Easy And Natural Nail Care Routines To Try At Home

Neat and well-groomed nails instantly make you look sophisticated and well put-together. We all wish them to be healthy, strong and perfect; but our nails, just like skin or hair, require attention and care, which we often ignore. Nail care doesn’t always have to involve a trip to the salon, it involves simple everyday routines that can be achieved at home. Try the following tips.

Keep fingernails dry and clean

This should be a part of your daily routine and etched in muscle memory. Keeping your nails dry and clean prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails which can be the cause of fungal infections. If you have sweaty palms or feet, avoid oily products and use gel-based creams and moisturisers. While carrying out domestic chores such as washing or gardening, protect your fingers with rubber gloves.

Prioritise nail hygiene over length

Shorter nail length with rounded edges looks neat and is easier to manage. To avoid exposing your nails to extra wear and tear, trim them using sharp manicure scissors or clippers; biting them doesn’t count and it is completely unsanitary. Trim them straight across, then round the tips in a gentle curve. This prevents excess dirt from getting accumulated under the fingernails and also issues such as bent nails or ingrowth.

Use cuticle remover to fight hangnails

Hangnails can be super annoying and painful in some cases, but cutting off or pulling off your cuticles from the nail base makes matters worse. Instead, apply a cuticle-removing formula over the nail bed, and then push your cuticle back using a cuticle pusher. Then, gently remove the free-up dead skin with a tissue or the softest side of a buffing block to reveal a hangnail-free, clean-looking nail bed.

Use cuticle oil

Avoid water-based manicures or soaking your fingernails in water, instead use cuticle oil. Nails soak up water in turn making them weak. Applying cuticle oil increases circulation, stimulating nail growth. It strengthens your nails and gives them a natural shine.

Use chemical free nail products

Always read the contents on your polish or remover. Just like makeup and skincare, make sure the products you use are free of chemicals that harm you in the long-run. Avoid products containing dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, and toluene, as these toxins can contribute to brittleness, splitting, and cracking.

Eat healthy

Nail woes are most often diet-related. Consuming biotin rich food such as eggs, fish, beans, nuts, and vegetables such as broccoli and sweet potatoes reduce brittleness. Some doctors also advise adding vitamins and supplements like biotin, Vitamin E, and fish oil to your diet.

Try press-ons

Speaking from experience, acrylic nails have a detrimental effect on your nails; they make your nails weak, dull and suffocate the nailbed. The chances of bacteria and dirt getting collected under your finger nails increase, and they are difficult to manage. The application and removal process causes indentation in your natural nails and damage to the nail bed. Press-ons are a very good alternative, and it saves you a trip to the salon. You can apply and remove them at home easily.