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From cracking to peeling to breakage, nail problems can be both unsightly and uncomfortable. Cracked nails are a nuisance, peeling skin on fingers around the nails can be painful and dry cuticles and hangnails somehow manage to snag on everything in sight.
“Topical treatments and nutritional supplements can often help nail problems like these, so that’s a good place to start,” says LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon.
Let’s see what we can do to help solve to some of the most common nail quandaries, including:
The most likely reason your nails are peeling is trauma or irritation, along with a dose of dryness. “Keeping your hands away from your hands—that is, not picking on your nails or cuticles—is the most important thing you can do to avoid cracked and peeling nails and cuticles,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.
One other cause could be a vitamin deficiency. A lack of niacin (also called vitamin B-3) can cause peeling skin, while a lack of biotin (vitamin B7) is a possible cause of brittle nails that easily crack or peel.
Adding a nutritional supplement with nail care benefits is one way to fix peeling nails at home. Oral supplements that contain niacin and biotin (also known as vitamin H) may help strengthen nails and prevent peeling skin. L-Cysteine is another substance that has been shown to improve brittle nails in clinical studies, either on its own or in combination with keratin.
Viviscal Professional Supplements are twice-a-day oral supplements that feature both biotin and L-Cysteine. “Though Viviscal supplements are marketed for hair growth, they’re actually somewhat effective when it comes to strengthening nails as well,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says. It will take at least three months to see any benefit and a full twelve months to achieve full results, he says.
Another option is HairMax Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement. These daily dietary supplements contain both niacin and biotin, which can help support healthy nail growth to help fix peeling nails. As an added bonus, both of these active ingredients also can help improve thinning hair by improving blood flow to your hair follicles and supporting your hair’s elasticity.
When your nails themselves are cracked or peeling, it can be really hard to avoid picking or pulling at them. Unfortunately, picking at broken nails can cause additional damage, and pulling at peeling skin around your nails could expose tender skin and potentially introduce bacteria that could lead to an infection.
A nail file is the perfect tool to smooth jagged edges from broken or cracked nails. As for your cuticles, LovelySkin medical director Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon, doesn’t recommend trimming them. “Cuticles are a protective mechanism for your nails, and any damage you might inadvertently cause by trying to trim them only widens your chance of infections in the future,” he says.
Tweezerman Mini Nail Rescue Kit has everything you need to help fix a cracked nail and keep your nails looking neat and trim, including a clipper with precision angled blades and a nickel-plated nail file. The tools nestle into a convenient oval-shaped case that’s small enough to tuck into your handbag, desk drawer or glove compartment.
Nails that split, chip and break easily are called brittle nails, and if you’ve ruled out a nutritional deficiency (including iron deficiency anemia), it’s possible that the cause is hereditary. In this case, how to fix peeling nails may come down to finding the right topical product to provide much-needed nourishment.
Applying a nail conditioner can help promote new nail growth for healthier, stronger nails that are less likely to crack, break or peel. Commitment is important when it comes to seeing results: You’ll need to use a nail conditioner on a regular basis for a number of weeks before you’ll start to see any improvements as your nails grow.
The Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System can help improve the overall health of your nails. Created by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dana Stern, this three-piece kit helps strengthen weak, dry, brittle or peeling nails. The first step is a nail treatment with a pen-like applicator that helps exfoliate nails with glycolic acid. The second step is a nail buffer that helps remove damaged nail cells. The third and final step is a moisturizing gel-oil that strengthens and fortifies both the nail and surrounding cuticle.
Another option is DermaNail Nail Conditioner. A dermatologist-developed treatment powered by mandelic acid, this nail conditioner helps improve the appearance of nails while encouraging nail growth over time. Because its formula works on new nail growth, you’ll need to use it consistently for eight to sixteen weeks to see results.
Barcelona-based skin care line ISDIN also has a product focused on how to fix peeling nails at home. ISDIN Si-Nails Fast Absorbing & Hydrating Nail Serum Strengthener is an innovative formula that helps repair brittle nails and increase the durability of cuticles by supporting essential components your body needs. One key ingredient is Pistacia lentiscus gum, which can help promote the production of keratin, a building block of healthy nails. Another supporting ingredient is silanediol salicylate, which promotes the production of silicon, a mineral that’s essential for strong nails.
Exposing your hands to harsh detergents or submerging them in water for a long period of time may cause peeling or flaky skin around nails.
“Peeling skin around your nails can also be an allergic reaction to something you’ve touched or come in contact with,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. “That could be anything from fragrance in a hand soap used for washing dishes to a metal, like nickel, on jewelry or clothing.”
Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may also lead to peeling skin, so if the problem persists, schedule a visit with your dermatologist to receive a professional diagnosis.
In topical form, hydrocortisone can help bring relief to skin that’s red, itchy or swollen. It works to reduce inflammation by reversing it. FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm, developed by Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger, is an easy-to-apply balm in a stick formulation containing moisturizing shea butter and cocoa butter designed to help prevent peeling skin caused by dryness.
“Whether your irritated, peeling skin is the result of an allergic reaction to something you’ve come in contact with or from a skin condition, the 1% hydrocortisone in this balm can treat the source of irritation,” Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says.
It’s possible that environmental factors such as dry, cold air could be contributing to dry, peeling nails and cuticles. In the winter, it’s a reality that’s especially hard to avoid. In addition to FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm, creams or oils can also help soften cuticles and provide a protective barrier to prevent the delicate skin around your nails from drying out and peeling.
Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail & Cuticle Oil is a nourishing nail and cuticle oil contains chamomile, which helps soften cuticles, so they’re less likely to crack or rip, as well as neem leaf extract to help encourage new, healthy nail growth. The pump-top bottle is ideal for at-home use, while a smaller travel version with a pen-style applicator is convenient for those on-the-go.
If you prefer the nourishing texture of a balm to traditional cuticle oil, you might like Qtica Intense Cuticle Repair Balm. This thick, luxurious nail and cuticle balm contains lanolin, beeswax and vitamins B5 and E to help provide immediate relief for dry, damaged cuticles and hangnails.
If you’re struggling with dry skin on your hands in addition to dry or peeling cuticles, consider a multitasking treatment that helps repair dry hands as well as damaged cuticles and nails like Embryolisse Cicalisse Hands and Nails. It contains hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and lecithin (a phospholipid that helps bind water to cells) as well as shea butter to combat dryness and lock in moisture.
If you experience cracked or peeling nails that can’t be remedied with regular use of at-home treatments, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. “Your dermatologist can determine whether these symptoms are the result of a skin infection or another underlying health condition that could be more serious, such as anemia, thyroid issues, an injury, growth or Raynaud’s syndrome,” Dr. Joel Schlessinger says.
Are you looking for more hand lotion options? You can learn about the benefits of shea butter cream for hands on the LovelySkin Blog.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
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