Brittle nails: how to strengthen them?

Regularly applying a strengthening treatment to your bare nails can be considered to restructure the nail plate, resulting in flexible and resilient nails. Such treatments work by filling the microscopic gaps in the nail and hydrating it, making it less likely to be damaged. They are formulated from a combination of active ingredients (silanediol salicylate, Pistacia lentiscus gum, keratin, silicon, etc.), which increase the quantity and quality of silicon and keratin in the nails.

They also contain moisturising agents (panthenol, hyaluronic acid, glycerine, urea, etc.) that adhere to the surface to strengthen and consolidate the structure of the nail, and deeply hydrate the cuticles, thus contributing to the maintenance of the barrier function and protecting it from dryness. To improve the appearance of nails, this type of care also incorporates film-forming agents (polyurethane, nitrocellulose, etc.) in order to create a continuous, flexible film that is impermeable to environmental risks. This combination of ingredients thus promotes the natural process of nail growth.

A strengthener for brittle nails to recommend?

With its aqueous texture and non-greasy finish, our hand & nail serum regenerates weakened nails, and hydrates and softens the nails and their contours thanks to its 93% naturally derived ingredients. Designed to be in affinity with the nail, our biomimetic formula has been developed from plant keratin (INCI: Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein) and biotin , which strengthen the natural keratinisation of the nail plate, intensely nourish the nails and promote their growth. This fortifying solution also contains hyaluronic acid (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate) and panthenol, ingredients that prevent the nail from drying out.

It can be used both as a treatment course or as a daily application on bare nails or on the cuticles of manicured nails. After just a few applications, nails regain their strength and vitality, with effects noticeable from the first application. Suitable for both hands and feet, it should be applied twice a day, from the centre to the tip of the nails, using gentle circular motions to allow the treatment to penetrate.

Highly porous, healthy nails contain 18% water, a content that determines the flexibility of the nail. However, if the water content drops below 16%, the nails become dry and brittle. To prevent dehydration, coat your hands with a topical moisturising treatment that contains occlusive materials (lanolin, etc.), humectants (glycerine, urea, amino acids, propylene glycol, etc.) and emollient agents enriched with essential fatty acids (shea butter, coconut oil, etc.) to increase the nail plate's ability to retain water, and do this after each wash. When applying the treatment, ensure you apply it around and directly onto your nails. Before going to bed, moisturise your hands, feet and nails to keep them hydrated during your sleep.

A product recommendation?

For comfortable hands and strong nails on a daily basis, you can opt for our 10-ingredient hand balm. Minimalist in its formulation, it nourishes, soothes, softens, and repairs hands weakened by external aggressions (temperature changes, repetitive washing, frequent use of hand sanitiser...), strengthens fragile nails and hydrates from the first application, thanks to the combined action of the coconut oil (INCI: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil) and hyaluronic acid (INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate).

Its enveloping texture, non-sticky and with a "dry" touch, penetrates quickly. Comprising 99% of ingredients of natural origin, it can be perfectly combined with our hand & nail serum. Indeed, it will trap the active ingredients of the fortifying serum applied on the nails, allowing them to penetrate better.

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as vitamin B7, naturally found in many types of foods (cereals, egg yolks, dairy products, nuts, peanuts, salmon, chicken, etc.). Therefore, a true deficiency is quite rare, not to mention that it can also be synthesised by intestinal bacteria. Biotin notably helps to improve the ultrastructure of the nail plate by participating in the biosynthesis of lipid molecules that ensure the bonding between the keratinocytes of the nail plate.

However, as a dietary supplement, biotin is sometimes used to enhance the firmness and hardness of nails. Indeed, some preliminary studies, both through clinical examinations and electron microscopy, suggest that a daily dose of biotin (2.5 mg/day) could help to thicken and strengthen nails over a period of six to nine months. Before starting to take biotin supplements, consult your doctor to see if you can try it. Indeed, these supplements may interact with certain medications.

Note: A recent study has shown that the growth rate of nails increased by 12% and the frequency of broken nails decreased by 42%, after 24 weeks of daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides.