order to see real results.

Hard as Hoof Strengthening Cream

Hydration is key

Lock in moisture and shine with this Hard as Hoof cream.

Best Moisturizing Formula

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Hard as Hoof Strengthening Cream is a workhorse product. This nail strengthener is formulated with a unique, highly effective mix of vitamins, minerals, and emollients that hydrate and strengthen like no other. In fact, in addition to helping treat and prevent splits, peels, and cracks, this cream is more moisturizing than most, since it’s enriched with jojoba oil, beeswax, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. An oldie but a goodie, Hard as Hoof has been around for over 25 years at this point, which should really tell you something about this product’s efficacy.

Pros:

A beloved cult fave product that’s been around for over 25 years.
Uniquely hydrating formula.
Successfully prevents splits, peels, and cracks.
Accessible price point.

Cons:

Smells a little funky.

Sally Hansen Mega-Strength Here to Stay

Beautify, strengthen, and restore

Choose from every color of the rainbow with Sally Hansen Mega Strength.

Best Color Selection

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Want to beautify and strengthen your nails at the same time? Sally Hansen Mega-Strength Here to Stay is the right product for you. This strengthener comes in a dazzling array of colors, from glittery pastels to bold dark shades, and everything in between. It’s formulated with platinum powder to strengthen nails and protect them from breakage and peeling, and it even comes with a flexible brush for easy application. What’s not to love?

Pros:

Offers great protection from cracking and peeling, while also helping to strengthen and treat existing damage.
Available in several pretty shades.
Very affordable.
Comes with an applicator brush.

Cons:

Comes off a little too easily.

Sozge Nail Strengthener

To be used for nail emergencies

This Sozge strengthener is as heavy-duty as they come.

Best for Severe Damage

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If your nails are looking extra-rough, it’s Sozge Nail Strengthener to the rescue. This top-notch strengthener is formulated with powerful alpha hydroxy acids, which greatly help treat dry, tough, brittle nails and discoloration. And, not only this, but this product also helps restore shine and smoothness, penetrating the plate and cuticle area to improve your overall nail conditions. You can opt to use it as a top coat to give your nails a glossy finish, as a base coat, or simply as a treatment to promote healthy nail growth.

Pros:

Made with powerful alpha hydroxy acids, which help treat dry, brittle nails and discoloration.
Helps restore shine and smoothness.
Use it as a top coat, base coat, or just as a treatment for healthy nail growth.
Doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.

Cons:

Pricier than most.

Jason Purifying Tea Tree Nail Saver

Natural and oh-so-effective

Get the goods without harming animals with this Jason nail strengthener.

Best Cruelty-Free

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Want to go the all-natural, cruelty-free route? Jason Purifying Tea Tree Nail Saver helps nourish and hydrate cuticles and nails, without testing on animals. Also, there are no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates used in the vitamin-rich formula—rather, it’s just tea tree oil, sesame seed oil, vitamin E, and safflower seed oil. Especially if you have skin that’s prone to dryness and itchiness, this is a fantastic product.

Pros:

Cruelty-free.
Formula doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.
Wonderfully nourishing and hydrating.
Great for relieving itchy, dry, irritated skin.

Cons:

Not at potent as other strengthening products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes damaged or weak nails?

A variety of factors could be causing your nails to split, tear, or appear weak and brittle. Everything from aging to dehydration to a poor diet can cause damaged nails, so it’s important to eat a proper diet and drink plenty of water. Nail-biting, using acrylics, and peeling off gel polish can also negatively affect your nails, so try to refrain from doing any of these.

What does a nail strengthener actually do?

A good nail strengthener typically has key ingredients like calcium, keratin, and vitamin E, all of which help to boost strength, improve moisture levels, and prevent nails from splitting.

Can using too much nail strengthener be bad for your nails?

No, but you’ll just waste product if you use a nail strengthener every day, especially if you’re just using it for preventative purposes. If you’re actively trying to repair damaged nails, using a strengthening product once per day for one to two weeks should be sufficient.