Do your nails look uneven, marked by vertical or horizontal lines? No need to beat around the bush, you have ridged nails. It can feel a little frustrating, especially if you love having perfectly polished hands, but it is a very common concern with multiple causes. The good news is that there are simple solutions to smooth and restore your nails, helping you rediscover healthy, radiant nails.
Understanding ridged nails
Whether vertical or horizontal, there are two types of ridges and each has very different causes.
Longitudinal ridges
These are vertical ridges that run from the cuticles to the tip of the nail. Often referred to as “nail wrinkles”, they tend to appear with age and, in many cases, during menopause. They are a sign that the body is producing less keratin and that hormonal balance may be shifting. Longitudinal ridges can also be linked to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Another possible cause is minor trauma from harsh manicures affecting the nail matrix, such as false nail applications, excessive filing, or the use of acetone based removers, as well as frequent exposure to detergents or water.
Transverse ridges
These horizontal ridges run across the width of the nail plate, creating grooves and raised areas on the surface. Transverse ridges can affect both fingernails and toenails. They often reflect disrupted nail growth due to stress or emotional shock.
Now that you know how to identify the two types of ridged nails, let’s explore the best treatments and habits to smooth and prevent them.
Ridged nails are common, and the solution is within reach.
How to treat and prevent ridged nails
Targeted routines to repair and smooth
We have designed three adjustable routines to help you rediscover smooth, even nails in just two weeks. Basic, Starter or Ultimate, choose the programme that best suits your needs. To guide you, feel free to complete our personalised online nail diagnosis here.
1. The Basic routine, simple and effective
The goal of this routine is to deeply nourish and hydrate the nail and its contour to restore healthy, regular growth. Your essentials are:
- Nourishing Cuticle Oil: a blend of six botanical oils including castor oil, sweet almond oil and coconut oil.
- Active™ Smooth: a CC Polish effect treatment that works as a smoothing base, strengthening the nail with a formula enriched with castor fibres, hexanal, AHAs and vitamin E. Available in four shades, 00 pink, 01 beige, 02 golden, 03 bronze, to suit every skin tone.
👉 How to use
- Apply Active™ Smooth to bare nails three times a week for two weeks, without removing the previous layers.
- Alongside this, apply a few drops of Nourishing Cuticle Oil twice daily, massaging into the nail and cuticles.
💡Good to know: at the end of your two week treatment, take a one week break to allow your nails to rebalance naturally. Repeat the routine once a month to maintain results.
Active™ Smooth and Nourishing Cuticle Oil, the perfect duo to smooth ridged nails.
2. The Starter routine, a balanced approach
A targeted routine to repair, nourish and smooth ridged nails. Here is what you will need:
- Nail Priming Emery Board: gently evens the nail surface and opens the keratin scales to enhance product absorption.
- Nourishing Cuticle Oil
- Active™ Smooth
- S.O.S. Mask: an overnight mask that hydrates and stimulates cellular repair while you sleep.
👉 How to use
- Prep your nails with the Nail Priming Emery Board, gently buffing the nail plate. Then apply Active™ Smooth to bare nails three times a week for two weeks, without removing previous layers.
- At the same time, apply Nourishing Cuticle Oil twice daily, massaging into the nail and cuticles.
- After removing Active™ Smooth with a gentle remover, apply the S.O.S. Mask three nights a week in a thick layer. Let it air dry and remove the next morning by peeling it off or with soapy water.
💡Good to know: this routine is perfectly suited to sensitive nails, with formulas made from up to 99 percent natural origin ingredients, safe for nails and cuticles.
For deeper hydration and repair, add the S.O.S. Mask and Nail Priming Emery Board.
3. The Ultimate routine, intensive care
An intensive day and night treatment to visibly reduce, or even eliminate, transverse lines and other imperfections that distort the nail plate. You will need:
- Nail Priming Emery Board
- Nourishing Cuticle Oil
- Active™ Smooth
- S.O.S. Mask
- Complete Serum: an ultra hydrating serum that deeply restores damaged nails, without any greasy or sticky finish.
👉 How to use
- Prep your nails with the Nail Priming Emery Board, gently buffing the nail plate. Apply Active™ Smooth to bare nails three times a week for two weeks, without removing previous layers.
- At the same time, massage in Nourishing Cuticle Oil twice daily and follow with Complete Serum twice daily on the nail and surrounding area.
- After removing Active™ Smooth with a gentle remover, apply the S.O.S. Mask three nights a week in a thick layer. Let it air dry and remove the next morning by peeling it off or with soapy water.
The Ultimate routine, your intensive solution for ridged nails.
Daily habits to prevent ridged nails
Extend the benefits of your treatment by adopting a few simple habits to prevent ridges from returning.
🍽️ A balanced diet
As mentioned earlier, longitudinal ridges may result from nutritional deficiencies. It is essential to follow a balanced diet rich in vitamin B, vitamin C, iron and zinc. Make sure you include plenty of fruit, vegetables, proteins and nuts in your meals. You can also complement your routine with a course of Nail Boost supplements. Enriched with natural origin active ingredients and vitamins, including blueberry extract, brewer’s yeast, minerals, vitamins A, B2, B9 and C, and biotin, they strengthen the matrix from within and support healthy nail growth.
Nail Boost supplements, new formula and new packaging.
🛡️ Protect your nails daily
Repeated exposure to water and household detergents can weaken the nail plate and encourage ridges. Protect your hands from daily aggressors by wearing household gloves whenever possible.
💅 Choose a gentle, long lasting manicure
Frequent traditional Gel Polish applications, poor quality products, excessive filing or aggressive removal methods can all contribute to longitudinal ridges. Build your manicure routine around high quality, plant based formulas such as Green™ and Green Flash™. When removing polish, avoid acetone and drills. Instead, choose a gentle acetone free remover like the Green Flash™ gentle remover. Alternate Gel Polish applications with nail care treatments or an Active™ treatment polish to restore strength and shine.
With the Green™ Starter Kits and Green Flash™ Starter Kits, enjoy a gentle manicure that respects your nails.
Frequently asked questions
What causes ridged nails and should you worry?
Ridges on the nail surface can be caused by hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies or significant stress. They may also result from repeated exposure to water or household chemicals. Frequent Gel Polish applications and aggressive techniques such as drilling or acetone use can also weaken the nail plate. Ridged nails are not a medical condition. However, if they are accompanied by pain, major deformation or yellowing, it is advisable to consult a doctor or dermatologist.
Which treatment should you use to smooth ridged nails?
To smooth ridged nails, choose Active™ Smooth, a CC Polish effect treatment. Enriched with castor fibres, AHAs and vitamin E, it instantly blurs irregularities while strengthening the nail structure. In a single coat, the surface looks more even, ridges appear visibly reduced and nails regain a clean, naturally luminous finish. Use it as a smoothing base or on its own for an effortless clean nail look.
Is buffing ridged nails a good idea?
Buffing ridged nails can be tempting, but it should be done with care. Over buffing thins the nail plate and can worsen ridges. To gently smooth the surface, use a Nail Priming Emery Board with a very fine 280 grit. Lightly buff in the direction of nail growth, avoiding back and forth movements. Follow with a treatment base coat or smoothing base. Your nails will look even and ready for your next manicure.
