Olive Oil to Treat Dry, Brittle Toenails

Get toenails ready for the sun with an easy olive oil treatment.
Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

With the onslaught of warm weather come sandals, flip-flops and barefoot beach days. Dry, brittle toenails are an embarrassing sight that can make you shy away from showing your toes. With the help of a little olive oil straight from the cupboard, you can get your toenails looking healthy.

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Step 1

If you have any nail lacquer on your toes -- even clear polish -- use the cotton balls and nail polish remover to take it off. Trim toenails and clean any dirt underneath them.

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Step 2

Wash feet with antibacterial soap. Removing bacteria, sweat and grime is important in helping to prevent fungus and infection. Dry your feet thoroughly with the towel.

Step 3

Fill the dropper with olive oil and drip three to four drops onto the nail of your big toe at the bed, the tissue area around the perimeter of the nail. Massage the oil lightly into the nail and cuticles. Repeat on your other big toe, then on your smaller toes using a drop or two of oil.

Step 4

Before putting on socks or shoes, let feet sit for 10 minutes so that the oil can fully absorb into the nail beds. Repeat the previous steps daily.

Things You'll Need

  • Nail polish remover

  • Cotton balls

  • Nail trimmer

  • Antibacterial soap

  • Clean towel

  • Olive oil

  • Eye dropper

  • Water

Tip

Once your nails are back to their shining selves, do this treatment every few days -- or every time you remove nail polish -- to maintain healthy moisture.

For added relaxation, warm the olive oil slightly and massage all over feet. Olive oil is a great skin moisturizer, and if you have dry toenails you may have dry feet in general.

Add a few drops of essential oil to your olive oil to infuse toenails with a pleasant scent. Make sure you keep the concoction out of the kitchen and clearly marked.

For a huge moisture boost, add a few tablespoons of olive oil to half a cup of moisturizing lotion. Before going to bed, slather toes and feet and put on cotton socks. In the morning, wipe off any residue and rinse to reveal soft soles and moisturized nails.

Promote nail health from the inside out by taking a daily multivitamin or biotin supplement and eating plenty of biotin-rich foods such as whole grains, cooked eggs, avocado and cauliflower.

Avoid painting toenails until the brittleness and dryness have been alleviated.

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