Blog
The Best Nail Care for Mature Nails to Stay Healthy and Strong
When it comes to nail care for mature nails, age is just a number, especially if you’re giving your hands and nails the attention they deserve. Just like our skin loses elasticity over time, nails also go through visible changes like thinning, peeling, increased brittleness, and more pronounced ridges. These shifts are often the result of decreased collagen, slower cell turnover, and reduced moisture retention that naturally come with age.
With a few simple steps and the right products, aging nails can look just as healthy, polished, and strong as ever. Hydrating nail conditioners, strengthening treatments, and protective topcoats can go a long way toward maintaining your best nails.
Our Top Nail Care for Mature Nails
Whether you’re noticing nail changes, refreshing your nail-care routine, or trying a targeted nail treatment, we’ve got the expert tips and product recs to help you nail it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: CND Rescue RXx Daily Keratin Treatment
Why we love it: Whether you’re dealing with dryness, brittleness, or peeling nails, CND Rescue RXx is a keratin-based treatment that helps restore strength and promote strong nails. “It’s ideal for age-related thinning or peeling,” says Julie Kandalec, a New York City-based manicurist, who recommends applying it daily for one to four weeks, depending on how weak your nails are. The lightweight, oil-based formula absorbs quickly and doubles as a nourishing cuticle oil, thanks to a blend of jojoba and sweet almond oils. It also smells surprisingly delightful: “It reminds me of the mini fruity marshmallows we had as kids in the Midwest,” says Kandalec. If you’re recovering from damaged nails, this convenient, clear formula applies like a top coat, making it effortless to integrate into your daily routine.
Sweet almond oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, which helps restore moisture for nails that become drier and more brittle with age.
- Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, keratin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Strengthening Treatment: Deborah Lippmann Hard Rock
Deborah Lippmann
Hard Rock
Why we love it: Deborah Lippmann Hard Rock is packed with protein-rich ingredients to keep your nails healthy and strong. A simple swipe of this multitasker does it all—prep your nails for polish, help them grow stronger, and protect them from peeling or breaking. Plus, it’s super quick-drying, so you can throw it on whenever without waiting around. “It strengthens brittle nails with a protein-rich formula, and you’ll notice smoother, healthier nails in just a few weeks,” says Dr. Collins.
Apply a few coats onto clean, bare nails daily until you’re ready for your next polish.
- Key ingredients: diamond powder, safflower seed oil, biotin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Nail Polish: Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer
Butter London
Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer
Why we love it: Most nail polishes used to chip or fade faster than you could say, “I just gave myself a mani.” But the nail game changed with the Butter London Patent Shine 10X line. These polishes give you rich, luxe color and salon-level performance without the hassle. A 10-free formula and the brand’s signature polymer keep your mani chip-resistant, long-lasting, and crazy shiny. “For mature nails prone to breakage, it even strengthens your nails with bamboo extract, helps prevent breakage, and keeps them looking healthy while delivering that glossy, long-wearing finish,” says Dr. Collins. And with 61 shades, there’s a color match for everyone.
If your nails have natural ridges—normal as we age—thin layers will help avoid streaks and smooth things out for a polished look.
- Key ingredients: bamboo extract, diamond powder
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Shades: 61
Best Color Neutralizer: Zoya Naked Manicure Lavender Perfector
Zoya
Naked Manicure Lavender Perfector
Why we love it: Zoya’s Nail Polish Lavender Perfector is perfect for tackling those pesky yellow tones or uneven nails—whether it’s a result of aging, smoking, or wearing dark polish on repeat. It’s like a color corrector for your nails, with a soft lavender tint that evens things out, and a breathable formula that allows oxygen to flow to your nail beds. “It smooths texture, neutralizes discoloration, and strengthens nails,” says Dr. Collins.
Use it as a sheer tint alone or layer it under your regular polish.
- Key ingredients: nitrocellulose, citric acid, silica
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Nail File: Dr. Dana Glass Nail File
Why we love it: “Filing your nails back and forth like you’re sawing wood is a fast track to splitting and breakage,” says Miss Pop. “Instead, file in one direction at a time for a smoother, healthier finish. And make sure your nail file has a grit higher than 200.” For context, nail file grit measures how coarse or fine the surface is—the higher the number, the finer the grit. “Anything below 180 grit is meant for acrylic or fake nails and is way too harsh for natural nails,” she adds. Her go-to: The Dr. Dana Glass Nail File, which creates a smooth, clean edge that helps prevent splits, peeling, and breakage—perfect for anyone with nails prone to damage.
Always file your nails dry. “Filing wet or damp nails can lead to splitting, peeling, and uneven edges because they become softer and more flexible when wet,” says Miss Pop.
Best Nail and Hand Moisturizer: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
Weleda
Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
Why we love it: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream isn’t specifically designed for hands, but it might just be one of the best treatments for dry, aging hands and brittle nails. “This is a super-thick and rich hand cream with a plant-blend formula,” says Kandalec. “I love how it leaves the skin moisturized and dewy. I use it on set when I want the hands to be more luminous on camera.” Packed with sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil, and beeswax, it has lasting hydration and softens rough cuticles. “It’s so effective yet gentle, and I love that I can also use it on my face,” she adds. If you prefer something lighter than a rich cream, Kandalec also recommends Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream for a more breathable, fast-absorbing option.
Beeswax is packed with vitamin A, which supports skin cell turnover and helps improve the texture of your cuticles and hands over time. Pro tip: Keep this tube by the sink as a reminder to moisturize after every wash.
- Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, wool wax, beeswax, rosemary leaf extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Instant Mani: Kiss Gel Fantasy Press-On Nails
Kiss
Gel Fantasy Press-On Nails
Why we love it: Mature nails, take a break from the gels. Kiss Gel Fantasy Press-On Nails are a stylish, low-maintenance way to protect and support nail growth while enhancing the look of healthy nails. “As time goes by, nails can get dry and brittle,” says Kandalec, who’s also a Kiss Nails brand ambassador. “Using press-ons is the perfect way to both protect your natural nails from breaking, and give you a stronger covering for daily tasks—and a beautiful, finished look, too.” These press-ons resemble a professional gel manicure, but are gentler on aging nail beds. “They even help improve splitting nails over time as your natural nails grow out underneath,” she adds.
New to press-ons? “Be sure to remove press-ons properly with remover, not by prying them off,” says Kandalec. That can damage the nail plate, especially if your nails are already dry or brittle.
- Includes: 28 nails, 2G glue, 1 manicure stick, 1 mini file
Best Nail Polish Remover: Zoya Remove Plus
Why we love it: Zoya understood the struggle was real: Traditional nail polish removers can be harsh, leaving nails brittle and cuticles dried out. Zoya Remove Plus, an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, is a gentler, kinder alternative that still gets the job done. This three-in-one product doesn’t just remove polish—it also hydrates and conditions your nails and skin while it works. “It evens out texture, neutralizes discoloration, and strengthens nails with a breathable formula,” says Dr. Collins.
The bottle’s pump format is so convenient—just press with a cotton ball or pad and swipe without making a mess.
- Key ingredients: acetone, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you take care of your nails as you age?
As nails age, they can become more brittle, dry, and prone to splitting, making care and maintenance even more important. “Aging nails require hydration, strengthening, and protection,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin. Start by regularly applying cuticle oils and moisturizing hand cream to hydrate your nails and the surrounding skin. Incorporating a nail strengthener into your routine once a week is also crucial for addressing brittleness and promoting resilience. “Weekly use of a nail strengthener can make a big difference in reducing breakage,” she says. Also, don’t forget to protect your nails from your lifestyle habits—pop on some gloves when washing the dishes to prevent hands and nails from drying out. “Wearing gloves prevents exposure to harsh chemicals,” Dr. Collins confirms. By adopting these simple but effective habits, you can keep your nails strong, hydrated, and looking their best.
How do you get rid of buildup under your nails?
To safely remove buildup under your nails, soak your hands or feet in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to soften the debris. This makes it easier to clean them without irritating the skin around your nails. “Use a soft nail brush and avoid metal tools to reduce the risk of injury or infection,” says Dr. Collins. Gently scrub under your nails with the brush, using light, circular motions to remove dirt and residue.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of best nail care for mature nails, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
