11 Research-Backed, Natural Remedies For Brittle Nails 

Brittle nails can have many causes—age, diet, wearing polish for too long, or just bad luck. But there are plenty of natural ways you can restore nail health.

Nail hardeners and strengtheners were traditionally made made with formaldehyde (it's what makes the polish dry so stiff).

This is why most natural or clean-leaning experts would tell you to avoid them, says Nadine Abramcyk, co-founder of clean salon tenoverten, as formaldehyde is a potentially dangerous ingredient.

Studies indicate that collagen supplements can support healthy nail growth.*

One study found that when patients took collagen daily for 24 weeks, their nail health was better maintained1, including faster growth rates, reduced breakage, and improved appearance.*

The same goes for biotin, a form of vitamin B that is often used in hair growth supplements.* Biotin has been shown to support thickness and firmness of nails2.*

Of course, hand sanitizers are often necessary—and you should continue to use them when needed—however, just know they might be the cause of nail brittleness.

Traditional hand sanitizers are very drying to your skin. (You can thank the high alcohol content, which is often north of 90%.) Alcohol in skin care of any kind is very drying, and it's often an ingredient we are told to avoid by dermatologists if you have any sensitive skin woes.

"Alcohol, the active ingredient in most sanitizers, will dry out your hands and strip the skin of its natural barrier," says board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. 

Water causes nails to expand and contract, and doing so regularly or for long periods of time will make them weaker. (It's why you're told to avoid water or showers up to 24 hours after getting a manicure or pedicure while the polish sets. The stretch from water can cause the polish to chip prematurely.)

Along the same lines as above—wearing gloves while washing dishes—also keep gloves on while doing home chores.

Like the rest of your body, nails can get sun damage, too. They can yellow, turn brittle, or even develop vertical ridges that can last up to six months.

There are a few nutritional deficiencies that contribute to brittle, damaged nails3 research shows.

The most common deficiencies are iron, vitamin B7, B12, magnesium, and proteins. Of course, changing your diet won't be an immediate fix, it will help your nails over time. 

When the temperature drops and there's less moisture in the air, it can dehydrate the nail bed in the same way that cold, arid environments can lead to dehydrated skin.

"Your environment affects all parts of your body, so of course it will affect your skin. But the winter is drier, so that's when we need to focus on adding moisture, preventing water loss, and making sure the skin barrier is supported, as it becomes easily compromised when it's dry," says board-certified dermatologist Howard Murad, M.D.

The cuticle is a vital part of nail health, as it overlaps the nail plate and rims the base of the nail. And dry, frayed cuticles—as well as the skin around your cuticles— can lead to picking.

"[Picking] can damage the nail beds and matrix, which causes permanent indentations in the middle of your fingernails," says Amy Wechsler, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist, who recommends applying a cuticle oil regularly—at least once a day.

Barr agrees: “The matrix is the part of the nail that constantly produces new keratin at the nail plate and slowly pushes the nail forward causing it to grow. Damage to this part of the nail can interfere with growth.” 

If applying a daily cuticle oil seems like an arduous extra step, don't worry: You don't need a special oil for this.

You can keep your cuticles hydrated with a variety of oils, like olive, coconut, or sweet almond. (A lot of things you can find in the kitchen can be beneficial to cuticle health.)

Sometimes nails need exfoliation, too. Don't take a scrub to your fingers, however (far too abrasive).

Instead, opt for a gentle, natural chemical exfoliator. Research suggests that glycolic acid can help with restoring nail strength4.