Coconut oil for best nail care
All about nail care - coconut oil care for great nails make them look perfect and healthy.
https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-use-coconut-oil-for-nails-4686912
What can’t coconut oil do? It’s one of those not-so-secret ingredients that can be used for everything from beauty to cooking. Anyone who's suffered from eczema knows it can be a saving grace for adding moisture to the skin, not to mention it imparts a natural glow wherever you apply it.
And for those trying to grow their hair out, the nutrient-rich oil can be used to speed up the process. With the never-ending list of coconut oil uses, the unexpected benefits can easily get lost in the shuffle. For instance, using coconut oil for nails is something that's often overlooked, but oh-so-useful if yours are brittle and dry.
Plus, using coconut oil for toenail fungus is a thing (more on that later). To get the full scoop on the wonders of coconut oil for nails, we called on celebrity manicurist Skyy Hadley and board-certified dermatologist Orit Markowitz.
MEET THE EXPERT
Skyy Hadley is a celebrity manicurist and owner of Hoboken-based As U Wish Nail Spa.
Orit Markowitz is a board-certified dermatologist and the chief of dermatologic research at Brooklyn VA Hospital.
What is Coconut Oil?
There’s a lot of good stuff packed in this cure-all ingredient. Here’s a little refresher: “Coconut oil is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which are great for the human body,” Hadley says. “It’s also really high in saturated fats that are composed of mostly triglycerides and medium-chain fatty acids, which means once it absorbs, it’ll keep your skin smooth to the touch for a long period of time." Basically, we're sold.
The Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is brimming with benefits, specifically for the nails.
Strengthens brittle, cracked nails
Treats damaged cuticles
Prevents nail ridges
Cures hangnails
Treats toenail fungus
Read on for everything you need to know about this miracle oil.
To keep your nail game strong, a little TLC is required. Afer all, brittle nails lead to broken nails, and broken nails can wrack havoc on your manicure. Incorporating coconut oil into your nail routine will hydrate and strengthen your nails, amp up nail growth, and—wait for it—even help your mani last longer.
"Coconut oil is great for treating brittle and cracked nails as well as damaged cuticles because of its moisturizing properties," says Markowitz. "It's an ideal skin barrier that contains multiple fatty acids, which act as transepidermal water loss barriers."
That said, while coconut oil's anti-inflammatory effects make it an ideal product in beauty generally speaking, Markowitz cautions it for certain skin types. "Many products can cause topical allergies, however, coconut oil has been shown to be non-allergenic for the most part when using it in an organic cold-pressed liquid form," she says. "The only reservation is for facial application on acne-prone skin, as coconut oil has been shown to cause acne flareups by clogging pores."
While coconut oil is great for some people's nails and hair, it's also one of the most comedogenic oils, meaning it's super pore-clogging to those with acne-prone skin. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, use coconut oil only in small amounts and never on your face for moisturizing.
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Massage Oil into Cuticles
Coconut oil
ANNICK VANDERSCHELDEN PHOTOGRAPHY / GETTY IMAGES
Cuticles, while an important part of nail upkeep, are often overlooked. Everything from excess hand washing (which, we totally recommend) to cold weather can cause cuticles to peel, feel dehydrated, and chip. Coconut oil can help get your cuticles back in tip-top shape. To show your cuticles some extra attention, rub coconut oil directly on top of them and let it penetrate for at least 30 minutes. “You can certainly go as long as you want without washing coconut oil off your cuticles—the longer, the better," Hadley explains. "Doing this will help strengthen your cuticles, moisturize the skin around your nails, and get rid of hangnails."
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Treat Nail Fungus
Woman with hand on mouth
THE GOOD BRIGADE / GETTY IMAGES
Since coconut oil is a natural anti-fungal agent, it can work wonders on yellowed toenails from fungus. "Fungal nail infections tend to occur in individuals that have reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened immune system," notes Markowitz. "Additionally, nails that are brittle and dry can have resulting cracks in the nail, which allow fungi to enter." The best way to actually prevent nail fungus is to keep brittle, cracked nails moisturized. "Therefore, coconut oil can be a great preventative option to decrease the likelihood of a toenail fungal infection," says Markowitz.
According to Hadley, coconut oil can be an effective treatment if you have a nail fungus on your hands or toes. “Massage the oil gently on the affected nail area once it’s been thoroughly cleaned and dried. Repeating this twice a day is the most sufficient method until the fungus goes away,” Hadley says. And if you notice increased yellow-whitish discoloration and thickening of the nail that's causing crumbling at the edges (or distortion of the nail), it's best to seek professional help.
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Cure Hangnails
Nails
HANNA KAPS / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES
Hangnails, which occur when a piece of skin comes out of its cuticle, are as cumbersome as they are painful. They can be a result of biting your nails, exposure to water, or harsh chemicals found in soaps or sanitizers. Both experts recommend applying coconut oil to remedy hangnails and strengthen your nails. “Use coconut oil two to four times a week to gain stronger and healthier nails” says Hadley. (PSA: Coconut oil in its raw form will offer the best results).
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Prevent Nail Ridges
Manicure
DEVMARYA / GETTY IMAGES
Ever run your finger along your nail bed and wonder why it doesn't feel smooth? The answer: nail ridges, which can stem from dehydrated nails. "Coconut oil’s fat content helps retain the oil’s natural moisture, which keeps your skin hydrated for a very long time," says Hadley. She suggests massaging extra-virgin coconut oil onto your nail beds in a circular motion before you go to sleep.
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Amp Up Your Nail Game
If you really commit to a steady coconut oil ritual for your nails, it may only take a few weeks for you to feel (and see) a noticeable difference. Below, find our top coconut oil picks.
Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil $17
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Add it to your morning smoothie or slather on your cuticles—either way, this coconut oil will douse dry, brittle nails with the hydration they need to thrive.
Kopari Coconut Melt
Kopari Coconut Melt $28
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Unrefined coconut oil like this one from Kopari is processed less than virgin coconut oil, meaning it isn't exposed to heat during the extraction process. This helps it maintain more of its natural properties, making your nails (and cuticles) strong and healthy.
Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil $14
SHOP
This 100% pure extra virgin coconut oil has over 10,000 5-star ratings, and we can see why. The coconuts it's derived from are picked when they're ultra-ripe. The result? A restorative, rich, and ultra-hydrating solution for cuticles.
https://fustany.com/en/beauty/nails/five-benefits-of-coconut-oil-that-will-change-your-nails-to-the-better
Five Benefits of Coconut Oil That Will Change Your Nails to the Better
So by now, we know that the answer to any beauty problem is coconut oil! But who knew that coconut oil is that beneficial to your nails too? I use it all the time for my hair (for these five reasons), and for my teeth too! But seriously, coconut oil can do wonders for your nails, so let’s discover more of the benefits of coconut oil for nails!
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30 benefits of coconut oil that you'll want to know about.
5 Benefits of Coconut Oil:1. Coconut oil for nail growthIf you want to grow healthy looking nails, they should be moisturized. Moisturized nails and cuticles make it easy for it to grow smoothly. So every night before going to bed, warm some coconut oil and massage your nail beds and cuticles very well and leave it on and go to sleep.2. Coconut oil for nail ridgesSo one of the reasons why your nails need to stay moisturized is to prevent nail ridges. Nail ridges happen when your nails are dry. Massaging coconut oil on your nails regularly will make them disappear.Life and money saving natural oils that beat any skincare alternative!
3. Coconut oil is for cuticlesIf you want to have naturally shiny and healthy looking nails, you need to start taking care of your cuticles. Coconut oil, as I said before, moisturizes cuticles to make the way smooth for nails to grow. But that’s not all, coconut oil is also a great remedy for ragged cuticles, which aren’t only ugly, but they hurt so much too! You need to massage your nail cuticles regularly with coconut oil to get outstanding results.How often do you need to moisturize every area on your body?
4. Coconut oil for hang nailsHang nails are a nightmare! Hang nails are this extra skin coming out of your cuticles, so this little opening is an open door for bacteria and fungus. Applying coconut oil to your cuticles can magically cure hang nails.8 reasons why your nails don't grow!
5. Coconut oil for nail fungusCoconut oil contains anti-fungal acids, which is perfect to treat any existing fungus in any of your nails. Massage your nails with coconut oil twice a day to treat existing fungus, and after a while it will be cured.Main Image Credits: Instagram @safinailstudio
You'll find everything you need to know to make your nails look pretty in our Nails section here.
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Tags: Beauty Beauty 101 Beauty essentials Beauty products Beauty recipes Beauty routines Beauty tips Nail care Nail products Nails Coconut oil How to strengthen nails Benefits of coconut oil Nail oils Oil Healthy nails
About the Author
Big thumb zeinab el fiqiZeinab El-Fiqi Since she was a little girl, Zeinab El-Fiqi enjoyed listening to music while she sat down on the floor to write short stories. She always found writing a way to express herself. Growing up, she always had passion for fashion, as she played dress up and pretended there's a runway in her room. She studied Marketing and Management, which helped her make a balance between business and love for arts. Though she never wanted to study fashion, she enjoys writing about it and getting every insight on it. Zeinab enjoys the little things in life; a cup of coffee and good music can make her day, and a walk in the park with her favorite songs on can turn a bad mood into a happy mood. You can reach her on zeinab@fustany.com
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