Do nail strengtheners work?

Yes, according to nail artists, but you have to use them correctly so that the nail can absorb the nutrient. "Clean the nail with antibacterial soap, wipe it with alcohol to balance the pH level, then apply the nail strengthener," says Elle.

Does a nail strengthener help nails grow?

"Nail strengtheners promote growth because you have a well-sealed, hydrated nail," Elle explains. "Nails are just like a sponge—when a sponge is hard and dry, it cracks, which is the same as a nail without a proper manicure."

How often should you use a nail strengthener?

Elle suggests using a nail strengthener once per week and complementing it with a daily cuticle oil application to help keep the nails hydrated.

Can you put nail strengthener under gel polish?

Have a gel manicure in your future? Unfortunately, nail strengtheners (in polish form) can't be used under gel polish. "Regular polish and gel polish are two different services that do not interact together," says Elle. That said, if you're looking to boost the strength of your nails before you get gels, treat your nails for two weeks leading up to your service or opt for vitamins and the other forms of strengthening treatments listed above.

The 14 Best Nail Strengtheners of 2022

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There's no shortage of things that can contribute to dry, brittle, breaking nails. Maybe you peeled off a gel manicure (a major no-no, but let's be real, we've all done it). Perhaps it's the dead of winter, and your nails are just as flaky and peel-y as your hands. Maybe you've been sporting some type of polish, gel, or acrylics since the early 2000s and are finally going bare only to realize just how beat up your naked nails really are. Or it could be that you're simply getting older; yep, just like your skin and hair, your nails can also show signs of age.

Final Verdict

Our top choice is the Duri Rejuvacote 1, which contains two different proteins, calcium, and keratin to strengthen, stimulate growth, and remedy dryness and peeling. For an affordable pick you can snag at the drugstore, you can’t go wrong with the Sally Hansen Mega Strength Hardener.

Regardless, in all of these instances and more, a nail strengthener can come up huge. Infused with a host of essential vitamins, proteins, and other ingredients to help make nails harder and stronger, swiping on one of these is the easiest way to get your tips into tip-top shape. We did our research, read through hundreds of reviews, and tapped a nail expert to compile a list of the best options for healthier, stronger nails—and, therefore, better DIY manis.

Take your pick from the best nail strengtheners below, all of which are Byrdie editor-approved. Trust us, your nails will thank you.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

duri Rejuvacote 1 at Duri.com

Best Drugstore:

Sally Hansen Mega Strength Hardener at Amazon

Best Drugstore, Runner-Up:

Orly Nail Defense Nail Strengthener at Ulta

Best for Peeling Nails:

Nails Inc. Nailkale Base Coat at Amazon

Best for Natural Nails:

OPI Natural Nail Strengthener at Amazon

Best Kit:

Zoya Naked Manicure Starter Kit at Amazon

Best Polish:

Essie Treat Love & Color at Amazon

Best Base Coat:

Butter London Horse Power Nail Rescue Base Coat at Amazon

Best Base Coat, Runner-Up:

Dr.'s Remedy Enrich Nail Polish Hydration Nail Moisture Treatment at Amazon

Best for Nail Biters:

Barielle No Bite Pro Growth at Walmart

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Duri.com View On Walmart

What We Like

Dries quickly
Seals in moisture
Minimizes dryness

What We Don't Like

Might peel for some

When it comes to nail strengtheners, this one can't be beaten. The tag line for this product reads "from dying nails to nails to die for," and we couldn't agree more. We reach for it time and time again, whether to use it as a rehab treatment post gels, as a base coat, or whenever our nails are bare and looking kind of blah. (To that point, it works as a solo treatment, as well as base and topcoat.)

What makes this product so magical? Two different proteins plus added calcium and keratin, which work together to stimulate growth. The formula also effectively seals in the moisture and fatty acids naturally produced by your nail plate to minimize dryness and peeling.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, keratin | Dosage: Once per day for a week | Size: 0.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Amazon View On Walgreens

What We Like

Various colors to choose from
Great brush
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Might dry and streak for some

Sally Hansen pretty much owns the drugstore nail category, so it's no surprise that they offer a few different nail strengtheners. This one gets our vote, infused with a fortifying diamond powder to keep your tips extra strong. Bonus points for the extra-wide brush that makes application a breeze, as well as the wallet-friendly price.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, diamond powder | Dosage: Two coats | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta

View On Ulta View On Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Great brush
Affordable
Adds shine

What We Don't Like

May take some time to work

Affordable and effective, this is a protein-packed treatment that happy reviewers say helps their nails grow and not peel or split. It works as a base coat, although the extra shiny finish of this means it looks like you're wearing a clear polish if you do want to sport it solo. It also has the brand's special grippy brush that makes precise swiping a breeze.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, horsetail extract | Size: 0.6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Sephora

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Minimizes dryness
Adds shine
Promotes nail growth

What We Don't Like

Strong scent

This is the treatment of choice for Byrdie's editorial director, Faith Xue. True to its name, it does contain kale extract. Coupled with other antioxidant-rich botanical extracts plus strengthening keratin, the formula delivers five different benefits: hardening, hydrating, and nourishing nails, while also stimulating growth and preventing breakage. While it has a minty tint in the bottle, the base coat goes on clear, imparting nails with a healthy, glass-like sheen.

Active Ingredients: Butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, pomegranate extract | Dosage: Two coats three times per week | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta

What We Like

Dries quickly
Prevents staining and discoloration
Applies smoothly

What We Don't Like

Might peel for some
Strong scent

If you like to keep things simple, aren't sporting acrylics or lots of gels, and just want something to make your natural nails look that much better, try this guy, the go-to for Byrdie's senior social media editor Star Donaldson. Along with protecting nails to ensure long, strong growth, it also pulls double duty as a great base coat, preventing staining and discoloration while helping color adhere better.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, camphor | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Zoya.com

What We Like

Dries quickly
Applies smoothly
Shiny finish

What We Don't Like

Might peel for some
Strong scent

To create the look of truly healthy nails—no matter how beat up they might be—reach for this four-step system. Step one is a nutrient-packed base coat full of vitamins, proteins, and amino acids that keeps nails both strong and flexible to ward off peeling and breakage. Follow that with the pink perfector, applied all over to instantly brighten nails and the tip perfector along the free edge to enhance the white tip. A shine-enhancing top coat seals the deal for a result that makes it look like you're not wearing any polish at all—just that you have the most natural, gorgeous nails ever. It's no surprise that Byrdie's associate general manager Lindsey Metrus is a fan.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, sunflower oil | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Essie Treat Love & Color Nail Polish & Strengthener

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walgreens

What We Like

Applies smoothly
Various colors to choose from
Fast results

What We Don't Like

Might dry and streak for some

For some people, the idea of sporting bare nails is simply unfathomable. We get it, and that's why we love that Essie offers this nail treatment polish. It can decrease peeling by 60% and breakage by 35% in just one week; credit collagen and camellia extract. Not to mention that it comes in 32 different hues, all offering a sheer wash of gorgeous color along with these benefits. Plus, you don't even need a base or topcoat with it.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, collagen | Dosage: Daily for one week | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Butter London Horse Power Nail Rescue Basecoat

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Protects against future damage
Dries quickly
Shiny finish

What We Don't Like

Runny texture
Slow results

If you like to have your nails polished at all times, then you're probably wearing a base coat at all times. And if you're doing that, you might as well make it a base coat with benefits, like this guy. There are four key ingredients in the formula: horsetail extract and biotin to promote healthy growth, plus vitamin B and calcium. If your nails are on the struggle bus, this will for sure help transform them, but if they're already in good shape, this will help keep them that way.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, biotin | Dosage: One coat | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Dr. Remedy’s Enrich Nail Polish Hydration Nail Moisture Treatment

View On Amazon

What We Like

Dries quickly
Shiny finish
Hydrating

What We Don't Like

Might streak and peel for some

This effective formula, a favorite of celebrity nail artist Elle, relies on biotin, wheat protein, and pentavitin to help keep nails long and strong. "I use this as a base coat, especially during the cold winter months, to help seal moisture into my nails," she says.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, biotin | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

View On Walmart

What We Like

Prevents nail biting
Fragrance-free
Promotes nail growth

What We Don't Like

Bitter taste when eating finger food

For those who tend to nibble on their nails, this treatment is choice. While it goes on invisible and odorless, it has a nasty, bitter taste that will definitely discourage biting. It's also infused with ingredients to boost growth and strength, helping to transform your nails from bitten down and brittle to long and strong, all in one step.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, silica | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Pear Nova

View On Pearnova.com

What We Like

Affordable
Subtle tint makes nails look healthy
Minimizes dryness

What We Don't Like

Brush could be a little denser

The aloe vera in this formula makes this a nice option for combating dryness. But it's the (super subtle) pink hue that gets us excited about this pick. It's not color—to that point, this can easily be layered under polish in place of a base coat—but it's just enough to make your nails look healthy and almost glowy. Think of it as the nail equivalent of a tinted moisturizer.

Active Ingredients: Aloe | Size: 0.34 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Olive & June

View On Oliveandjune.com

What We Like

Addresses multiple nail issues
Easy to hold cap

What We Don't Like

Must be applied daily for best results

If your nails have breakage, peeling, white spots, or ridges, reach for this guy. Credit a variety of plant-based extracts, including celery seed extract, that help strengthen nails—up to a 77% increase in nail strength, according to the brand.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, celery seed extract | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Ella + Mila First Aid Kiss Nail Strengthener

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta

What We Like

17-free
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Slow results

You've likely heard of 5-free and 7-free and even 8-free polishes. Buckle up because this formula is, wait for it, 17-free. Yes, you read that correctly. It contains good-for-your-tips vitamin E and is great for weak, thin, and splitting nails. FYI, it's best when used for four weeks, which can feel a bit tedious, though the results are worth it.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy: Ulta

View On Ulta View On Riteaid.com

What We Like

Can use on skin and nails
No dry time

What We Don't Like

Can't use as a base coat

Think of this as a cuticle oil-nail strengthener hybrid. The base is jojoba and sweet almond oils, both of which impart tons of moisture not only to the nail but to the surrounding skin, too. But unlike a cuticle oil, there's protein-rich keratin in the mix to help bolster the strength of the nail. All you have to do is swipe it on (truly, as haphazardly as you want since you can't mess this up) and rub it into the nail and entire nail area. Do so daily and prepare to be amazed by how much better your nails look.

Active Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, keratin | Size: 0.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

If your tips require a little extra TLC, using a nail strengthener weekly is a great idea. The Duri Rejuvacote 1 is our favorite and can be used on its own or as a base and topcoat. Both the Sally Hansen Mega Strength Hardener and the Orly Nail Defense Nail Strengthener are top drugstore buys, while the Essie Treat Love & Color is ideal for those who want to bolster their nails but still keep them polished.

What to Look For in a Nail Strengthener

Clinically-tested Products

According to Elle, this is one product category where many products make lots of promises without any hard evidence to back up those claims. Do your research to see which companies have tested their products. It's the best way to know if you're getting something that contains key ingredients and is going to work, she says.

Proteins

To the ingredients point, it's ideal to seek out proteins in any nail strengthener (keratin, wheat protein, etc.) since your nails are primarily made of protein.

Biotin

Biotin is another tried-and-true nail enhancing ingredient, great for helping to promote healthy nail growth.

FAQ

Do nail strengtheners work?

Yes, according to nail artists, but you have to use them correctly so that the nail can absorb the nutrient. "Clean the nail with antibacterial soap, wipe it with alcohol to balance the pH level, then apply the nail strengthener," says Elle.
Does a nail strengthener help nails grow?

"Nail strengtheners promote growth because you have a well-sealed, hydrated nail," Elle explains. "Nails are just like a sponge—when a sponge is hard and dry, it cracks, which is the same as a nail without a proper manicure."
How often should you use a nail strengthener?

Elle suggests using a nail strengthener once per week and complementing it with a daily cuticle oil application to help keep the nails hydrated.
Can you put nail strengthener under gel polish?

Have a gel manicure in your future? Unfortunately, nail strengtheners (in polish form) can't be used under gel polish. "Regular polish and gel polish are two different services that do not interact together," says Elle. That said, if you're looking to boost the strength of your nails before you get gels, treat your nails for two weeks leading up to your service or opt for vitamins and the other forms of strengthening treatments listed above.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While she is extremely incapable of giving herself a manicure, she is good at swiping on a nail strengthener and does so regularly to keep her nails healthy and strong (because nothing irks her more than a broken nail). Her favorite from this list? Duri Rejuvacote.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough nail strengtheners from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

Yes, Cuticles Need Moisture Too—Here Are the Best Cuticle Creams to Use

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