Manicurists Say This $20 Nail Strengthening Treatment Can Prevent Chips (2024)

This best-in-class nail strengthener has a rich ingredient list packed with vitamins A, C, and E, along with biotin and calcium to stimulate growth and prevent chipping and breaking. The brand is also stocked in nearly every nail salon and drugstore. The experts we interviewed love that it’s vegan and easy to use. Simply paint it on like nail polish.

When first applied, users say the treatment feels like a gel. It goes on thick, but feels very lightweight and thin once dried. For best results, apply two coats initially. Then, add a new coat once per day for six days. If you prefer, you can layer it with nail polish and lacquer. In this case, the strengthener will function as your base coat.

When applied over your nail polish after the initial treatment, the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener acts as a shiny top coat. In a sense, it works behind-the-scenes while giving your nails an immediate visual glow-up. Based on our previous testing with similar formulas containing biotin, you can expect to see stronger nails in as little as a week, meaning you should experience less peeling, breakage, or hangnails.

The product serves as reinforcement for your nails, ultimately preventing your manicure from cracking. That being said, the actual nail strengthener is prone to chipping after a few days. An easy fix is to simply apply another coat, though. Extra layers go on smoothly without looking cakey.

Read more: Best Cuticle Oils

It may be a fraction of the price of the other nail strengtheners on this list, but this treatment is incredibly effective at strengthening nails. The formula, which is a cult-favorite on Amazon, is essentially a keratin treatment for your fingers. It's formulated with amino acids that absorb into the weakest layers of your nails to harden and promote growth. Like our top overall pick, you’ll get better results without nail polish, but you can technically use it as a base and top coat with colored polish.

“After a manicure gone horribly wrong, my nails were in dire shape—I’m talking about true divots in my nails,” says contributor Brigitt Earley. “I popped this formula in my cart and it was at my doorstep the next day. After about two weeks, I began to see noticeable repair—my nails became a lot smoother and free of pits in the nail beds.”

Celebrity nail artist Temeka Jackson loves this top coat because she finds it lasts longer than other options she’s experimented with. Plus, if you're looking for an affordable find, this fan-favorite can be found at most drugstores. The formula is designed to provide an extra hard, high-shine finish, so nails don't break or split.

The strengthening treatment is also formulated with omega-3 and soy to lessen the look of ridges. Despite it going over layers of nail polish, it acts as a protective barrier that reduces moisture loss to the nail, preventing them from becoming brittle and weak.

After just a few uses, you’ll notice fewer tears on the sides of your nails and a longer-lasting manicure. It has a quick drying time, too—you only have to wait a few minutes. The formula has an immediate strengthening effect that you’ll notice helps lessen chips during everyday activities like dishwashing, and also delivers more permanent results with consistent use.

While this product is definitely a splurge compared to the rest of our top-rated nail strengtheners, it definitely lives up to the hype. The formula, which is rich in camellia oil, cellulose, vitamin E, and argan oil, is designed to nourish your nails while simultaneously visually correcting any discoloration.

It’s an editor-favorite we recommend using before a manicure, whether at home or at the salon (bring the bottle with you!). "I love using press-on nails, but sometimes they cause damage, making my nails look rough and ragged if I take them off too soon," says WH editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert. "This provides such a nice shine to my nails, making rough patches virtually unnoticeable while keeping them healthy between sets."

Essie may be known for their pretty shades of nail polish, but they also make a quality nail strengthener. This one in particular provides a shiny, subtle pink tint to nails while giving them some extra TLC—great if you’re skipping manis but really miss color while you’re trying to fortify your nails. The thick formula dries fast, but does require a learning curve to apply if you aren’t used to painting your own nails. It’s best to apply a thin coat because if you apply too much users say it easily smudges and takes a longer time to dry.

Since it does have that pink tint, you should give yourself a little extra time to apply it carefully since a messy application may be more noticeable than those from nail strengtheners that apply clear. Paint it on and let it sit for just three days, and then enjoy dramatic results. Just two coats reduces yellowing and gives nails a healthy glow. Over time, it targets overall durability, too. The brand says you’ll notice stronger, harder nails in just three days.

Everyone has, at one point or another, scraped off gel or ripped off an acrylic and regretted it. In case of those emergencies, this nail recovery kit includes a nail strengthener, cuticle oil, and ridge filler so your nails feel as good as new in just a few days. "I recommend this every time a client has brittle nails," says Jackson. "They have a great system for layering and creating great results with consistency.”

The clear coat stays on nails without chipping for an extended time, and you can truly see a difference in strength and color within a matter of days, she says.

Creams aren't quite as convenient as lacquers since they're a little messier than top coats that dry in a few seconds, but they work absolute wonders, says Remark. This nail cream, by luxe brand Londontown, works best on dry, cracked, and brittle nails when worn overnight with gloves.

Yes, it’s a pricey pick, but we think it’s worth every penny. You don’t need a lot to get the job done, so a single container will serve you well for a month and counting, even with consistent use. And it doesn’t just target the health of the actual nail. In addition to stronger beds, you’ll also notice healthier, more hydrated cuticles. Its formula is designed to replenish the nail’s keratin, fortifying it to prevent breakage.

Creams and other nail-strengthening treatments you rub on can often get messy, but not this one. This spill-proof nail strengthener is designed with a pen brush applicator that allows you to apply the treatment with precision, making it ideal for travel. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, including vitamin E for strengthening and jojoba oil for conditioning.

Some nail products come with harsh, unpleasant smells, but users particularly liked that this strengthening treatment gives you a fragrance-free option. There’s also a choice between several fun scented options, like vanilla and pumpkin spice latte, something no other product on this list offers.

Meet the experts

• Rita Remark is a celebrity manicurist in New York.
• Temeka Jackson is a Loos-Angeles-based celebrity nail artist.
• Macey Delcambre, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, TX.

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