Stronger nails are not only about their beauty or appearance, but it is how you care for and tend to them. Most people say the first impression matters a lot, and one of the ways to create one is through the maintenance of strong and healthy nails. Strong nails need to be maintained over time and this can be done with some natural home remedies without visiting the manicurist.
Home remedies help take care of your nails as the first point of call before thinking of buying a product or visiting a manicurist. With some natural fruits and ingredients, you can make your nails more durable and attractive.
In this post, I will discuss 28 natural home remedies for stronger nails and how to apply them to get maximum results that won’t cost you much.
What are the Home Remedies for Stronger Nails?
There are different natural ways one can take care of weak nails or maintain the beauty of the nails, so, what home remedies make your nails stronger? Below is the list of affordable home remedies for stronger nails.
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a type of vegetable oil that comes from olives. With a high smoke point, olive oil can be used for cooking and as an ingredient in salad dressings and marinades. Making use of special and healthy oils like Olive oil can keep the nails shiny always by giving nutrients to the cuticles from within. Olive oil has fantastic moisturizing elements and is usually used for several beauty home remedies solutions.
How to apply:
- Ensure your nails are cleaned thoroughly.
- Then boil a small amount of olive oil and put your fingers in it for 15 minutes.
- Clean with a towel and repeat the procedure every day to get maximum results.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, also known as citrus acid, is a powerful cleanser that helps kill bacteria and remove odors from a variety of surfaces. It is most effective when used as a solution with water. In addition to cleaning and deodorizing, lemon juice is also used in beauty products such as face masks or hair rinses.
Lemon juice is a source of cleanser that is good for all nails, and it is generally known to take care of nail fading and peeling.
How to apply:
- Mix one spoon of baking soda in a bowl of water and add one spoon of lemon juice into the mix. Put your nails inside for around 10 minutes. Then scrub your nails gently and wash them clean.
- You can also blend two spoons of sea salt in a bowl of warm water, put one spoonful of lemon juice, and drench your fingers for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rosewater
Rose water is a fragrant, essential oil-like liquid made by distilling rose petals. It is used in many cuisines and has many traditional and modern medicinal uses. Rosewater improves the mood as well as makes the nails healthy. It has a mixture of antiseptic, antibacterial, and antioxidant elements, and makes the nail wet and hydrated.
How to use:
- Use rose water consistently after cleaning your fingers well.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar also possesses anti-fungal properties, so it is a must-use for people who always have a fungal infection and can get severe if not treated well.
Apple cider vinegar has acidic properties, which nullifies the alkaline that leads to fungal growth.
How to use:
- Soak your nails in apple cider vinegar twice a day.
- Fill a large bowl with warm water and soak your feet for a minimum of 20 minutes before drying it with a clean towel.
5. Garlic oil
Garlic is a staple in our house. It adds a subtle undercurrent of garlic to any dish and can be used as a substitute for garlic powder. There is also a whole world of uses for garlic oil that you may not have even realized: Garlic has a significant concentration of selenium, and it aids in promoting nail growth. You could either use a slice of garlic to rub your hands or make garlic oil or apply it to your nails.
How to use it:
- Cut the garlic in a pan of olive oil and heat for 10 minutes. Ensure it doesn’t smoke up or bubble while doing it.
- After the oil cools down, pour it into a container, removing the remnants of the garlic.
- Apply this oil to your nails and cuticles every night, and then wash it off in the morning.
- Massage it well as it helps arouse blood flow that shares nutrients from your blood to the nails.
6. Honey
Honey helps fight against bacterial and fungal infections in the nails and will help keep your nails and cuticles fresh and shiny.
How to use:
- Blend honey’s moisturizing properties with that of lemon juice to build a honey and lemon nail mask by mixing two teaspoons.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice and massage it into your nails and leave it for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off, and you will be marveled at the beautiful nails that will smile at you.
- Use it consistently for more energetic and healthier nails.
7. Protein
The nails are made of the wholly fibrous protein keratin. So, for them to be healthier, you should make sure that your diet includes a lot of proteinous foods like lean meats, eggs, dark leafy greens, fish, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Also, dairy foods and alternatives such as almond milk, yogurt, or soya beans are excellent sources of proteins for nails.
Eat as much protein as you can, and your nails will thank you for it.
8. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most used sources of vitamins that strengthen and keep the nails healthy because it has a large concentration of vitamins A and C, and a blend of Biotin which is vital for maintaining a healthy and more energetic nail, skin, or hair.
How to use it:
Drink a glass of natural tomato juice every morning to start your day with more energy and vigor. Add some slices of fresh tomato to your salad or sandwiches and eat more tomato meals every time.
9. Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses has a bittersweet taste that was well-known as natural sweetening syrup in the late 19th century when table sugar was the toast of the day.
Unlike other well-known sweeteners, blackstrap molasses is exceptionally good for your nails as it possesses vitamins and minerals that can be found mostly in the sugarcane plant. These nutrients that are removed during the refining process are used to make white sugar.
How to use:
- Put a spoon of blackstrap molasses into warm water or a beverage and drink two times daily for optimum results. However, people that have diabetes should be careful about how they use it as it affects blood sugar levels.
10. Nettle Tea
Nettle leaf is old and ageless, and it is a natural home remedy for a lot of situations, but most importantly, it ensures healthier and stronger nails. It is rich in natural minerals that help the body build new nail tissue and make it grow well.
How to use it:
- Add three spoons of dried organic nettle leaf in warm water for like 10 minutes to prepare a good tea.
- Add any natural sweetener of your choice and take once per day for maximum results.
11. Horsetail
Horsetail is a natural home remedy that can help promote stronger, healthier nails. It contains a significant amount of nail-growth vitamins and minerals that make the nails grow well.
How to use it:
- Heat ½ or one spoon of dried organic horsetail in a cup of warm water for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Add any sweetener of your choice to taste and enjoy it every day to get optimum results.
12. Biotin
Biotin is popularly known as vitamin H, and it possesses a high concentration of nutrients that will help the body with the production of keratin, the major fibrous protein responsible for the growth of hair, nail, and skin.
Biotin is initially present in foods like fish, eggs, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, as well as some fruits and vegetables, and also dairy products.
13. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is another exceptional natural moisturizer for healthy and stronger nails. You can either use it normally as a capsule or as a part of the food.
How to use:
- Apply vitamin E oil to your hands and cuticles for a minimum of 4 minutes before you go to bed every night.
- If you use this correctly for a fortnight, you should start seeing results. You should notice a significant improvement in the health of your nails.
14. Orange Juice
Dip your nails in original orange juice for 10 minutes a day to give your nails a healthy dose of antioxidants that will boost their strength and make them healthier.
When you finish this, wash very well to eliminate citric acid from your skin and nails, and then apply a natural moisturizer such as olive, Flaxseed, or coconut oil to alter any dehydration that may have happened during the soak.
15. Dead Sea Salt
Dead Sea salt is a type of table salt that’s harvested from the Dead Sea. It has been used for over 6,000 years and is known to have substantial health benefits for its users. Dead Sea salt has more than twenty natural minerals, most of which are beneficial to the improvement of health.
How to use it:
- Try de-thawing a spoon or two of fine-grain Dead Sea salt in a small bowl of warm water.
- Add a few drops of moisturizing oil such as Flaxseed, vitamin E, coconut, or olive oil.
- Alternatively, you may also want to consider adding a few drops of lemon, lavender, or rosemary essential oils.
- Drench your nails for 10-15 minutes, wash them with warm water and then dry them naturally with a moisturizer.
- Repeat three times a week for optimum results in your nail health and strength.
16. Vitamin E capsules
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found naturally in many foods, including vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, whole grain cereals, and soybeans. It’s also available as a dietary supplement in capsules or tablets.
How to use it:
Apply a few drops of oil to your nails, cuticles, and surrounding skin. Gently massage your nails and skin with the oil. Do this before bedtime so that your nails receive optimum moisture overnight.
17. Jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil
Jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil are all carrier oils that have a wide range of uses. Originally used as lubricants, carrier oils are now primarily used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Their properties make them ideal for a variety of applications, including emollient and moisturizing effects, easing penetration of other substances into the skin and hair, protecting the skin from UV radiation, and aiding in wound healing.
How to use it:
Massage some jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil into cuticles that have become dry and damaged from exposure to cold weather. Apply the mixture before bedtime for best results.
18. Egg yolk and milk
Egg yolks are rich in the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Egg yolks also contain lecithin (a type of fat) that can help dissolve cholesterol in the blood, reducing your risk of heart disease. The yolk is also one of the best sources of choline, an essential nutrient that helps brain cells communicate.
Milk contains a wide variety of nutrients, but it’s especially rich in calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth, while riboflavin plays a key role in energy production. Vitamin B12 is necessary for cell growth and red blood cell formation.
How to use it:
One of the best ways to strengthen your nails is by applying an egg yolk and milk mixture to them. Mix one egg yolk with two tablespoons of milk, mix well and massage it onto your nails thoroughly. Wash it off after twenty minutes.
19. Flaxseed oil
Flaxseed Oil is a concentrated source of essential fatty acids. Flaxseed oil is often used to reduce joint pain, eczema, or psoriasis. It has also been known to help with the treatment of obesity and high blood pressure.
How to use it:
Dry the hands. Apply a little flaxseed oil to the base of each nail, and around the cuticles using a cotton bud. Gently push back the cuticles using a cuticle pusher or orange stick.
20. Tea tree oil and vitamin E oil
Tea tree oil and vitamin E oil are both natural remedies that can be used to treat warts. Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, making it effective for treating skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and athlete’s foot. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is often marketed as a natural remedy for warts because of its antioxidant properties.
How to use it:
To soften cuticles and strengthen nails, mix two drops of tea tree oil into a half teaspoon of vitamin E, and massage the mixture into nails and cuticles. Leave on for about half an hour, then rinse with warm water and moisturize as usual.
21. Chamomile and peppermint
Chamomile is a perennial herb of the daisy family. It has a sweet, hay-like fragrance and flavor that is useful in teas and aromatherapies for its calming properties. Peppermint is a perennial herb of the mint family. It has a fresh, cooling aroma and flavor that is useful in teas and aromatherapies for its energizing properties.
How to use it:
Massage a mixture of Chamomile and peppermint into your nails and cuticles. Leave on for about a half hour, then rinse with warm water and moisturize as usual.
22. Castor oil
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from castor beans. Known for its use in hair care and more, it is gaining popularity as an all-natural alternative to many of the ingredients found in commercial deodorants.
How to use it:
Apply 10 drops of castor oil to the base of your cuticles with a cotton pad. Massage the oil into your cuticles and nails for 2 to 3 minutes.
23. Eat Food Rich In Protein
Eating healthy and proteinous food is undoubtedly one of the surest ways to lengthen your nails. Recall that our nails and hair generally contain a robust protein structure known as keratin. This protein – keratin, when supplemented by taking foods rich in protein helps our nails to grow well. In the absence of it, your nails will become weak and brittle.
So if you must grow healthy natural nails, Consume food rich in protein. Examples of such foods include beans, fish, peas, eggs, cheese, etc. Also, this food should be consumed according to your body weight. For example, consuming an average of 0.4 – 0.5 grams of protein daily can help your nails grow healthier and stronger.
24. Coconut Oil
Are you having issues with hangnails or probably looking for a solution to get rid of your dry cuticle? Look no further. With Coconut oil, your nail growth journey is in safe hands.
Coconut Oil does not only promotes nail growth, but it also helps you to fight against fungus attacks and hangnails due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Apart from that, coconut oil also helps your nails to retain moisture because of its high-fat content.
For healthy natural nails using coconut oil, rub some reasonable amount around your cuticle and nails then massage gently for about 5-10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can soak your fingernails in a bowl containing coconut oil for about 10-15 minutes, then wear gloves at night for maximum results.
25. Chicken Stocks
Are you looking for much healthier results in your nail growth using home remedies? Then this wonder known as Chicken stocks is for you.
Stocks, which are a liquid preparation that forms the basis of our dishes at home, usually contain one or two unique ingredients or aromatics such as ginger or garlic, which helps to strengthen brittle nails.
Apart from its strengthening ability, garlic also prevents your nails from getting infected because of its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
Read Also: Proven Ways On How To Get Long Nails In One Week
To apply, scoop 2-3 dessert spoons full of chicken stock in a bowl, then allow to get cooled a bit, soak your fingernails in the mixture for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the broth to get absorbed by the nails after which you wash off and moisturize using coconut oil.
26. Bananas
Bananas, when taken as a whole, are an excellent source of silica and zinc, which helps to strengthen your nails. Apart from the strengthening ability, Bananas also contain Vitamin B6 for healthy shiny nails.
27. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is by far the best home remedy for nail growth you can ever think of, which makes it the easiest way to grow healthy natural nails.
To apply, kindly scoop a reasonable amount of the jelly, then place it around your clean-washed fingernails, allow the petroleum jelly to sit on the skin of your cuticle for about 5-10 minutes, which is extended long enough for it to penetrate your skin and nails. Then wash off. For more effective results, wear hand gloves and allow them to stay all through the night.
28. Shea Butter
This article won’t be complete if I fail to recognize the role Shea butter plays when it comes to growing healthy natural nails using home remedies.
Shea Butter contains essential vitamins such as vitamins A and E plus fatty acid, which helps to prevent brittle nails and hastens nail growth.
Another great remedy you can use to hasten how your nails grow is Jojoba or Castor oil. This oil over the years has done wonders for those that are opportune to use them on their nails.
Conclusion
It is essential to take care of your nails in the right way, and you don’t need to overspend to do it. Instead of thinking about the kind of beauty products to buy, you can just stroll into your kitchen and get everything you want there to make your nails more energetic and healthier.
Start taking care of your weak nails and maintain their beauty with the zero-cost home remedies for stronger nails I have discussed in this post.