If you?re someone who loves the look of gel or acrylic nails but whose nails suffer severely afterwards, a strengthening product might be your ticket for a quicker recovery.
Or if you?re noticing your nails are weak, brittle or peeling normally it might be best for you to be keeping these products around the house. Regular use will have your nails in tip-top healthy condition, no more chips or dullness for you!
Either way, we?ve rounded up some of the best nail strengtheners on the market for you here and analysed their strengths, weaknesses and customer reviews. Get ready for healthy, strong, shiny nails.
12 Best Nail Strengtheners in 2019
1. OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener
3,000+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
This nail strengthener from OPI might be on the more expensive side of the spectrum but it?s topped this list because it?s more than worth the price. Nail Envy is a clear stand-alone or base coat polish that contains hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium to repair and build your nails back up from the inside-out.?
The Nail Envy range comes in ?Original?, ?Dry and brittle?, ?Maintenance?, ?Matte?, ?Sensitive and peeling? and ?Soft and thin? – so there?s a product for everyone in this range. Just apply a couple coats and top this up with another coat every few days for best results.
What are the customers saying?
The majority of customers mention that the most noticeable results came after around 2 months of using this product as instructed. Nails that once split and cracked at the slightest touch are transformed to be stronger, shinier and overall more resilient. Consistency and patience are the key with this product, if you put in a little effort your results will be worth it.
Pros
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium to repair and build nails
- Comes in different types for different nail issues
- Can be used as a clear nail-polish or base coat
- Reputable nail care brand
Cons
- Less affordable than other options
2. Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
1,400+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
Want some nail-strengthening action from a product that also doubles as a hand cream? This beauty is enriched with calcium, hydrogenated jojoba oil, vitamin B5, E, C and D plus silk proteins to restore the moisture balance to your nails as luxuriously as possible. It absorbs quickly into the hands, nails and cuticles so won?t be sticky and is recommended to be massaged in 3 times a day or as needed.
What are the customers saying?
Customers love the non-greasy, moisturising goodness of this product. Nails are strengthened and cuticles are softened, with the best results being seen around a month after consistent use.
Pros
- Calcium, hydrogenated jojoba oil, vitamin B5, E, C and D plus silk proteins
- Can double as a hand cream
- Fast absorbing
- Restores moisture balance to nails to strengthen them
- Coconut scented
Cons
- Application may be inconvenient for some
- Recommended use is 3 times a day
3. Nailtiques Protein Formula 2 Plus
1,200+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star average
Have you got super stubborn nails that aren?t responding to any of the treatments you try? If you want some hardcore nail therapy you should consider this Protein Formula 2 Plus from Nailtiques. Made with hydrolysed keratin, protein, calcium and gelatin, this concoction is going to bond your nail layers together again to grow them firmer and more flexible, preventing peeling, chipping and splitting.
What are the customers saying?
Users in the reviews section of this product remark at the quick results this product gives. Nail biters who have abused their nails for so long that they’re brittle and peeling see a massive change and get to enjoy longer, stronger nails that deter them from chewing them off.
Pros
- Once daily application
- Hydrolysed keratin, protein, calcium and gelatin
- Bonds nail layers together to create a strong foundation
- Designed to work on the most stubborn and problematic nails
Cons
- Less affordable than other options
4. Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener
700+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
You might think the name of this product is a gimmick, but it turns out it has real titanium and diamond powder in it! These two ingredients work together to strengthen and seal damaged nail layers with a ?shatterproof, protective shield?. Despite this, the reviews on this product are a bit hit and miss. The majority of customers are very happy with their results but some customers say this product only puts a protective layer on top of the nails instead of healing them at the same time.
Pros
- Titanium and diamond powder create a protective shield on nails
- Affordable
- Well known nail care brand
Cons
- Some customers mention it doesn?t heal nails as well as they?d hoped
5. Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream
400+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
If you?re on the hunt for a nail strengthener that?s cruelty-free, vegan friendly and safe for use during pregnancy, then this cream from Barielle will tick all your boxes. Similar to the cream we mentioned earlier, it?s best to massage it onto your hands, nails and cuticles three times a day to help with splitting, cracking, peeling and the overall improvement of your nails.
This product was originally designed for million dollar thoroughbred racehorses whose hooves needed some TLC, hence the name. If it works on their tough hooves, then it will almost definitely work on yours! You should see noticeable improvements in just 3-4 weeks.
Pros
- Cruelty-free, vegan friendly and pregnancy safe
- Originally designed for racehorses? hooves so works on the toughest nails
- No parabens or formaldehyde
- Affordable
Cons
- Application may be inconvenient for some
- Recommended use is 3 times a day
6. CND SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner
300+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star average
This mix of jojoba oil, vitamin E and sweet almond oil from reputable nail brand, Creative Nail Design, is designed to be applied twice daily to the nail and cuticle area for a conditioning treatment.
The nutrients will penetrate more nail layers the more you use it and provide intense therapy for nails and cuticles that are dry and damaged. Use this before you get your nails done at the salon for extra protection or right after having your acrylic or gel nails removed to bring your natural nails back to life.
Pros
- Jojoba oil, vitamin E and sweet almond oil
- Well known nail care brand
- Super-penetrating formula
- Will provide increasingly better results with consistent use
- Affordable
Cons
- Needs to be applied twice daily
- Small bottle for recommended frequency of use
7. Nail Tek Nail Strengthener Xtra
300+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
This is another nail strengthener that?s designed for extra stubborn nails that aren?t responding to conventional strengthening remedies. Customers that have reviewed this Nail Tek product say that they see improvements in just a few days and that peeling and cracking are significantly reduced.
This product contains formaldehyde which will initially harden your nails but with prolonged use may cause them to become brittle again, keep this in mind if you?re wanting to check out this nail strengthener.
Pros
- Results in just a few days
- Deals with cracking, splitting, and thin nails
- Good for nails that aren?t responding to other treatments
- Affordable
Cons
- Contains formaldehyde
8. Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener Polish Treatment
200+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star average
This nail strengthener is straight from Colombia and means serious business. Whilst it?s almost become a cult classic in the nail strengthening game due to its quick and reliable results, you need to follow the directions carefully and use this product sparingly at first.?
Possibly due to the formaldehyde used in this product, users report feeling pain or tingling in their nails and cuticles when they first start using it.
Using it on top of nail polish has been said to help with this issue so it might be good to try this method when you?re first starting out to avoid discomfort. If you?re not afraid of a little stinging and you want fast results it might be worth checking this product out.
Pros
- Stronger, faster growing nails
- Quick results
- Affordable
Cons
- Some users mention a burning pain and black spots on nails after use
- Contains formaldehyde
9. Nutra Nail 5 to 7 Day Growth Calcium Formula
400+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
Having problems with soft nails that bend and tear easily? This calcium and multivitamin loaded formula is designed to penetrate through soft nails to nourish them at their core.
There?s aloe vera, protein, keratin, calcium, collagen and more in this moisturising formula. Simply massage onto painted or unpainted nails and under the tips twice daily for 7 days and once a day thereafter to see improvements to the strength and growth of your nails.
Pros
- Contains aloe, protein, keratin, calcium, collagen and more
- Can be used over nail polish
- 7 day treatment
- Affordable
Cons
- Some reviewers mention this product needs to be used more than 7 days for best results
10. Nail Magic Nail Hardener & Conditioner
100+ reviews on Amazon with a 4 star average
This is a product that?s designed to be used over the long-term for best results. It?s backed by a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and claims to strengthen, harden and condition your nails over an 8 week period. You?ll need to apply this strengthening polish twice daily for 8 weeks and then once a week after that to reduce chipping and breaking.
Pros
- Strengthens, hardens and conditions nails
- Affordable
Cons
- Must be used for minimum 8 weeks to see results
11. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener
100+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star average
Sally Hansen is one of the top brands in the nail care world, and for good reason. This product is no exception with a vitamin B5 and green tea mix that says it will add strength and shine to weak, fragile nails to prevent chipping, splitting and cracking. It?s super affordable and formaldehyde-free.
Pros
- Well known nail care brand
- Vitamin B5 and green tea
- No formaldehyde
- Super affordable
Cons
- Bottle is quite small
12. Nails Inc Nailkale Superfood Base Coat
40+ reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 star average
Last, but definitely not least, is this powerhouse antioxidant nail-nourishing polish that?s enriched with a bunch of awesome ingredients to give your nails the boost they need. There?s vitamins A, C, E, F and H, plus zinc, calcium, kale, aloe vera, lemon, ginseng, pomegranate and grape extracts! All these natural ingredients work together to promote stronger, smoother, shinier nails. If you?re looking for a strengthening product that?s heavy on the natural ingredients and skimps on the chemicals then this base coat from Nails Inc might be the one for you.
Pros
- Long list of natural ingredients
- Promotes stronger, shinier, smoother nails
- No formaldehyde
- Vegan and cruelty free
Cons
- Can only be used as a base coat
- Less affordable than other options
Conclusion
Whether you?re struggling with weak nails that are bending, splitting and cracking, or you?ve just come out of a long-term relationship with your acrylic nails and you?re needing a little nail rehab, a nail strengthening polish is an excellent, cost-effective way to bring them back to life.
A good quality nail strengthener will not only form a protective barrier on top of your damaged nails, but should also penetrate the nail layers underneath to nourish them so they can grow with strong foundations from the inside out. The key to the best results is consistency, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle of the strengthener you decide to purchase to give your nails the best chance at growing long, strong and shiny.?
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