Industry innovators are redefining nail care with a focus on wellness and groundbreaking formulas that promote health.

A visit to sundays, a wellness-centric nail studio in New York City, transcends traditional beauty services, offering a unique experience rooted in self-care. The atmosphere is serene and stylish, free from harsh chemical odors. Soft jazz fills the air, complemented by the serving of tea. “At sundays, prioritizing nail health and overall well-being is our foremost goal,” explains founder Amy Ling Lin. “We perceive nail care as an integral aspect of wellness, employing gentle techniques and high-quality, nontoxic products from beginning to end. There are no microplastics in our environment, and we consciously avoid substances that could compromise the strength of the nail plate or cuticle area. We also offer optional guided meditation, allowing both your nails and your mind to relax.”

A similar philosophy prevails at JINsoon in NYC, where founder Jin Soon Choi regards nail care as a health-oriented endeavor rather than mere cosmetic enhancement. This perspective drives her commitment to providing nourishing treatments for hands and feet in an environment conducive to relaxation. “The atmosphere is crucial,” she states. “A calming, aesthetically pleasing space allows individuals to unwind, and relaxation is a key component of wellness.” Her studios embody refined and tranquil interiors. “Clients leave not only with healthier nails but also feeling rejuvenated.”

Lin and Choi are trailblazers in a contemporary approach to nail care, emphasizing health above all. While beautiful polish remains an option, these products now incorporate beneficial ingredients for the nails. The outdated perception of a quick manicure or pedicure has evolved into a holistic approach that treats nails, hands, and feet with the same daily diligence we devote to our facial skincare: a consistent regimen that reinforces barriers and favors non-damaging choices. Here are the top healthy nail tips from the experts:

“Hydration is crucial,” emphasizes Choi. “Dry nails become brittle, even those that are naturally robust. Moisture provides flexibility, preventing cracks, peeling, and ridges.” It’s equally important to hydrate the skin surrounding the nail, as this tissue supports the growing nail and enhances its resilience.

“Frequent exposure to hot water, soaps, dishwashing, and cleaning products strips away natural moisture,” warns Lin. Neglecting to replenish this moisture leads to exacerbated dryness. The solution lies in regular maintenance: apply hand cream to nails and cuticles—not just the palms—and do so frequently.

Seek out formulas that attract and retain moisture. Ingredients like glycerin and aloe draw in water, while shea butter and other plant oils help lock it in. JINsoon’s Argan + Rose Moisturizing Hand Cream combines aloe with argan oil, shea, and cocoa butter to deliver lasting hydration in a lightweight formula. For a more intensive treatment, Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream features honey, beeswax, and oils, which can be applied to nails and surrounding skin to enhance moisture retention throughout the day.

If deeper repair is necessary, barrier-focused treatments can restore severely dehydrated skin. PAUME, an all-natural brand committed to fortifying the skin barrier, offers the Overnight Hand and Foot Hydration Mask, which delivers squalane, a nourishing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, alongside shea butter and glycerin. Founder Amy Welsman describes its rich texture as ideal for replenishing extremely dry skin without using medicated actives.

Cuticles serve as a protective barrier over the nail matrix, the area where nail growth initiates. Neglecting to keep this region hydrated can lead to peeling and rough texture in new nails. “Regularly applying a cuticle treatment, such as an oil, is a crucial nail care habit that yields significant benefits over time,” Choi advises. “Nourishing this area is vital for achieving smoother nail growth.”

Different cuticle treatments serve distinct purposes. A cuticle serum is lightweight and quickly absorbs, making it ideal for daytime use when you desire hydration without greasiness. Sundays’ Cs.02 Hydrating Cuticle Serum features soybean oil and vitamins A, C, and E, providing moisture and nourishment to the nail plate and surrounding skin while remaining lightweight for use at work or while on the move. Conversely, an oil is richer and offers greater protection, making it perfect for overnight application when deeper repair is desired.

Lin suggests choosing plant-based oils that mimic the skin’s natural lipids, allowing them to penetrate the nail plate effectively. Jojoba oil is particularly beneficial due to its similarity to sebum, the skin’s natural oil, which helps reduce peeling and enhances flexibility. Sweet almond oil is another lightweight option that absorbs well and provides hydration, along with vitamin E to combat environmental stress. For very dry or brittle cuticles and nails, richer oils like avocado or argan offer intensive nourishment.

JINsoon’s Primrose + Honeysuckle Healing Cuticle Oil combines conditioning plant oils, including jojoba, rosemary, and avocado, in a non-greasy base that absorbs well for daily use. This botanical approach is echoed in formulas like Ollie Skincare’s Cuticle Oil and Karma Organic’s Avocado Cuticle Oil with Lavender, both emphasizing plant oils for maintaining flexibility. Cuccio’s Revitalizing Cuticle Oil Milk & Honey pairs plant oils and vitamins with honey, a natural humectant, and milk, leveraging lactic acid to soften the skin.

Strong nails result from proper handling techniques. Whether you are at home or in a professional setting, experts recommend using a fine-grit board to file nails in one direction. Sawing back and forth can create micro-tears along the edge, leading to peeling. Over-buffing is another common issue. Buffers are meant to smooth the surface, not to remove layers, as excessive buffing makes nails more susceptible to bending and splitting.

Cuticles should be softened and gently pushed back, preferably after a shower or soak in warm water to make the skin pliable, and should not be routinely cut. Since cuticles form a protective seal over the nail matrix, cutting this barrier increases the risk of dryness and uneven nail growth.

Modern nail polish formulas should enhance the health of your nails, not weaken them. Many traditional polishes contain harmful solvents and monomers that can dry out the nail plate and necessitate harsh removal methods. Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz witnessed this damage firsthand while growing up in her mother’s Paris nail salon. This experience inspired her to establish Manucurist, a plant-based nail brand grounded in a different standard. “For me, innovation in nail care must prioritize toxicological safety,” she asserts.

“Conventional formulas often include aggressive or allergenic ingredients that can cause real harm. At Manucurist, we never incorporate controversial monomers into our products. We select vegan, plant-based components such as corn, manioc, or sugarcane.”

Manucurist believes that polish should be part of an overall nail care strategy. “Our philosophy extends beyond mere ‘free-from’ chemical claims. We actively nourish the nail with our formulas,” explains Lebrat-Personnaz. The brand has developed a unique line of nail-nourishing and strengthening products, including a Vitaminized Base enriched with vitamins and plant extracts designed to safeguard and moisturize nails beneath the polish, along with an S.O.S. Nail Mask for intensive overnight hydration that fosters healthy growth.

For color, Manucurist’s Active Range of polishes features AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) that gently exfoliate and resurface while incorporating botanical extracts to smooth and hydrate the nail. The mission, according to Lebrat-Personnaz, is to achieve performance without compromising nail health. This philosophy also gave rise to her innovative Green Flash: a vegan gel polish formulated for extended wear and high shine, with easy soak-off removal that is non-damaging.

Other contemporary brands are also redefining the concept of healthy polish. JINsoon provides HyperRepair, a restorative base coat infused with glycolic, malic, and lactic acids that resurface and strengthen the nail plate, along with conditioning vitamins. It can be applied alone as a treatment or under color. Sundays has built its entire polish line around nontoxic formulas and gentle removal methods. Brands like Olive & June and SOPHi are also creating formulas devoid of many harsh chemicals traditionally found in conventional polish. They all share the belief that a healthy manicure and pedicure should leave your nails stronger, better nourished, and looking radiant.