While you may not consider your nails as such, they are part of your skin. And just like your hair and skin, your nails require regular care in order to remain healthy. If you find they are dry, cracked or brittle, your nails may require extra care in order to look their best. By having a few extra products on-hand, you can achieve healthy nails.
Rubber Gloves
When you expose your fingernails to excess amounts of water---whether hot or cold---the nail bed can swell. When the nail bed loses moisture, it can become dry and cracked. Wearing cotton-lined rubber gloves while washing dishes can protect your nails from damage.
Sharp Nail Clippers or Scissors
Biting the nails weakens them, causing the nail to become more brittle and prone to damage. You should fight against this by trimming the nails regularly using sharp nail clippers or scissors, according to the Mayo Clinic. Trim the nails straight across to prevent jagged edges that can cause hangnails and damage. The Mayo Clinic recommends trimming the nails after a shower or bath when the nails are at their softest.
Emery Board
Also known as a nail file, an emery board works similarly to sandpaper in order to smooth the nails, according to the Mayo Clinic. After trimming them, rub the emery board across the top of the nail in order to eliminate jagged edges on the nails.
Moisturizer
Your fingernails are an extension of your skin. Just as you apply lotion to your skin to moisturize it, you should also apply moisturizer to your nails, according to "Reader's Digest." Rub lotion, vitamin E, castor oil or petroleum jelly to the nails regularly in order to keep them healthy and moisturized. You should especially do this after removing fingernail polish, because fingernail polish remover can dry the nails.
Biotin Supplement
If you find your nails are weakened and break easily, taking a 300 microgram supplement of biotin four to six times per day can help strengthen your nails and keep them healthy, according to "Reader's Digest." Biotin is a form of vitamin B that helps the body make keratin, which is the hardened protein your nails are composed of. Those who take a biotin supplement for five months were shown to have firmer and harder nails, according to The New York Times.
Protein-Containing Nail Polish
While some forms of nail polish can be drying, a protein-containing nail polish helps strengthen the fingernails when applied, according to The New York Times. Found in most drugstores or discount superstores, these nail polishes typically are clear and designed to infuse protein into the nail, which strengthens it.
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