12 Best Nail Strengtheners for Weak, Brittle Nails

In my humble opinion, this nail treatment is a huge nail innovation. From one of the founders of Olaplex, ePhD brought the bonding technology found in hair products into the nail space. This serum nail strengthener absorbs quickly into nails and instantly makes them look great and over time feel stronger. There are only two ingredients (both are vegan). Plus, it can be used under nail polish or gel manicures to keep your nails strong.

The 3-step nail system, created by a dermatologist, includes a glycolic acid exfoliator, a buffing wand, and a hydrating serum that work together to improve the appearance of brittle nails. A study done by the brand showed consumers saw smoother nails after one application and less peeling, as well as brighter nails after two weeks of use. It's a bit pricier than other picks on this list, but you only need to apply the products in this set once a week and the impressive results make this worth the extra bucks.

The key to keeping brittle nails strong is to keep them hydrated with an efficacious hand cream, like this GH Beauty Lab test-winning formula from Eucerin, containing key ingredients like urea and lactic acid. This nourishing cream contains both and was the best hand cream in our recent study, increasing skin hydration by 51% over six hours. "It has a good texture, absorbs well, and helped with my cuticles," one tester commented.

It may look like a polish, but Orly's treatment claims to strengthen nails with collagen, wheat protein, keratin, and bamboo extract while imparting a sheer pink tint to nails. "Orly makes my nails stronger without making them brittle and too hard," one panelist commented. Apply one to two coats daily and remove completely after seven days for best results.

Not only does this varnish include film formers to give the effect of stronger nails, but it's also tinted to conceal discoloration. I like using the Raspberry tint because it instantly makes my nails look shiny and healthier without looking like polish, but it's now available in multiple tints to choose from. The formula contains raspberry extract, sweet almond oil, AHAs, and lactobacillus ferment to help nourish and brighten dull nails.

This two-step kit includes a nail serum and a base coat that work together to improve the overall appearance of peeling nails. The serum first conditions nails with ingredients like plant-based oils and extracts while the base coat, applied on top of the serum once it's absorbed, gives nails strength.

Essie's double-duty formula is a strengthening base coat, meant to be applied under your nail lacquer. "I like it because it is a 2-in-1 product that combines strengthening benefits along with my base coat, so I don’t need a separate step," one panelist commented. If using it solo, the brand recommends applying two coats.

This nail treatment from Dermelect contains film-forming polymers to seal nails against damage and light pink pigment to conceal any discoloration. “It adds a sheer wash of color while helping my nails,” one panelist commented. The product claims to “replenish hydration to dry, brittle nails” with pentavitin (saccharide isomerate), a plant-derived carbohydrate complex that is typically found in many hair and skin products for its moisturizing properties. Here, pentavitin serves to moisturize the nails.

Hard As Hoof is a favorite multitasker among our panelists for leaving hands feeling soft and supple and nails feeling stronger. With a blend of hydrating ingredients like glycerin, urea, and jojoba oil and purported strengthening ingredients like silk and calcium, this cream "strengthens and moisturizes," one panelist commented. For best results, apply three times a day to keep hands and nails quenched.

Unlike other strengtheners, ella + mila is scented with a sweet fragrance that has notes of watermelon and the formula “lasts longer than others," a panelist commented. This product does require a four-week commitment for best results, applied once per week for two weeks and then increased to every three days for another two weeks.