17 Best Nail Strengtheners for Dry, Brittle, or Weak Nails, Tested and Reviewed in 2023

Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD loves this nail strengthener because it “improves fingernail thickness, strength, and durability.” The reason it earns our number one spot is because its key ingredients—hyaluronic acid, and pistacia lentiscus oil—have been *scientifically proven* to significantly increase nail firmness when applied consistently over the course of a few weeks. Drops mic, adds to cart.

• Hydrate or protect? Hydrate
• Top coat/base coat? No
• Key ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid, pistacia lentiscus oil

Glowing Customer Review: “After using this product for almost a month I am sold. I haven’t had any nails split, which was a continuous issue even with the best of nail strengtheners. The most amazing result is the ridges in my nails are diminishing. It’s been years since I’ve had smooth nails and I’m looking forward to seeing how much the nails will smooth over.”

This strengthener is ideal for hydrating and repairing your nails due to damage left behind from manicures thanks to superstar ingredient panthenol—which is a humectant, meaning it holds and binds water—combined with biotin, panthenol, and hydrolyzed soy protein. So, this is perfect for those who routinely get gel, acrylic nails, or any other type of manicure with an extensive removal process.

• Hydrate or protect? Both
• Top coat/base coat? Both
• Key ingredient(s): Panthenol, biotin, hydrolyzed soy protein

Glowing Customer Review: “I have always had pathetic, child-like fingernails, soft, thin, and inclined to bend backward (and then, weakened, peel and break). Pregnancy did not make them any better. This stuff is the ONLY thing that has ever kept my nails from bending.”

This nail strengthener is enhanced with protein to repair existing damage and make your nails more resistant to damage in the future. Use it on bare nails (you’ll want to apply a fresh coat every other day), under your nail polish as a base coat, or layered over polish as a top coat.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Both
• Key ingredient(s): Vitamin E, calcium, hydrolyzed wheat protein

Glowing Customer Review: “I had fake nails for over 13 years, so I have a very hard time with peeling and soft nails; it is very difficult for nail polish to stay on my nails. This product seems to be working better than anything else I have tried.”

A hydrating, vitamin-E–based nail strengthener, this formula goes one step further and is also free of seventeen controversial ingredients, including parabens, formaldehyde, DBP, and TPHP. Grab a bottle of this if your nails are weak and splitting, or if they’re showing any signs of dryness.

• Hydrate or protect? Hydrate
• Top coat/base coat? Base
• Key ingredient(s): Vitamin E

Glowing Customer Review: “My nails have not broken once since I’ve put this on. During the first two weeks, I felt the need to apply another coat after a few days. I work in healthcare so my hands are constantly being washed. My nails are definitely stronger with this product. Even when removed my nails still feel stronger.“

This nail strengthener is the ultimate protection for dry, brittle nails. Essentially, the hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, and calcium create a film on your nails that acts as a physical shield. So feel free to carry on your day without fear of chipping, peeling, or cracking a nail, bc this strengthener is basically a shield of armor.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Both
• Key ingredient(s): Hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, and calcium

Glowing Customer Review: “My entire life, my nails have been brittle, break below the tip, and peel off on the top. I’ve used other strengtheners, but nothing has helped. I’ve never been able to grow out my nails, or even keep them at the same length. This is my 2nd bottle. My nails are long enough that I have to trim them back, no more peeling, my nails are now smooth to the very tips, and strong; they don’t bend over anymore. That’s never happened before. It’s wonderful to have nice-looking nails.”

Some nail hardeners rely on harsh chemicals, like formaldehyde, to strengthen nails, but not this formula. It’s free of 21 controversial ingredients, including DBP, xylene, and parabens, but packed with nail-fortifying ones, like biotin, vitamin B, and calcium. This base coat works to treat your nails as it primes them for polish.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Base
• Key ingredient(s): Biotin, calcium, methiopeptide* (*an amino acid derived from keratin)

Glowing Customer Review: “I really love this base coat. It keeps the nail polish on much longer than usual. I also find that it strengthens my nails and stops the breakage. I will definitely get another bottle of this.”

Not only does this strengthener make your nails stronger and healthier, but it also makes them more durable and resistant to chips and dents. Use it as a primer before polish, and watch your manicure last much longer than usual.

• Hydrate or protect? Both
• Top coat/base coat? Base* (*primer)
• Key ingredient(s): Glycerin, coconut oil, antioxidants

Glowing Customer Review: “This stuff is a miracle worker. I am 78 years old and have never had nice nails until I started using your products. I am now proud of my nails. I stripped my nails and applied the strengthener for five days, then applied polish and topcoat. I think I could use my thumbs as screwdrivers.”

With ingredients like kale, lemon, and pomegranate extracts, this base coat is basically a green juice for your nails. But the real star here is the added keratin, which works to restore the protein, fight flaking, and harden your fragile fingernails.

• Hydrate or protect? Both
• Top coat/base coat? Base
• Key ingredient(s): Keratin, vitamin E, glycerin

Glowing Customer Review: “This works amazingly well. I have tried everything on my weak, split, and peeling nails. In fact, for the past couple of years, I have taken a daily dosage of Biotin and seen a dermatologist…but nothing seemed to work until NailKale. In just two weeks my nails have grown significantly; they are harder, and the ends that were split and peeling prior to use are growing out.”

One of four different versions that target everything from hard, brittle nails to weak, damaged nails, this specific formula reinforces soft, peeling nails, thanks to the hydrolyzed wheat protein. The only drawback is that it needs to be reapplied every day for a week, but if you have the time and patience to commit to it, reviewers say it’s one of the best nail products for hardening weak nails.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Both
• Key ingredient(s): Hydrolyzed wheat protein

Glowing Customer Review: “I have been using this product for two weeks now and my nails are growing out and not splitting or peeling. I have tried so many products over the years and nothing else has worked.”

This nail strengthener, which doubles as a base coat, uses vitamin E to restore nails. You already know how great vitamin E is for your skin, but the fat-soluble ingredient can also be helpful in repairing lost moisture in your hard, dry nails that are prone to cracking and breaking.

• Hydrate or protect? Hydrate
• Top coat/base coat? Base
• Key ingredient(s): Vitamin E

Glowing Customer Review: “My nails have been so brittle lately and chip so easily. I have been applying this base coat to my nails and I have seen noticeable results. My nails are a lot healthier and stronger and finally starting to grow long again. I also like to apply this under my nail polish which works just as well!”

If your nails are hard and brittle, what they need is moisture. This nail-strengthening cream is an Amazon best seller for good reason: It uses jojoba oil and calcium to condition both the nails and the cuticles. In other words, it’s so much more than your average hand cream.

• Hydrate or protect? Both* (*moisturizes too)
• Top coat/base coat? None
• Key ingredient(s): Coconut oil, shea butter, safflower oil, urea, jojoba oil, vitamins A, B5, C, D, E

Glowing Customer Review: “When I bought this cream I did not expect much. For my entire life, I’ve dealt with brittle, peeling nails and have never been able to grow them out. After about 6 weeks I was shocked that I actually had to file them. Now my nails rarely break/split and they are actually *growing*.”

This two-in-one base coat smoothes out ridges and bumps as soon as you paint it on while also strengthening your nails long-term. It’s all thanks to the added protein, which creates a film, therefore filling in ridges, and plant-based oils and extracts, which help prevent staining, peeling, chipping, cracking, and breaking with continued use.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Base
• Key ingredient(s): Protein, biotin, vitamin E

Glowing Customer Review: “This ridge filler almost completely hides my nail ridges!! I’ve never had a product cover them so completely. This filler may cost more than others but it only took one coat to work for me.”

The hero ingredient in this nail-strengthening kit is spinach (yes, spinach), which coats your nails with an epic combo of vitamins A and C. This kit comes with a strengthener and a cuticle serum, so you can really get the full spa-like experience.

• Hydrate or protect? Nail strengthener: protect; Cuticle revitalizer: hydrate
• Top coat/base coat? Nail strengthener: both; Cuticle revitalizer: none
• Key ingredient(s): Nail strengthener: AHA/PHAs, glycerin, squalane, vitamin E; Cuticle revitalizer: Glycerin, panthenol

Glowing Customer Review: “I’ve used just about every nail strengthener on the market. This is by far my favorite. I had my doubts because there’s so much emphasis on botanicals. I didn’t think it would be as good as the hype. But it’s actually better.”

Looking for an easy way to treat your nails on this go? This strengthening pen makes things v convenient—just massage the formula on your nails and cuticles one to two times a day and it’ll help breathe some life back into your weak-ass nails (without, you know, needing to take off your polish).

• Hydrate or protect? Both
• Top coat/base coat? Neither* (*a cuticle/nail oil-like pen)
• Key ingredient(s): Keratin, jojoba oil

Glowing Customer Review: “Best nail strengthener I’ve ever used—the pen is super easy to use. Applying once per day, I started to see obvious results in how sturdy the ends of my nails felt in just two to three days. After two weeks, I haven’t had any breaks or peels. My nails and cuticles look and feel great.”

If you refuse to take time off between manis because you despise the look of bare nails, but your peeling, broken tips could really use some TLC, try this nail polish and treatment combo from the cult-favorite nail polish brand Essie. It has what your fragile nails need (collagen) but also all the color and sheer coverage you want—the best of both worlds, really.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Both* (*and polish)
• Key ingredient(s): Collagen, camellia extract

Glowing Customer Review: “Wow! I have been a nail-biter for as long as I can remember. And, once I stopped, I tried so hard to grow out my nails. I had some success, but once my nails got to a certain point, they split at the edge or peeled. I tried every nail vitamin, growth treatment, and polish I could think of. Everything changed when I started using Essie Treat, Love, & Color!”

Okay, so this four-part nail polish set is a captial-P Process, but for those with truly damaged nails, each step is important. Complete with the Rejuvenail Fortifying Nail & Cuticle Treatment, Launchpad Nail Strengthener (which is infused with keratin protein), High Maintenance Instant Nail Thickener, and Makeover Ridge Filler, this system addresses all possible nail problems.

• Hydrate or protect? Both
• Top coat/base coat? Both
• Key ingredient(s): Keratin protein, biotin

Glowing Customer Review: “This kit has everything you need for damaged nails. I had lost hope after repeated damage from powder manicures. The products instantly built strength and improved the look of my damaged nails. I can show my hands in public again without embarrassment.”

The best thing about this nail strengthener is that it also works as a base coat. Prep your nails with a couple of coats, and the formula’s argan oil, amino acids, and vitamin E work to condition and harden your nails while also creating a smooth, glossy base for your polish.

• Hydrate or protect? Protect
• Top coat/base coat? Base
• Key ingredient(s): Calcium, vitamin E

Glowing Customer Review: “The color itself can be used for a classy sheer mani with no streaks. My nails have never been better since I used this as a base. I open boxes at my job and haven’t seen much nail splitting since switching to this.”

Yes, nails do have an absorptive capacity. However, some substances can penetrate your nails much easier than others. This is because nails are made of super strong keratin that acts as protection against damage that could affect the health of your nail barrier. Unfortunately, this means that strengthening ingredients (hi, calcium, protein, biotin, etc.) are likely not absorbed enough to impact your nail growth from below, says Dr. Lal.

But (but!) for the good news: Your nails are *extremely* permeable to water (hi, water-binding humectants) and oils, which are emollients that work to seal moisture in. This means that nail-strengthening products rich in oils and hydrating ingredients are great options for people who struggle with peeling, textured, hard, and/or sandpaper nails, says Dr. Lal.

As for the strengthening ingredients, although your nails are not absorbing too much of the substance, they actually do have a positive impact if you’re trying to repair damaged, weak nails. This is because these strengthening ingredients provide protection (aka a film) over your natural nails, giving them the best environment to grow healthy and stronger.

Decide if you want a “protecting” or “hydrating” strengthener

There are two types of nail “strengtheners”—those that harden and those that hydrate. Dr. Lal breaks it down for us:

• Hydrating strengtheners contain ingredients that hold and bind water to your skin and nails. Hyaluronic acid, butylene glycol, lactic acid, and panthenol are all great examples. Some formulas may also contain lipids like triglycerides and glycerin, which moisturize your nails. Hydration-based strengtheners are great for those with peeling, textured, hard, and/or sandpaper nails.
• Protecting strengtheners rely on ingredients such as keratin, protein, biotin, and calcium, all of which add a film and allow your nails to appear stronger and thicker. These ingredients are not likely to be totally absorbed enough to impact your nails’ growth from below, but they will act as a physical shield, which prevents breakage, chipping, and cracks.
  
  

Determine if your brittle nails are due to an underlying cause

“At the end of the day, brittle and thin nails may be from genetics, poor diet, thyroid disease, anemia, or underlying diseases,” Dr. Lal says. Make sure you see a dermatologist for a thorough diagnosis, as brittle nails may actually be nail psoriasis, lichen planus, or even eczema, he says. Based on the cause of nail issues, specific supplementation may be helpful and/or treatment of the underlying cause.

Consider supplementing the nail strengthener with other methods

The best and easiest tip for ensuring you maintain healthy nails is through supplementation, says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. You should be eating protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A in your diet and supplementing with vitamins, she adds.

• Karan Lal, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, and treating skin of color.
• Dendy Engelman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery and director of dermatologic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in New York, New York.