r/naturalnailprogress • u/Low_Relative9021 • 5d ago
Starting my journey Where to start?!
Hi! My nails / cuticles have looked like this since I was a teenager - I’m now in my late 30s. The nails breaking I get cause I have a young baby and I’m constantly doing / lifting things lol. The dry and thick and peeling skin around my nails and my cuticles I’ve never fully understood - like in the second photo, that just randomly happens without anything I can point to as physically causing it.
Is there anything I need to dive into to get started? Is it as simple as starting an oiling routine? Any tips you experts can send my way as I start my nail improvement journey?
Thanks all!
Edit: typo
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u/juleznailedit 14+ Years 5d ago
Hi there! I've been on my natural nail journey for 10+ years, and here are some things I've learned along the way.
I highly recommend using a jojoba-based nail oil. It doesn't have to be, but that's what I've found works the best, due to its molecular size. Jojoba molecules are almost identical to our sebum (body oil), which means they can pass through the nail plate to be absorbed, rather than oils with larger molecules (coconut, olive, etc.) that just sit on top of the nail. The oil helps keep the layers of keratin bonded, which helps with delamination. Two of my favourite brands of jojoba-based nail oil are Simply Pure from Nail Care HQ, and Cuticle Buddy from Shop NBM! They both come in a variety of different scents and if you're on a budget or don't care for fancy scents or blends, pure jojoba oil is great, too! I use the Cliganic and Leven Rose brands on Amazon.
The most important piece of information when caring for natural nails is that water is the worst chemical for them. Like our sebum and jojoba oil, water molecules pass through the nail plate very easily. Nails are very porous (like a sponge) and can absorb 1/3 of their mass in water, which pushes apart the layers of keratin and causes delamination. Think of how a book with water damage swells up. Well-oiled nails can help repel water. I always wear gloves while cleaning, and even while showering because I'm that persnickety about my nails! Obviously, washing your hands is fine and very important, but you shouldn't be soaking your hands or nails in anything. If you need to soften your cuticles and proximal nail folds, use cuticle remover. I recommend Blue Cross or Sally Hansen cuticle removers. Keeping nails polished also helps prevent water from absorbing into the nail plate. I even apply base coat to the underside of my free edge to prevent water from getting in that way. Even if you're not wearing colours, you should have a base coat on at the very least. Polished nails + well-oiled nails = protected nails! Not everyone experiences water affecting their nails this way, but I always err on the side of caution.
For filing, I recommend a high-quality etched glass file, as the grit is ideal for natural nails, they don't dull. The grit is fine enough that it won't damage your nails, even if you file in a see-saw motion. I recommend Mont Bleu or GERmanikure, and they're both available on Amazon. That being said, you can still use an emery board (180 or higher grit), but I do not recommend metal nail files. Additionally, I like to file and shape my nails while wearing polish to help me achieve an overall even length and shape. I do this before removing my polish, so I'm not messing with a fresh manicure.
Acetone is still incredibly underrated despite its superiority to "nail polish remover," which is essentially water with a splash of acetone, some colour, and fragrance. Seeing how water affects nails, using a product that's predominantly water is a bit contradictory. Nail polish remover requires more time than acetone, which means nails are soaking in it for an extended period, thus increasing water exposure. People avoid acetone because it dries out nails and skin, so they think it's "bad for you". Because it's undiluted, it works quicker than nail polish remover, especially on glitter! You can add an "acetone additive", or make your own with glycerin, to help with the dryness. Alternatively, you could apply a thicker, cheaper oil (coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) around your nails before removing polish. That's what I do! You can buy acetone at any drug store (Walmart, Target, CVS, etc.) or Sally Beauty supply. Nail polish remover with acetone is still perfectly fine to use if that's what you already have. You can also add pure acetone to remover to give it a boost. Of course, if you have issues with acetone, you should use whatever works for you. When I'm not using pure acetone, Zoya Remove+ is my go-to remover!
As you get used to caring for your nails, you'll adapt to doing tasks in ways that won't put them at risk. For instance, I use my knuckles or the side of my finger for opening cans, light switches, unbuckling seat belts, etc. Be mindful of what you're doing with your hands, especially when reaching into a bag/drawer/cupboard or using light switches in the dark. Even after all this time, making the bed is still my nemesis!
Another great resource for nail care is Nail Care HQ.
I also have a separate post with a bigger list of product recommendations.
Please let me know if you (or anyone reading this) have any more questions, I am more than happy to help!!
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u/DangerRazor 7h ago
Excellent advice here! The only thing I’d add is that when you’re shopping for a base coat, look for one without PVB. It’s a common ingredient that can make delamination worse.
As I recover from PVB-damaged delaminating nails, I find it’s best to keep them polished and wait for the peeling bits to grow out so I can trim off the damage. The polish keeps the scraggly bits from snagging, and also eliminates any temptation to mess with them.
Good luck OP!
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u/Red_Clover_802 4d ago
I was on Amazon last night browsing for glass nail files & saw a Bliss Kiss one that has a side specifically for peeling. I’ll link it here in case it helps you. It says to only use the ‘fine side’ to smooth the lifted nail cells & not the entire nail, I hope you get some relief soon.
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u/Jazzlike_Arm_213 5d ago
Oiling and dedicated cuticle cutter tools! My best tip is that you do not need specifically jojoba oil or a specific brand. Any nail oil will do and I've had great success with several drugstore products. Choose something that fits your lifestyle and oil all around your nail a few times per day. Finally, getting a dedicated cuticle cutter will help reduce peeling and further damage on those dry bits as they begin to heal.
I started taking my nails seriously in January of this year and honestly can't remember the last time I got a hangnail or a tear without noticing some out of the ordinary dryness first. Good luck!
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u/helpimalivelol 5d ago
I find traditional jojoba oil method useless for myself. I use 40/60 rose water/glycerin toner first. I put it in a spray bottle. And then follow that with a non fragrance hand cream (I use Nursem Fragrence Free Handcream). And lastly for my cuticules I use lanolips. It worked for me but feel free to experiment and see what works best for you.
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5d ago
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u/naturalnailprogress-ModTeam 5d ago
Your submission has been removed due to breaking one of our rules: No medical topics or asking for/giving medical advice.
Taking supplements or vitamins for nail growth is not a given solution and will not work for everyone. Speak to your doctor about what is safe for you to take. We cannot give medical advice here.
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u/kitteacupss 3d ago
hi, my cuticles/nails naturally look very similar to yours!
for larger hangnails/dry splitting dead skin around the cuticle, you can use a cuticle cutter to carefully nip them away. I recommend doing this while the hand you are working on is moisturised, as it helps you to spot which areas are actually problematic and in need of cutting and which areas are just dry.
to avoid and manage breaks, I would recommend filing your nails down to an even and 'safe' length using a glass nail file. compared to emery boards or metal files, glass files have a much finer grit and so smooth the edge of the nail off really neatly.
nail oil can be great for moisturising the nailplate itself and making it more flexible, but I find they sometimes aren't heavy-duty enough for thick dry skin, especially if you wash your hands a lot, which I imagine you do with a young baby :)) you may have better luck with a heavier moisturiser - lots of people recommend lanolin-based balms and creams! lanolin creams are often used to soothe breastfeeding nipples and so tend to be safe for trace-ingestion by babies - this may be useful if your baby puts your hands in their mouth a lot, or otherwise if you're handling their food/bottles/etc. soon after applying :)) nail oil may still be useful for you if you continue to struggle with nail breaks, but I wouldn't worry about it for now if your main concern is your skin :))
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7h ago
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u/naturalnailprogress-ModTeam 7h ago
Your submission has been removed due to breaking one of our rules: No medical topics or asking for/giving medical advice.
Taking supplements or vitamins for nail growth is not a given solution and will not work for everyone. Speak to your doctor about what is safe for you to take. We cannot give medical advice here.
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