How are your nails? Clean, beautiful, and healthy? Or dirty, dry, and brittle? Most people strive for the former, but sometimes you can’t help but fall into the latter category. Brittle nails mar the beauty of your hands, while also being painful. Weak and brittle nails crack, chip, and/or split. In fact, it’s a common problem that affects both men and women, regardless of their age.

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Common causes for brittle nails

The most common causes for brittle nails are:

• Aging
• Overexposure to water
• Overuse of nail varnish and nail polish removers
• Exposure to harsh detergents/soaps/chemicals
• Lack of proper nutrition
• Immoderately dry environment
• Dehydration

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Apart from these, a number of diseases/conditions that affect your nails are also responsible for making them brittle. These conditions include:

• Eczema
• Anemia
• Lichen planus
• Psoriasis
• Alopecia areata
• Fungal infection
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Endocrine disorders
• Lung conditions

Many times, besides the above mentioned causes, brittle nails could also be a symptom of underlying health problems like jaundice, lupus, hepatitis, or heart disease.

Home remedies for brittle nails

Dry, brittle, and cracked nails can cause a lot of discomfort. If you know the cause behind it, treat them yourself with these home remedies for brittle nails. These simple, easy, yet effective remedies will help make your nails stronger and healthier.

1. Apple cider vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar is a boon when it comes to curing many a skin problem, including brittle nails. It contains vital vitamins, and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Additionally, it also contains acetic acid and malic acid, both of which help fight nail infections.

Remedy

• In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water. Now soak your brittle nails in this solution. Once done, gently push down the cuticles. Repeat this remedy once a day, and within a few days you should notice that your nails are stronger than they were before.

Tip: Save the solution for future use.

2. Beer

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Beer is not just good to have a fun time, but helps condition and moisturize your nails as well. It contains minerals like selenium, phosphorus, and potassium, which help strengthen nails and cuticles.

Remedy

• Warm a quarter cup of olive oil and mix it with half a cup of beer and a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak your nails in this solution for about 15 minutes. Once done, push down the cuticles gently. Use this remedy twice a week for desired results.

3. Castor oil

Castor oil is again a natural moisturizer and a hydrating agent, which helps treat dry, cracked, brittle nails. It also helps fight off any fungal infections in the nails.

Remedy

• In a clean bowl, add a few drops of peppermint oil to 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Add 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt to it as well. Soak your nails in this concoction for about 15 minutes, before washing your hands in plain water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for desired results.

4. Coconut oil

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Coconut oil is amazingly nourishing for your nails. It helps moisturize, strengthen, and nourish your nails from within. It also helps keep many nail infections at bay.

Remedies

• In a clean bowl, mix a quarter cup of warm coconut oil with a little lemon juice. Soak your nails in this concoction for about 10 minutes before going to sleep every night. Do not wash, but wear gloves overnight to strengthen your nails. Follow this remedy daily to treat brittle nails effectively.
• Warm some coconut oil and apply it on each of your nails generously. Massage gently yet thoroughly for about 5 minutes. Not only does this help improve the blood circulation, but also helps moisturize and nourish your nails. Repeat this remedy thrice a day for positive results.

5. Egg yolk

Egg yolk is rich in protein and calcium, both of which help nourish, moisturize, and strengthen your nails.

Remedy

• In a clean bowl, mix together 1 whisked egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of milk. Soak your nails in this solution for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a week for positive results.

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6. Green tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help strengthen your nails, while also making them healthy.

Remedies

• Add 2 teaspoons of green tea leaves to 1 cup of hot water. Let it steep for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool down, before soaking your nails in it for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water in the end. Repeat this remedy twice a week for positive results.
• Add a few drops of green tea essential oil to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and mix well. Gently but thoroughly massage this on your nails and cuticles for about 5 minutes. Then, let it stay for 20 minutes more, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy twice a week for best results.

7. Lemon juice

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Lemon juice is another natural ingredient which is amazingly effective in treating brittle nails. Additionally, it also helps brighten your nails.

Remedies

• In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of lemon juice and argan oil. Soak your nails in this solution for 20 minutes, before rinsing off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy once a day for a few weeks to see noticeable results.
• Add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to 3 tablespoons of olive oil and mix well. Warm this concoction in the microwave for a few seconds. Apply this on your nails and cuticles using a Q-tip, before going to bed. Leave it on overnight by wearing gloves to protect your hands. Wash it off with lukewarm water the following morning. Repeat this remedy once every day for 3-4 weeks for desired results.

8. Orange juice

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Orange juice is rich in vitamin C and citric acid, which also possess anti-bacterial properties. Thanks to this, it helps clear off any infections on your nails.

Remedy

• Take 3-4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice in a clean bowl. Soak your nails in this juice for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a hand cream to seal in the moisture. Repeat this remedy once a day for a few weeks to strengthen your nails.

9. Petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly is extremely helpful in treating dry, brittle, cracked nails. It helps hydrate your nails, that is one of the main causes for brittle nails.

Remedy

• Smear petroleum jelly or Vaseline on your nails and cuticles before going to bed every night. Protect your hands with a pair of gloves, keeping the jelly on overnight. The following morning, you can wash it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy every day for a couple of months to see noticeable results.

10. Sea salt

Sea salt contains many a healing mineral that help treat dry, brittle, or cracked nails. Additionally, it also helps soften the cuticles and makes your nails shiny.

Remedy

• In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of fine grain sea salt and 3 tablespoons of warm water. To this, add 2 drops each of frankincense, lemon, myrrh, and wheat germ essential oils and mix. Soak your nails in this solution for about 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a hand cream to seal in the moisture. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for desired results.

11. Shea butter

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Shea butter is an amazing natural moisturizer, which helps treat dry, brittle nails caused by dehydration. Not only will it help moisturize it, it will also nourish and strengthen your nails.

Remedy

• Gently but thoroughly moisturize your nails and cuticles with natural shea butter for about 5 minutes. Let it stay for 20 minutes more, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for positive results.

12. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is amazingly effective in treating dry, brittle, cracked nails that are caused by fungal infections. It helps fight off the infection, thanks to its antiseptic properties. It also helps treat discolored nails.

Remedy

• In a clean bowl, mix together half a teaspoon of vitamin E oil and a few drops of tea tree oil. Gently but thoroughly massage your nails and cuticles with this solution for a few minutes. Do this for 5 minutes. Let it stay for half an hour, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a hand cream to seal in the moisture. Repeat this remedy twice a day for a few weeks for noticeable results.

13. Tomatoes

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Tomatoes are rich in biotin, a compound that is extremely helpful in strengthening your nails. Additionally, it also helps nourish and moisturize your nails.

Remedy

• In a clean bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with half a cup of tomato juice. Soak your nails in this solution for about 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy once a day for a few weeks to get positive results.

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14. Vitamin E oil

As mentioned above, dehydration or a decided lack of moisture in your nails is one of the main causes for brittle nails. Vitamin E oil is an excellent natural moisturizer, which helps nourish and hydrate your nails and cuticles.

Remedy

• Slice open 1 capsule of vitamin E and squeeze out the oil into a clean cup. Apply this oil generously over your nails and cuticles before going to bed. Massage gently yet thoroughly for 5 minutes to increase blood circulation in the nail bed. Repeat this remedy every day for a couple of weeks to see a visible change in the health of your nails.

These are all the superbly effective home remedies for brittle nails you need. For more updates on skin care, beauty tips, and makeup secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today.

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