Winter is not only a season of holiday cheer, twinkly lights and hot chocolate but is also a season of extreme dryness which can cause many skin issues.

It's not just your skin that dries out during the winter months; your nails do too!

Take a close look at your fingernails—are they strong, robust, gleaming  and healthy, or do they bear marks as ridges, discolorations, dents, or unusual colours or shapes? If yes then you are at the right place. We're here to the rescue.

Today, we will make you discover the best skincare for the ultimate nail and hand care essentials routine to prevent brittle fingernails and keep the skin around your nails healthy in winter's icy time.

Why Do Nails Hate Winter?

During cold and harsh winters, it's not just our skin and hair that suffers and dries; our nails, too.

That is why it's essential to adapt your nail care routine to combat these seasonal challenges of dry hair, irritated and flaky skin, and breaking nails.

Making simple yet impactful adjustments to your daily regimen will safeguard your manicure's elegance and promote the appearance of healthier, resilient nails less prone to cracking. 

Have you observed that cold weather coincides with increased nail brittleness? With the absence of warmth, the moisture is gone too as cold air lacks the humidity and moisture that summer's warmth provides.

Develop a Winter Nail Care Routine

As winter approaches, many of us are eagerly curating our manicure inspirations for the season ahead. From holiday parties or festive gatherings to frosty days outdoors, our hands and nails undoubtedly request extra TLC, love and attention during the winter season. 

Feeling unsure about your next salon visit? Don’t worry; we’ve got your nail care routine covered to make it last longer while protecting your hands.

1. Cuticle care

Our cuticle's purpose is to seal and protect the area at the base of your nail. When we cut off your cuticles, it breaks that seal of protection, leaving our nails vulnerable to bacteria and the possibility of infection. Pamper and take care of your cuticles by moisturising them and applying coconut oil or almond oil to keep them nourished and hydrated. When getting manicure and pedicure treatments tell your nail technician to leave your cuticles untouched. Do not bite or cut your cuticles, your nails will thank you for it.

2. Extra Vitamin

A daily dose of Vitamin B7, or biotin, is your ticket to resilient, lustrous nails. Everyone wants healthy looking shiny nails and for that Vitamin B7 is the best. It helps improve nail strength and health. Research and studies reveals a 25% increase in nail thickness while taking a 2.5-milligram supplement daily for 6 months. People who have brittle fingernails should take a daily dose of biotin, or Vitamin B7, to reduce splitting and breaking.

3. Clean Nails

Keep your fingernails clean and dirt-free to avoid the accumulation and breeding of bacteria. Wash your hands with soap and a soft brush, to gently scrub it on your fingernails, focusing more on the skin around your nails. This will remove dirt and exfoliate away dead skin cells. Your nails—and your skin—will thank you.

4. Dry Nails

Prolonged nail soaks in water cause split ends. This usually occurs due to home chores such as washing the dishes, car, bathroom, or enjoying our bath too long giving us some wrinkled fingertips. 

This exposes our nails to dirty water, foamy-water and oils. While wearing waterproof hand gloves, this will not only protect our nails from split ends, brittles, flakes but also avoid the occurrence of nail discoloration.

5. Cut Your Nails Properly

Regular nail trimming reduces the accumulation of dirt which is always stuck under your nails making it vulnerable to bacteria breeding which can trigger the occurrence of bacterial infection.

Maintaining a good manicure hygiene by cutting your nails on a regular basis using sharp manicure scissors or clippers.

6. Avoid Harsh Nail Polish

Nail polish, while a source of allure, might not be your nails BFF is not properly applied or not wisely chosen. 

Nail polishes containing chemicals ingredients like formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate soften the nails. Furthermore, constantly using bold pigmented colours causes your nails to become yellowed or weakened. Opt for natural or vegan nail polishes that will moisturise your nail with a smooth silky and shiny finish.

7. Use Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remove

Say goodbye to parched nails with acetone-free nail polish removers, tenderly dissolving polish without stripping your nails of their vitality.

When seeking for nail polish removers opt for Acetone-free nail polish remover as it’s great for gently removing nail polish without causing any complications.

Nail polishes contain ingredients like resins, plasticizers, film formers and colour pigments. All these ingredients work to give you a nice even coat of polish that dries quickly and evenly. But the problem is, these ingredients aren’t so easy to remove.

An acetone-free polish remover removes nail polish effectively without drying out the skin and nails like acetone-based removers do. This is simply because acetone-free polish remover has an oily consistency which leaves nails feeling nourished and healthy.

8.  Avoid Biting Your Nails

70% of individuals exhibit nail-biting habits, sometimes subconsciously.

Biting your fingernails not only makes your hands look bad but also creates room for bacteria infection development. By biting your nails you can accidentally cut the skin around your nails allowing germs and bacteria to enter. Bacteria or fungi can cause paronychia, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. Not only are these 2 words impossible to pronounce but they are also responsible for swelling, tenderness and redness around the nail causing pain and discomfort.

9. Use The Right Tools & Right Practice

Among other tools, we have the files. 

Sandpaper files come in various grits ranging from ultra-fine, the best choice for natural nails, to super coarse, to be used on artificials nails only. Using a generic file for everything, especially one that’s too coarse, can damage natural nails.

Ensuring we have the right technique by filling the right way is as important as the tool itself. Filing back and forth causes microscopic splits in the nail, which can lead to chipped polish and dry, peeling nails, while filing from the outside corners in towards the centre as filing towards the middle of the nail prevents splitting. Do it as well as your manicurist to make your manicure last longer with stronger nails.

10. Moisturise Your Nails

Just like your skin and hair, your nails deserve love and consideration. 

Treat your nails to a nightly routine of hydration to keep it well moisturised and nourished. Before retiring to bed, massage your nail beds and cuticles with our hand lotion to stop them from getting dry, brittle, or flaky. Make it a routine and you’ll always wake up with strong and healthy-looking nails.

11. Healthy Diet, Healthy Nails

Elevate your nail game from within. Eating healthy is one of the best nail care tips you should consider. Build a healthy nail from the inside out. 

By consuming more foods rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, you are ensuring a healthy diet that will determine your well-being.

The protein that makes up your nails, and your hair, is called Keratin and eating more foods rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acid like fish, meat, beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy stimulates the keratin production and strengthens your fingernails and hair.

Crafting Your Winter Nail Rituals

Armed with these nail care commandments, it's time to fortify your nails against winter's trials. And remember, pair your regimen with MaGéAu Naturel's hand lotion—a sanctuary of natural ingredients designed to hydrate and nourish. With a non-greasy, ultra-moisturizing formula, it's the perfect complement to your winter arsenal.

Unlock a world of nail health with our exclusive 10% offer with the code MAGEAU10. Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers—order now and revel in the luxury of MaGéAu Naturel.