Brittle, peeling nails: any tips?

So, my nails have started peeling. This has never happened to me before. I’m already taking multivitamins, so I’m wondering what's going on—am I missing something specific? Like, is there another vitamin I should be looking for?
...Just to clarify, the peeling isn't happening at the tips. It's higher up, like the top protective layer is just stripping away, leaving the surface underneath dull and matte instead of shiny. I'm wondering if I did this to myself by messing around in the garden. I've been out there working my tail off the last few days, and obviously, I wasn't wearing gloves.😢
Could that really be it? Did I just wear them down to nothing?😕

I need some advice here!

I honestly can't believe nobody here has a single shred of actual, useful advice to offer.🙄

Honestly, you'll probably break a nail just digging in the garden before you even get to the peeling part...
Seriously though, wear some gloves, unless you want to end up looking like a farmhand by next week.😉
As for the peeling, they look super dehydrated to me, so maybe try Essie (you can grab it at Walgreens).
I haven't personally tried it, but give it a shot—and from now on, gloves and clear protective polish are ALWAYS a must.
You also need to use those three-way files every once in a while to buff them out.
Step 1, step 2, step 3... let's go!!!🎉

You can find those "hair, skin, and nail vitamins" at most pharmacies... I dealt with some hair issues myself, and they actually helped me.

There's also a nail cream out there that’s supposed to work, apparently.

If you notice those tiny white vertical lines on your nails, it might mean you're low on calcium. But, if you have any underlying health issues—specifically anything involving your internal organs—don't just go grabbing calcium supplements without checking with your doctor first.

northernfalcon30 said:I think you’ll snap a nail digging in the garden way before they actually peel off...
Look, you seriously need to start wearing gloves because you're about to end up looking like a farmhand.😉
As for the peeling, sounds like they're just dehydrated. Give Essie a shot (you can grab it at Walgreens).
I haven't used it myself, so I can't swear by it, but definitely try it—and from now on, it's gloves and clear protective polish ON your nails, ALWAYS.
You also need to use those three-way buffers every once in a while to polish them up.
Step 1, step 2, step 3... let's get to work!!!🎉

DEHYDRATED? I DRINK 3 LITERS OF WATER A DAY!🙄
I already use clear polish, and it looks like I'll have to start wearing gloves too, even though I'm clumsy as hell with them. Honestly, even without gloves, I don't know what's going on. It's not like I'm lacking moisture, so maybe I'm low on calcium? Or maybe I just wore them down. I guess I have been spending a lot of time with my hands in the dirt, I really have...😵 😵
...and regarding that stuff at Walgreens, I heard it's useless. That Estée Lauder strengthener is my absolute lifesaver.

Thanks girls, you're the best.🙂

Seriously, stop banging your head against the wall every time I tell you we aren't talking about THAT kind of dehydration...

Anyway, thanks for the tip on Estée Lauder!

I knew that brand was following me through life. 😉

Karen White13 said:I CANNOT BELIEVE NOBODY HAS ANY ACTUAL USEFUL ADVICE HERE🙄

I've got "peeling nails," but zero advice.😁 🙄

This just happened a few days ago, probably the first time ever: my right nails just started peeling ( 🙄 ) all over the tips, so now they look totally uneven... and looks like it's starting on my left hand too. 🙄

Honestly, I don't usually have issues with them. I'd even say they're pretty solid. 🙄

I don't touch dairy at all, and honestly, it's totally showing because my nails are peeling and splitting everywhere, plus they get those weird white patches on them😢 😠
that's why I just don't even bother trying to grow them out at all🙂

northernfalcon30 said:Stop banging your head against the wall every time I tell you we aren't talking about THAT kind of dehydration..

Ha. Ha. You actually made me laugh there. Look, maybe I’m being a bit of a rookie when it comes to certain things😵, so please, enlighten me🙂 😁

When nails look like that, it's usually just keratin dehydration from all those aggressive treatments you've been putting them through lately.
I mean, I have zero clue what kind of madness you've been doing to them, but honestly, even if you aren't doing anything crazy, they'll eventually bounce back on their own after a bit...
It wouldn't hurt to keep a decent clear strengthener on hand. These days, almost everything is packed with proteins and all the good stuff needed for nail care anyway.
This happens to me too, pretty regularly. There are just certain times of year where everything feels a bit depleted, stress levels are up, and you shouldn't freak out just because your hair, skin, or nails start acting up in response.
If this keeps happening though, maybe start a vitamin regimen or just go nuts spending money on fancy creams, Nail Essence, Essie collections, and whatever else...
🙂

northernfalcon30 said:There are just certain times of year where it hits you harder, especially when you're feeling run down or dealing with extra stress...

So I'm basically just riding this out until this "weird" phase passes and things get back to normal. 🥳

(I'll check back in a couple of months 😉 )

Ugh, I have the exact same issue. My nails grow to a decent length and I’m finally happy, but then they just start peeling... it drives me absolutely crazy!

I even went through phases where they wouldn't even grow out at all; they'd just peel along the entire length while they were still super short... a total nightmare. 😲
Then I discovered Merz vitamins—the ones for hair, skin, and nails—and things have been great ever since. They actually grew quite long and feel really strong now. You just have to be consistent and take them for a few months until the whole nail grows out, but they seriously worked for me. I usually just do a "treatment" once a year.
Oh, and you definitely need to wear gloves when doing housework. For me, the peeling was always worst whenever my nails were soaked in water or touching harsh detergents for too long.

Kimberly Williams said:Then I tried those Merz supplements—vitamins for hair, skin, and nails—and things are looking up. My nails actually grew out and they’re pretty tough now. You just have to be disciplined and take them consistently for a few months until the whole nail grows out. They really worked for me, so I basically do this treatment once a year.

What kind of supplements are we talking about here? Where can I find them, what does the packaging look like, and how long does a bottle last? Also, what's the damage to my wallet, and can I pick them up at Walgreens?
Does anyone know what Dikla is for nails? I'm thinking about jumping on that. I already have Essie and L'Oreal hardeners, and honestly, the L'Oreal one is great.🙂

Any other smart advice out there?🙂

Thanks, northernfalcon30, much appreciated.😘 🙂 🙂

Karen White13 said:I've got Essie and L'Oreal hardeners, and honestly, the L'Oreal one is awesome.🙂

But my nails are actually pretty tough, they just peel.🙂 Even when that top layer flakes off ( 😲 ), what’s left underneath is thin, but still strong enough... I can't really grow them long, but I can manage about 2-3 mm, which works for me, but still...

🙂I need something specifically for peeling, not just hardening. And I don't want anything I have to eat or drink—just something you apply directly to the nail. Any ideas? 😎

Also, one more thing: could peeling happen because I'm using a nail file wrong? 🥳

Hey there!
I used to take Merz, and if I remember correctly, they cost about $23. You can usually pick them up at a pharmacy rather than at a Walgreens.
I took them for a few months because my nails were giving me trouble, but honestly, it didn't do much for me.
In my case, it was probably just an iron deficiency.
It might be worth seeing a dermatologist to get a professional opinion.

I forgot to mention that you really have to stick with the supplements for at least three to four months before you start seeing any actual results. I ended up taking them for six months straight and saw absolutely nothing, so I just gave up on them.
I've been using Estée Lauder's "Forte Strong" polish lately, and it actually seems to be helping.

Karen White13 said:My nails have actually started peeling, which has never happened to me before. I’m already taking multivitamins, so I’m wondering why this is happening? Am I missing some specific vitamins?...
...Just to clarify, they aren't peeling at the tips; it's higher up, where the top protective layer is just lifting off. The underneath part looks matte instead of shiny. I'm wondering if it's from all the yard work I've been doing lately. I've been out in the garden constantly the last few days, working myself to death—and obviously without any gloves.😢
Could that be it? Did I just wear them down too much?😕

Please advise!

Listen... avoid colored polishes for a while. If you absolutely have to wear something, look for a treatment enriched with vitamins and calcium—Vitaskin makes some decent ones that aren't too harsh. Only use a buffer if they get uneven, and occasionally rub them with some lemon juice (it works wonders!). When you're washing dishes or doing laundry—and you should be doing this VERY OFTEN—wear gloves. Also, keep your hands and nails moisturized; pick something with a natural base. You can find plenty of options at Walgreens or your local pharmacy...
As for the vitamins, they probably won't make much of a difference, except for maybe a B-complex. You can find those in brewer's yeast capsules at Walgreens—that stuff is great! Or Fitoval capsules... but you can take yeast continuously, and it's more natural. Honestly, it worked 100% for me. I deal with these kinds of issues quite often, including with my hair and skin... and nothing helps me quite like natural products and essential oil blends.

I’ve honestly never dealt with this before! But lately, my nails have been peeling like crazy, and I'm starting to get a little worried. If I don't apply polish, they just start splitting off in layers...
Does anyone know what might be causing this?

Michael Lee11 said:I’ve honestly never dealt with this before! But lately, my nails have been peeling like crazy, and I'm starting to get a little worried. If I don't apply polish, they just start splitting off in layers...
Does anyone know what might be causing this?

I’m going through the exact same thing. For me, it always seems to flare up right at the end of winter
and stays that way for a while. I have a strong feeling it all comes down to vitamins. Our bodies just seem to get so depleted over the winter months since we aren't getting enough nutrients and there's hardly any sunshine to help with Vitamin D. Either try taking a good multivitamin complex, or just wait for spring to arrive and keep on filing them down...🙂 😘

I've been dealing with a ton of issues lately. I’ve been using Orly nail polish to help get things back on track, but honestly, if I really want to fix this mess for good, I should probably just move to another planet where stress and all these other little "factors" don't exist.