Hard, smooth and shiny nails are what everyone wants, but sometimes reality is less glamorous. Peeling, splitting edges, a feeling of fragility… it is impossible to keep a flawless manicure for more than a few days. Come on, do not lose hope: fragile nails are not inevitable. A good manicure routine and a few simple steps are enough to strengthen their structure and restore a strong, resilient nail plate. We will help you understand the causes of this fragility and adopt the best solutions.
Why do we get soft nails?
Nails are made up of 90% keratin, a fibrous protein that gives them hardness and elasticity. When this keratin weakens, the nail plate becomes thinner, less resilient, and gives in more easily to daily aggressions.
Recognising a fragile nail
Weak nails can be symptomatic of a malfunction of the nail matrix. They are often the result of lower-quality keratin, sluggish nail growth, and/or an alteration of the intercellular cement that binds the keratin layers together. The consequences are easily visible and show up in various ways:
- Nails that bend and flip back easily: they lose their rigidity when you press on them, especially at the tips.
- Nails that split : the nail plate separates into thin layers.
- Ridges forming on the nail surface: these visible lines indicate irregular renewal.
- Chipped and cracked edges: the nail edge gives way at the slightest impact.
- Nail polish chips quickly: polish struggles to adhere because the surface is too uneven.
To find out how to harden soft or fragile nails, you first need to understand the causes.
Possible causes
Several factors can explain this loss of strength:
💦 Exposure to water: washing up, cleaning, hot baths… Water seeps into the nail, causing it to swell and then dry out, leading to cracks and breakage.
💅 Overly frequent or unsuitable manicures: aggressive filing, removing gel polish or artificial nails with an electric file, using acetone-based remover... these manicure practices damage the nail and weaken it over time.
🛠️ Mechanical and chemical stressors: nails used as kitchen utensils, DIY or gardening tools, bitten nails, or nails exposed to harsh chemicals. These are all situations to avoid as much as possible to prevent long-term nail damage.
🍽️ A deficiency in essential nutrients: vitamins (especially B vitamins and vitamin B8, or biotin), minerals (sulphur, zinc, iron, silicon) and essential amino acids are vital for keratin production and the keratinisation process. If your diet does not provide these nutrients, your nails will feel the effects.
The sooner you spot these signs of weakness (soft nails, ridged, splitting), the sooner you set up a tailored routine to limit damage and repair deeply, and the more likely you are to regain hard, vitality-filled nails.
Get stronger nails with a tailored routine that strengthens them for the long term.
How can you get hard, strong nails again?
At Manucurist, we know that strong nails start with a targeted care routine. And the good news is, there are simple, effective and easy-to-apply solutions.
Nails in distress: opt for targeted care
If your nails are already soft or brittle, start with an intensive treatment to boost their natural keratin production. Here are 2 care formulas to help you achieve this:
Kératine Booster
The Keratin Booster is an ideal nail hardener treatment for nails suffering from a “slump”. Its biomimetic formula, highly concentrated in natural-origin active ingredients (97.5%), redensifies the nail plate, stimulates natural keratin production, and restores hardness and shine. A feat made possible thanks to its formula enriched with:
- Plant-based keratin (10%), which nourishes and strengthens the nail structure.
- Biotin, that famous vitamin B8 that stimulates keratin production.
- AHAs + gluconolactone, which promote cell renewal.
- Silicon, which improves flexibility and regeneration.
- Vitamin C, which protects thanks to its antioxidant properties.
👉 How does it work? For 5 to 7 days max, apply Kératine Booster to bare nails, 1 to 3 times a day for an intensive treatment. Its fluid texture with no greasy or sticky finish absorbs instantly into the nail. A real magic wand, with visible results from the very first days of application.
Kératine Booster: an express treatment for stronger, more radiant nails.
The Day & Night Duo
For intensive 24/7 action, combine the effects of the Keratin Booster with the intense hydration provided by the S.O.S Mask. A 2-in-1 action to discover with the Duo Day & Night.
👉 How does it work? For 1 week, use Kératine Booster as a daytime treatment. Apply it to bare nails 1 to 3 times a day and let it dry. In addition, apply Masque S.O.S. to bare nails in a thick layer 2 to 3 nights during that same week. Let it air-dry and remove it the following morning by peeling it off or with soapy water.
💡Tip: complete this routine by applying the Perfecting Concentrate at any time of day to nourish cuticles and maintain a protective layer.
The ideal duo for a daily nourishing and repairing routine.
(@look8thenails)
Between polish applications: protect your nails with a tailored routine
Even if your nails aren't facing a “keratin emergency”, they need regular care to stay strong and well-hydrated, especially between polish applications. The Soft Nails Starter routine provides deep action by combining 3 treatments:
- Kératine Booster to harden and regenerate the nail plate.
- Green Oil, a cocktail of 6 nourishing botanical oils (sweet almond, coconut, walnut, baobab, kukui, and passion fruit oil) that hydrates the nail matrix and softens the contour.
- The Strengthening Base Coat, enriched with AHA and silicon, to strengthen and protect the nail plate thanks to active ingredients that stimulate cell renewal and promote healthy, fast regrowth. Note that the Strengthening Base Coat is not only a hardening treatment, but it can also be used as a classic Base Coat on which you can apply a Green™ polish.
👉 How does it work? This routine takes place in 2 steps:
- Week 1: apply Kératine Booster 3 times a day to bare nails, allowing it to dry thoroughly until fully absorbed. Complete your routine by applying Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day, massaging it into the nail and surrounding skin.
- Week 2: apply Strengthening Base Coat to bare nails (the first time) every 2 days, up to 3 times a week, without removing the first layers (they can be layered). At the same time, apply a drop of Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day, massaging the nail and surrounding skin until the oil is fully absorbed.
💡Tip: before moving on to a regular or gel manicure, continue strengthening your nails with Active Bright, a perfecting treatment polish that strengthens and revitalizes nails while brightening them thanks to its formula enriched with natural lemon extracts.
A complete routine to keep nails strong and healthy for the long term.
Every day: pamper your nails with a balanced diet
A beautiful nail plate is not built solely from the outside: it is also prepared from within. With this in mind, focus on the right nutrients to support keratinisation:
- Biotin (vitamin B8) : the driving force behind keratin, it is essential for producing the structural protein of nails. It can be found in eggs, dairy products, organ meats, brewer’s yeast and nuts (almonds).
- Vitamin C: prized for its antioxidant properties and its role in collagen synthesis. It is absorbed by eating fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Sulfur: this mineral is an essential component of keratin. To avoid sulfur deficiency, it is recommended to eat meat, fish and seafood, as well as sulfur-rich vegetables such as cabbage, leeks and onions.
- Magnesium, iron and zinc: these minerals are also essential for supporting regular nail growth. They can be found in legumes, green vegetables, meat, nuts and dried fruit.
Nourishing your nails from within by ensuring they get the vitamins and minerals they need: the best wellness habit.
In short, with a varied, balanced diet, you ensure the nutrients you need for beautiful, strong nails and stunning manicures over time.
One thing is certain: hard, shiny nails take work, and it starts long before your manicure! With expert care, a tailored routine and good nutrition, your nails regain their strength and natural shine, ready for new manicure adventures 💪✨
