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Back in November, HuffPost asked board-certified dermatologists the question: “How can I turn back time on my thin, brittle and aging nails?” Their recommendations included a fruitful selection of nail conditioners, serums, oils and creams. One product in particular stood out above the rest due to its promise to deliver noticeably stronger nails in just three days. The $5 price tag doesn’t hurt too much either.
The Nail-Aid keratin treatment is a clear and non-toxic top-coat that harnesses the power of keratin amino acids. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian at Hudson Dermatology & Laser in New York City previously explained that topical keratin applications like this one can be helpful in improving the strength of brittle nails since that’s the protein that provides structural support and protection to nails in the first place.
The quick-drying and low-maintenance formula was very well-received among reviewers who corroborated the brand’s claims that the treatment offers visible improvement in nails that are peeling, weak and ridged. In just days, nails appeared stronger and, over time, were able to grow longer than ever before.
Reviewers also reminded us that thin nails are more than a cosmetic concern. They can also be incredibly painful.
“I have invested in so many nail products promising to stop chipping and peeling nails and overtime. I’m sure these products would work fine but [my] number one issue was the pain associated with such a thin nail bed,” one Amazon reviewer wrote.
“I was so close to going back to getting my nails done [with shellac] and [I] came across this product and thought for such a low price point I have nothing to lose. Literally with the first application my nail pain disappeared.”
To use, just brush on two coats of the quick-drying polish onto nail beds, while letting each layer dry before you apply the next one. The solution will dry down to an ultra-hard and protective finish then, just repeat the process every three days.
The Nail-Aid can also be used to help extend the life of regular manicures when applied beneath nail polish because it can prevent chipping and splitting.
Just ahead, see what others have to say about this $5 keratin treatment that currently has nearly 36,000 5-stars on Amazon, or grab yourself a bottle from he retailer instead.
Promising Amazon reviews:
“For the past five years, I’ve been dealing with peeling and splitting nails, and I had tried every product and every lotion to try to stop it. I was taking collagen supplements every day and nothing was helping. I came across this and thought it was worth a shot. I used it as instructed, and would add another layer every day or two. Once I started seeing it peeling around the edges of my nail, I would remove it all with gentle nail polish remover and start again. I no longer have any peeling or splitting and I’m thrilled. I did try it with a couple layers underneath a layer of nail polish and that worked fine too.” — Kathy Willett
“I needed a break from gel manicures because my nails were becoming paper. I tried a bunch of other products that were meant to harden the nails, but the product always chipped or did not make much of a difference in general. This product is basically a base coat. I apply two coats and then two coats of my nail polish. Within a few days to a week I noticed a difference in my fingernails and how strong they felt. I had to cut my nails a few times to grow out the part that was weakened by gel. I am now about two months out from using this product, and my nails are extremely hard and grow very fast. I don’t even want to go back to gel. It’s a great product. It’s worth the money, get it if you’re trying to strengthen and grow your natural nails.” — Ashley
“I was dealing with extremely brittle, peeling nails for the better part of a year. I give myself weekly manicures, and after wearing polish every single day for a year and a half, my nails were very dried out and damaged. Despite keeping them oiled and not using them as tools, my nails just kept getting worse and the tips were peeling like crazy. I kept seeing people talking about this product in nail care groups on social media, so I figured I’d give it shot. Even if it didn’t work, it was cheap enough to try. I use it as the first coat of my manicure, followed by a rubberized base coat, lacquer, and top coat. After a couple weeks, I noticed a significant improvement in my nails. The peeling, which was the biggest issue, had drastically decreased. It’s now been a couple months and my nails barely peel at all. A tiny bit may peel when I do my weekly polish change, but it’s nothing compared to how badly they peeled before. An added benefit that one noticed is that my manicures last a lot longer now. Because I use regular lacquer, I used to get chips after a few days but with this as my base coat, my manis last the full week before I change the polish. I feel like I could probably stretch them to two weeks but I get too antsy to change colors.
If you’re having issues with weak/brittle/peeling nails or with the longevity of your at-home manicures, try this stuff! It works!” — Lindsey“This absolutely does work! My entire life I have had the worst nails that split , peel and bend. I work daily with my hands in water. I have had to wear acrylics, dips etc because it was painful when my nails ripped into my skin. I started using this as directed for over a month and saw results as my nails grew out. You need to use as directed!! I can now get a no chip manicure and apply this over and my no chips easily last 3 weeks . No chips did not work for me previously because I needed something harder and stronger. The best hands down!” — Private
Check out other products that dermatologists recommended for turning back time on aging nails.
Double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp suggested this reparative nail conditioner for its lanolin-rich base and beeswax-containing formula, which claims to promote the growth of healthy, smooth nails.
“Lanolin helps soften nails by helping to restore moisture, which can make nails more pliable and durable so that they chip and crack less often,” Camp said.
He explained that rich emollients help improve the texture of nails and the skin around nails by filling in gaps or cracks in skin and improving moisture retention.
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian, just as peptides can boost collagen production in the skin to improve elasticity and plumpness, they can add resiliency to nails. That’s one of the reasons she likes this peptide-infused base coat by Dermelect, which applies and wears like a clear nail polish. Mian said that she also likes how it contains biotin and hydrolyzed keratin, which can all help to prevent nail yellowing and fortify the nail structure, allowing the nail to grow longer without breaking.
Also from Nail-Aid is this maximum collagen builder that we chose based on Mian’s suggestion that, although more research is needed to support evidence of oral collagen, topical collagen can prove to be helpful when it comes to improving the look and feel of nails. This clear polish prevents splitting and cracking while also providing a thick, extra-hard coating for nails and an ultra-healthy shine that lasts up to two weeks.
Both Camp and Mian suggested this clinical-grade nail and cuticle serum that targets virtually all signs of nail aging, from dryness to fragility to irregular texture.
“It has castor oil, triglycerides, and hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, which is great for increasing hydration and strength of nails,” Mian said.
According to Camp, the keratin-supporting formula, easily dispensed and applied with a brush-tipped pen, increases nail density and thickness. The serum’s maker also claims that silanediol salicylate promotes the production of one of the most predominant minerals in the nail.
“Occlusive agents like petrolatum and paraffin trap moisture into nails and fingertips to soften them and make nails more pliant,” Camp said, suggesting this multi-purpose healing ointment that he said can be used just like cuticle butter to improve hydration and reduce the risk of hangnails.
This skin protectant from Cetaphil isn’t unlike more well-known ointments like Vaseline or Aquaphor, however it’s also enriched with antioxidant-rich vitamin E to promote resilience, as well as shea butter, an ingredient that Camp recommends for its ability to help improve the texture of nails through better moisture retention.
“The beeswax in this product envelops the nails, cuticles, and hands in an occlusive layer of protection to seal in moisture to improve texture and prevent dryness,” Camp said of Cutemol’s emollient skin cream that offers an intense level of hydration to severely dry, cracked and compromised skin. The lightweight balm also contains allantoin, an ingredient that can enhance smoothness and soothe skin.
“Oils with fatty acids like jojoba oil can help combat the dry and brittleness of nails, increasing nail hydration,” Mian said. We’ve talked about this incredibly popular nail and cuticle care oil before, which doesn’t just contain jojoba, but also conditioning sweet almond oil, rice bran oil and vitamin E, an antioxidant that’s commonly found in skin care for its ability to prevent premature skin aging by neutralizing environmental stressors.
Promising review: “As I got older my nails started to split from the tip to the nail bed. Growing up I never had this problem and I missed having natural long nails. I started coating my nails with the product at night while watching TV. The results were pretty quick. I have not had a split nail since I started using the product. My only complaint is that it doesn’t come with an applicator. I used a small cheap paint brush I had at home. There really isn’t a scent to the product either, which I like. I will continue to use the product every couple of days now that the nails no longer split.” — GigiKDK
Among Camp’s top ingredients for targeting aging nails are shea butter and glycerin, a dermatologist-approved humectant that draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there. We found this hand and nail cream by French beauty brand Embryolisse, which contains both. The nourishing and reparative formula claims to soften, moisturize and protect.
“One of my favorite practices as part of my self care Sunday is rubbing coconut oil into my nails,” Mian said. “Coconut oil, while not great for facial skin, [has a] rich fatty acid profile [that] is great for hair and nails.”
We chose this extra-virgin coconut oil which is cold pressed, unrefined and a best seller on Amazon with over 87,100 5-star ratings and 4.7 out of 5 stars.
“Biotin is a vitamin crucial for nail health, and supplements can help maintain strength of the nail,” Mian said.
There are tons of biotin supplements on the market to choose from, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Purvisha Patel suggested Nutrafol specifically. The women’s balance formulation features a proprietary blend of 21 vitamins and minerals, including biotin, and natural ingredients like saw palmetto.
This bottle contains a 30-day supply of capsules and, as is the case with all supplements, it’s important to seek guidance from your medical health care professional before taking Nutrafol.