How to Use Coconut Oil for Nails So They Never Break Again

 


What can’t coconut oil do? It’s one of those not-so-secret ingredients that can be used for everything from beauty to cooking. Anyone who's suffered from eczema knows it can be a saving grace for adding moisture to the skin, not to mention it imparts a natural glow wherever you apply it. And for those trying to grow their hair out, the nutrient-rich oil is used by some to speed up the process. With the never-ending list of coconut oil uses, the unexpected benefits can easily get lost in the shuffle. For instance, using coconut oil for nails is something that's often overlooked, but oh-so-useful if yours are brittle and dry. Plus, using coconut oil for toenail fungus is a thing (more on that later). To get the full scoop on the wonders of coconut oil for nails, we called on celebrity manicurist Skyy Hadley and board-certified dermatologist Orit Markowitz.


What is Coconut Oil?

There’s a lot of good stuff packed in this cure-all ingredient. Here’s a little refresher: “Coconut oil is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which are great for the human body,” Hadley says. “It’s also really high in saturated fats that are composed of mostly triglycerides and medium-chain fatty acids, which means once it absorbs, it’ll keep your skin smooth to the touch for a long period of time." Basically, we're sold.

The Benefits of Coconut Oil

According to our experts, coconut oil is brimming with potential benefits, specifically for the nails:

  • Strengthens brittle, cracked nails
  • Treats damaged cuticles
  • Prevents nail ridges
  • Cures hangnails
  • Treats toenail fungus

Read on for everything you need to know about this miracle oil.

Grow and Strengthen Your Nails

To keep your nail game strong, a little TLC is required. After all, unhealthy nails may lead to broken nails, and broken nails can wreak havoc on your manicure. According to our experts, incorporating coconut oil into your nail routine will hydrate and strengthen your nails, amp up nail growth, and—wait for it—even help your mani last longer. "Coconut oil is great for treating brittle and cracked nails as well as damaged cuticles because of its moisturizing properties," says Markowitz. "It's an ideal skin barrier that contains multiple fatty acids, which act as transepidermal water loss barriers."

That said, while coconut oil's anti-inflammatory effects1 may make it an ideal product in beauty generally speaking, Markowitz cautions it for certain skin types. "Many products can cause topical allergies, however, coconut oil has been shown to be non-allergenic for the most part when using it in an organic cold-pressed liquid form," she says. "The only reservation is for facial application on acne-prone skin, as coconut oil has been shown to cause acne flareups by clogging pores."


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