Cause: Cold, arid air sucks the moisture out of hands and nails, according to Jin Soon Choi, owner of New York City's Natural Hand and Foot Spas. Dishwashing liquid is also super-harsh and drying, Choi says.
Fix: Doug Schoon, nail expert and scientist for CND, says hydrating the entire the nail plate is key. He explains that (carefully) removing white, flaky bits of cuticle (dead skin on the nail plate) with sharp nippers is okay, but warns against cutting or aggressively pushing back the skin at the nail base (called the eponychium). "This is living tissue that prevents bacteria from getting into the skin, and you can cause an infection by removing it," he says. "Just keep it moisturized and gently push it back, and in about a month it'll be smoother and less overgrown." Prevention is the best medicine, and gloves are your new best friend, whether they're rubber (for dishes) or woolly (for warmth). Always slather on moisturizing products and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated from the inside out, Choi says. "You don't need pricey stuff. I love Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle Pen, $5.49 because it's easy to carry and use." Nails need moisture too, so rub it in and follow with Sally Hansen Shea Butter Hand and Body Butter,$6.95.
Photo: Courtesy of hooked-on-nails.com
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Symptom: Peeling nails
Cause: Constantly applying and removing nail polish will cause nails to look dry, according to Schoon. And frequent hand washing can also contribute to nail peeling.
Fix: "If you keep doing new manicures, you'll end up removing the natural oils that maintain moisture in the skin and nail plate," Schoon says. Instead of switching hues every other day, keep the color you have. He also recommends adding a few drops of oil to your nail polish remover to counter its drying effects, and he suggests rubbing even more nail oil onto the nails after removing polish. To solve the water damage issue, wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and keep hands/nails constantly moisturized with a rich cream. Try Kiehl's Unusually Rich-But Not Greasy At All-Hand Cream With SPF 10, $15.50).
Photo: Courtesy of hooked-on-nails.com
With these expert tips, you won't have to ball up your hands to hide bad nails in your next big meeting. Here, get help for dry nails, fungus and more.
