Winter Nail Care: 11 Tips For Strong, Beautiful Nails - Jolly Festive (2024)

Wellbeing | Winter

Winter brings cosy sweaters, hot drinks, and the joy of the holiday season. But it can also present challenges for your nails. Cold weather, dry air, and the lack of moisture can lead to brittle nails and dry cuticles.

Don’t worry, though – with a little extra care, your nails can stay strong and beautiful all season long. Here are some essential tips to keep your hands and nails in tip-top shape during the colder months.

What Causes Brittle Nails In Winter?

Ever wondered why your nails turn brittle during winter? It’s the heady combo of cold air outside and dry indoor heating.

Indoor heating is very drying and can zap moisture from your nails. And those temperature switches from warm inside to freezing outdoors weaken them, making them prone to splitting. Plus, your nails might miss out on nutrients during the winter rush as your body’s focussed on keeping you warm instead.

But do not panic: we’ve got some simple winter nail care routine tips that will keep your nails strong and fab all season long!

11 Tips For Healthy Winter Nails

1. Look After Your Cuticles

Cuticles are your nail’s natural shield, protecting your nail bed from external germs and nasties! Dry cuticles can lead to nail breakage and discomfort. Gently push back your cuticles after a warm hand soak (see below), and apply a good cuticle oil or cream to keep them soft and moisturized.

Look for nourishing nail cuticle oils containing natural ingredients such as jojoba oil, almond oil, or even olive oil. We love Jessica’s Phenomen Oil – a little bit goes a long way so a bottle will last you well.

2. Moisturise!

It’s that winter dehydration battle again! Stop the skin around your nails drying out with regular moisturising.

Look for creams containing natural oils such as coconut, avocado, or shea butter. These ingredients create a protective barrier against the cold weather, ensuring your hands stay soft and moisturised throughout the season.

Moisturise at least twice a day if you can, three times if possible. And take advantage of sleeping time with a rich thick hand cream that can soak in fully as you slumber.

3. Avoid Harsh Soaps

Watch out for harsh soaps as well. They’ll strip your nails and skin of their natural oils and leave them prone to cracking. Try to use soaps that contain moisturising ingredients or remember to hand lotion up after washing.

4. Keep Nails Short

Yes, we love long nails too. But consider a shorter nail style for the winter months, your fingertips will appreciate it. Combat against more brittle nails in the cold temperatures with shorter nails that are less prone to breaking and cracking.

5. File Regularly

Regular filing will help maintain a neat shape and prevent nails from getting caught on gloves or scarves. Keep a spare file in your bag in case of nail emergencies. Try, when possible, to file nails whilst they are wet as flexible nails are less likely to split. Best practice is to file from the sides to the middle to minimise risk of damage. Plus, nail files make a fab advent calendar filler or stocking stuffer … just sayin’ !

6. Keep Nails Healthy

Treat your nails to mini home spa to keep them healthy. Add a splash of lemon juice and cuticle oil to a small bowl of warm water and soak your nails for 5-10 minutes. The lemon juice acts as a natural antiseptic and will help remove any discolouration whilst the cuticle oil helps moisturise your nail beds.

After a soak is a great time to tend to those cuticles and cut or file your nails. Be sure to finish by applying a rich hand lotion and massaging it thoroughly into your hands and nails.

7. Wear Gloves (Outside & In!)

The combination of the cold air outdoors and harsh chemicals, like those in cleaning products, can be tough on your nails.

So don your favourite winter gloves as you head out the door to protect them from the cold winter season. And make wearing rubber gloves a common practice when completing household chores such as cleaning or washing dishes.

8. Don’t Use Your Nails As Tools!

We’ve all been there. It’s oh so convenient to use our nails for opening packages, scraping off stickers, or prying things open. Especially in the rush of the holiday season. But it’s a no-go, especially in the brittle winter months.

Nails are delicate and using them for tasks they weren’t designed to do can lead to chipping, breaking, and weakening. Give your nails a break and try to remember to use actual tools or your fingertips instead.

9. Keep Hydrated

We *may* have mentioned the importance of hydration already! 😉 Whilst water on your skin can lead to moisture loss and dry nails and hands, regular hydration is essential for healthy nails. So be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You could also consider using a humidifier at home or in the office to offset the drying effect of your central heating (great way to indulge in some seasonal home fragrances as well!).

10. Give Your Nails a Break

Even though you love your nail art, giving your nails a break from polish every now and then and allow your naked nails to breathe and recover. This practice prevents discoloration and maintains the natural layers of your nails.

11. Maintain a Nail-Healthy Diet

Your nails reflect your overall health, so a balanced diet is key. Load up on vitamin-rich foods, especially those containing vitamins A, C, and E, which are essential for nail health. Incorporate dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds into your meals for stronger nails from the inside out.

Biotin, a type of vitamin B, is especially essential for nail strength and growth. It helps prevent nail brittleness and supports the natural structure of your nails. Including biotin-rich foods in your diet, like eggs, nuts, and whole grains, or taking supplements if advised by a healthcare professional, can contribute to better nail health.

Looking for more inspiration?

• Check Out This Year’s Best Christmas Nail Colours
• Gift Ideas That Promote Wellbeing

Know a nail polish fanatic?! Why not make their December extra merry with a nail polish advent calendar! Click here for more details of this and a host of other advent calendar ideas.

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