This post may contain affiliate links. The Review Wire may collect a share of sales if you decide to shop from them. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Winter nail care can be a challenge. The winter season is a tough time for our nails. Cold weather, dry air, and harsh soaps can take their toll on your hands and nails, which can lead to chipping, peeling, or even splitting.
To keep your nails strong and healthy, try these ten winter nail care tips:
- Keep nails protected from the elements with a full manicure: base coat, polish, and topcoat.
- Avoid having your nails in water for prolonged periods, and fully seal out moisture by at least wearing a good top coat.
- Establish a hand care routine complete with lotion on the daily, cuticle oil, and thick hand cream at night.
- Use a humidifier! Turn all that dry air in your house or bedroom into nice warm and humid air. This practice isn’t only good for your nails; it works wonders for your hair and skin as well.
- Skip Nail Strengtheners: These nail strengthening products claim to make nails strong and hard, and they do just that. However, you want your nails to be strong and flexible because flexible nails don’t break as often. Instead of using a nail strengthener, use a base coat that offers protection without making your nail too rigid.
- Remove surface oils from the nail with rubbing alcohol or polish remover before painting nails to extend wear.
- Gloves aren’t just for keeping your hands warm and protected outside; when washing dishes or cleaning your living space, use rubber gloves for an added line of defense from water and wear and tear.
- File nails a few times a week to combat ridges and cracks that can lead to tears, snags, or breaks.
- Skip Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is super-drying to the nails and the cuticles. If you absolutely must use it, make sure to use a good cuticle oil several times per day to keep the nail beds moisturized.
- Use a nail polish remover that contains acetone… nail experts agree that you should use acetone removers in the winter months because they take off the nail polish faster and uses less remover. This quickness leads to less drying of the nails and skin, especially when a cuticle oil application immediately follows it.
Do you have a nail tip to share?
Check out these products to keep your nails looking fabulous, healthy, and strong!
Maison Crème de la Crème Small Batch Nail Gloss
Crème de la Crème Beauty Lounge is a Canadian beauty boutique, a one of a kind indie brand that specializes in artisan bespoke glamour. They create all of their unique and innovative products in house, manufacturing small batches of luxury beauty products with ingredients they have sourced from around the globe! Lacquers are vegan, cruelty-free, and 5 free.
Available at MaisonCremeDeLaCreme.com. Prices Vary
CND Shellac Combo
CND Shellac Base Coat, Top Coat & Color Combo - everything you need for a complete gel manicure! Shellac's professional high-quality endurance gel is designed to shine for up to two weeks. Requires a UV light for curing. Shellac can easily be removed using Shellac Remover Wraps or pure 100% acetone. 160+ Colors.
Available at BeyondPolish.com. MSRP $45
Liberation Nails
Long-wearing, vegan, and 21-free—no parabens, phthalates, carcinogens, mutagens, or 16 other potentially toxic ingredients. Rich, opaque color intentionally formulated with natural oils for the ultimate nail nourishment. All-natural essences provide a subtle after-polish aroma with hints of lemon, coconut milk, and vanilla. 18 colors to choose from, plus four new bright and bold Libbi Kids colors.
Available at Liberation-Nails.com. MSRP $18
Korean Gel Polish at Beyond Polish
Korean gel has taken the industry by storm. While it shares many basic similarities with standard gel polish, it's important to note the four main couple of key differences: the packaging is known to be very cute and eye-catching & the bottles stand out from your typical gel polish, the colors are extremely pigmented, it's low odor, and the consistency is known to be on the thicker side (similar to syrup), which means you do not need to apply a lot of coats.
Available at BeyondPolish.com. Prices Vary
Lucid Polish Premium LED Gel Kit
Everything you need to achieve a perfect salon-like manicure at home! The one-step polish is a quick and simple solution for you to achieve beautiful manicures and pedicures. This formula is heavy on pigment and is designed to provide luscious rich color for up to 14 days, providing a salon-quality product in the comfort of your own home. Comes with your choice of gel in different seven colors. Single bottles are also available in 54 colors!
Available at LucidPolish.com. MSRP $150
100% Pure Perfectly Polished Gift Set
Create the perfect mani or pedi at home with these lovely shades of 20-free nail polish. Also includes nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil for the full salon experience. Includes
Oat Milk Nail Polish, Elderberry Nail Polish, and Nail & Cuticle Oil.Available at 100percentPure.com. MSRP $23
Bo-Po Nail Polish
Bo-Po (Brush-On-Peel-Off) is a unique, mess-free, nontoxic, water based formula that goes on like real nail polish and dries in seconds. Girls can brush on their own nail polish then peel it off again and again… no nail polish remover required! With the innovative spill-proof bottle, mom doesn't need to supervise!
Available at Amazon. MSRP $30
Minx Nail Wraps
Minx Nails goal is to extend fashion to your fingertips! No more boring nails - only unique, easy to use Minx wraps fit for any style. Wraps shown: I'm Here For the Open Bar- Monica Ropiha, A Bed of Roses, and Bonjour Mademoiselle.
Available at MinxNails.com. Prices Vary
Northern Nail Polish
Handmade nail polish that pulls inspiration from the everyday beauty of Michigan's towns, nature, festivals, and people. Proudly made in Traverse City, Michigan since 2013. All polishes are 10-toxin-free, cruelty-free and vegan, and pigmented with natural minerals so they won’t leave stains on your nails after removal! Colors shown: Mackinac Island and Oh Buoy! Big Waves!
Available at NorthernNailPolish.com. MSRP $12
Dr.’s REMEDY Enriched Nail Care
Dr.’s REMEDY mission is to empower women to choose healthy, effective beauty, so they are collaborating with Living Beyond Breast Cancer for the 9th year! 15% of the proceeds from any pink shade will go directly to LBBC to help raise awareness, promote positivity, and enrich the lives of those whom breast cancer has touched.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $17.25
Del Sol Color Changing Nail Polish
Del Sol polish is 5-Free with no harmful toxins added, and ever tested on animals!
Peek-a-Boo: This color goes on clear but turns to apple candy red when outside. It one of their top-selling nail polishes! Just a Moon Phase: This polish will transform from matte light peach to Persian red.
Available at DelSol.com and Amazon. MSRP $10
Olive & June Pink Sweater Nail Polish Set
Cuddle up to the Pink Sweater Ombré Kit which includes four hand-picked shades of long-lasting, 7-free polish so you can paint the perfect pinky-greige mani of the moment. Set includes rose blush, baby pink, slate grey, creamy taupe, and The Top Coat.
Available at OliveAndJune.com. MSRP $40 - Use code REVIEWWIREOJ20 FOR 20% OFF your first kit!
Pretty in Pink Starter Nail Dipping Powder Kit
This 4 color Pretty in Pink Starter Nail Dipping Powder Kit gives you everything you need to start dipping. Lasts like acrylic but removes easily like a gel polish, doesn’t need a light to cure, and won’t weaken your nails when you wear it. This nail Dip Powder provides protection and long-lasting color with a lightweight, natural feel.
Available at RevelNail.com and Amazon. MSRP $45
Piggy Paint Funny Bunny Nail Polish Gift Set
This Bright set is perfect for all things spring! Set Includes PINKie Promise, Dragon Tears, Tutu Cool, & Sea-quin + a Flower Nail Art pack! Piggy Paint nail polish is non-toxic, virtually odorless, and safe for all ages! This water-based formula is Cruelty-free, Vegan, & Made in the USA.
Available at PiggyPaint.com and Amazon. MSRP $20
Money is Not an Issue 18k Gold Nail Gloss
Made with 18k gold this nail gloss is chic and sophisticated. Add a touch of class to your mani/pedi and embellish it with some gold! Crème de la Crème Beauty creates all of their unique and innovative products in house, manufacturing small batches of luxury beauty products with ingredients they have sourced from around the globe! Lacquers are vegan, cruelty-free, and 5 free.
Available at MaisonCremeDeLaCreme.com. $40
10+ Free Daily Nail Essentials
Proprietary Nail-NRG Biopeptide Complex helps repair damaged nails and delivers the highest quality and performance. With every purchase, choose a free nail polish ($18 Value). Sugar Acetone-Free Polish Remover is 100% sugar-derived. This 3-in-1 formula removes polish quickly, preps nails, conditions & hydrates for stronger polish retention without drying out cuticles and nails.
Available at 10FreeLife.com. MSRP $54
ella + mila Nail Care Collection
The set comes with Ready Set Prep, All About the Base, Color of your choice, In a Rush OR Matte-ly In Love (depending on the manicure finish you prefer), Gotta Jet, and Oil Me Up. Polish is Made in the USA, vegan, and "17-Free" from harmful chemicals.
Available at EllaMila.com - Get $5 off your first purchase. MSRP $40
ella+mila Mommy & Me Nail Polish Set
Nail polish set with one "mommy" nail polish bottle (14.78 ml) and one "me" nail polish bottle (7 ml). Included in this set is one nail decoration sheet. Polish is Made in the USA, vegan, and 17-Free of harmful chemicals. Set shown is Once in a Blue Luna and Starlight.
Available at EllaMila.com - Get $5 off your first purchase. MSRP $14
Satrell Beauty 5 Piece Nail Polish Set
Choose any 5 out of 13 colors of Satrell's best-selling nail polish all of which are vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic. Not only is the polish long-lasting but it delivers a nice finish to your nails. Satrell's mission is to create beauty products that are long-lasting, moisturizing, and hydrating along with being cruelty-free, free from harsh chemicals, and complimentary to all skin tones.
Available at Satrell.com. MSRP $45
Olive & June Fall Nail Set
A perfect, no-chip mani. Start the season right with these 6 fresh new shades. This set includes SOCIAL STUDIES - sunbleached navy, GEOMETRY - hunter green, ART CLASS - muted eggplant, WORLD LIT- true mauve, STUDY HALL- vintage rose, CHEMISTRY - almond cream, and a Super Glossy Top Coat
Available at OliveandJune.com. MSRP $56
Honeybee Gardens WaterColors Nail Enamel
Enjoy a beautiful manicure without worrying about absorbing harmful chemicals or damaging your natural nails. This unique water-based polish is free from strong chemicals and odors; no more nasty fumes! Non-Toxic, kid-safe & pregnancy-safe! Plus, WaterColors are Mama Earth Approved. 26 colors to choose from.
Available at HoneybeeGardens.com and Amazon. MSRP $13
Cupcake Holographic Nail Polish
Cupcake Polish specializes in holographic nail polishes and other special effects that are unlike anything you can find on the shelves at a big box store. All nail polishes are hand-mixed with love in small batches. All polishes are handmade, full of dazzling special effects, are long-lasting, and 5-free. Over 100 colors are available.
Available at CupcakePolish.com and Amazon. MSRP $13
Piggy Paint Scented Nail Polish
The same great Piggy Paint only scented! Piggy Paint is non-toxic & safe for all ages! There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, Bisphenol A, ethyl acetate, and acetone. Available in 12 fun and fruity scents. Check out other Piggy Paint products in our gift guides.
Available at PiggyPaint.com and Amazon. MSRP $5
Puttisu Pool Party Nail Polish Set
Puttisu offers an is easy to peel off, non-toxic (18-Free) water-based polish with no harmful chemicals so it is safe to use on children's and pregnant women's nails. Made in South Korea. Comes with Color Nail Polish C09 (Dreaming Oasis), Bling Nail Polish B04 (Twinkle Blue), Glitter Nail Polish G05 (Emerald Pond).
Available at Puttisu.com and Amazon. MSRP $40
SOPHi Water Based Nail Polish
Have worry-free manicures with SOPHi by Piggy Paint. This advanced water-based formula is virtually odorless, cruelty-free, & vegan. Finally, nail polish leaves nails healthy and doesn’t cause them to yellow or become brittle. Better than 7 & 10 free, SOPHi is free of ALL harsh, smelly chemicals! Non-toxic & SOPHisticated nail polish colors.
Available at SophiNailPolish.com and Amazon. MSRP $8
You hit some tips that I never knew!
Like point #5 Skip Nail Strengtheners! Uh Oh!
My nails do tend to break when they are in water. Doing dishes and taking a shower are big culprits!! Thank you for sharing these good tips!!
I think that these are a lot of great tips. My hands and nails get really fry in the winter.
I’ve recently started using Vital Proteins bovine collagen mainly for skin and hair. I started using it a couple weeks ago, and I am pleasantly surprised with added benefits I wasn’t expecting. Although I knew it helps with nails too, I was still a little skeptical. But, it really does deliver vast nutrition to nails. My nails are stronger and are growing faster than ever.
Thanks for the guidelines especially about nail strengthener. My nails have never been strong. I no longer use nail polish as they seem to crack and chip more. I do follow most of your other suggestions though.
Good information on nail care. I go through stages with my nails they grow and are strong and then they break. I always think of them as winter nails. I gave up on nail polish years ago. I would do them and the next the polish missing from tips. I tried lots of different polish and nothing so I just don’t bother. Ever so often I will cream up my hands and slip a thin pair of white gloves on to let the cream absorb. I usually wear 2 or 3 hours.