Either take an olive oil supplement or soak your nails in it. They will get strong, biotin or any vitamin b soluble is excellent as well hope this helps.

I didn't know that was common. My right thumb nail is very rippled! I once had a stranger at a store come up to me (she said she is a nurse) and said I should see a doctor because it means you have underlying medical issues. I don't use acrylics at all.

Do you know me? I didn't know ragged cuticles had anything to do with it?

LOL toddfan...perhaps we are friends. Yeah, believe it or not (and I didn't at first) damaged cuticles lead to ridged nails. Once I stopped picking my nails grew out smooth as could be.

To the blond. How did you break the habit? Rehab? Of course I'm joking! It is difdicult when you have ragged cuticles not to pick at them!

Toddfan - I broke the picking habit by starting another habit...acrylics. The fake nails weren't sharp enough to pick with. When I don't have a set I make sure my cuticles aren't dry by using a cuticle oil pen often. I don't know about you, but I found that I ripped at them more when they were dried out.

I used to bite and pick at my nails, too. Then, I started to swipe my nails with a polish remover with Bitex in it, it is ment to taste bad and linger on your nails:))

The Blond cracks me up! But, don't acrylic nails cause damage?

Glad I amuse you Toddfan! Yep, the acrylics cause damage. For me, they thin my natural nail if I have them on for too long. Like I said, I traded one bad habit for another, but I love the way they look and my cuticles look great too!

Wow Ya'll are great! I've also had the very bad habit of picking & chewing at my cuticles and the surrounding skin on my nails, especially my thumbs.  And I did notice that when I've had acrylics, I don't pick at them, but the acrylics get expensive to upkeep & I just get tired of them after a while.  Thanks so much for all the suggestions!