I Took a Break From Gel Manicures—These Nail Strengtheners Made the Biggest Difference
From serums and oils to base coats, experts weigh in on the best nail strengtheners by Essie, Isdin, and more to restore weak, brittle nails to their former glory.
If you’ve spent years getting your nails done every two weeks, there may come a day when you take the gel off, get off the hamster wheel, and realize your nails are suddenly thin, fragile, and prone to breakage at the slightest touch.
Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. When I started transitioning out of gel manis, it seemed my nails would snap at any given moment—during a workout class, carrying groceries, searching for something in my bag. Without my habitual manicure appointment, I turned into a walking “my nail broke” meme—in constant search of Band-Aids to safeguard against further damage. The confusing part was that my nails had finally grown to a nice length; they apparently just weren’t strong enough to hold up without a gel coat on top. Frustrated and discouraged, I figured testing a nail strengthener or two wouldn’t hurt.
According to board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD nail strengtheners should be viewed as supportive maintenance rather than a permanent fix. “Brittle nails are often multifactorial and can be linked to frequent hand washing, acetone exposure, trauma from gels or acrylics, aging, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis,” she explains. She adds that continued gel use can delay visible improvement.
“Self-care for nails is a must, especially if you’re exposed to the elements or work frequently with your hands,” board-certified dermatologist Alicia Zalka, MD says, to combat the micro-stressors that make nails brittle and weak.
When choosing a strengthener, Dr. Shirazi advises avoiding overuse of hardening agents, particularly formaldehyde-based resins, which can make nails overly rigid and more prone to cracking or irritation. Instead, she recommends formulas that balance strengthening with conditioning ingredients, used consistently but not indefinitely. Healthy nail habits still matter most, including minimizing prolonged water exposure, moisturizing cuticles, and taking breaks from aggressive manicures.
Whether you’re stepping away from gels for cost, recovery, or a reset, targeted treatments can help support the process. Below, experts weigh in on six beloved nail-health products, including strengthening serums, base coats, and primers. We also answer common questions, including what actually helps nails grow, whether nail strengtheners really work (spoiler: they do), and what to look for when choosing one.
Yes—but all of our experts agree that it depends on the condition of the nails and the ingredients in the formula. Choi explains, “Nail strengtheners help prevent breakage and protect nails from damage, but it’s important to understand that strengthening weak nails is a gradual process requiring consistent application.”
It’s also important to distinguish nail strengtheners from nail hardeners. Spearman clarifies that while nail strengtheners work to improve the nail from within, nail hardeners simply create a protective coating on the surface.
Zalka categorizes nail strengtheners into two types: replenishing products and protective products. Replenishing products, such as serums and oils, help restore moisture to the nails and surrounding skin, addressing dryness and brittleness. Protective products, like base coats or layered applications, act as a coat of armor, sealing the nail to prevent breakage and damage.
Spearman emphasizes that nutrition, hydration, proper care, and minimizing damage are key factors in promoting nail growth. Deficiencies in biotin, protein, iron, vitamin C, and zinc can slow growth, so supplementation may help if your diet is lacking. Like skin, nails need moisture—using cuticle oils, hand creams, or natural oils like olive and coconut oil can keep them hydrated and prevent brittleness. Proper nail care is also essential, which means avoiding overfiling, pushing cuticles back instead of cutting them, and wearing gloves when cleaning to protect against harsh chemicals. Lastly, minimizing stress and trauma—like using nails as tools or repetitive movements such as typing—can help prevent unnecessary damage.
Shirazi adds that genetics and age also play a role in nail growth, meaning that while we can optimize nail health, growth rates will still vary: “Sometimes, the best treatment is simply leaving them alone—frequent gel applications, excessive filing, and constant polish removal can weaken nails over time.”
Zalka explains that nails are made of keratin, just like hair, and grow from the nail matrix, located under the cuticle: “Much like split ends in hair, ridges or texture irregularities in nails signal damage. Keeping nails moisturized and protected from UV exposure is just as important as it is for your skin and hair.”
Choi explains that the most effective nail strengtheners contain a combination of key ingredients that target nail health and resilience. Hydrolyzed keratin reinforces the nail’s structure, while biotin boosts keratin production for overall strength. Calcium and peptides improve flexibility and reduce brittleness, while antioxidants like green tea extract and vitamin E can help protect nails from environmental damage and promote healthy growth.
Spearman adds that ease of use is just as important—a simple, convenient application increases compliance and ensures consistent use. Look for hydrating and nourishing ingredients, as well as quick-absorbing, nongreasy formulas that make daily application effortless. A clear or subtly tinted option is ideal for those with workplace restrictions on nail polish.
Choosing the right type of nail strengthener—whether a base coat, top coat, serum, oil, or polish with built-in strengthening properties—is key to meeting individual nail-care needs. It’s also best to avoid ingredients that may weaken nails over time, such as formaldehyde, commonly found in nail hardeners, which can cause brittleness; toluene, which is drying and poses potential health risks; camphor, which dehydrates nails; and parabens, which can act as allergens and hormone disruptors.
How long does it take to see results in nail strengtheners?
With consistent use, you can expect to see stronger, healthier nails within two to four weeks, says Choi. Achieving full results typically takes six to eight weeks, depending on your nails’ initial condition and how often you apply the strengthener.
Zalka notes that fingernails grow about 3.47 mm per month (or 0.1 mm per day) and tend to grow slower in winter and with age. While noticeable length growth may take a few weeks, improvements in nail plate appearance, smoothness, and surrounding skin softness can often be seen within a week, she adds.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue's vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry's standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to nail strengtheners, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, application type, frequency of application, finish, and the nail-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here.
