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Whether you grew up biting your nails, have faced nail health issues after years of weekly manicures or just never had particularly fruitful nail beds to begin with, there are dozens of reasons why people search for nail growth products. Nail growth—like hair growth—is one of those tricky product markets, though, where it’s tough to weed through what actually works and what doesn’t.
Having long, healthy nails can do wonders for your confidence—personally, I never feel more put together than when my nails are in good shape. But, in an ever-growing beauty world, it’s hard to find products that really do the trick, especially for something as stubborn as our nails. Luckily, we consulted the experts to find out which nail growth products they swear by for really lengthening their manis.
Featured Experts
How do you grow your nails?
Before we can jump into the products our experts swear by for long, healthy nails, it’s first important to understand the basics of how we create and maintain lush manis. After all, do you really know how your nails grow in the first place? According to creative director of nail polish brand Zoya, Rebecca Isa, “Nail growth happens through a process called keratinization, where the nail matrix produces new cells and pushes the old ones out to form the nail. So, the only way to potentially increase the rate of nail growth is by stimulating blood flow to the matrix. Common vitamins associated with healthy nails include vitamin B. The typical rate at which healthy nails grow is about 3.47 millimeters per month, though this can vary during different times of your life, like pregnancy.”
While Isa cautions that “there is no non-medical, proven way to grow nails faster,” celebrity manicurist Stephanie Stone explains that “the key to achieving nail growth is really about maintaining the health and strength of your nails. It sounds obvious but if you have healthy strong nails they are less likely to bend, break, or split which gives them the opportunity to grow out. The number-one thing you can do aside from taking care of your overall health is to keep your nails moisturized and hydrated. Applying lotion and a cuticle oil regularly will go further than you think.”
Nail Growth Products Experts Say Really Work
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“Cuticle care doesn’t just benefit your skin but also your nail beds as well,” says Stone. “I love essie’s on a roll apricot cuticle oil for routine nail maintenance. It comes in both bottle form which I love to keep at my desk and also a roller ball I keep in my purse to take on the go! It would definitely be my desert island product.”
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As Stone noted, essie’s apricot cuticle oil also comes in a bottle formula, perfect for keeping at your desk or on your side table for frequent reapplication. With a 97 percent natural, quick-drying formula, this deep-conditioning cuticle oil will have your skin and nails in tip-top shape in no time.
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“If your nails need even more extra love I recommend a strengthening base coat,” says Stone. “Try essie’s hard to resist advanced nail strengthener and apply every 2-3 days.” Formulated with MSM technology, this base coat is tint-free, so it can be worn on its own or with other polishes, creating visibly healthier, stronger nails in as little as three days.
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“Most nail products on the market are great for either strengthening the nail or preventing peeling, which helps maintain the length of your growing nails,” says Isa. “Products we swear by include the Naked Manicure Rescue & Repair System, which reinforces the keratin fibers of the nail and seals the treatment in, while the gelie creates a strong surface that can be left au naturel or painted over, ensuring your nails stay strong and long.”
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If you’re between manicures or just not in the mood for a full set, Stone recommends keeping a clear coat on your nails for an extra layer of protection to help them keep growing and maintain their strength. “Wearing polish can act as a protective layer to help prevent nail breakage,” says Stone. “Remember: If you want your nails to grow, treat them like jewels, not tools! They will reflect the love you give them so show them a little TLC and watch them grow and shine.”
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Whether you’re struggling to grow out your nails or your overall nail health is suffering, Manucurist Paris’ Rescue Kit has you covered. A threefold routine, the kit includes an S.O.S. base coat, Huile Vert Green Oil, and S.O.S. Masque to help hydrate and replenish the nails and the cuticles, with 96 percent of users in clinical trials reporting rehydrated nails in just two weeks.
Key Ingredients
Sweet almond oil, coconut oil
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An innovative, cream-format treatment for promoting nail growth, Londontown’s Restorative Nail Cream is a gluten-free, vegan and paraben-free product that uses powerful botanical extracts to restore life to dry, dull, brittle nails all while promoting overall nail growth.
Key Ingredients
Cucumber, evening primrose, coconut oil, lavender oil
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I’ve yet to meet a L’Occitane product that doesn’t deliver, and the brand’s nail and cuticle oil is no exception. Packed with 30 percent shea oil, apricot oil and almond oil, just a few swipes of this lush oil daily will have your nails stronger, healthier and longer.
Key Ingredients
Shea oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil
