Brittle nails (medically referred to as “onychoschizia”) is a common dermatological complaint, says Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry, who spoke to Elite Daily for this article. He says the best nail oils for brittle nails contain vitamin E ( which can also help prevent the yellowing of your nails), jojoba oil, almond oil, castor oil, clove oil, sunflower oil, and/or olive oil. These rich oils can stop the progression of nail damage and prevent new nail growth from becoming brittle, Dr. Chaudhry explains. He adds that preventing the flaking, crumbling, and splitting of nails that’s caused by a loss of elasticity in skin will most likely require a combination of lifestyle adjustments and the use of certain skin care products, such as the nail oils featured below. Pereira, G. G., Detoni, C. B., Balducci, A. G., Rondelli, V., Colombo, P., Guterres, S. S., … Sonvico, F. (2016, February 15). Hyaluronate nanoparticles included in polymer films for the prolonged release of vitamin E for the management of skin wounds. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 83, 203-211 Most cuticle oils are formulated from a base of oils (obviously), and that's a good thing when you're dealing with rough, dry cuticles or thin, breaking nails. Look for hydrating oils like argan, mango, sunflower, avocado, jojoba, and other ingredients like vitamin E—they'll ensure your cuticles are moisturized and soft. We like the JINsoon Cuticle Oil formula, as it contains several nourishing oils. You can also look for strengthening and reparative formulas, such as the OPI Nail and Cuticle Oil, to help protect against future nail breakage, hangnails, and brittle cuticles. Anything from dry, cold weather to repeated hand-washing can do a number on the skin on your hands, particularly your cuticles. In fact, they're even more prone to wear-and-tear since they surround the nails, which are constantly growing. While using hand cream to hydrate dry skin may be second nature, one important step that people tend to skip is cuticle oil. A step that, according to Paintbox Nail Studios Chief Educator Evelyn Lim, is key to having healthy nails. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Cuticles are literally and figuratively the root of nails, so it’s important to keep them happy and healthy, and cuticle oil is the best way to do that. “It keeps the nails flexible so they bend but don't break, it prevents the layers of the natural nail from peeling, and it prevents hangnails,” Kandalec says. “And if you wear enhancements, like gel or acrylic, it prevents them from curling away from the enhancement, which can lead to lifting and allow bacteria to get between the nail and enhancement.” Next, consider the applicator based on your intended use. While some of this will come down to personal preference, different applicators will (you guessed it!) lead to different applications. It can reverse damage on nails. It’s no secret that some nail polish and nail polish remover can be particularly damaging to the nails. Fortunately, vitamin E oil may work to repair and protect against damage: “Using Vitamin E oil on your nail bed and cuticle can reverse damage caused from nail polish remover and nail polish,” Green says. It boosts nutrients to the nails. Since vitamin E oil is a form of vitamin, it naturally nourishes the nails. But how? “Nails are created by keratin dead cells,” Green explains, noting that these cells are supported by the accumulation of blood flow filled with vitamins. “To produce healthy strong nails, your keratin dead cells need to receive a regular amount of blood supply that contain vital nutrients. Vitamin E helps to provide your blood with the right amount of nutrients, able to deliver steady growth of all nail’s components.”Manicures and pedicures are great, but they can leave our natural nails stripped, yellow, or even thin and weak—especially if they’re removed incorrectly. Vitamin E “can repair damaged nails due to polish or acrylics by nourishing and replenishing the nail to a healthier state,” according to the nail educator. Plus, applying vitamin E regularly may even promote nail growth. (So long, rogue chipping and hangnails!) How to apply vitamin E oil to nails: But say you are eating a well-maintained diet but your nails are still weak — it could be the excessive use of hand sanitizers and frequent hand washing that is causing dry and brittle nails and cuticles right now. If used before a manicure or pedicure, remove thoroughly with soap and water or nail polish remover before applying nail enamel - reapply after nail enamel is dry Natural oils have been around for centuries and remain a firm favourite in our beauty regimes. Nails, skin, massage and even mood – these oils are not only sustainable but are effective solutions and rituals to many of our bodily needs.

Vitamin E may alleviate the dryness, itching, and flaking associated with eczema, or atopic dermatitis. In one older study from 1999, almost one-third of participants had an allergic reaction to topical vitamin E, suggesting the oil is more likely to make scarring worse rather than prevent it.Another Naissance product we adore is their Virgin Avocado Oil, which is rich in vitamins and minerals and is cruelty-free and GMO-free. Sesame Oil