Weak nails or nails that grow slowly are often a sign of a vitamin deficiency. B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E all play a key role in keratin production and the renewal of the nail plate. Understanding which ones to prioritise, how to get them and how to incorporate them into your nail care routine can help improve nail health from both the inside and the outside. Discover the superpowers of vitamins for nails!
The role of vitamins in nail health
Nails are made up of more than 90% keratin, a fibrous protein whose production depends directly on essential nutrients. Certain vitamins are crucial for keratin production and for the proper functioning of the nail matrix. Here are the vitamins that matter most for your nails:
Biotin and other B vitamins
Biotin (vitamin B8): this is THE essential vitamin for your nails. It supports keratin production as well as collagen synthesis. Thanks to biotin, the nail plate becomes thicker, stronger and more resistant.
Vitamin B5 (panthenol): another important B vitamin that helps regulate the nail’s natural hydration and supports cell renewal.
Vitamin B12: contributes to the production of red blood cells, helping ensure proper oxygenation of nail tissues while protecting them from oxidative stress.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A stimulates sebum production, creating the nail’s protective lipid film, which helps maintain flexibility and shine.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports collagen production, helping maintain the cohesion of cellular tissues. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the effects of everyday aggressors. It is essential for healthy nail growth and strong, resilient nails.
Vitamin E
Like vitamin C, vitamin E provides powerful antioxidant protection. It helps protect cells and supports microcirculation in the nail bed, helping prevent vertical ridges and other signs of nail fragility.
Vitamins are essential for strong, healthy nails.
Vitamin deficiencies: how do they affect your nails?
Your nails can reveal a lot about your overall health and are often among the first signs of nutritional deficiencies. Here is how to recognise the warning signs of a lack of vitamins and nails that need extra attention.
Slow nail growth
Are your nails growing more slowly than usual and becoming thin and brittle? This may be a sign of a biotin or vitamin B6 deficiency. These vitamins contribute to the metabolism of amino acids that are essential for keratin production. When levels are low, keratin production decreases and nail growth slows down.
Soft nails
Do your nails bend easily, look dull and lack firmness? Soft nails may indicate a vitamin A deficiency, which is essential for maintaining hydration and preserving the nail’s natural strength.
Brittle nails
Nails that break easily are often linked to a lack of vitamin B12 or vitamin C, both of which are important for nail strength. A vitamin B5 deficiency may also contribute to brittle or peeling nails by reducing hydration levels.
Ridged nails
Have vertical or horizontal ridges appeared on your nails? Ridged nails are often associated with a vitamin E or vitamin B12 deficiency, which can disrupt nail growth and create irregularities across the nail plate.
⚠️ If these symptoms persist despite a balanced diet, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. Some deficiencies require medical support.
How can vitamins help strengthen your nails?
Ensuring an adequate intake of vitamins is one of the best ways to support strong nails and long lasting manicures. Here is how to do it:
A balanced diet
Food remains the primary source of vitamins for nail growth and the simplest way to support healthy skin and natural nails. Which foods should you prioritise?
- For biotin and B vitamins: cooked eggs, especially the yolk, liver and organ meats, oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, nuts, legumes, brewer’s yeast and whole grains.
- For vitamin B12: beef liver, tuna, trout, shellfish such as oysters and mussels, fortified cereals and eggs. If you follow a vegetarian diet, supplementation may be necessary.
- For vitamin A: liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, dried apricots and butter. Orange vegetables and leafy greens are particularly beneficial.
- For vitamin C: fresh fruit and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers, broccoli and strawberries. Whenever possible, eat them raw as vitamin C is sensitive to heat.
- For vitamin E: vegetable oils, particularly wheat germ and sunflower oil, green vegetables, nuts, seeds and avocados.
A balanced diet is the best way to secure the vitamins and minerals your nails need.
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Targeted dietary supplements
Sometimes food alone is not enough to meet your needs, particularly during restrictive diets or in cases of confirmed deficiencies. This is where supplements for nail growth can help.
Nail Boost supplements are designed to work from within and help address vitamin deficiencies thanks to a formula rich in biotin, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C and minerals such as zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium. Taken as a two or three month course, this nail growth supplement helps stimulate growth and strengthen the keratin structure of natural nails. You can tailor the programme to your needs:
- For soft and damaged nails, choose a three month course with two capsules per day.
- To maintain healthy nails and boost vitality, opt for a two month course with one capsule per day.
Vitamin enriched nail care
Alongside a balanced diet, nail care products enriched with vitamins can help improve nail strength on the surface.
- The Green Flash™ Vitamin Base Coat is the first Gel Polish base coat enriched with active ingredients to protect and strengthen the nail beneath colour. Its patented KeraHCE+ technology combines hexanal, vitamin C and vitamin E. The result: an antioxidant shield that helps preserve keratin layers while improving adhesion and wear of Green Flash™ Gel Polish.
- Active™ Smooth is a treatment polish designed as a CC cream for nails, available in four shades. It smooths the nail surface with a satin nude finish while revitalising the nail thanks to a formula enriched with castor fibres, hexanal, AHAs and vitamin E. The perfect ally for ridged nails.
- Active™ Bright is a brightening treatment polish that creates a luminous white effect, ideal for reducing nail yellowing. It also helps strengthen and repair thanks to a formula enriched with lemon extracts, linden extract, hexanal, AHAs and vitamin E.
- S.O.S. Base Coat is the ultimate emergency treatment for damaged nails. Enriched with panthenol and vitamin C, it repairs, restores and strengthens weakened nails. Use as a treatment for two to three weeks, either alone or under a Green™ nail polish, to enjoy stronger and healthier nails.
- Nail Strengthening Serum, a powerful biotin and keratin concentrate specially developed for soft nails. Its biomimetic formula penetrates deeply to support keratin production and improve nail density. Apply to bare nails one to three times daily for five to seven days.
- Nourishing Nail Pen, enriched with castor oil, pistachio tree extracts and vitamin E, hydrates and protects nails and cuticles every day. Its practical pen format makes application quick and easy wherever you are.
- Complete Serum is formulated with water, vegetable glycerine, panthenol and chestnut extracts. It hydrates and restores dry, damaged or brittle nails. We love its lightweight texture that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy or sticky finish.
Beautiful natural nails start with listening to what your nails need. A varied diet, targeted multivitamins for nails when necessary, and vitamin enriched treatments can help ensure your nails never miss out on the nutrients they need. If signs of fragility persist, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional to identify the cause.
