DON’T: USE ACETONE NAIL POLISH REMOVER
Acetone is super harsh on your nails and dries them out. So, get rid of that stuff today!
“As nail polish removers are designed to strip colour from the nails, they can contain ingredients which can have undesirable effects,” says our Senior Cosmetic Technologies Scientist Michelle Mangan. “For example, acetone is a very well-known ingredient in nail products which can dehydrate the nail, causing brittleness, peeling and unnecessary weakness.”
DO: USE A CARING REMOVER
A caring nail polish remover should be able to remove even the darkest shades, without harming your nails and cuticles.
“Look for acetone-free or water-based nail products which are kinder to the nails,” suggests Mangan. “Also look for products which have a conditioning effect, with ingredients such as nourishing oils to help keep nails in the most beautiful condition.”
THE ONE Expert Care Fast & Gentle Nail Polish Remover contains Vitamin E and other moisturising ingredients for healthy nails.
DON’T: CUT YOUR CUTICLES
Cutting or pushing back your cuticles too far is a big no-no! The skin protects the nail from bacteria and fungi, and removing it can lead to infections.
DO: MOISTURISE YOUR CUTICLES AND NAILS
There are plenty of things you can do to care for dry or brittle nails and skin!
“Firstly, nail products with moisturising ingredients (for example, Panthenol) will help to increase the hydration and prevent splitting,” says Mangan. “Improving moisture will support nail flexibility and stability, increasing nail strength.”
Moisturising your cuticles is also essential to help cuticles and the surrounding skin feel soft, smoothe and supple. Try a luscious cuticle oil like The ONE Expert Care Nail & Cuticle Oil Pen for extra pampering!
DON’T: SKIP THE BASE OR TOP COAT
Many of us get lazy and go straight for the coloured nail polish, forgetting the base and top coat. This is no good: skipping the base coat can discolour your nails and no top coat shortens the lifespan of your manicure by not sealing in the colour.
DO: USE A NAIL HARDENER
“If your nails are really brittle and adding moisture isn’t enough, opt for nail products which include a nail hardener (for example, Nitrocellulose),” says Mangan. “This will help to structurally reinforce the nail plate to immediately strengthen weak or brittle nails.”
For a quick fix, applying even a clear coat of nail polish will also support the nail’s physical strength, as it forms a flexible film to help resist fracture and further damage.
DON’T: USE TOO MUCH NAIL POLISH
This is probably the most common mistake we make at home. Using too much polish, in thick layers, makes it harder for the polish to dry. This can result in bubbles or dents in the colour. Not so pretty!
DO: APPLY NAIL POLISH IN MODERATION
Apply two coats of nail polish, using only 3-5 strokes per nail. With less polish on the brush it’s easier to control the final result. And this is crucial: always let the first coat dry completely before applying another.
DON’T: WEAR NAIL POLISH TOO LONG
You shouldn’t leave polish on for more than two weeks (or one month on your toenails). The cells in your nails are made of protein and can become damaged from long exposure to nail polish.
DO: GIVE YOUR NAILS A BREAK
Let your nails go polish-free every now and then to help the cells re-build. Take this time to treat your nails to some much-needed care. THE ONE Expert Care Extreme Nail Hardener and THE ONE Expert Care Miraculous Nail Serum works wonders!
