Jojoba oil has molecules small enough to penetrate the nail plate itself. Most oils can’t do that. It hydrates the whole thing, nail bed and cuticles included.
I’ve been using it for months now and the difference is noticeable. You really notice when you skip a few days.
Jojoba oil gets overlooked when people focus on polish. Its molecular structure is almost the same as your natural sebum, so it sinks into the nail plate instead of sitting on top like coconut or olive oil. That helps keep the keratin layers bonded and stops the peeling and splitting.
I usually point clients to Simply Pure from My Bliss Kiss. Worth trying alongside whatever strengthener you pick.
Started using Nailtiques 2 Plus as a base coat instead of applying it daily. The peeling and bending I used to deal with is basically gone now. My nails survived a whole backpacking trip with zero breakage.
Arobell Uñas de Hierro Unisex hardener. One coat, that’s it. You can find it on Amazon.
Everything peels off my nails, and I mean everything, but this one actually stays put.
Cutting way back on hand sanitizer made a big difference for me. I think the alcohol was undoing every strengthener I put on.
Switched to soap and water when I can and my nails stopped splitting within a month.
Two thin coats of a calcium-based clear, fully dry between.
Clay gets into every tiny ridge, though, so before any polish, I buff super lightly with a fine file first. Helps the layers actually grip without thinning the nail too much. Tips hold up way better now, even after a long wheel session.
Hot showers right after painting will make the polish chip. Give it a full 12 hours to cure before any steam or soaking.
A ridge-filling base coat under your strengthener can help with grip on the nail plate too.