Soft, dull, brittle or ridged nails... When they look lackluster, it’s often due to external stress or an internal imbalance. And if your Gel Polish isn’t lasting as it should, it’s a clear sign it’s time to give your nails some extra care! With a bit of attention and the right habits, your nails can quickly bounce back to full radiance. Here’s how.
Why Are Your Nails Fragile?
Before trying to strengthen them, it helps to understand what’s causing the issue. Knowing the root cause is already half the battle! The health of your nails depends as much on your lifestyle and overall well-being as it does on your environment. So what’s behind these little signs of weakness?
The impact of your environment on your nails
Did you know your nails are made up of 90% keratin? This natural protein, produced by the nail matrix (also found in your hair and skin), acts as a protective shield. But this barrier isn’t invincible, and everyday life doesn’t always go easy on it.
Climate and seasons
As the seasons change, your nails go through a lot. Between dry, cold air in winter and heat and sun exposure in summer, they’re exposed to major shifts in temperature and humidity. This puts a strain on the keratin, leading to dehydration and breakage. They need a little help adjusting... SOS, please!
Water and household products
Nails aren’t waterproof. Repeated exposure to water, harsh cleaning products or aggressive chemicals weakens them, leading to classic issues like splitting or soft nails. Remember to wear protective gloves or switch to gentler, more natural cleaning options. Your hands (and your manicures) will thank you.
Bad habits
From biting your nails to back to back Gel Polish or extensions, filing too harshly or using your nails as tools, we’ve all been there! But these habits impact the nail matrix and can interfere with healthy nail growth.
Temperature swings can really take a toll on your nails.
Healthy nails also come from within. Tiredness, nutritional deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals or hormonal imbalances can all slow nail growth and weaken their structure.
Fatigue and stress
When your body is worn out, it prioritizes vital functions. That often shows in the form of tired skin, lackluster hair, and yes, weakened nails.
Nutritional deficiencies
It’s easy to overlook, but a poor or unbalanced diet can really impact your nails. Lacking iron, minerals like zinc or calcium, or vitamins B (especially B8 or biotin, key for keratin production) and C, often shows up as ridged, soft or split nails.
Hormonal imbalances
Certain age-related changes or health conditions can reduce keratin production and affect nail growth.
👉 The bottom line? Caring for your nails is also a way to take care of yourself. So why wait? It’s time to get started!
Looking after your nails is also looking after your overall wellbeing.
How to Strengthen Nails Effectively
To bring back strong, resilient nails, it’s essential to support them from the outside and the inside. This means adopting the right nail care routine and looking after your general well-being too.
Strengthening the nail plate
The nail plate is the visible, hard part of your nail that you usually file, polish or paint with your favorite polish. Although it seems tough, it still needs gentle care. A regular, gentle routine will help keep it in top shape. Here's how:
Hydrate and nourish between color applications
After removing polish (always with a gentle, acetone-free remover!), apply Green Oil. Made with six plant oils, it deeply nourishes both the nail plate and cuticles, leaving your nails supple, glossy and healthy-looking. Take a moment to gently massage it in (cuticles included) until fully absorbed. It’s soothing, effective and can be used daily for best results.
Boost keratin production
The Keratine Booster is a targeted treatment enriched with plant-based keratin and strengthening actives. This nail strengthener densifies the nail plate and encourages keratin synthesis directly at the nail matrix.
👉The result? Harder, more resilient nails in just a few days when you apply Keratine Booster to bare nails 1 to 3 times a day for no more than 5 to 7 days.
Keratine Booster + Green Oil: the expert duo for a reinforced nail plate and stronger nails.
Protect with a nail-friendly manicure routine
Try not to apply Gel Polish too often, and always go for vegan and bio-based formulas like Green™ and Green Flash™ which are easy to remove and won’t damage your nails.
Another great option: the Active Bright treatment polish, which strengthens and deeply repairs while giving nails a luminous pearly-white sheen. With 80% bio-based ingredients and natural lemon extract, it acts like an invisible shield to protect against external stress.
Protect and enhance with gentle makeup and care products that respect your nails.
Strengthen nails naturally
If you prefer a DIY approach, you can also strengthen your nails naturally by massaging in the following:
-
A few drops of plant oils rich in essential fatty acids like castor oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil or argan oil.
-
A few drops of essential oils (mixed with a base oil), like lemon essential oil for shine and strength or lavender essential oil for its restorative properties.
-
A splash of fresh lemon juice, known to boost blood circulation, can also restore strength and brightness naturally.
To truly strengthen your nails for the long haul, you need to understand what weakens them and how they work. To go even further, use our free online nail diagnosis tool to identify your nail type. That way, you’ll have everything you need to set up a tailored nail care routine for naturally strong, glowing nails ✨💪
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to strengthen nails?
With a suitable routine, you can see a real improvement in 3 to 4 weeks. The key? Proper hydration using Green Oil and a strengthening treatment like Keratine Booster that densifies the plate and kickstarts keratin production. Add in a balanced diet and a gentle manicure routine and your nails will soon be stronger, shinier and more resistant, no compromises.
Is diet alone enough to strengthen nails?
Diet plays a crucial role, but it’s not enough on its own. For truly strong nails, combine a biotin, zinc and amino acid-rich diet with targeted nail care. A course of Nail Boost supplements can enhance the results. Internal nourishment and external protection together make the ultimate combo for happy, healthy nails.
Is a strengthening polish enough?
A strengthening polish is a great starting point, but it’s not the full picture. The Active™ Bright care polish offers both a hardening and brightening effect. For best results, combine it with other steps in your routine: regular cuticle care to protect the matrix, daily use of a hydrating product like Green Oil and a short course of Keratine Booster to stimulate keratin. These steps, alongside a strengthening polish like Active™ Bright, make up a complete routine for visibly stronger nails.
