Simple At Home Nail Care Tips

It’s winter and that means dry skin and brittle nails. Think you need regular visits to the expensive nail salon to maintain gorgeous, healthy nails? Think again: all it takes are some good habits, nutritious foods, and a couple great care products you can use at home, in any season.

Our nails are essentially an extension of our skin, and, like our skin and hair, they’re an indicator of our internal health. The amount of water we drink and the foods we eat affect the appearance and condition of our nails, skin, and hair, along with other factors like stress and environmental pollutants. Therefore, in order to have healthy nails, we need to eat well and drink plenty of fluids.

This means a diet that includes plenty of vegetables and fruits. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories our bodies need for proper maintenance and to fight off free radicals and chronic inflammation. Nails also specifically benefit from protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, B & C, zinc, iron, and calcium. It’s best to eat foods containing these components for proper use and absorption, but supplements will do, if necessary. And drink plenty of water throughout the day to hydrate from the inside out.

Speaking of hydration, nails benefit from topical treatment as well. When using a moisturizer, be sure to rub the product into your nails and cuticles, too. Let it absorb. What’s even better is using a formula that is made for cuticles – a part of hand and nail care that is often ignored. Cuticles are there to protect your nail bed from bacteria and infection, so avoid having them cut and removed. Instead, try part of the latest Grown Alchemist skin care products line called Cuticle Oil with Hypericum Extract, Neem, Borage. It is an oil used to repair nails and cuticles and to soften the latter. It is rich in fatty acids plus it reduces fine lines around the nails. Gently push cuticles back if you’re applying color.

When picking a nail polish, try to avoid harsh chemicals. Nail color can have some nasty ingredients in it, especially the cheaper brands. Watch out for: formaldehyde, camphor, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl and diethyl phthalates. Water-based polishes tend to be safer, but you’ll be sacrificing a longer wear. Remove polish with acetone-free remover.

Purchase a nail care kit with a quality file and clippers. And unless you’re going for world record nail growth (yikes!), you should cut them regularly, otherwise they risk getting snagged, bent, and broken more often. Then you’ll have to cut them all down so they’re equal length.

Soak clean and bare nails in warm to hot water (not scalding) for a minute before cutting to soften and straighten them out. They’ll be easier to cut evenly. Then use the file to gently shape the edges from rounded off squares to curved, depending on your preference.

Apply moisturizer and cuticle oil and let them soak in. Then apply polish or leave them bare if you prefer. The right nutrients, water, and moisturizing care products should be enough to protect them but adding a clear coat for extra strength and protection is wise even if you don’t want a colored shade.