How to Cure Brittle Nails? Natural Treatment for Brittle Nails

Healthy Nails

Just as the appearance of our skin can reveal a great deal about our internal health, our nails are another indicator of how healthy we truly are. What are healthy nails? What are nails anyway? The first thing that you have to know about nails is that they are made of layers of keratin - this is a protein that you find in your hair and skin.

However, there are different components to your nails, not just keratin. The different aspects include:

• The nail plate (you can actually see this)
• The nail folds (the skin around your nails)
• The nail bed (the skin that is covered by your nail)
• The cuticle (the tissue that covers the bottom of your nail)
• The lunula (the white half-moon at the base of your nail)

In order to care for your nails, you have to take care of them properly. This makes occasionally filing or clipping them to ensure proper growth. There might be something wrong with your nail health (or overall body health) if you notice discoloration, changes, or brittle nails.

What Are Brittle Nails?

Brittle nails are not hard to identify - but how to prevent brittle nails might be a bit more difficult. Brittle nails are going to break, peel, and split easily. Sometimes this can cause discomfort, but often it is just an aesthetic issue. When you have brittle nails, it is almost impossible to grow them. This is because once the nails have any amount of space available, they are going to break and split.

The causes of brittle nails can vary from something as simple as an interaction with the environment, lack of moisture, hormone imbalance, or thyroid problem.

Signs & Symptoms of Brittle Nails

When you have brittle nails, it is going to be fairly easy to identify. You are going to have to deal with nails that tend to split at the ends (which could lead to a painful sensation when you actually remove the split ends after a while). But it could also feel at the nail tips (which highlights the fact that your nails are built up of several different layers of keratin). If you notice that you often break, crack, or chip your nails (even at the slightest interaction) there is a good chance that you might be experiencing brittle nails.

Understanding how to identify the signs and symptoms of brittle nails is one thing, but given that the symptoms of brittle nails can become rather painful, most people are going to want to know the causes of brittle nails and find something that they can do in order to stop it from happening again.

Causes of Brittle Nails

There are several different causes of brittle nails, one of them is often hormone fluctuations. This is why women are more likely to experience the symptoms of brittle nails than men are. There appears to be a direct correlation between brittle nails and estrogen levels. However, there are also other reasons why you might experience brittle nails:

• Thyroid problems
• Liver disease
• Infection
• Poor circulation
• Anemia
• Specific issues such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nail psoriasis

A lack of nutrients is also linked to having brittle nails, including not getting enough fat, iron, protein, folic acid, calcium, and vitamin C. There are also different risk factors that are going to make it more likely that you deal with brittle nails.

Risk Factors for Brittle Nails

We know that our nails are tough, but they need to be treated with kindness. Lengthy or repetitive exposure to chemicals and/or water could lead to issues with brittle nails.

• Frequent hand washing - If you wash your hands often (especially with a harsher soap) you are constantly removing the moisture from your skin and nails. We have already established this as one of the primary reasons for brittle nails.
• Repeated injury or trauma to the nail - If you constantly damage your nail, there is a good chance that the overall nail health is compromised.
• Exposure to chemicals - As we previously mentioned, this will take a toll on the nails.
• Sunburn - Again, a sunburn is nothing more than removing the moisture from your skin or nail.

As you notice, oftentimes there is an underlying theme with our brittle nail risk factors. Oftentimes the problem is a lack of moisture or a lack of vitamins.

How to Cure Brittle Nails?

A change in your nails does not have to be anything serious, but sometimes you might want to make sure that you get it checked out by a medical professional.

If you want to know how to cure brittle nails, we are going to discuss a number of different options that we have seen come across.

Nail Fungus Creams

This is an often recommended option that is going to remove the number of yeast organisms living on the nails. If your overall health were suffering and you have an overgrowth of yeast organisms living on the nails, chances are that it could lead to issues down the road. The only problem is that this type of treatment only deals with a very specific problem. If you have any of the other causes of brittle nails, a nail fungus cream is not going to do anything for you. This makes it a rather successful option for those with a specific issue, but not very successful for other people.

Hand Creams and Moisturizers

We have previously established that moisture often plays an important role in brittle nails. If you want to know how to cure brittle nails, this is one of the better ways to get started. However, most people do not start searching for a solution to brittle nails until the symptoms of brittle nails have become rather harsh or painful.

While it can certainly teach you something about how to prevent brittle nails, hand creams and moisturizers are not effective enough to remove existing issues. This makes it a good prevention method, but not very effective at removing the underlying issue.

Supplements with Minerals

Given that many nails are brittle because we are deficient in a number of different minerals, taking minerals can help you with the underlying causes of brittle nails. Zinc and iron are important to make sure that your nails are strong. Even though these supplements are often an excellent addition to what you already have, they are not going to be extremely effective when you rely on them exclusively. While they are certainly recommended, they should not be the only thing that you are taking in order to prevent brittle nails.

Fortified Nail Polishes

If you are trying to deal with the symptoms of brittle nails, a fortified nail polish actually makes sense. They often contain vitamins and minerals and promise to boost nail health.

They are also not considered very flattering for men - which means that this will not be a great treatment for brittle nails for men.

Natural Treatments

Research already shows that supplementing with biotin (B7) will treat weak brittle nails. This would make sense, given that a deficiency is likely to cause issues with strength and splitting. While it cannot be directly correlated to human's biotin ability to strengthen weak nails, oral doses in horses found out to offer a tremendous benefit to their overall hoof strength.

Unlike many of the other treatment options that we have discussed already, a natural treatment for brittle nails is going to have no side effects, no negative stigmas, and is not going to be a partial solution.

Natural Products for Brittle Nails

Herbal Extracts and Oils

Natural products often include herbal extracts and oils that support nail health.

• Tea tree oil, for example, is widely used for its cleansing properties, helping to maintain healthy nail surfaces.
• Aloe vera gel is another popular choice, as it soothes dryness and improves moisture retention around the nails.
• Herbal oils such as lavender oil and jojoba oil are commonly applied to nourish the nail bed and surrounding skin, reducing brittleness and breakage.

Vitamins and Supplements

Brittle nails are frequently linked to nutritional deficiencies. Natural products often incorporate vitamins and minerals that play a role in nail strength.

• Vitamin E capsules, for instance, can be applied topically or taken as part of dietary supplements to enhance nail condition.
• Biotin is another nutrient often found in natural nail-support products, known for supporting healthy growth.

These vitamin-based products help replenish the body with the nutrients needed for stronger and more flexible nails.

Plant-Based Creams and Balms

Many natural treatments for brittle nails come in the form of plant-based creams or balms. These products are designed to deliver continuous hydration. Ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil help lock in moisture and create a protective barrier against external irritants. Consistent use of these creams prevents the nails from becoming too dry or splitting.

Natural Nail Soaks

Another category of natural products for brittle nails includes nail soaks made from simple, plant-based solutions. Soaks prepared with oils or herbal infusions can soften the nail plate and cuticle area. For example, a soak with olive oil or apple cider vinegar is often recommended in natural nail care routines. These remedies are easy to use and support overall nail resilience.

How Natural Products Work for Brittle Nails

Restoring Moisture Balance

One of the main reasons nails become brittle is loss of moisture. Natural products work by restoring hydration to the nail plate and cuticle. Oils and plant-based creams penetrate the surface, helping nails retain essential moisture. This hydration prevents dryness, which is often the cause of peeling, cracking, and breakage. By keeping the nails flexible, natural products reduce the likelihood of splits and chips.

Supporting Nail Structure

Nails are made of keratin, a protein that requires proper nutrition and protection. Natural products strengthen the nail structure by providing essential nutrients and creating a protective layer. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in these products help reinforce keratin bonds, improving thickness and durability. The protective layer formed by creams or oils shields nails from environmental stress, chemicals, and frequent washing.

Promoting Healthy Growth

Brittle nails often grow slowly or unevenly. Natural products help by stimulating healthier nail growth. Nutrients like biotin, when included in natural treatments, support the body's ability to produce stronger nails. Herbal extracts and oils also encourage better circulation around the nail bed, which contributes to improved growth and overall nail health.

Reducing Environmental Damage

Daily exposure to water, detergents, or harsh cosmetics weakens nails. Natural products act as a barrier against damage, reducing the harmful effects of these elements. For instance, plant-based balms and oils coat the nail surface, lowering the risk of splitting and shielding against irritants. By reducing repeated damage, nails have the chance to heal and strengthen over time.

Enhancing Flexibility and Appearance

Brittle nails tend to look dull and fragile. Natural products enhance flexibility and restore shine, making nails look smoother and healthier. With regular use, nails not only regain strength but also a more polished appearance, which improves overall nail beauty and resilience.

Common Ingredients in Natural Products for Brittle Nails

Plant Oils

Many natural nail care products include plant oils that provide hydration and nourishment. These oils are gentle, easily absorbed, and protect against dryness. Common options are:

• Coconut oil - known for locking in moisture and reducing breakage.
• Olive oil - softens the nail plate and cuticle area.
• Jojoba oil - mimics natural skin oils and improves flexibility.
• Castor oil - supports shine and smoothness of nails.

Herbal Extracts

Herbal ingredients are widely used in nail products for their soothing and protective effects. They are often combined with oils or creams. Popular choices include:

• Aloe vera - hydrates and calms dry cuticles.
• Tea tree extract - promotes cleanliness and nail surface health.
• Chamomile - soothes irritation around nails.
• Lavender extract - adds calming benefits and moisture support.

Vitamins

Vitamins play a key role in nail strength and growth. Natural products often contain these essential nutrients:

• Vitamin E - applied topically or included in creams to restore shine.
• Vitamin C - supports healthy collagen production for nail structure.
• Vitamin B complex - especially biotin, known for improving nail resilience.

Butters and Waxes

Natural butters and waxes help form a protective layer around nails, preventing further brittleness. Common ingredients are:

• Shea butter - deeply moisturizes and seals hydration.
• Cocoa butter - softens nail edges and cuticles.
• Beeswax - creates a barrier against environmental stressors.

Natural Soak Additives

Some products include simple natural ingredients for at-home nail soaks. These support flexibility and overall nail care:

• Apple cider vinegar - helps maintain nail surface balance.
• Lemon juice - brightens and refreshes nail appearance.
• Essential oil blends - add nourishment and light protection.

How to Prevent Brittle Nails

If you want to prevent brittle nails, a natural treatment for brittle nails is one of your best options. However, there are several things that you can do yourself to help even more.

• When you work with water or chemicals, make sure that you wear rubber gloves or disposable plastic gloves to protect your hands.
• Keep your nail moisturized with lotion applied directly onto it.
• slow the evaporation of water from your nail by adding nail polish. Do not use nail polish remover and just reapply it more than once a week.
• Do not use nail adhesives, polishes, or lacquers if you have issues with brittle nails.

The combination of a natural treatment for brittle nails and making sure that you care for them better in the future should offer you a tremendous relief when it comes to the overall symptoms of brittle nails.