Fast-forward, and you can find tons of natural-leaning nail-strengtheners commanding the market (also advertised as nail serums, treatments, or base coats) that boast plant-based ingredients, like vitamin E, olive oil, garlic, and tea tree, to effectively bulk up the nails. Ultimately, it takes more than a single swipe of base coat—it may require both standard nail care practices (like hydrating the cuticles, monthly maintenance, UV protection) and internal strategies (like collagen and biotin supplements) to help the nails truly bounce back. In other words, the best “nail strengthener” is actually a holistic, inside-out approach to feed the nails with healthy ingredients. But if you’ve followed all the to-do’s for brittle nails and need a little superficial strength? Totally understandable—see our selects below. B.04 Ridge Filler Base Coat, sundays ($18) Like Glass Nail Lacquer, Paintbox ($22) Nail Armor, Orly ($12) HyperRepair, JinSoon ($22) Foundation, Rooted Woman ($15) Nail Elixir Cuticle Oil, Mischo Beauty ($23) Growth with Garlic Base Coat, Côte ($21) The Rehab Reparative Base Coat, tenoverten ($21.99) Victoria Plum Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment, Butter London ($18) Damage Control Nail Strengthener, ella + mila ($10.50) Get Even Ridge Filler Base Coat, Zoya ($12) Jack of All Trades Basecoat, Janet & Jo. ($18)
