Strong Nails and Better Cuticles

Do you suffer from brittle, discoloured or dry fingernails? Are painful, ragged and unsightly cuticles driving you up the wall? Perhaps you’re simply after strong, healthy-looking nails in time for the holiday season; whatever the case, we’ve got you covered.

Day-to-day life wreaks havoc on your nails and cuticles, and everything from hand washing to your diet can affect their strength, health and appearance. To make sure your hands and feet are at their best during the summer months, we’ve put together a list of our favourite homemade, natural ways to keep your nails and cuticles in tip-top shape.

Cuticles

From a cosmetic viewpoint, damaged cuticles are unsightly and untidy-looking. From a medical perspective, however, cracked and ragged cuticles are at risk of infection by bacteria and fungi. Fortunately, there’s no need to resort to expensive and unnecessary commercial remedies, and the following can be knocked up quickly and easily at home. If your cuticles are getting a bit dry, try rubbing a little coconut oil into them – a pea-sized amount should do it. Massage until the oil has dissolved, then put on a pair of rubber gloves – it’ll stop the coconut oil evaporating before it has had a chance to be absorbed by your skin. Our Essential Organic Raw Virgin Coconut Oilis perfect for the job. Because it contains nothing but pure, unprocessed coconut you don’t have to worry about irritation or adverse reactions, and leftover oil can be used to treat everything from limp hair to eczema!

If your cuticles have taken a real battering, you need to both moisturise and restore at the same time. Soothe soreness and regenerate skin with a restorative balm made from olive oil, honey and aloe vera. Zaytoun Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Royal Green 100% Organic Mountain Honey and Atlantia Pure Aloe Vera Gel work well for this remedy, with the honey and olive oil combining to moisturise your skin whilst the aloe heals cracks and splits. Mix equal parts in a bowl, mix thoroughly and rub generously into your cuticles. For best effect, repeat this daily – your cuticles will thank you.

Nails

Your fingernails are a reflection of your overall health; therefore, the best way to maintain strong, healthy-looking nails is to keep yourself in good nick. Try your best to keep them dry, clean and moisturised, and always trim your nails straight across. If they still seem a bit lacklustre, try increasing the amount of protein in your diet – foods like lean poultry, fish, legumes and lentils help the body produce keratin, the main component of finger and toenails. Biotin supplements, like our Baldwins Biotin 5mg Vegecaps, contain a high dose of B vitamins that aid the metabolization of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. They can also help strengthen nails that have become discoloured or fragile, so why not try including Biotin in your grooming or beauty regime? One capsule taken daily with food can work wonders.

If your nails are already a bit battered, brittle or chipped, why not try putting together a batch of homemade Nail-Rescue Oil? Start with some Baldwins Jojoba and Avocado Base Oils. These are absorbed very quickly, and moisturise nails beautifully. The next ingredient in this revitalising nail treatment is Baldwins Carrot Macerated Oil, to repair ragged cuticles. Myrrh and lavender oils add the final touches; our Baldwins Lavender and Myrrh Essential Oils are sure-fire winners. Combine the ingredients in a clean glass jar and apply to nails once a day – you should start to notice the difference after a week or so. Look after yourself, follow these handy tips and you’ll never be embarrassed by unsightly cuticles or nails again!

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