How to Use Essential Oils for Strong Nails

Taking care of our nails is up at the top of the self-care list for most women. It ranks alongside hair, skin, and facial care most of the time. For many women, it’s a vital part of their beauty routine, and for good reason. Keeping nails looking attractive and healthy helps you feel more beautiful. Nail care is likely a crucial part of your hygiene regimen whether it is done to complete your professional appearance or just for your own personal pleasure. Due to its importance, it becomes frustrating when despite your best efforts your nails break or split. Some may also struggle with cuticles. The good news is that there are ways to use essential oils for strong nails and cuticles.

What do you know about your nails?

Were you aware that your nails grow about 2 to 3 mm in a month? It’s interesting to note that women’s nails actually grow at a faster rate than men. For most women, growing long fingernails is important but often difficult. It’s especially frustrating when they become brittle or thin. They may also break randomly or develop beau lines. Using essential oils for strong nails is a natural way to keep them looking great for your own satisfaction and for the pleasure of others.

Top 6 Essential Oils for Nail Growth

There are a lot of EOs good for helping strengthen, grow, and beautify your nails. Here’s a look at the top 6 for you to focus on if your goal is growing your nails.

• Myrrh Essential Oil is thought to be the absolute best EO to use for nail growth. It’s moisturizing properties help protect cuticles from becoming dry. It also protects fingernails from becoming brittle, thin, and breaking easily.
• Lavender Essential Oilis a versatile EO that helps strengthen the nails and cuticles. It keeps them both moisturized. Due to its antibacterial properties, lavender EO fights off germs that could cause the cuticle to become infected. If you tend to notice dry skin around your cuticles, use lavender EO to hydrate and moisturize the area.
• Lemon Essential Oilis a natural way to brighten dull or yellowed nails. This citrusy oil brightens them and leaves them looking shiny.
• Frankincense Essential Oilis one of the ancient oils. It’s great for promoting nail growth. It is beneficial for fighting off fungus that is often the culprit for slowed nail growth. The moisturizing properties in frankincense EO help protect the cuticle from peeling and infection.
• Geranium Essential Oilhelps moisturize fingernails so they can grow longer and stronger. Geranium EO is one of the best choices for providing moisture to your nails. It also has other beneficial antibacterial and antiseptic properties that protect the cuticles and nails from infections and fungus that often inhibit normal nail growth.
• Cypress Essential Oilcan help prevent infection as well as sooth inflammation. To heal cracked cuticles, this oil can be applied directly.

DIY Blend for Nails and Cuticles

You can make your own cuticle oil using these recipes. It will help soothe cracked and peeling cuticles. It can be stored in a small container or refillable pen. This makes it the perfect portable remedy for your nails. There are several essential oils that are beneficial for strengthening fingernails and helping heal cracked cuticles. You’ll need carrier oils to dilute essential oils since you’ll be applying it to your skin. Several of the carrier oils also contain properties that help keep your nails growing and healthy. To make a good blend, you’ll want to combine a healthy mix of essential oils so you can get the various benefits each has to offer. You don’t have to use the same oils as are in the recipes. Mix and match and choose from your favorites. Using two or three and rotating them each time you make it is a good idea. This keeps your remedy well-rounded and covers all your bases. You might even want to blend up two or three different batches so you can alternate them to help heal your cuticles faster.

Other Oils for Your Nails

• Vitamin E oilis known to be beneficial for strengthening brittle nails and aid in healing chapped skin. It ‘s also useful for improving circulation which is essential for healing and growth of your nails.
• Carrot seed oilis rich in vitamins A and E, pro-vitamin A and beta carotene. It is useful for restoring moisture balance and encouraging the healing of dry, cracked skin.
• Grapeseed oil is rich in vitamins C, D, and E. It also contains several fatty acids and polyphenols to help combat premature aging of the skin. It’s odorless and inexpensive.

DIY Cuticle Oil Blend

This recipe is easy and quick to make. Use what oils you have on hand or swap them out as you desire. You’ll find this blend is also great for your face and hair. You might want to make some extra and use it for later.

Ingredients Needed

• ¼ cup of grapeseed oil
• 5 drops of myrrh EO
• 10 drops of carrot seed oil
• 8 drops of lemon EO
• 10 drops of cypress EO
• 25 drops of vitamin E oil
• Small bowl
• Funnel
• Refillable cosmetic brush pen (or small applicator bottle)

Instructions

1. Combine all of the oils in a small bowl and stir them so they are combined.
2. Use a small funnel to pour the mixture from the bowl to the refillable cosmetic pen.
3. Apply the oil blend to your cuticles two to three times daily to soothe cuticles and strengthen your nails.