NAIL & CUTICLE TREATMENT
There are two types of nail strengthener. Oils work to create a flexible yet strong nail, while nourishing and softening cuticles. (Might not seem glamorous to take care of cuticles, but doing so critical for nail health and for a groomed look.) The other type of strengthener hardens the nail chemically, although you generally have to pace yourself – there’s a risk that after a while, they become prone to snapping.
Testers trialled these winners on one hand, for comparison. It takes a bit of a superhuman effort, sometimes, for testers to complete our trials – mostly because we ask them to do the ‘one side’ thing (face, thighs, buttock, hands!) Diligently, testers do just that, comparing results on the treated side to the 'control'. We have four Gold winners here, which scored within a micro-point of each other, garnering some incredibly positive comments.
We honestly believe, by the way that nobody’s EVER too busy to look after their cuticles: we keep a tube of cuticle treatment in our handbags and when we’re kept waiting, we use the time to look after this not-always-terribly-sexy area of skin.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL (JOINT) L’OCCITANE Shea Nail & Cuticle Nourishing Oil
Almost no handbag is too small for a dainty tube of this oil (which has more of a gel-oil texture, in our opinion), to take advantage of downtime (i.e. being kept waiting for a meeting) by giving some TLC to your nails. (Sure beats infinite scrolling on a phone.) Nestled within L’Occitane’s bestselling shea butter collection, it features a generous 30% of that nourishing ingredient, sourced via a longstanding fair trade project in West Africa. (Shea butter is the exception to L’Occitane’s ‘Provence-only’ rule. The little brush atop the tube makes it easy to dispense just the right amount onto nails, to be massaged in.
£15 for 7.5ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘My right hand has very soft nails which split, flake and struggle to grow. My left hand has no problems. Now I will be buying this product forever; the perfect, time-saving nail treatment; I've been telling people about it and how it's improved the appearance to match my left hand so they “match”’ • ‘Great to carry around in your handbag and easy to use on-the-go. Quick results too. The fragrance is amazing, the brush works well and it is so enjoyable to use’ • ‘Amazing! I love it. The baby powder-ish scent is similar to the L’Occitane shea butter hand cream – a rich, but comforting smell’ • ‘Noticeable difference in my cuticles; they look stronger and healthier and are easy to push back in a neat oval shape’ • ‘I just love everything about this dinky little product. I love its size – it fits so easily in my make-up bag/handbag, I love its smell. And most of all I love the effect it has on my nails. So compact (not much longer than a lipstick), yet delivers such great results and so easy to carry around’ • ‘I have already re-purchased; I want one squirreled away everywhere: make-up bag, bedside drawer, car glove box, side coffee table!’ • ‘My treated nails looked so much better and healthier after a month. My right-hand nails had less rough bits, a better sheen and the tips were much smoother as they weren't breaking off as much as nails on my other hand.’
£15 for 7.5ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Leighton Denny Renovate & Buffer Treatment
Our old chum Leighton Denny has two Golds and a Bronze in this category (not that friendship counts for anything when it comes to declaring winners – they’re all independently trialled and scored by our 10-strong tester panels). Powered by seven essential oils, including Sicilian lemon, orange, lime, lavender, lavandin, eucalyptus and cardamom, this blend of high-tech and natural ingredients also include bio-active glass, rice bran and avocado oils and even diamond particles, targeting ridged, flaky and dry nails. The nozzle-topped tube is accompanied by a two-sided buffer, to smooth the nail to a glass-like finish.
£14 for 10ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Surprisingly effective; I didn’t realise how much difference just applying a little bit of cream and buffing it would be. I normally use hand cream and just rub it in the nails, which has minimal impact; the effects of this were instant and I am now starting to have healthy, strong nails I can be proud of (after years of damage getting false nails/extensions)’ • ‘My partner and my Mum both noticed improvements instantly; a few people at work said my nails looked nice and asked if I'd had a manicure’ • ‘Blaming the menopause for the current condition of my nails, I’ve started to look into nail/cuticle products to see if anything can help improve poor condition. This comes with a small buffer; one side you use first to refine the nails, then you put a tiny dot of the cream on each nail and massage in. In the past I have used oils or gels on my nails, but this cream felt different, I really loved it; I could feel it was being absorbed the nail when massaging it in’ • ‘Non-sticky, a lovely texture, scent is fresh and clean, my nails are super smooth and ridges gone!’ • ‘Anyone with weak, ridge-y nails would benefit from this. I’m pleased and surprised that this has made my nails look better, as well as making them at least as strong as when I use my usual nail hardener’ • ‘This treatment, along with the buffer has made a huge difference to my nails and the skin around my nails.’
£14 for 10ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Leighton Denny Renovate Cuticle Oil
A brush-on treatment, to hydrate and nourish the cuticles. The formula is 88% plant-based (and vegan), so we’re told, including almond, rice bran oil and avocado extract to soften kin. In a perfect world, supermanicurist Leighton recommends, this would be used in tandem with the creamier product that it shares Gold position with (left) – and the buffer, too. However, our 10-strong tester panel used this on its tod, still observing great improvements; testers particularly commented on its ease of use.
£14 for 12ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Really like the application of this product; spreads easily, is easy to apply and not sticky, so it's easy to use throughout the day without hands feeling greasy’ • ‘So easy, because of the polish-style applicator brush –other oils I've used are in a dropper bottle and this is much better. I loved its fragrance: a subtle, slightly sweet, fresh scent’ • ‘After regular use (several times) per day for almost one month, my cuticles were significantly softer, and my nail bed looked plump and overall, far more healthy than before using this product. Ease of use and quick absorption make it a winner for me’ • ‘I certainly recommend as a highly effective cuticle oil, and because it is so easy and pleasant to use, it is more likely to be used on a regular basis – that’s key’ • ‘I'm surprised how much I like it! An extremely-user friendly, no-brainer product that delivers instant visible results. Even my husband really liked it and said it was richer and more nourishing than his hand cream’ • ‘I love the design, colour, efficiency and performance. Improvements: particularly around the cuticles looking tidier and less ragged, nails ess brittle and felt more nourished from the base’ • ‘I have really weak, brittle nails, but this is doing a really good job of nourishing them, making them look and feel healthier. If it works on mine, pretty sure it could work on most people’s nails!’ • ‘Nails are so much more nourished, both in look and feel, and definitely seemed to have more flexibility and bend, contributing to less breakage and snapping. Definitely looked more healthy and neater – no rough skin.’
£14 for 12ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL (JOINT) Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail and Cuticle Oil
An absolute classic from pioneering naturals brand Dr. Hauschka, this oil has featured in these Awards on and off since the beginning, based around medicinal plants including (most particularly) neem, which is renowned for its nail-strengthening action, along with extracts of apricot oil, chamomile and anthyllis to moisturise and protect against breakage, while softening and renewing cuticles. Delivered from a glass pipette bottle, to be massaged into nails (we suggest last thing at night). Almost every tester commented that a little really does go a long way.
£19 for 18ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Honestly this product has been like a 'wonderdrug' for my nails. I work in the NHS and with all the handwashing and antibacterial gels, my nails were in a very poor state. This has worked wonders; my nails now even have a free edge, which they haven't ever had, are smooth, non-flaky, strong yet flexible’ • ‘The smell was perfect for a night treatment: a lovely lavender that wasn't overpowering or too flowery’ • ‘A nice, simple but effective treatment, delivering instant benefits. My cuticles are often very dry and can split very easily; they seemed much softer and were not ragged’ • ‘You literally just need a drop to do the nails on one hand – in fact, it pays to be careful not to dispense too much product’ • ‘My nails were in a poor state when I started testing this, and I saw a big improvement, with a reduction in flaking, and chipping. They look much healthier!’ • ‘Have been using the oil religiously and am so impressed with the improvement of the condition of my nails; I still have some ridges, but I don't have the chipping and flaking that I had before, and my nails now look really presentable’ • ‘Would I buy again? A MILLION TIMES, YES!!! (Although, the bottle seems to be everlasting, so I don't know when I'll have to!)’ • ‘I haven't used a nail oil for a few years, but I'm a big fan of this one. My nails have improved so much in strength that they don't snap as easily anymore, and I can enjoy beautiful, long nails.’
£19 for 18ml - click to buy
SILVER AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL (JOINT) Peacci Cuticle Oil
This is peachy, as well as… Peacci! It features peach and almond oil (although the No.1 ingredient is mineral oil), also offering a very pretty peach scent which many of our testers commented upon. The cuticle oil brushes directly onto the nail area and has been formulated to provide intense hydration and strengthen the nail plate, with the aim of preventing splits and brittleness. It abounds with proteins, vitamins A, B, D and E, as well as mineral salts.
£10 - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘My nails were rigid, chalky, dry, flaky and very old ladyish. After using this most days for a month, my nails look younger; all chalkiness has disappeared, the flaking has reduced slightly’ • ‘Delighted; this has really delivered on its promise to hydrate rough skin and dry cuticles. I'm going to try it on my cuticles around my toenails now, as this is very hard skin – am expecting it to make an improvement there too’ • ‘Has a lovely fragrance and feels like a treat. I brush it on when I sit down in the evening before bed, and gently massage it into the cuticles – something everyone could and should have a go at’ • ‘Nails stronger, nails less bendy, after I'd been using it every night for over two weeks; this is a really quick and simple process that I can easily add to my night-time beauty routine. I apply it at night is because it’s quite oily, but by the time I wake up, it has fully absorbed’ • ‘I showed my husband my hands and he could tell which hand I'd been using this product on. It’s very concentrated; hardly made a dent in the bottle after several weeks’ • ‘Dainty bottle and easy to apply; no runs or drips. Delicious peach scent; I found it so enjoyable to apply and it made a difference to the look and feel of skin and nails’ • ‘My nails are normally a very sad state but now look healthy and cared-for. I enjoyed the ritual of massaging it into nails; feels luxurious, makes an actual difference and makes me feel more elegant as a woman.’
£10 - click to buy
BRONZE AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL (JOINT) Nailkind Strengthener
Akin to a clear nail polish, this product – from a Danish (more) natural nail care brand – avoids the harsher chemicals associated with nail-strengthening, nourishing and caring for nails while toughening them up against knocks and damage. Citrus extracts, and sunflower oil and fruit acids feature in the formula, which they trumpet as offering ‘up to 85% bio-sourced ingredients’. Paint onto nails from the glass bottle, using the fat brush – which testers raved about.
£9.95 - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Great applicator brush, and so good to see my nails improving. I usually just file and hope that no one notices how awful they are!’ • ‘Promised beautiful nails, making them nourished and healthier – which it did. After a month, an amazing difference; I was so impressed with how my nails improved. My nails were really in a poor state at the start of the trial; I have been able to grow them and they look so much healthier! The lovely gloss really makes my nails look smart now! ’ • ‘Looks like a clear nail varnish, so gives my nails a great shine! Miles better; they had been splitting and were generally in a poor state, and have been transformed’ • ‘Love this, especially the brush; it spreads to fit the width of the nail, so you just need one stroke to get a good coverage –much better than a skinny brush. Dries quickly’ • ‘One of the best I've used in a nail product; mine were stronger, didn't flake, and seemed to cope better with day to day things, like washing-up and cleaning’ • ‘I was able to grow them a few mm more than usual before it was time to clip them again’ • ‘The finish lasts a whole week even on an avid gardener who can’t keep gloves on; I loved that this dried so quickly and meant nails looked "done" when not wearing anything over the top’ • ‘My nails are always really prone to breaking which is why I usually apply a gel polish. This was a great product to use whilst taking a break from gels as it offered a little protection and made my nails look presentable.’
£9.95 - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) Leighton Denny Rebirth Nail Repair Capsules
Each pot contains 30 capsules of biodegradable nail treatment; the prescription is to use two per day, one per hand, to deliver the intensive conditioning treatment; just twist the capsule open, squeeze and go. It’s boosted by something called Neonyca, extracted from celery seed and scientifically proven (so Leighton tells us) to ‘bring the natural nail back to life and restore and maintain the natural beauty of the nail’. Capsules are biodegradable, their cargo 99% plant-based, including jojoba and sweet almond oils. (A couple of testers did comment they’d like refill packs, so they didn’t have to buy a new jar each time.)
£17.50 - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘A wonder product. Transformed my COVID-ravaged cuticles and made my nails much stronger in a way that is remarkable’ • ‘Says it will make nails stronger and healthier – and it does. Despite gardening, I had much less breakage and my cuticles were transformed; my daughter said my nails looked longer, my cuticles were not dry or flaky. I ended up with stronger nails that didn’t break, nail bed appearance improved’ • ‘I’ve been looking forward to painting my nails after the trial as they look so much better. It claimed to hydrate, strengthen and repair; did all of these things and really quickly’ • ‘I love the fact these are transportable, so you can use them anywhere or just take a couple of capsules with you when you are travelling to keep up the maintenance. ‘My nails looked so much better after a month; no splits and it was easier to grow them to the length I wanted’ • ‘I love, love, love this product. The scent is a little strong and maybe it can't perform ACTUAL miracles on my soft nails, but it's pretty damn good. My nails are in much better condition and I feel much more polished and presentable as a result’ • ‘A holy grail product to me. It feels luxurious to use and delivers immediate and long-term improvements, but as soon as you apply this, nails look smooth, shiny and healthy. The small ampules mean no oily spillage and just the right dose of product.’
£17.50 - click to buy