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2023’s Best Nail Strengthener For Healthy-Looking Nails

Written by, Jalluri

Updated March, 14, 2023

The best nail strengthener can provide the proper nourishment for your nails and enhance their growth.

1. Essie Grow Stronger

  • Prevents splitting and peeling
  • DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free
  • Extends manicure

2. Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment

  • Stronger, thicker, smoother nails
  • Breakthrough Oxygen Technology
  • Protects & Repairs Nails

3. OPI Start to Finish

  • Works as a base coat, top coat
  • Enjoy fast-drying
  • high-glossand protective shine

4. Dermelect ‘ME’ Peptide-Infused Nail Treatment Lacquer

  • Strengthens weak, brittle nails
  • Restores flexibility
  • Helps resist chipping and splitting
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5. OPI Natural Nail Strengthener

  • Extend the wear of your polish
  • Prevents staining
  • Prevents yellowing of natural nails
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6. Maxus Empower Nail Polish

  • Briliant shine top coat and a nail strengthener
  • Bamboo extract, known to support nail health
  • Wears for a long time
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7. Orly Nailtrition

  • Strengthen peeling and splitting nails
  • Extract help stimulate healthier
  • Nails grow longer and stronger
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8. Sally Hansen 18K Gold Nail Hardener

  • Gold-infused nail strengthener
  • Gives salon quality finish
  • Forms a protective layer
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9. Renunail Nail Strengthener

  • Fortified with calcium gel
  • To support weak and brittle nails
  • Prevents chipping and splitting
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10. Formula X for Sephora Full Strength Treatment Nail Polish

  • Brightens, smoothes, and protects your nails
  • Opaque color with a high-performance
  • Custom glide and streak-free finish
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11. OPI Nail Envy

  • Hydrolyzed Protein and Calcium
  • Sensitive and Peeling Nails
  • Natural looking matte finish
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12. Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener Strengthener Polish Treatment

  • Hardens nails and treats chipping
  • Strengthens nails
  • Ends cracking and splitting nails
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13. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener

  • Strengthens and protects nails
  • Keeps the nails from staining
  • Dries quickly
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14. Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream

  • Soft and fragile nails will quickly grow
  • High endurance & long lasting strength
  • Prevents splits, chips, and cracks
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15. Nailtiques Formula 2 Protein

  • Used for excessive nail problems
  • Helps restore weak, soft, bitten, peeling or thin nails
  • Contains Hydrolyzed keratin, protein and calcium
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16. Nail Tek Nail Strengthener Xtra

  • Helps treat severe nail weakness
  • It chip or peels off rather quickly
  • Contain small amount of formaldehyde
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Best Nail Strengthener Buyer’s Guide

Why do nails weaken, peel or brittle?

Good nails are a sign of good health. If you notice that your nails start to weaken, peel, or brittle, these conditions may be caused by different factors such as nutritional deficiency, poor maintenance, diseases, disorders, etc.

Nail health and nutritional deficiency

If you don’t bless your body with all the essential nutrients it needs for internal metabolic activities; your body won’t bless you with good nails. Nutritional deficiency is the number one cause of weak, brittle, and broken nails. According to all the guides and nail strengthener reviews, a balanced, whole-food diet is the best way to keep your nails in shape and maintain overall health. Give your body all the vitamins and minerals it needs to function and enjoy healthy nails in return.

Nail health and poor maintenance

Nurturing your nails via proper diet is important, but if you ‘feed’ them right and don’t give them the care they need, your nails won’t be happy, and neither will you. The two sworn enemies of nails are water and chemicals. Why don’t you consider using cotton rubber gloves when doing the dishes and minimize your use of nail polish? Nail extensions may look good, but you know the damage they are doing to your nails. In that sense, it is crucial that you find the best nail strengthener after acrylic nails. Simple buffing is enough for nice, smooth nails; opt for buffing at least for some time. Give your nails a rest from time to time.

Nails and overall health

Did you know that your nails can indicate something serious going on in your body? For example, nails that curve upward are often a result of heart diseases, hypothyroidism, or iron-deficiency anemia. Black streaks in your nails may be due to melanoma skin cancer. Cracking and splitting of nails can also be caused by fungal infection or thyroid disease. Diseases and disorders like psoriasis, poor circulation, and infections may be the culprits for bad nail health. Problems with the shape and growth of nails can be indicative of intestinal disease and other serious diseases. So, aside from looking for nail strengtheners, make sure you consult with your doctor.

Things to look for in the best nail strengthener

1. Formula
Before you can find the best product, you need to know what you are looking for. For example, if you’re looking for the best nail treatment for weak and damaged nails, you need a formula that will make your team stronger, that is, a formula with calcium. Formulas that contain formaldehyde should not be your first choice as this compound can cause further damage to your nails. Finally, products that contain jojoba nail oil or other essential oils are your best friends.
2. Color
Some nail strengtheners and hardeners come in color while some are colorless. Once again, you have to know what you are looking for. While some women prefer the natural color of their nails and opt for a colorless product, others can’t imagine buying one that doesn’t come in colors.
3. Application
Easy to apply, yet effective – that is the definition of a great nail strengthener. How often do you use a nail strengthener?! Some of the products work on a single-step basis, while other nail strengtheners include a multi-step routine for best results. All in all, most of the strengtheners and hardeners work like any nail polish.
4. Price
You can find some pretty effective nail strengtheners at budget-friendly prices of only a couple of dollars. However, better quality often means higher price. There are some nail strengtheners that you can buy for $20 or more; however, they will work magic for your nails. After all, you can reduce the price below the $20 mark by finding and using one of the popular Groupon codes and deals.

So, what is the best product for strengthening nails?

It mostly depends on your preferences and how much damage your nails underwent. After going through hundreds of reviews – and testing them ourselves – we finally put together the above list where you can find anything; starting from drugstore nail strengtheners ending with high-end nail strengtheners. The best nail strengthener for you doesn’t have to be expensive nor does it have to be cheap. You just have to keep on trying till you find the one that’s made for your nails. Have you tried some of the items on the above list? How did they work?

Best Nail Hardener and Strengthener Reviews

1 . Essie Grow Stronger

Highlights
  • Prevents splitting and peeling
  • DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free
  • Extends manicure
  • For each one of Essie’s products, you get your money’s worth, and this base coat is no exception. Essie’s Grow Stronger will leave your nails feeling stronger and protected. While this product does deliver on its promise, it may take a while. You need to wait before you enjoy smooth, strong nails. It comes in a light nude shade with a glossy finish, and it is perfect as a manicure base. Essie’s Grow Stronger does not contain DBP and Formaldehyde, and it is enriched with organic ingredients like vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, and mineral strengtheners. What is the best nail strengthener? In our opinion, it’s the Essie Grow Stronger.

    2 . Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment

    Highlights
  • Stronger, thicker, smoother nails
  • Breakthrough Oxygen Technology
  • Protects & Repairs Nails
  • This nail strengthener is here to protect and repair dry, brittle nails. Julep’s Oxygen Nail Treatment is powered by breakthrough Oxygen Technology. Thanks to this, 30% more air permeates to your nail bed, which is where strong nails begin. It comes in two colors – sheer ivory and sheer pink. This product is parabens and sulfates free, so it does no damage to your nails whatsoever.

    3 . OPI Start to Finish

    Highlights
  • Works as a base coat, top coat
  • Enjoy fast-drying
  • high-glossand protective shine
  • Why did Opi name this product ‘start to finish’? Opi’s formula is actually a 3-in-1 formula that works as a base coat, topcoat, and nail strengthener. Apply it before applying nail polish as prevention for nail staining – this is how to use this product as a base coat. When it comes to using it as a topcoat, apply the formula over a nail lacquer and enjoy the fast-drying, high-gloss, protective shine. Finally, if you only need it as a nail strengthener, apply it every other day.

    4 . Dermelect ‘ME’ Peptide-Infused Nail Treatment Lacquer

    Highlights
  • Strengthens weak, brittle nails
  • Restores flexibility
  • Helps resist chipping and splitting
  • Are you trying to harden your nails and attract attention? Well, if red doesn’t scream attention, I don’t know what does! Best nail hardener and fiercely red nail polish – that’s what Dermalect’s ‘ME’ is all about. It strengthens weak, brittle nails, restores flexibility, helps resist chipping and splitting, and on top of that – it gives you sexiness that every man will fall for.

    5 . OPI Natural Nail Strengthener

    Highlights
  • Extend the wear of your polish
  • Prevents staining
  • Prevents yellowing of natural nails
  • The second OPI representative on our list is a nail strengthener that many consider being the ‘holy grail’. It builds layers of protection and is most useful in helping natural nails grow strong. You can use it under colored nail polishes as a base coat that gives maximum protection or, if you love the natural color of your nails, apply it as standalone nail polish. It’s perhaps the best drugstore nail strengthener.

    6 . Maxus Empower Nail Polish

    Highlights
  • Briliant shine top coat and a nail strengthener
  • Bamboo extract, known to support nail health
  • Wears for a long time
  • Although ranked as nail polish, this product has exceptional nail-hardening properties as well. Who could resist a gel-like shine and longevity as well as a sustainable formula and hot color that comes with strengthening benefits? That’s why Maxus’ Empower Nail Polish is so popular. One cannot say ‘no’ to perfection.

    7 . Orly Nailtrition

    Highlights
  • Strengthen peeling and splitting nails
  • Extract help stimulate healthier
  • Nails grow longer and stronger
  • Are you coming out of a bad relationship with gels and acrylics nails? Don’t reach for the ice-cream just yet – Orly Nailtrition is here to cure your wounded nails. Aside from stimulating nail-growth, it strengthens peeling nails and helps restore your nails back to a healthy stage.

    8 . Sally Hansen 18K Gold Nail Hardener

    Highlights
  • Gold-infused nail strengthener
  • Gives salon quality finish
  • Forms a protective layer
  • What is the best nail hardener on the market? You could try Sally Hansen’s and see if it ticks all your boxes. It is gold-infused, and gold is GOLD. This product instantly hardens nails thus preventing breakage, chipping, and splitting. Nothing less but 18-karat gold ensures healthy growth. Wear it under or over nail lacquer or on its own for a discreet shine – it works either way.

    9 . Renunail Nail Strengthener

    Highlights
  • Fortified with calcium gel
  • To support weak and brittle nails
  • Prevents chipping and splitting
  • Renunail nail strengthener has been a long-time favorite nail care treatment among women thanks to its ability to harden and protect the nails. If your nails need a fresh start from all those nail extensions – opt for Renunail’s nail strengthener. This product helps eliminate flaking, chipping, and peeling of nails and also encourages faster nail growth.

    10 . Formula X for Sephora Full Strength Treatment Nail Polish

    Highlights
  • Brightens, smoothes, and protects your nails
  • Opaque color with a high-performance
  • Custom glide and streak-free finish
  • Sephora’s nail treatment product is here to give you strong nails. This product brightens, smoothes, and protects your nails while giving them a natural shine to die for. You decide what is the best way to strengthen nails. Whether you want the full package that comes with a nail strengthener and color as well, or you just want to strengthen your nails old-school without the polish, Sephora has you covered.

    11 . OPI Nail Envy

    Highlights
  • Hydrolyzed Protein and Calcium
  • Sensitive and Peeling Nails
  • Natural looking matte finish
  • Don’t be surprised by all those envious looks – OPI’s Nail Envy has that effect on people. What does this product do for your nails? It provides maximum strength, and thanks to the calcium it comes with, OPI’s Nail Envy ensures harder,  longer, stronger nails. Whoever said that damage is unrepairable, obviously never tried Nail Envy by OPI.

    12 . Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener Strengthener Polish Treatment

    Highlights
  • Hardens nails and treats chipping
  • Strengthens nails
  • Ends cracking and splitting nails
  • Quimica Alemana helps strengthen and harden weak and damaged nails. No more peeling, chipping, and cracking; a thin coat of this formula just once per week is enough to bring your nails back to their best. You can see and feel the results after only one week of usage. It can also be used as a base coat just before you apply nail polish. Since this item’s price tends to jumps over the $20 mark, you can use one of the eBay coupon codes and deals to bring it back.

    13 . Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener

    Highlights
  • Strengthens and protects nails
  • Keeps the nails from staining
  • Dries quickly
  • This is a great product to opt for if you have fragile nails. It will toughen up your weak, damaged nails and provide them with long-lasting protection against chipping, cracking, and splitting. Furthermore, you can use this nail hardener alone or as a base coat for your nail color.

    14 . Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream

    Highlights
  • Soft and fragile nails will quickly grow
  • High endurance & long lasting strength
  • Prevents splits, chips, and cracks
  • No more fragile nails, Hard as Hoof is here to save them. This moisture-rich formula treats dry nails thanks to the richness of vitamins and minerals, while also keeping them hydrated. Aloe Vera and jojoba oil work together to nourish the cuticles, and the sweetest cherry almond smell makes this nail strengthener a pleasure to use. All in all, it’s one of the best nail strengthener products and a best-seller on Amazon which is expected since, besides the ridiculously low price benefit, you can reduce the cost even further by applying one of the globally known Amazon discounts and codes.

    15 . Nailtiques Formula 2 Protein

    Highlights
  • Used for excessive nail problems
  • Helps restore weak, soft, bitten, peeling or thin nails
  • Contains Hydrolyzed keratin, protein and calcium
  • Nailtiques’ Formula 2 helps strengthen nails and prevent peeling. Aside from the nails, it also treats cuticles and fingers – all at the same time. This is just the product you need for long, healthy nail growth. The protein acts as the ultimate matchmaker helping bond nails that are splitting or peeling.

    16 . Nail Tek Nail Strengthener Xtra

    Highlights
  • Helps treat severe nail weakness
  • It chip or peels off rather quickly
  • Contain small amount of formaldehyde
  • Thanks to Nail Tek’s concentrated formulation, this nail strengthener gives your nails extra strength thus repairing severe nail weakness. This is just the product you need for difficult, resistant, and stubborn nails. Show your nails who’s the boss by using these products. Although this item is extremely affordable, you can get the price reduced even further by using Walmart discounts. That’s right, the best price for this item is found at this renowned retailer.