When the cold air sweeps in, it's not just skin that'll need some extra TLC; your nails may start to chip, peel and break. Instead of throwing money away on costly manicures that will only conceal, not repair, weakened fingernails, try an at-home nail-strengthening treatment. The best nail strengtheners can help fortify brittle nails back to peak health. Fortunately, there are several effective options on the market. Below, find a list of 13 nail strengtheners that'll protect nails all season long.
Best All-in-One
Essie Treat Love & Color Nail Polish ($7.50)
If you're looking for a strengthening nail treatment and color in one bottle, look no further than Essie's Treat Love & Color line. It's formulated with collagen and camellia extract for a noticeable improvement in peeling and breakage and is available in several beloved Essie colors.
Best Concealing
CHANEL La Base Camélia ($32)
Technically a base coat nail treatment, CHANEL's La Base Camélia doubles as a pretty nude nail polish while working magic to harden and smooth nails. With camellia oil and cellulose, the polish also alleviates dryness and evens out the color of your nails.
Best Jelly-Like Finish
LONDONTOWN kur Sheer Strength Nail Blush ($20)
Love a jelly manicure? Then it's about time you're introduced to LONDONTOWN's Kur Nail Blush. The sheer polish uses multi-polymer technology to strengthen nails on contact while leaving a glossy, jelly-like flush of color over nails—no base or top coat needed.
Best Nail Color Strengthener
OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener ($20)
OPI's Nail Envy collection comes in a variety of the brand's iconic nail shades, so you don't have to choose between peak nail health or a stunning manicure. (Said collection includes Bubble Bath, a light pink hue legendary among nail polish lovers, and the iconic Big Apple Red.)
Best Stress-Free
CND RescueRxx Daily Keratin Treatment ($20)
If precise nail application isn't your strong suit, this one's for you. Unlike other nail treatments, CND's RescueRxx is meant to be brushed on and then massaged into bare nails and cuticles. Use it twice a day to strengthen nail beds and moisturize cuticles.
Best for Peeling Nails
ORLY Nail Defense ($10.50)
To prevent breakage, bond splitting and peeling nails, apply ORLY's Nail Defense every other day or a couple of times a week. It can be worn alone or as a base coat under your favorite nail polish.
Best Sheen
NAILS.INC LONDON Gimme Strength Nail Strengthener ($9)
Rich active oils combine with vegan collagen to fix nails damaged by frequent gel manicures. The off-white hue also shines as a pretty highlighter on nails as it simultaneously provides relief.
Best Brightener
Manucurist Active Bright ($16)
With an 80 percent plant-based formula, Manucurist's Active Bright is an all-in-one perfecter that enhances and nourishes dull nails, per the brand, thanks to lemon extract, a natural brightener. Active Bright also doubles as the prettiest opal-like nail color for the coveted "clean nail" look.
Best for Damage Post-Gels
LONDONTOWN kur Get Well Recovery ($20)
Thin, peeling nails are a common side effect of frequent post-acrylic or UV gel manicures. LONDONTOWN's Kur Get Well Recovery formula addresses the damage by repairing the nail barrier and infusing each nail with nourishment from nourishing botanicals and antioxidants.
Best on Bare Nails
essie Hard to Resist Advanced Nail Strengthener ($11)
This clear nail-strengthening treatment from Essie is designed to improve brittle, weak nails in just three days. It's meant to be worn in between manicures (not under nail polish), and bonus, the treatments deliver a pretty glossy shine.
Best Weekly Treatment
Olive & June Nail Strengthener ($14)
Just one application a week of Olive & June's Nail Strengthener has shoppers raving their nails are "growing faster and longer than before" and "have never looked better." With conditioning celery seed extract and the brand's nourishing Flora Complex, say goodbye to peeling, white spots and ridges.
Best Basecoat
JINSoon HyperRepair ($22)
JINSoon's HyperRepair doesn't just restore nail health after two uses; it also smooths nails to perfection so polish glides on effortlessly.
Best 7-Free Formula
ella + mila First Aid Kiss ($10.50)
Vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA and Leaping Bunny certified brand Ella + Milla offers a weekly nail treatment to improve thin and brittle nails. After the first month, First Aid Kiss can also be used as a strengthening base coat.
