14 tips to get healthy, gorgeous nails

To keep your nails hydrated, rub a small amount of petroleum jelly into your cuticle and the skin surrounding your nails every evening before you go to bed or whenever your nails feel dry. Keep a jar in your bag, desk drawer, car – anywhere you might need it. Not a fan of petroleum jelly? Substitute castor oil. It’s thick and contains vitamin E, which is great for your cuticles. Or head to your kitchen cupboard and grab the olive oil – it also works to moisturise your nails.

Wear rubber gloves whenever you do housework or wash dishes. Most household chores from gardening, to scrubbing the bathroom, to washing dishes, are murderous on healthy nails. For extra hand softness, apply hand cream before you put on the rubber gloves. Slipping on some gloves will also protect your manicure.

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When pushing back your cuticles (it is not necessary to cut them), come in at a 45-degree angle and be very gentle. Otherwise, the cuticle will become damaged, weakening the entire nail, says manicurist, Mariana Diaconescu.

For healthy nails, trim your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. This is particularly important if you have diabetes.

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Dry your hands for at least two minutes after doing the dishes, taking a bath or shower.  Also, dry your toes thoroughly after swimming or showering. Leaving them damp increases your risk of fungal infection and ruins healthy nails.

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Air out your work boots and athletic shoes. Better yet, keep two pairs and switch between them so you never put your feet into damp, sweaty shoes. This could lead to fungal infections.

Wear 100 per cent cotton socks. They’re best for absorbing dampness, thus preventing fungal infections. You can also use socks to cover up your messed-up DIY toenail art.

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Stretch out the beauty of a manicure by applying a fresh top coat every day, says Susie Galvez, author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful.

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To make your nails as strong and resilient as a horse’s hooves, take 300 micrograms of the B vitamin biotin four to six times a day. Long ago, veterinarians discovered that biotin strengthened horses’ hooves, which are made from keratin, the same substance in human nails. Swiss researchers found that people who took 2.5 milligrams of biotin a day for 5.5 months had firmer, harder nails. In a US study, 63 per cent of people taking biotin for brittle nails experienced an improvement.

It’s great for healthy nails! Add a glass of milk and a hard-boiled egg to your daily diet. Rich in zinc, they’ll do wonders for your nails, especially if your nails are spotted with white, a sign of low zinc intake.

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