Our nails are alive and, like us, they can sometimes feel a little low or tired. The result: brittle nails, nails that bend or peel easily. And when it comes to nail polish, it is not much better, with colours that do not last very long. Now that we have identified the issue, it is time to act — fast! We are here to help you understand the situation and adopt the right steps to restore beautiful, strong nails.
Key takeaways:
- Soft nails are weakened nails whose keratin layers have been damaged.
- The main causes: overexposure to water and harsh products, nutritional deficiencies, frequent gel polish applications and harsh removal methods (acetone, filing).
- A targeted care routine helps restore strong nails in 2 weeks.
- Prevention starts with a balanced diet, a gentle manicure and daily nail protection.
Why do we get soft nails?
Let’s be clear: soft nails are unhealthy nails. The keratin layers they are made of have been damaged, leaving the nail weakened. It bends when you press on the tips, flips back (ouch!) and breaks easily.
How did we get here? The most common contributing factors are:
- Overexposure to water and/or chemicals that are harsh on nails (household products, strippers, solvents...).
- An unbalanced diet leading to deficiencies in vitamin A and vitamin B8, and/or minerals (including iron, zinc and magnesium) needed for keratin production.
- Frequent application of gel polish.
- Polish or artificial nail removal that damages the nail plate, such as using acetone-based remover or filing.
Now that we have identified the causes of the problem, it is time to take action. Solutions for soft nails are within reach. A few simple steps and the right treatments are all it takes to restore strong, vibrant nails. Let us guide you 😉
Want to put an end to soft nails? Discover our tailored care routines.
How can you strengthen soft, brittle nails?
Getting rid of soft nails is far from impossible. We’ve put together a strengthening routine, adaptable to your needs, to repair your nails in just 2 weeks.
The Basic routine
To rescue soft nails, start with a simple, effective action plan like our Basic Soft Nails routine. Your allies will be Kératine Booster to harden and regenerate the nail plate and Green Oil to deeply nourish.
👉 How does it work? Apply Kératine Booster 3 times a day to bare nails for one week, allowing it to dry until fully absorbed. Complete the treatment with Green Oil applied 1 to 2 times a day, massaging it into the nail and surrounding area.
Kératine Booster and Green Oil, your allies for hardening and nourishing soft nails.
The Starter routine
Need more intense action? Move on to the Starter routine by adding the Strengthening Base to the previous routine, a treatment base enriched with AHAs and silicon that strengthens the nail for the long term.
👉 How does it work? This routine takes place in 2 steps:
- Week 1: follow the Basic routine with Kératine Booster 3 times a day on bare nails and Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day.
- Week 2: apply the Strengthening Base 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 area until the oil has been absorbed.
☝️ The Strengthening Base is a true 2-in-1: it works as both a strengthening treatment and a classic base coat on which you can apply a Green™ nail polish.
The trio you need to strengthen your nails for the long term.
The Ultimate routine
Want to go all out and say goodbye to soft nails once and for all? Switch to Ultimate mode with a treatment combining 5 products: Kératine Booster, Strengthening Base, Green Oil, plus Complete Serum to deeply hydrate your nails and Perfecting Concentrate to nourish them all day long.
👉 How does it work? This routine takes place in 2 steps:
- Week 1: apply the Kératine Booster 3 times a day, allowing it to dry until the product is fully absorbed. Massage the Complete Serum 1 to 2 times a day and the Green Oil once a day into nails and cuticles. Finally, take the Perfecting Concentrate with you everywhere so you can apply it at any time to your nails to enhance the effects of the treatment.
- Week 2: apply the Strengthening Base twice during the week, layering the 2 coats. Continue applying Complete Serum and Green Oil at the same pace as the previous week. And always keep your Perfecting Concentrate close at hand to nourish your nails throughout the day.
The Ultimate routine, a real task force to tackle soft nails.
To sum up:
- Basic routine (1 week): Kératine Booster 3x/day + Green Oil 1 to 2x/day to harden and nourish.
- Starter routine (2 weeks): add the Strengthening Base in week 2, up to 3 times a week.
- Ultimate routine (2 weeks): a complete 5-product treatment with Kératine Booster,
- Green Oil, Strengthening Base, Complete Serum and Perfecting Concentrate for deep action.
- In every routine, Green Oil remains the essential daily step.
The right steps to take to avoid soft nails
At the end of your routine, we recommend adopting a few simple steps and habits that will help you maintain hard, resilient nails. Here are our best tips:
🍽️ Eat a balanced diet: vary your diet to ensure the necessary intake of vitamins, minerals and proteins needed for the proper functioning of the nail matrix. Eggs, meat, pulses, green vegetables and dried fruit are all welcome.
👌 Well-filed nails: trying to grow long nails when they are soft or brittle can only lead to frustration. It is best to keep them short and file them gently. Choose a fine-grit natural nail file and always use it in the same direction, without back-and-forth movements, to avoid damaging the keratin layers. To learn how to file your nails properly, see our dedicated article.
🛡️ Well-protected nails: prevention is better than cure, and for that, it is essential to protect your nails from everyday damage. Wear gloves when doing household chores or handling chemicals. Wash your hands only when necessary, using lukewarm or cold water. Avoid using your nails to scrape, scratch, strip or lift things—there are more suitable tools for that. And of course, you absolutely need to stop biting your nails; a little Bitter Nail Polish will help if it is too difficult.
💅 A gentle, long-lasting manicure: a manicure can be a great ally in restoring strong, healthy nails, provided you adopt a nail-friendly routine and use quality products. Choose vegan and bio-based nail polish formulas such as Green™ polishes and Green Flash™ for gel polish addicts. You’ll find all shades in Green Flash™ gel polish, a formula designed to dress nails while respecting their health.
To remove your nail polish, use a gentle acetone-free nail polish remover such as Green Flash™ Gentle Nail Polish Remover, which preserves the nail's natural oils and hydrates the surrounding area. Finally, avoid applying semi-permanent nail polish too frequently. Between applications, help your nails strengthen with a strengthening treatment polish Active Bright or a nourishing treatment polish Active Glow™.
Pamper your nails with quality products: the best guarantee of hard nails and long-lasting manicures.
As we’ve seen, soft nails are weakened nails that need a little TLC. Well hydrated and nourished, filed and protected, they regain strength and shine, ready for new manicures (without overdoing it, of course!) 😉
To sum up:
- Soft nails aren’t inevitable: 2 weeks of targeted care are enough to turn things around.
- A complete range for every need: Kératine Booster to harden, Strengthening Base to reinforce, Green Oil to nourish every day.
- To prevent soft nails: eat a balanced diet, protect and care for your nails, and opt for a gentle, long-lasting manicure with vegan, bio-based nail polish formulas such as Green™ and Green Flash™.
