$24.99
Ulta
$22.99
Walmart
I didn’t know my natural nails could grow so long — until I tried these nail strengtheners
Repeated gel manicures can result in damaged nails that nail strengtheners can help repair.
This nail serum is designed to rebuild the damaged keratin bonds in your nails, which results in stronger and smoother nails, according to the brand. It uses maleic acid to penetrate the surface of the nails to help strengthen them from within, making them more resistant to breakage and giving them less ridges and better color. The serum is also formulated without formaldehyde or parabens.
Keratin is one of the essential proteins required for nail growth, which is why it’s a common ingredient in nail strengtheners and frequently recommended by our experts. This Nail-Aid treatment, a favorite of NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson and associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, facilitates nail growth in just a few days, especially when used regularly.
Rita Remark, Essie’s global lead educator and nail artist, warns customers to steer clear of nail strengtheners that include formaldehyde. This nail strengthener from modelones is free from not only formaldehyde but other potentially toxic and weakening ingredients (including fragrances and phthalates) as well. Instead, the product relies on expert-recommended ingredients, including keratin and jojoba oil.
Please note: Any Essie product recommendations were made independently of Remark.
Customers love this hand and nail lotion for its dual purpose — not only does it help to moisturize skin with Vaseline Jelly and contains mineral oil and keratin, two ingredients Green recommends in any nail strengthener. Several reviewers also cite a noticeable improvement in nail strength in a couple of weeks.
NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown loves acrylic tips, but when she’s ready to give her nails a rest, this Sally Hansen nail strengthener is her favorite product. “I like this one because it doubles as a clear polish, so my nails are naked but not that naked, and still getting the nourishment they need from the protein and silk formula,” she says. “Whenever I’m wearing this, my nails feel harder and break way less.”
Morris was initially introduced to this nail-strengthening cream by her roommate, who’s sworn by it for years. It has vitamins A, C, E and D, beeswax and jojoba oil to condition and nourish nails while moisturizing the skin around them, according to the brand. Morris says the formula isn’t drying, and that there’s no strong chemical smell — instead, it has a lovely coconut scent.
This nail and cuticle oil is formulated to hydrate and soothe damaged cuticles, and helps nails to feel harder and stronger in as little as two weeks, according to the brand. Vitamin E, which Green notes is critical for healthier nails, is a primary ingredient, alongside jojoba oil, which helps lock in moisture over time.
This well-known brand is a customer favorite. It can be used as either a standalone treatment or as a base coat underneath your manicure. Ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium help build stronger nails over time, while the variety of color options lets you maintain a stylish manicure as your nails heal.
This nail cream works best when applied a couple of times daily, says the brand. Its main ingredient, lanolin, has been found to reduce the amount of water lost through the skin by up to 30%, which in turn helps to prevent nail cracking and cuticle peeling. The conditioner is formulated to work for all levels of nail damage, and visibly improves nails in two to three weeks, according to the brand.
Vitamin E enhances this vegan and cruelty-free formula, which is made without harmful chemicals like acetone and formaldehyde. According to the brand, it can also be used underneath polish, but it may affect how long your manicure lasts.
You can use this Duri product as both a base coat and a top coat to help keep in moisture and provide a healthy dose of collagen and fatty acids—two expert-recommended ingredients for stronger, healthier nails. It’s especially great for those recovering from damage caused by acrylics and other nail extensions, according to the brand.
This nail treatment from Orly works over 14 days to promote strong and healthy nail growth, according to the brand. It uses bamboo extract, green tea, hemp seed oil and Vitamin C to help stop your nails from peeling, splitting and breaking, and is especially great for nails that’ve been damaged by acrylic or gel nails, according to the brand. It also has a 4.2 star average rating from 85 reviews at Ulta.
When it comes to finding the right nail strengthener for you, experts say that there are a few ingredients to look for and avoid while shopping. “When looking for a nail strengthener, you should look for key ingredients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E,” says Dr. Jaafar.
In addition to looking for certain nourishing ingredients, she recommends steering clear of nail polishes and other nail-strengthening products that contain harsh chemicals, which can damage nails.
Gel polish is still legally available for purchase in the United States. However as of Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the European Union has banned trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), which is a common ingredient in UV gels and hybrid nail polishes. According to the Health Products Regulatory Authority, TPO helps gel and hybrid polishes harden under UV light, but it is now prohibited in all spaces, with regulators citing potential fertility concerns found in animal studies as the reasoning.
It's best to remove and reapply nail strengthener polish every four to five days, according to experts. This helps your bare nails stay protected at all times promoting flexibility and nail growth.
Although all nail strengtheners don’t necessarily encourage nail growth, experts still emphasize their importance. The point of nail strengtheners is mostly to prevent breakage, which in turn can allow your new growth to stay intact.
Whether or not a nail strengthener can be used underneath polish varies from product to product. Experts say many traditional nail strengtheners can't be worn under gel manicures because the systems don’t work together. However, it's advised to use a strengthener between manicures, especially if you often get them done.
While the safety of gel manicures has been questioned regarding nail health, our experts say that these types of manicures are not in and of themselves harmful. That said, repeated exposure to UV light (which is used to seal the gel manicure) can be problematic. For that, our experts suggest applying sunblock before and after gel manicures.
More significant nail damage, however, can be done if the gel is applied or removed incorrectly. Gel manicures should be removed by a professional in a salon whenever possible or follow these best practices:
First, buff down the surface of the gel with a file to help the product break down faster.
Saturate a cotton pad with pure acetone (regular nail polish will not suffice for this task), place it directly on top of the nail and wrap it tightly with a square of tinfoil, experts say.
Repeat this on all nails and leave them on for 10-15 minutes. Working one nail at a time, remove the tinfoil. If the gel has started flaking off, remove the rest by gently pushing it away with an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher.
Repeat this process on all nails, and buff with a 240 grit (or higher) buffing block.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Lulu Chang is a freelancer based in Washington, DC and New York City. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness and more. For this piece, they interviewed nail experts on everything you need to know about nail strengtheners, including how to find the best one for you.
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