The secret to longer, healthier-looking nails is to make them stronger. This will help avoid peeling or premature breakages. So, if your nails aren’t looking their best, it may be time to try a strengthening treatment to repair the damage.
Nail strengtheners come in a range of formats — from creams to oils to polishes — so you can find the best one for you, and give your tips some extra TLC.
The GHI has put a range of products to the test – here are the winning formulas but keep reading for our experts' full reviews.
1
Best nail strengthener
Orly Nail Defense Strengthening Treatment
Read more
2
Best strengthening oil treatment
Famous Names Dadi'Oil Organic Nail Treatment
Read more
3
Best for anti-peeling
Essie Nail Care All-in-One Nail Polish Base Coat and Top Coat
Read more
4
5
Best nail hardener
Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener
Read more
6
Best for travel
Dior Huile Abricot Daily Nutritive Nail and Cuticle Serum
Read more
7
8
Best post-gel nail treatment
Nails Inc Gel Rehab Strengthening Nail Treatment
Read more
9
Best for sensitive cuticles
Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Oil
Read more
10
Best budget nail strengthener
Nu Nale-Cream Nail Strengthener
Read more
What causes nails to become weak?
Just like with our skin and hair, nails can become brittle and dry when we don’t drink enough water, so make sure to get your two litres a day.
Ripping off gel nails or getting acrylics without a break in between appointments will also weaken them. Always get them removed professionally, or give them the proper DIY removal treatment at home.
Wearing rubber gloves when handling detergents and bleach is also a must, as overexposure to these chemicals can make nails soft, resulting in them splitting or breaking.
Noticed it takes your nails forever to grow? You could be lacking in vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes foods that are a good source of the vitamin, including peppers and broccoli. Taking a supplement may also help improve the quality of your nails, as well as your skin and hair.
However, all these methods do require a bit of patience. A strengthening product, on the other hand, can make a huge difference to the appearance of your nails in weeks.
What do nail strengtheners do?
Most strengthening treatments include proteins and nourishing oils to help relieve any brittleness and peeling, leaving nails looking and feeling stronger.
We’ve also noted whether the below products contain formaldehyde, phthalates and toluene. They’re most commonly found in industrial cleaning products, so it’s understandable you may be wary of applying them to your skin, but in beauty products they’re used to prolong shelf life. While they do have a bit of a bad reputation, they don’t cause any damage at this low potency or in this format.
How we test
Our panel of 770 women tested 42 brands of nail strengtheners over one month. They judged each one based on how easy it was to apply, the drying time, and whether they saw any improvements in nail strength.
They also noted whether the products helped with peeling or flakiness, as well as if they had an impact on smoothness.
Here are our top picks for your tips.
This article was updated in August to reflect latest prices and stock levels.
1
Best nail strengthener
Orly Nail Defense Strengthening Treatment
Score: 90/100
Our winning formula is enriched with proteins that aim to seal and prevent breakages. We found it lived up to this promise, and were impressed by how well it kept nails intact.
Some testers spotted nail growth too, while others appreciated its glossy sheen and how well it lasted without chipping. For best results, use as a base coat.
Key specifications
| Type | Polish |
|---|---|
| Volume | 18ml |
| Apply | A thin layer to clean, dry nails |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
2
Best strengthening oil treatment
Famous Names Dadi'Oil Organic Nail Treatment
Score: 86/100
This oil claims to soften tough skin and moisturise nails and the skin surrounding them, making it a top choice for anyone with dry hands.
In our tests, it lived up to its claims and was voted best for hydration, with everyone finding it relieved their nails of dryness, without causing any irritation. Testers found the oil quickly absorbed into skin too, and helped improve the condition of their cuticles.
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3
Best for anti-peeling
Essie Nail Care All-in-One Nail Polish Base Coat and Top Coat
Score: 86/100
This polish can be used as a base or top coat and aims to leave nails looking stronger and more even. It did take over two weeks to see results but most said it left nails stronger and helped to prevent the usual peeling and breakages.
Key specifications
| Type | Polish |
|---|---|
| Volume | 13.5ml |
| Apply | As base or top coat |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
Score: 85/100
A staple among celebrity manicurists, this polish works to create that “your-nails-but-better” effect. Testers loved the healthy tint it provided, with almost everyone saying it made uneven nails look and feel smoother. One tester even found it immediately stopped their nails from peeling, too.
Key specifications
| Type | Polish |
|---|---|
| Volume | 10ml |
| Apply | As a base coat |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
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Score: 85/100
Promising not only to make nails shine bright like a diamond, but to be as strong as them too, our testers rated this one for its instant strengthening impact.
Our panel said it made nails instantly more resilient against breakages, with most experiencing less peeling. Some felt it wasn’t as good at improving the long-term condition of their nails, but it’s ideal if you’re looking for a quick fix.
Key specifications
| Type | Polish |
|---|---|
| Volume | 13.3ml |
| Apply | Alone or as a base coat |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
6
Best for travel
Dior Huile Abricot Daily Nutritive Nail and Cuticle Serum
Score: 84/100
The compact design of this serum was a hit among testers, while the brush applicator makes it ideal for on-the-go use.
Our panel felt it was nourishing without being greasy, with most saying it left their nails hydrated. They were impressed with its strengthening ability too, with most saying it made their nails look and feel stronger.
Key specifications
| Type | Serum |
|---|---|
| Volume | 7.5ml |
| Apply | Massage into cuticles |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
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Score: 84/100
Here’s another quick fix. If you’re short on time, our testers found this oil had the quickest positive impact on their nails. It improved their condition after just one week, with all testers saying it boosted hydration, and most reporting stronger nails.
Many said it helped relieve cracked and chapped hands too, which is essential after using drying antibacterial gels. As an added plus, this multipurpose oil can be used on elbows, feet, knees — you name it.
Key specifications
| Type | Oil |
|---|---|
| Volume | 7.4ml |
| Apply | Massage into cuticles |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
8
Best post-gel nail treatment
Nails Inc Gel Rehab Strengthening Nail Treatment
Now 20% Off
Score: 84/100
Promising to be a “one coat recovery” solution for damaged nails, testers found this polish lived up to its claims, noticing a difference to their nails in just one week.
Testers with damage caused by gels or acrylics also noticed a difference, with all saying nails looked stronger after use.
Key specifications
| Type | Polish |
|---|---|
| Volume | 14ml |
| Apply | Alone or as a base coat |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
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9
Best for sensitive cuticles
Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Oil
Score: 83/100
If going for a manicure fills you with dread because of how sensitive your cuticles are, this gentle oil should do the trick. All our testers reported zero irritation while using it, and said it helped to improve the appearance of cuticles and reduce nail flakiness.
They described the texture as “luxurious” but some struggled to dispense the right amount at one time, due to the pump format. However, there is a handy pen alternative to keep in your handbag, if you’d prefer.
Key specifications
| Type | Oil |
|---|---|
| Volume | 18ml |
| Apply | Massage into cuticles |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
Score: 83/100
If a cream is your texture of choice, testers found this one absorbed instantly into cuticles, without any greasiness. They also noticed a difference in the strength of their nails after two weeks, with many reporting less breakages. One tester even said it improved their ridged nails, which helped them feel less brittle.
Key specifications
| Type | Cream |
|---|---|
| Volume | 30ml |
| Apply | Massage into cuticles and hands |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
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11
Best strengthening base coat
Deborah Lippmann Hard Rock Nail Hardener Top and Base Coat
Score: 83/100
Want stronger nails but not willing to compromise on looks? Our testers found this polish worked great as a base coat, so you can get that punch of colour and know your nails are still being nourished underneath.
After two weeks, almost everyone said their nails felt more resilient, with most finding it helped keep tears at bay.
Key specifications
| Type | Polish |
|---|---|
| Volume | 15ml |
| Apply | As a base or top coat |
| Phthalate free | Yes |
| Toluene free | Yes |
| Formaldehyde free | Yes |
These treatments also passed our tests...
Peacci 2-in-1 Base Coat, 82/100, £8.99
Morgan Taylor Daily Elixir, 82/100, £9.95
Leighton Denny Rock Solid Nail Strengthening Base Coat, 80/100, £14
Essie Treat Love Colour Care Nail Polish, 80/100, £8.99
Dr Organic Tea Tree Nail Solution, 80/100, £6.99
Revlon Nail Care Multi Care and Top Coat, 79/100, £7.99
Typology Hand & Nail Serum 1% Plant-Based Keratin + 2% Hyaluronic Acid, 78/100, £18.90
OPI Natural Nail Strengthener, 77/100, £16.90
Nailberry The Cure Ultimate Nail Hardener, 76/100, £16.40
JASON Purifying Tea Tree Nail Saver, 75/100, £14.67
Cutex Intense Recovery, 71/100, £8.99
Rimmel Nail Nurse Polish Care Stronger, 71/100, £6.99
Florence Reeves-White
Senior Beauty Writer
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Tested byMaria Kumar
Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
