Nail Hardeners Vs Strengtheners
A nail hardener and strengthener may sound as the same thing basing on the idea that they are both to make nails less brittle. In fact, some classify hardeners as a type of a strengthener. Elsewhere, strengtheners are referred to as hydrators. This makes the whole scenario a bit confusing
However, looking deep into it, there are some differences between hardeners and strengtheners.Strengtheners, as opposed to;hardeners, do not only seek to fill in the gaps where keratin is missing, but also;seek to balance the nails needs of hydration and keratin bonds thus making your nails tough and flexible.
Hardeners especially the cross-linking types, usually come with formaldehyde. As mentioned earlier, when used over time, this chemical draws moisture out of your nails making them dry and eventually brittle
Below is a video with more info.
Hard As Hood Nail Strengthening Cream
This is currently one of the best-selling nail strengthening creams available on amazon. This product has over 40,000 reviews on Amazon and is the hot seller at the moment. It is made in the US and is cruelty-free.
Price:$18
Product Details
- Hard as hood nail strengthening cream has a proven formula that will strengthen and moisturize your cuticles.
- Prevents splits, chips, and cracks in even the most severe cases.
- It conditions the cuticles and nails with calcium, vitamin, minerals, and emollients.
- It helps to restore and fix damage caused by acrylic nails.
- Gives nails high endurance and long-lasting strength.
- Helps fragile, brittle nails to grow into new lengths
Main Ingredients: Vitamin A, C, D, E, Minerals, Jojoba seed oil, Calcium, beeswax, and many more moisturizing ingredients
Opi Natural Nail Strengthener
Prevention is Better than Cure
In case you like wearing nail varnish and have normal nails but want to protect them from any possible damage, this product may appeal to you. This strengthener by OPI can build in some layers of protection on your natural nails and shield them against color staining or damage from colored polishes. Also, it increases lacquer adhesion, prevents yellowing, and makes your manicure last longer.
This 2-in-1 nail strengthening nail polish should be applied as a base coat to smooth out the nail surface and prepare it for lacquer. By the way, for better results, the manufacturer recommends customers to use it with OPI polishes that are available in 200+ stylish shades including OPI’s most iconic ones. OPI varnishes have similar formulas and will stick better.
Speaking about the composition of this nail strengthener, it includes such powerful botanical ingredients as Grape seed oil and Sunflower oil. The Grape seed oil boasts anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and promotes quick repair of damaged tissues, while Sunflower oil deeply nourishes the nail bed.
The product is a bit watery but it flows well and dries quickly . Depending on how hard you want your nails to be, you can add more coats. Even the base alone will make your nails look well-manicured. A great all-arounder.
Additional Info
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Other Good Nail Hardeners
Some other nail hardeners available in the market you could try out are:
- Natural nail hardeners with mostly or exclusively natural ingredients like Organic Nail Hardener or natural oils like coconut, olive oil, and Argan.
- Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream with Cherry Almond. If you want an alternative to nail polish treatments this cream here has it all: it nourishes your nails, moisturizes, soothes and rejuvenates cuticles and protects nails and cuticles from further friction. It also easily absorbed and has a light pleasant floral/cherry smell.
- Acrylic nail hardeners for use over acrylic nails like Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps and Daby Nail Hardener.
Typology Nail Serum With Keratin: Best Restorative Treatment After Using Nail Acrylics
Price: £11 | Buy now from Typology
Acrylic and gel nails are a fun way to jazz up your fingertips, but theres no denying they can take a toll on your nails especially if you wear them often. Its a good idea to take a break between acrylic manicures, and when you do, your nails will benefit from a nourishing and strengthening treatment. Enter this repairing and hydrating serum from cult French brand Typology.
This replenishing serum will intensively hydrate and repair damaged nails with moisturising hyaluronic acid and strengthening keratin, biotin and pro-vitamin B5. Apply 3-4 drops to nails and cuticles morning and evening for healthier, shinier and stronger nails. You can also add the serum to your hand cream, or even massage into the scalp to add strength and shine to hair.
Key specs – Pack size: 15ml
Price: £4 |
Sally Hansens award-winning Hard As Nails strengthener has stood the test of time. First launched back in 1946, the formula hasnt changed since. Despite this, it remains a classic that we find ourselves reaching for time and again. Formulated with nylon and silk proteins, the Hard As Nails strengthener provides a protective coat that will help reinforce nails from surface to edge.
Key specs – Pack size: 13.3ml
Price: £9 |
Key specs – pack size: 15ml
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Best Sally Hansen Nail Strengthener Handpicked For You In 2021
Did you just search for the best sally hansen nail strengthener or something similar to that? If yes, then trust us, you have arrived at the right place. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best chosen affordable sally hansen nail strengthener that you can buy online. Our team has spent a considerable amount of time in researching and physically reviewing the products. So, if you would like to know the detailed insights then make sure that you read the article carefully till the end.
We always take that extra step while reviewing products, so that our user base only gets exposed to the best and reliable sally hansen nail strengthener. After hours and hours of analysis and deduction, we come to the decision that Sally Hansen Mega Strength, Hardener, 0.4 Fl Oz could be the best sally hansen nail strengthener for your needs. But, if you are still looking for something more cheaper and reliable, then you are free to go for Sally Hansen Miracle Nails Nailgrowth Treatment 0.45 Fl Oz.
The table below provides a quick overview of the Top sally hansen nail strengthener. You can take a look on the design before reading a complete review. Plus, the features that make each product stand out from the crowd are highlighted, with a view to save your precious time.
Pick The Right Hardener
Picking the right nail hardener is very crucial. This can only be done if you know the exact problem with your nails. Once you know the problem with your nails, you will pick the best clear hardener for them without a second thought.
Weak nails can peel, split, and break away at any time. Different hardeners are available for these types of problems. Plus, if your nails do not grow healthily, there is a hardener for better growth as well. Make sure that you choose the one that promises to solve your nail issue.;
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What Are The Types Of Nail Strengtheners
There are two main types of nail strengtheners hardeners and hydration.
Hydrators are nail strengtheners that moisturize a nail so that it becomes flexible, bending instead of breaking. Just think of them as similar to lotions for your skin or the conditioner to your hair. Hydrators usually contain oily and waxy ingredients mixed with water. The main disadvantage of using this type of nail strengthener is that you need to reapply it frequently to achieve maximum effect.
Just like what you do with lotions and conditioners, the strengthener wears off over time and/or can be washed away. The Onyx Professional Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream is a good option if you want to get a hydrator since it is packed with moisturizing ingredients. Youll find that hydrators often look like an oil or a cream packed in a tube or jar. The ingredients typically include nylon and/or sulfhydryl protein.
Nail hardeners, on the other hand, can be divided into two types reinforcing and cross-linking hardeners. Now, reinforcing hardeners like the Nail Tek Nail Strengthener Xtra do as their name suggests. They coat the nail and that added layer reinforces the natural external structure of the nail, much like a splint being placed on a broken bone.
Mavala Ridge Filler: Best Nail Strengthener For Ridges
Price: £11 |
Bumpy nails? Nail polish not sticking well? The cause may be ridged nails, which can be caused by dry and dehydrated skin, damage to the nail bed or a vitamin deficiency. This smoothing base by nail care specialist Mavala fills in bumps and ridges to even out the nails and make them appear smoother, glossier and healthy looking. By evening out the nail surface, the base also both helps coloured polish adhere. The treatment can also be used on its own for a glossy, natural finish.
Key specs – Pack size: 15ml
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What Causes Nails To Become Weak
Just like with our skin and hair, nails can become brittle and dry when we dont drink enough water, so make sure to get your two litres a day.
Ripping off gel nails or getting acrylics without a break in between appointments will also weaken them. Make sure you get them removed professionally, or give them the proper DIY removal treatment.
Wearing rubber gloves when handling detergents and bleach is also a must, as overexposure to these chemicals can make nails soft, resulting in them splitting or breaking.
Noticed it takes your nails forever to grow? You could be lacking in vitamin C. Make sure your diet includes food that is a good source of vitamin C, including peppers and broccoli. Taking a supplement may also help improve the quality of your nails, as well as your skin and hair.
However, all these methods do require a bit of patience. A strengthening product, on the other hand, can make a huge difference to the appearance of your nails in weeks.
How We Test Nail Strengtheners
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain products; you can read more about our product review methodology here.
According to our;Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any nail strengtheners from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at;;and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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Say Goodbye To Dry Peeling And Flaky Nails With The Best Nail Strengtheners
If you suffer from weak and brittle nails that are constantly chipping, breaking or flaking, a nail strengthener can really help with strength and condition. Many things can cause weak nails: repeated exposure to water, vitamin deficiency, or damage caused by gels, false nails or acrylic nail polish. Thankfully, the solution really is as simple as a once or twice-weekly treatment with a restorative and nourishing nail strengthener.
To get your nails looking their best for the summer, read on for our guide to finding the best nail strengthener, whatever your nail panic and, after that, find our pick of the best on the market right now.
Pp 3 X Essentials Rescue Highly Effective New Treatment Size 37 Ml
Do you have brittle nails that break when they reach a certain length? You need to use the best nail strengthener. The 3 X Essentials Rescue by PP is a new kind of treatment that comes in a 3.7 ml bottle. Within the first week of application, you will notice a marked improvement in the quality of your nails. The makers of this product say that white spots will be diminished by up to 80 percent within that time. But that will continue into the 4th week when there will be 80 percent less peeling and 73 percent less splitting. Not only will you be able to strengthen your nails but also give them a longer life.
How does this product work? The answer lies in the formula used to make the product. Part of its ingredients is jojoba oil, a highly-effective moisturizer. The formula nourishes your nails with protein to provide them with strength right from the roots. The longer you use it, the more you will notice how effective it is.
Pros:
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How Nail Hardeners Work
To understand how nail hardeners work, you need to know some basics of your nail sturcture. The nail is made of keratin strands attached together by connectors which are also made of keratin.
Keratin is the protein that protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. It is the key structural material making up the outer layer of your nails, hair and skin.
The hardness and strength or weakness, brittleness or softness of your toenails and fingernails entirely depends on the balance of keratin connectors to keratin strands.
Insufficient connectors will result to soft; or brittle nails that are susceptible to bending, tearing and peeling.
On the other hand, ;connectors in excess ,; makes nails are prone to splitting and cracking.
Basing on that, it is clear that the strength of the nail plate isnt; only a function of its hardness, but also its flexibility. Robust nails should be able to endure daily wear and tear; without peeling, breaking, cracking or folding.
This means your nail plates must have a balance between sufficient keratin bonds and hydration.
So how; or where; do hardeners come in?
Nail hardeners are a means to add connectors artificially.;According to Lipmann, an renown expert in manicure, the ingredients of hardeners react with the natural protein in your nails to create chemical bonds that tie the protein chains together to make nails harder.
Are all the ingredients safe?
Sally Hansen Nail Rehab Strengthener
Using Sally Hansens nail rehab strengthener you get visibly stronger nails. It instantly hides imperfections. Sally Hansen strengthened helps to protect nails from breakage, peeling, and tearing. It helps to strengthen weak, ravaged nails. The price of this product is $10.99.
Price: $10.99
- An intense treatment for severely dehydrated nails.
- It helps to hide imperfections and get the perfect manicure experience.
- Helps to protect against the tearing and peeling of nails.
- The formulation contains jasmine, rose, and vitamin E.
- Helps to moisturize and reinforce nails.
Main Ingredients: Butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose, adipic acid, isopropyl alcohol, rosa alba flower extract, vitamin E, titanium dioxide, jasmine flower extract, calcium pantothenate, silica, etc.
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Gelish Vitagel Recovery Led/uv Cured Nail Strengthener
If you want to repair your nails and promote growth after years of acrylic use, then there is none better than the Gelish Vitagel Recovery LED/UV Cured Nail Strengthener. Unlike traditional nail strengtheners, this gel polish requires the use of an LED lamp. What we love about this is that it doesnt chip or peel off. It also doesnt stain your nails. And when you want to take it off, just soak it and it comes right off, leaving you with smooth, healthy nails. Plus, have we mentioned that its formaldehyde-free? However, it isnt easy to apply as the product is a bit thick. Also, you cant use this with other Gelish products because it will cause the polish to peel off quickly.
Pros:
Essie Treat Love And Color
This clinically tested formula will give you better nails within one week of using it. This is a perfect nail polish that reduces peeling by 60% and breakage by 35% in just one week. It comes in about 32 different shades so you can flaunt your beautiful nails while protecting them.
Price: $10
- You can get stronger nails in just one week.
- 60% less peeling and 35% less breakage.
- Infused with collagen and camellia extract.
- Instant glow and finish.
Main Ingredients: Butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl tosylamide, dimethyl sulfone, adipic acid, collagen, and camellia extract, etc.
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Tips For Selecting/using Nail Polish Hardeners
When you are looking for a new nail polish hardener, you need to make sure that it has more than 2 active ingredients listed first in its formula, such as those mentioned earlier in the article, otherwise the formula wont have much effect on the nails.
The thing is, some of artificial ingredients need to be in appropriate ratios as too much of one ingredient or combo of these will make then nail so hard that it becomes brittle and hard to bend, which of cause defeats the purpose of using a nail hardener in the first place.
Therefore, when you choose a nail polish make sure that any artificial ingredients are not listed first in large amounts.
If you dont want to risk having opposite results or you dont want to use any potentially harmful or toxic ingredients, try a non-toxic natural brand or simply make your own nail hardener with the recipes listed earlier on this article.
You may get the same results minus the toxic chemicals, although natural formulations typically need to be applied consistently for longer to work.
Choosing The Best Nail Strengthener Buying Guide
For most of us, taking care of our nails means filing them, getting a mani-pedi, etc. One thing we tend to forget is that our nails need more than that to look nice. They need to be healthy too. If your nails tend to chip or break off easily, chances are they need to undergo a bit of rehab. One of the best ways to get healthy nails is to use a nail strengthener. However, you cant just buy the first nail strengthener you come across in Amazon.
Some products contain dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde that can damage your nails in the long run. If youre looking for a nail strengthener to buff up your nails, then our handy shopping guide can help you sort through the various products available and find the best one for you.
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