What is the Healthiest Nail Polish For You?

Nails are a huge part of our beauty look, whether we’re talking about unifying our manicure and those matchy-matchy nail art that keeps us looking trendy or as part of a beautiful fall palette. But, at what cost? What is the healthiest manicure for you? And most importantly, how do you avoid getting an oily finish?

OK, so we’ve already covered how to avoid blemishes and the ways in which we can stay hydrated, but here are some more tips to make sure your nails are healthy.

Nail polish has a tremendous effect on your nail health. Try to stay away from polishes that have concentrated soaps or solvents in them. Blackheads are a definite no-no, so invest in a rich nail polish remover or a mask that hydrates and protects your nails to combat them. Instead of using a thin brush to layer your nail polish, use a gel. Gel polishes also have a different texture than regular polish, which is easier on your nails and less likely to break when they come in contact with other moisture. You can also avoid oil by using vegan products, as these can really saturate your nails, so they aren’t as able to absorb any oils and bandero. Deep fry your French manicure by pinching it to make sure it’s not too cracked up. This may sound weird, but we’re totally on board with this ancient nail-care method. Remember that you can repel eggs and crustaceans from your nails. This applies to a lot of what you eat, too. Forget those orange-hued, egg-like nail polish colors because a lot of what you’re eating adds to your oil content. Instead, stay away from glosses and white shades, as they are not only dense with oil, but they contain antiperspirants that prevent oils from penetrating. Use nail polish remover every three months. Although this may sound strange, cleanser can really ruin your nail polish. Try one with a lot of glycerin, shea butter, or any kind of conditioner you’d normally use to give them some fresh scent. Let your nails dry after removing any buildup from your polish. You don’t want to put a nail polish remover in contact with your nail polish and it will react like so many products. Use a top coat. A good coat is not only going to prevent stains from appearing, but it’s also the best for keeping your polish form?ever (not wanting to have your nails stick in your manicure). Save your stem for fun colors, like glitter or polka dots. These might be a bit harsh on your nails, but will give them that delicate look. Always clean your cuticles. This is one of the most important tips. Usually, one cuticle is left unmopped and that can lead to ingrown toenails. Remember, even the tiniest speck of bacteria can cause unwanted conditions so make sure to scrub your cuticles before they dry out. Don’t skip the cutsicle cream, especially since it allows your cuticles to retain moisture. Once you wash your hands, wipe out your cuticles to get rid of any bacteria. Rinse your hands and use it as a base for your manicure. Make sure your nail polish is all dry. This is a big no-no, as your nails can become brittle or freeze if they have a few extra places for moisture to settle. Plus, that nastiness of alcohol drying out your nail polishes can lead to black eyes. Clean your cuticles with alcohol, which is an inexpensive alternative to scissors or a pair of hand sanitizer. Never polish your toenails or cuticles. Sure, it’s a good way to tell that your polish is fresh, but doing so can cause your cuticles to break which, in turn, increases your risk of bad cuticles. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to break your own nails and trust us, it doesn’t look pretty! Black polish is the no-no. You don’t want to end up with cuts or dripping paint. If you really want to go black, try polish with uppers, like turquoise or cobalt blue, which are both very dense and usually come with good formulations.