How to strengthen my nails

[bellabride]

I've been having regular gel manicures for years, often in a natural shade, but I'm due to start a new job where no nail polish is allowed ( in healthcare, for infection control reasons).
My nails are prone to splitting and peeling when I don't have gel polish on to protect them: I found this out during the salon's long closure during lockdown!
What can I do to strengthen my nails without applying any polish: Nail Envy, etc would be out.
I've ordered some Dr Haushka neem nail and cuticle oil, also a couple of polishes that I can apply myself for going out on days off work, and a Tweezerman manicure set: clippers and files.
Any other tips?

Big jar of Vaseline on the side and rub some in and around your nails every time you pass it- I do it about 4x a day. Works a treat.

Leave them alone. Keep them tidy and short. Don't apply polish or oils or fancy hand creams.

I left mine alone for years because my hands were too shaky for polish and I think the last time I had them done properly was my wedding. We are now divorced, 7 years later... 

Anyway, they snapped constantly! Sorry @WhoppingBigBackside this is going to sound like I'm saying black because you're saying white but it didn't get better until I actually started taking care of them.

I think I'm about three months into the process and 2 weeks ago showed my mum the longest, thickest nails I have ever possessed.

I'm obsessed with them. I'm obsessed with the shine of clear polish and have even started painting the whites whiter and I'm also obsessed with admiring them every time I glance down at my keyboard

Too far? Absolutely. But I've lived my entire life with stubs so I regret nothing.

Anyhoo what worked for me was cuticle oil and Nail Magic (I got it from Amazon). Can't even remember where I heard about it, possible on here. Cuticle oil is kept with my teacup at all times and I apply it constantly. Nail Magic, roughly two coats twice a week but sometimes more if I'm bored because I kinda enjoy painting them.

Hope that helps!

Could you get the ombré nails? So it's literally pink and white powder/gel on top of your natural nails and looks quite natural and no chance of chipping etc as there's no varnish it's the actual powder colour? These are mine.

I used to eat a couple of jellies every day and my nails were in really good condition

whatwouldjudydo, your nails look lovely, but, no, I can only have bare nails; supposed to be cut pretty short, too.

I found Mavala scientific works really well it's quite expensive but will last ages. I have more thin and bendy nails though and it helps to harden them. It might be worth a try.

I would be looking at your diet, tbh, so probably take a supplement. I take the Hair, Skin, Nails vitamins (just Sainsbury's own, they're about£3 for a month's worth) which have B vitamins, vit E, etc that your body needs to make healthy hair/nails. Ok, you won't see immediate results, but I have incredibly strong healthy nails (which I also keep bare and short for work).

I do sometimes (when I'm sitting on the sofa, so rarely!!) rub Nivea creme from the blue tub into them, mainly to soften my cuticles which aren't fab because I have psoriasis. I also use clarins hand and nail cream as this is the only hand cream/lotion I can actually use that doesn't bring me out in a rash, and whilst it's more expensive than most, it is actually really good stuff- I'm late 40s and my hands look really good just a pity I can't rub this all over me! I usually get bought it at birthday/Christmas, and tbh a large bottle lasts me ages, you really need only a small amount each use.

Jojoba oil, it's cheap as chips and works better than so many branded nail products out there. Be careful using nail strengthening products, they can make nails lose their natural flexibility so theyre more likely to snap rather than bend.

Mine are exactly the same - which is why I started having gel nails over 20 years ago! They were awful when I couldn’t have them done. The thing that really worked for mine is Exit Damaged Nails, it’s not cheap but by God, it works!

This works !
Apart from basic nail care (filing and using cuticle oil) Once or twice a week I do the washing up in the sink (as opposed to the dishwasher) with really hot water. It stimulates nail growth and makes my nails stronger. I know it sounds ridiculous but it works.