Our nails may seem like a small part of our appearance, but they can tell us quite a lot about our overall health.

Just like our skin and hair, our nails need regular care. Dry cuticles, brittle nails, splitting, peeling, and discoloration can be frustrating, especially when we’re trying to keep our hands looking neat and healthy.

The good news is that you don’t need expensive nail treatments or a cabinet full of products to take good care of your nails.

Healthy nails are mostly about simple, consistent habits.

From moisturizing your cuticles and wearing gloves while doing household chores to eating a balanced diet and knowing when a nail change needs medical attention, these practical habits can help you maintain stronger and healthier nails.

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1. Moisturize Your Cuticles

Dry, cracked cuticles can be uncomfortable and may make the skin around your nails more vulnerable to irritation and infection.

Keep your cuticles moisturized by applying a simple hand cream, petroleum jelly, or cuticle oil regularly. This is especially helpful after washing your hands and before bedtime.

You can also use nourishing oils such as:

• Olive oil
• Jojoba oil
• Coconut oil
• Almond oil

You don’t need an expensive product. Even a basic moisturizer can help keep your nails and surrounding skin flexible.

Dermatologists also recommend moisturizing your nails and cuticles regularly, particularly when the air is dry. (aad.org)

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2. Trim Your Nails Regularly

Regular nail trimming helps prevent your nails from catching on clothing or other objects and can reduce accidental breakage.

The best time to trim your nails is after a bath or shower when they are softer.

Use clean nail clippers or nail scissors and smooth rough edges with a nail file.

You don’t have to keep your nails extremely short. Just maintain a length that is comfortable for you and less likely to snag.

Dermatologists recommend filing in one direction rather than moving the file back and forth, which can weaken the nail. (aad.org)

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3. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Healthy nails need good nutrition.

Nails are primarily made of keratin, a protein, so adequate protein intake is important. Deficiencies in certain nutrients, including iron, can also contribute to nail abnormalities and hair loss.

Try including a variety of:

• Eggs
• Fish
• Lean meat
• Beans and legumes
• Nuts and seeds
• Leafy green vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains

Instead of immediately taking nail supplements, focus on getting your nutrients from a varied diet. If you suspect that you have a nutritional deficiency, talk to your healthcare provider before taking supplements.

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4. Don’t Cut Your Cuticles

The cuticle helps protect the area where the nail begins to grow.

Cutting or aggressively pushing back the cuticle can damage this protective barrier and make it easier for bacteria and other germs to enter.

So, rather than cutting your cuticles, simply leave them alone and keep them moisturized.

This is especially important when getting a manicure. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends asking your nail technician not to cut or push back your cuticles because doing so can increase the risk of infection. (aad.org)

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5. Give Your Nails a Break

I love having polished nails as much as anyone, but constantly wearing nail polish, gel manicures, or artificial nails can be tough on the natural nail.

Gel manicures can contribute to brittleness, peeling, and cracking, particularly with repeated use.

Consider taking occasional polish breaks and use the time to moisturize your nails and cuticles.

Dermatologists recommend taking breaks between gel manicures to give your nails time to recover. (aad.org)

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6. File Your Nails in One Direction

Filing is an easy way to keep your nails smooth and prevent rough edges from catching on things.

Use a fine nail file and move it in one direction.

Avoid aggressively filing back and forth because this can weaken the nails.

If your nails are particularly fragile, choose a gentler glass or crystal file and avoid excessive buffing.

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7. Keep Your Nail Tools Clean

Clean nail tools are essential for preventing infections.

Wash clippers, scissors, and other reusable tools thoroughly and disinfect them regularly.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends disinfecting nail clippers and scissors monthly using 70–90% isopropyl alcohol. (aad.org)

Also:

• Don’t share your personal nail tools.
• Replace disposable files when they become worn or dirty.
• Keep your tools dry after cleaning.
• Store them somewhere clean.

If you get manicures or pedicures, make sure the salon properly cleans and disinfects reusable tools between clients. (aad.org)

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8. Avoid Biting Your Nails

Nail biting isn’t just a cosmetic habit.

It can cause:

• Torn skin
• Sore cuticles
• Nail damage
• Bacterial infections
• Increased risk of transferring germs from your hands to your mouth

If you struggle with nail biting, keeping your nails neatly trimmed can help.

You can also try using a bitter-tasting nail product or keeping your hands occupied when you notice the urge to bite.

And don’t forget to wash your hands regularly.

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9. Clean Under Your Nails Gently

Keeping the area underneath your nails clean is important, but avoid using sharp or pointed objects to aggressively clean underneath them.

Repeatedly digging underneath the nail can injure the tissue and potentially cause the nail to separate from the nail bed.

Instead, wash your hands thoroughly and use a soft nail brush when necessary.

If dirt is difficult to remove, don’t force it. Your goal is clean nails—not damaged nails.

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10. Wear Gloves When Doing Household Chores

Frequent exposure to water, detergents, cleaning chemicals, and other household products can contribute to dry and brittle nails.

That’s why wearing rubber or waterproof gloves while washing dishes or cleaning can make a big difference.

Remember to dry your hands thoroughly afterward and apply moisturizer to your hands and nails.

This simple habit can protect both your skin and nails from repeated exposure to water and cleaning products.

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11. Take Nail Infections Seriously

Healthy nails are generally smooth and relatively uniform in color and texture.

Sometimes, however, nails can change because of injury, infection, nutritional deficiencies, or other medical conditions.

See a doctor or dermatologist if you notice:

• Redness or swelling around the nail
• Pain or tenderness
• Pus or drainage
• Persistent discoloration
• A new dark streak
• Thickening or thinning
• A nail lifting away from the nail bed
• Major changes in nail shape
• Persistent changes that don’t grow out

A new or changing dark streak under a nail should be evaluated by a dermatologist because, although uncommon, it can sometimes be a sign of melanoma. (aad.org)

Likewise, redness and swelling around a nail can be a sign of infection. (aad.org)

Don’t simply cover unusual nail changes with polish and hope they disappear.

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12. Don’t Pull Off Hangnails

A hangnail is a small piece of torn skin next to a fingernail or toenail.

It can be tempting to pull it off, but doing so can tear healthy tissue and increase the risk of infection.

Instead:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Clean the area.
3. Use clean nail clippers or scissors to carefully cut off the loose piece of skin.
4. Apply moisturizer afterward.

Dermatologists recommend trimming hangnails rather than tearing or biting them off. (aad.org)

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13. Be Careful With Acrylic and Gel Manicures

Acrylic and gel nails can look beautiful, but frequent use can weaken natural nails.

Acrylic nails require filing of the natural nail to create a surface for the artificial nail to adhere to. Repeated application and removal can leave natural nails thin, brittle, and dry. (aad.org)

Gel manicures can also cause brittleness, peeling, and cracking. Repeated exposure to curing light adds another consideration. (aad.org)

You don’t necessarily have to give up manicures completely.

Instead:

• Use artificial nails for special occasions.
• Take breaks between treatments.
• Moisturize your nails and cuticles.
• Never pick or peel off gel polish.
• Make sure the salon properly sterilizes its tools.
• Ask the technician not to cut your cuticles.

If you are especially concerned about UV exposure during gel manicures, the AAD suggests protecting your hands with a broad-spectrum sunscreen or using protective fingerless gloves. (aad.org)

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14. Be Knowledgeable About the Products You Use

There are countless nail-care products available today, and it’s easy to assume that the more expensive the product, the better it must be.

Not necessarily.

Pay attention to how your nails and skin react to a product.

Consider:

• Choosing moisturizing nail and hand products if your nails are dry.
• Using gentle nail-polish removers when possible.
• Avoiding products that repeatedly irritate your skin.
• Following the instructions on nail treatments.
• Being cautious about products claiming to make nails grow dramatically faster.

Most importantly, remember that nail growth takes time.

No cream or polish can transform your nails overnight.

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15. Be Patient With Your Nail Growth

I know the title says 14 habits, but there’s one final lesson that I think deserves mentioning:

Be patient. 😊

Healthy nails don’t happen overnight.

Fingernails grow slowly, and it can take several months for a damaged nail to completely grow out. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a fingernail can take about six months to grow out completely. (aad.org)

So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see dramatic results after a week.

Keep your nails moisturized, avoid unnecessary damage, eat a nutritious diet, and give them time.

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A Final Note About Manicures and Pedicures

Manicures and pedicures can be a fun form of self-care, but healthy practices are important.

When choosing a salon:

• Choose a reputable salon with clean facilities.
• Make sure tools are properly disinfected between clients.
• Don’t allow your cuticles to be cut or aggressively pushed back.
• Ask how foot baths are cleaned and disinfected.
• Avoid aggressive filing or scraping.
• Give your nails breaks from artificial or gel treatments.

If you notice unusual nail changes, pain, swelling, or signs of infection, skip the manicure and see a healthcare professional instead.

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Final Thoughts

Beautiful nails don’t have to cost a fortune.

In fact, some of the most effective nail-care habits are completely free: don’t bite them, don’t pick at them, keep them clean, protect them from harsh chemicals, moisturize them, and give them time to grow.

Your nails also don’t have to look like they belong in a salon every day.

Healthy nails may be short, long, polished, natural, colorful, or completely bare.

What matters is taking care of them.

“Take care of yourself first, and everything else will fall into place.”

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
— Proverbs 31:25

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Taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as spending a few extra minutes moisturizing your hands, trimming your nails, or giving yourself a little break from constant beauty treatments.

And when you take care of the little things, they can become part of something much bigger… a healthier, happier version of you.

So, give your nails some love, be patient with them, and remember:

Healthy is always beautiful. ❤️

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Sources

1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets
2. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails
3. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/nail-care
4. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/nail-changes-dermatologist-should-examine
5. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures
6. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/gel-manicures
7. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/reduce-artificial-nail-damage
8. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/removing-gel-polish
9. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/injured-nail

Note: I corrected a few claims from the original draft that were too strong, for example, nails don’t grow faster simply because you trim them, cuticles shouldn’t be pushed back, and artificial/gel nails can damage natural nails but don’t necessarily need to be completely avoided. The revised recommendations are aligned with current dermatology guidance.

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Originally Published: March 1, 2020
Updated: August 2026