Everyone wants strong, long, beautiful nails but day-to-day wear and tear can result in not so desirable outcomes. Additionally, what we eat and drink has a huge impact on our nail health so ensuring that we eat the right diet is an integral part of keeping claws looking and feeling great. If you want to aim for optimum nail health, here is a natural nail care guide on what to eat, what to do, and what to put on your nails to keep them in tip top condition!
What to eat
What you eat and drink can have a big impact on your natural nail health and how they grow. If you suffer from dry, brittle nails, or you just want to see them grow stronger and quicker, there are a number of things you can ingest to do the trick. If you eat meat, organic chicken and turkey are great for nail health, or if you are a vegetarian you can consider foods high in protein such as eggs and pulses. Eat plenty of berries, including strawberries and blueberries as these contain antioxidants which protect your body against free radical damage, helping your nails stay healthy. Spinach, kale and broccoli are also great as they contain high levels of iron and folate- two key ingredients for superb nail health. You should also feast on nuts, seeds, sweet potato, and fortified milks that are high in calcium such as oat milk, almond milk and rice milk. You should also be sure to drink a lot of water to ensure great overall health.
What to do
Apart from eating a healthy diet full of vitamins and minerals, you also need to take care of your nails to ensure they remain healthy. Part of a natural nail care routine is keeping them clean, a great place to start, ensuring you regularly clean underneath and around the edges using a eco friendly, biodegradable nail brush. You should also trim and file them regularly, keeping them at a short to medium length as this stops them weakening and snapping which can cause more serious damage. You should also take the time to trim your cuticles, avoid alcohol based sanitizers and cleaning products, wear gloves when you wash up, and avoid using your nails as tools to open cans or scratch off sticky labels. Treating your nails with TLC in this way will ensure they remain healthier in the long run.Â
What to put on them
To keep your natural nails healthy you should be regularly moisturising both them and the skin around them. This hand butter from our own Organic Whipped line is perfect for keeping your hands and nails in good condition. Enriched with sweet orange and vanilla, it is rich with vitamins and oils that absorb quickly and stay locke in, keeping you moisturised for longer. This vegan nail hardener from Zao is especially designed for fragile nails and forms a protective barrier while helping to keep your natural nails strong. Natural, vegan nail polish that is rich in organic silica is also something you should look out for, as organic silica fortifies the nail preventing splits and brittle, flaking talons.
What you put on your nails does not just mean your vegan nail polish, it also includes eco-friendly nail polish remover. Most commercial removers can be made with chemicals that can be harsh on your nails. Causing them to dry out and in some cases irritate the skin surrounding your nail. Opting for a natural, vegan, eco-friendly nail polish remover that does not contain harmful ingredients is a lot kinder to your nails and helps maintain your nails health. You can also be kind to your nails when removing your vegan nail polish by using natural fibres such as bamboo felt, which is gentle, reusable, zero waste and eco-friendly.
