Table of Contents
Introduction
There is more to the nails than just aesthetics; healthy nails depict your overall well-being. Healthy nails are strong, resilient, and hydrated. Dry, brittle nails are prone to breakage and can result from several factors like poor nutrition, improper nail care, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Developing dry and brittle nails is quite common as you might focus more on your skin and hair health, neglecting your nail health. So, in this article, we will look into the causes of dry nails, the importance of nail hydration, and the best ways to moisturize your nails.
What Causes Dry Nails?
Just like skin and hair, nails require moisture to remain healthy and strong. Frequent use of harsh chemicals, repeated exposure to water, dry environments, and certain foods and drinks, like coffee and alcohol, can strip the nails of their moisture, making them dry and brittle.
- Frequent Handwashing: While washing the hands is essential for maintaining our personal hygiene, constantly exposing them to water can dry the nails out, making the nails prone to breakage.
- Use of Harsh Chemicals: Frequent use of harsh soaps and chemicals can strip away moisture from the nails. Also, frequent pedicures and manicure sessions can cause the nails to become dry due to exposure to the UV machine and the presence of acetone and other chemicals in nail polish and removers. Studies have shown that.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Being deficient in essential nutrients needed for healthy nails, like biotin, Vitamin E, iron, and other nutrients, can make the nails dry and prone to breakage.
- Environmental Factors: Low humidity and cold environments contribute to dry nails.
- Aging: As we age, our nails will begin to lose the essential nutrients and moisture necessary for maintaining healthy and hydrated nails.
- Health Conditions: Some conditions like thyroid disorders, eczema, psoriasis, and even fungal infections can affect the nails by making them dry and brittle.
Why Nail Hydration is Important
Hydrated nails are essential as they prevent the nails from drying out and breaking easily, maintaining the overall nail health. Nail hydration is necessary due to the following reasons:
- It prevents breakage and brittleness.
- It promotes nail flexibility and resilience, reducing the risk of splitting.
- It supports healthy nail growth.
- It improves the nail appearance by making them smooth and glossy.
Top Tips to Hydrate Nails
Dry, brittle nails can be a sign of dehydration and nutrient deficiency. Proper hydration is key to keeping your nails strong and healthy. Here are the top tips to hydrate nails and prevent breakage for smooth, resilient nails.
1. Use Cuticle Oil Regularly
Cuticle oil is essential for nail hydration. It is made from a combination of natural and best oils for hydration, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, etc.
- Coconut oil: For deep hydration.
- Jojoba oil: It mimics the skin’s natural oils and penetrates deeply.
- Vitamin E oil: A powerful antioxidant that locks in moisture.
Recommend products:
- CND Solar Oil: This product is infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E for deep hydration.
- OPI Prosper Nail & Cuticle Oil contains grape seed and kukui oils that are good for healthy nails.
- Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil: It hydrates and nourishes the cuticle
- Cuccio Cuticle Oil: This cuticle oil rejuvenates damaged and thin nails.
How to use cuticle oils:
- Apply little drops of the oil onto each nail.
- Massage gently into the cuticles and into the skin surrounding the nails.
NB: Cuticle oils can be used daily, before bed, to maintain hydrated and healthy nails. It can also be used before your manicure and pedicure sessions to act as a protective barrier between the nails and harmful chemicals.
2. Apply a Nail Hydrating Cream
Nail hydrating creams are formulated to hydrate and strengthen dry, brittle nails. Applying nail hydrating creams as part of your nail care routine will make your nails remain hydrated and healthy.
To hydrate your nails with creams, you can go for natural ingredients or products that contribute to nail hydration and growth.
Natural ingredients for hydration:
- Shea butter: It is rich in fatty acids that moisturize the nails deeply.
- Glycerin: Glycerin from natural sources can be used to keep the nails hydrated as it draws moisture to the nail bed.
- Aloe vera: It hydrates and soothes irritated the nails.
Recommended products:
- Onyx Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream: It is infused with vitamins and minerals that strengthen and condition the nails.
- Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream: It contains lemon, tocopherol, and rosemary for deep hydration.
- O’Keeffe’s Working Hand Cream: This hydrates hands and nails well.
How to use nail creams:
- Apply the cream daily on your nails and hands, especially after each handwashing.
3. Soak Nails in Natural Oils
Natural oils are essential for keeping the nails hydrated and free from breakage. Soaking the nails weekly in natural oils keeps them hydrated and free from oxidative damage. You can use vitamin E oil, Argan oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, tea tree oil, and coconut oil for your routine soaks in order to achieve healthy and hydrated nails.
Recommended products:
- The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
- Handcraft Blends 100% Pure Castor Oil
- NOW Solutions Olive Oil
How to soak:
- Warm a small bowl of oil.
- Allow it to cool down to your desired temperature.
- Soak nails (fingers and toes) for 10-15 minutes each.
- After about 15 minutes, gently massage the oil into the nails and cuticles.
4. Stay Hydrated Internally
Just like the skin, the nails need enough hydration to thrive. To achieve this, drink enough to meet your daily recommended intake, which depends on sex, age, weight, activity status, temperature, and humidity levels. You can also stay hydrated internally by eating water-rich foods like:
- Cucumber
- Watermelon
- Oranges
- Celery
Additionally, you can eat foods rich in biotin, omega-3s, and vitamin E, as they hydrate the nails from within.
Recommended supplements:
- Nature’s Bounty Biotin Supplement 1000 micrograms: This product supports healthy nail growth.
- Nordic Natural Ultimate Omega: This high-quality supplement contains omega-3 fatty acids for nail hydration.
- Solgar Vitamin E It helps protect the news from dryness and damage.
NB:
- Do not exceed your daily recommended intake of water to avoid water toxicity.
- Consult your doctor before you begin to take any supplement.
5. Wear Gloves When Cleaning
Harsh soaps, cleaning products and excessive exposure of the nails to water can weaken the nails, making them prone to splitting and breaking. But by wearing protective gloves while cleaning, doing the dishes, laundry, or gardening, you can keep your nails safe from these irritants.
Recommended products:
- Casabella Premium Waterblock Gloves
- Mr. Clean Bliss Gloves
- Playtex Living Reusable Rubber Gloves
These waterproof gloves protect the nails from being exposed to harmful chemicals and water, keeping them safe from dryness and breakage.
Best Natural Remedies to Hydrate Nails
You can try these natural remedies at home for nail hydration:
- Use aloe vera gel to soothe and hydrate nails and cuticles.
- Eat foods and fruits rich in water, biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E.
- You can soak your nails in milk and honey. Lactic acid in milk exfoliates while honey locks in moisture for hydration.
- Incorporate oil massages into your mail care routine.
- Try DIY recipes for nail masks.
DIY to Hydrate Nails
This DIY hydrating nail mask recipe gives your nails the moisture they crave! Packed with nourishing ingredients, these simple at-home treatments help strengthen brittle nails, restore hydration, and promote healthier growth.
Avocado and oil nail mask
Ingredients:
- 1 mashed avocado
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
How to prepare
- Mix the mashed avocado and olive oil into a smooth paste.
- Apply the mixture to the nails and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and apply any cuticle oil.
Weekly Hydration Routine
Practicing the best nail care routines involves this weekly routine:
Step 1: Nail soaking:
- Once or twice a week, soak your nails in warm olive, coconut, Argan, vitamin E, or almond oil or recommended oils for about 10-15 minutes for deep nourishment and hydration
Step 2: Gentle exfoliate cuticles:
- Use a mild scrub or sugar and honey scrub to remove dead skin around the nails and improve the absorption of moisturizers.
DIY Scrub Recipe:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Massage into cuticles and rinse with warm water.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is important because hydrated nails are stronger, resilient, and less likely to break or split. Additionally, hydrated nails look better in appearance, as they look healthier and shinier.
Ideally, you should apply your nail creams and cuticle oil 1-2 times a day, and more if you expose your nails to water (apply your hand or nail cream each time you wash your hands). Oil soaks and hydrating nails should be done weekly as they help boost moisture retention, and thus promotes hydration.
Yes, when your body lacks water, nails can become dry, brittle and prone to splitting. While you stay hydrated internally by taking food and fruits rich in water, using topical products for hydration.
Final Thoughts for You
Keeping your nails hydrated is important for maintaining their strength, flexibility, and overall appearance. By following the right hydration tips you can prevent dryness and breakage.
- Wang, M. (2023). Cuticle oil: Benefits and when to use it.
- Minina, D. (2024). 5 Must-have ingredients for strong, healthy nails (and why they work). Maxus Beauty.
- Faizan, U. and Rouster, A.S. (2025). Nutrition and hydration requirements in children and adults.
- Peechakara, B.V. and Gupta, M. (2025). Water toxicity.
- Winter, J. (n.d.). The impact of environmental factors on nail health.
