Treatment for peeling flaking nails

[stringbean]

Can anyone please recommend a treatment for weak nails that persistently peel and flake? Is there anything out there that will make them stronger? I've tried various things over the years - Sally Hansen, Nailtiques (which completely destroyed my nails for about 6 months), Jessica nail oil (diligently rubbed in every night for about 2 months with no discernible difference), vaseline, eating jelly, taking supplements; I wear gloves for washing up, put handcream on every night without fail. Currently trying OPI Nail Envy but, having initially seemed to make a difference, my nails have now split and flaked and broken off and I'm back to square one.

It seems that anything to paint on them makes them really dry; they grow really slowly as well so it takes ages for them to recover. Diet is good otherwise, no health problems or medication. What am I doing wrong, or should I just accept I have rubbish nails?

I came on to say "Nail Envy"! However, I'd suggest you keep them short and filed, keep applying the Nail Envy every few days, and rub almond oil into your nails/cuticles as often as you remember!

The only thing that's helped mine is coconut oil.

I've only been applying the Nail Envy once a week following my disaster with Nailtiques (can't remember how often it had to be applied, but I followed the directions) as my nails seem to get really dry. I will give almond oil a go - I suspect it's something I need to do long term to make a difference, but it's so frustrating. Dh's nails grow really quickly and he's always cutting them - and he plays the guitar! My nails would be shredded if I did that....

My nails are the same. I found Vitry nail varnish from Amazon works really well. Nail Envy didn’t work at all on my nails.

I can't wear polish as it makes my fingernails flake for weeks, particularly on my index and middle fingers for some reason.
I've been drinking bone broth daily for 3 weeks, for joint problems, and I've noticed my nails are lovely and strong.

Bone broth? Is that something you make yourself? It's my index and middle fingers which are most affected too (although ring and little fingers don't escape it, but not quite as bad).

I found using Wilkos washing up liquid instead of Aldis or Fairy stopped my nails being weak and flaky almost over night. Also Vaseline 3x a day minimum really helps.

No- I buy it from Ocado!!! It's really expensive if you buy the big sachets of ready made. But I buy frozen- there are 5 in a pack- you dissolve them in hot water like stock cubes. Taste like soup. Only 20 calories too!

Mavala nail strengthener is the only thing that worked for me. I paint it on twice a week and then use clear nail polish on them . At last I have nails which don't peel or split.

I take Norwegian Arctic Fish oil and my nails are now hard and shiny whereas they were flaky and peeling 6 months ago.

I find anything I put paint on my nails (varnish, gel, nail treatments) dries them out so I would ditch all the treatments and go nail varnish free for a while (I wear it occasionally for going out). I find buffing using a gentle, shop bought 3/4 sided buffer helps a bit but ultimately I just have weak, dry nails So lots of hand cream, always wear rubber gloves, use varnish sparingly.

I am in agreement with pigeonofdoom about going free of anything topical other than oil treatments. Nail envy worked for my splitting nails, to some extent, but it dried me out even more, especially with the weekly removal. So then I had really flakey peeling nails and splitting nails.

I think if you are a slow grower, you have to accept that you won't make a difference to your nails for another 3 months. You are investing in the nail that is being made now.
No-one here has mentioned CND Rescue Rxx which is very well reviewed all over the internet. That has helped me. But don't just apply it once or twice a day, reapply during the day too. I have a pot on my desk at work, by my bed and in my bag. Showers seemed to make me dryer so I also put some sort of oil on my hands before, to protect, and after a shower. I have a sprayer of olive oil in the bathroom and a pumper bottle of almond oil. Also at the same time, review your protein intake if you are vegan or vegetarian to make sure you are getting close to the right amount. And may take a biotin supplement.
Also, I am assuming you are not pregnant or haven't recently given birth as hormones will also be a factor.

If you do all that faithfully for 3/4 months maybe then you may see some improvement..?

Are you me Loveatthefiveanddime
I've tried:
Biotin.
Hair, Skin & Nail supplements.
Nail Envy
CND Rescue
Mavala Nail hardener.

Nothing works.

I’ve tried everything, but then I bought this stuff, and my nails hardened and stopped flaking within a week or so! It’s brilliant...Nails Inc. Gel Rehab
www.amazon.co.uk/Nails-Inc-Rehab-Treatment-Base/dp/B0049MTD44?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Thank you all for your suggestions. There are a few I haven't tried - bone broth, coconut oil and the stuff that magicstar1 has suggested - although I wonder if I also fall into the category of 'anything painted on my nails dries them out excessively'. Tempted to give up and try false/gel nails but fairly certain they'd destroy my nails altogether!

A while ago I was taking the supplement L-Tyrosine for energy and noticed my peeling splitting nails got stronger. Just started taking it again after a long break from it. If the nails improve again, I reckon it's the tyrosine working.

I'll give magicstar1's recommendation a go and hopefully it will work.

Almond oil

CND solar oil worked for me

Eating nuts seems to be working for me. I eat 2 Brazil nuts, 2 walnuts and 10 almonds every night. It’s still early says but I’m seeing an improvement.