What Helps Dry Fingernails

Beauty Tip of the Day

Well nourished cuticles are necessary for healthy fingernails.

Begin with clean, unpolished fingernails. All oils and creams need to be absorbed by nails.

According to manicurists and dermatologists, olive oil contains vitamin E which is essential to healthy nail growth. Vitamin E also nourishes dry, brittle, and damaged nails.

Half an hour before bedtime, soak fingernails in warm olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes once or twice a week. Do not wash or wipe off. Air dry fingertips. Wear cotton gloves overnight.

Polish stains on nails can be removed with lemon juice. Add a few drops of lemon juice to a small amount of olive oil. Soak for 10 minutes. Alternatively, apply to cuticles and nails with a cotton tipped swab and gently massage into nails and cuticles for a few minutes. Wear cotton gloves overnight.

Vitamin E, jojoba, coconut, argan, mineral oils, and petroleum jelly are other natural products that can be applied to nails to keep them healthy. To keep bedclothes from becoming soiled, wear cotton gloves to bed since it takes up to 3 or 4 hours for the oil to be completely absorbed.

Some manicurists suggest soaking nails in a sea salt and water solution.

Another oil that can be used is wheat germ oil. Add wheat germ and lemon juice to a small bowl of warm water and soak fingertips for about 15 minutes.

Results should be seen in about 2 weeks.

In addition to the oil treatments, it is recommended by experts that cuticle oil or cream be applied to cuticles every time hands are washed, or a minimum of 3 times a day.

For more information on healthy nails read:

How to Whiten Yellow Nails
What to Use to Whiten Nails