Focus on soft nails: what causes them and what can you do to strengthen them?

Our nails are alive and, like us, they can feel tired and lacklustre. This can result in brittle nails that bend or split easily. It can also reduce the staying power of your nail polish. Now that we've cleared this up, it's time to act - and fast! The Manucurist team is by your side to help you to understand the issue and take the necessary steps to rediscover strong, healthy nails.

Let's be clear: soft nails are unhealthy nails. The layers of keratin that form the nail have deteriorated, weakening it and causing it to break or split easily.

How does this happen? Some of the most common reasons are:

• overexposure to water and/or chemicals that are harmful to your nails (household products, cleaning agents, solvents, etc.),

• an unbalanced diet leading to deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin B8, iron, zinc, magnesium and other nutrients needed to produce keratin,

• using acetone-based nail polish remover, which dissolves the nail's protective layer of oil,

• using a drill to remove false nails or gel polish, damaging the keratin in the process,

• applying gel polish to already weak nails,

• not taking care of your nails.

Now that we've identified what can cause the problem, we can take action. The solutions for soft nails are at your fingertips. You just need to follow a few simple, natural nail care rules to rediscover strong, healthy nails. Follow the guide and say goodbye to weak nails for good 😉

Did you know...? Your nails don't lie - they mirror your state of health. A poor diet will lead to deficiencies that will directly impact the health of your nails. The priority is therefore to restore a balanced diet containing all the nutrients your nails need to grow.

In addition to this diet, a course of Nail Boost food supplements containing biotin, brewer's yeast, magnesium and bamboo extracts will promote the growth of stronger, healthier nails.

Trying to have long nails when they are soft or brittle will only lead to frustration. It is better to keep them short and gently file them while they regrow. Use an emery board specifically for natural nails and always file in the same direction, without going back and forth, so the layers of keratin aren't affected.

Just like skin and hair, your nails need to be nourished and moisturised all year round with natural products suitable for your nail type. Regularly massage a few drops of Green Oil into your nails and cuticles. This complex of 6 essential oils strengthens and deeply repairs your nails and the surrounding skin.

Your nails are formed in a matrix located under the cuticles, which is why you need to take such good care of them. If you want to know more about the structure and function of your nails, read our special article here.

If your nails are particularly weak, you can use our Rescue Kit for an intensive 2-week treatment once a year.

And to find out more about your nail type and what care your nails need, complete our analysis by clicking here.

For the benefit of your nails, you need to protect your hands and defend them against external aggressors. Here are a few easy tips you can put into practice:

• gloves reign supreme when it comes to household chores or handling chemicals that could harm your nails or dry them out;

• don't wash your hands too often - only when you need to with warm or cold water;

• stop biting your nails - some bitter nail polish will help if it's too difficult;

• nails are not designed for scraping, scrubbing or lifting - there are more appropriate tools for that.

A manicure can be a great ally in your quest for strong, healthy nails, as long as you follow a regular nail care routine and use healthy products.

Here are our tips:

• Au revoir acetone! Remove your regular or gel polish using a gentle, acetone-free remover containing sweet almond oil or castor oil to preserve the nail's natural oil and moisturise the surrounding skin.

• Say yes to regular nail-strengthening treatments like our S.O.S. Mask, enriched with D-Panthenol.

• Use our Force Base Coat, enriched with AHAs, to strengthen the nail plate before applying your favourite Green™ polish. As well as protecting your nails, the base coat acts like a hardening polish... only better!

• Nail care and makeup rolled into one, our Active Shine is a highlighter, also enriched with AHAs, that strengthens dull nails and boosts their shine. Other little gems in our Active™ range include our Raspberry and Blueberry Active Glow treatment polishes, which deeply nourish your nails  with their formula rich in antioxidants, AHAs and sweet almond oil. With a radiant rosy glow as a bonus!

• And if you are completely addicted to your gel polish finish, forget about gel polishes with harsh and potentially allergenic formulas (there's more info about this in this article) and choose plant-based products that respect the health of your nails, like Green Flash™ LED polish.

Our nails are a barometer of our state of health. Their condition is particularly dependent on a well-balanced diet that can ensure the vitamins and mineral salts needed for nail growth. Soft, brittle nails can indicate a deficiency in vitamin B8 (or biotin), B12 or C, as well as a deficiency in iron, zinc or magnesium.

Soft nails are fragile, unhealthy nails that need special care. To regain healthy nails, it is important to have a balanced diet, to care for and moisturise your nails on a daily basis and to protect them from external aggressors (humidity, chemicals, harsh manicures, etc.) using a treatment base coat enriched with AHAs.