Fragile nails or nails that grow slowly are often a sign of vitamin deficiency. B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E... these essential nutrients play a key role in keratin production and the renewal of the nail plate. Knowing which ones to prioritize, how to obtain them, and how to incorporate them into a care routine allows you to effectively improve nail health, both inside and out. Discover the superpowers of vitamins for nails!
Role of vitamins in nail health
Nails are made up of more than 90% keratin, a fibrous protein whose synthesis directly depends on the supply of essential nutrients. Some vitamins are indispensable for the production of this protein and the proper functioning of the nail matrix. Here are the vitamins that matter most for your nails:
Biotin and other B vitamins
Biotin (or vitamin B8): this is THE essential vitamin for your nails. It enables the synthesis of keratin as well as collagen synthesis. Thanks to it, the nail plate is thicker, harder, and more resistant.
Vitamin B5 (or panthenol): this other B vitamin regulates the natural hydration of the nail and promotes cell regeneration.
Vitamin B12: it participates in the production of red blood cells which ensure good oxygenation of the nail tissues and protects it from oxidative stress.
Vitamin A
It stimulates the production of sebum which forms the protective oily film of the nail, guaranteeing its flexibility and shine.
Vitamin C
This vitamin participates in the production of collagen which contributes to the cohesion of cellular tissues. It is also an antioxidant that helps limit the effects of daily aggressions. It is essential for ensuring healthy growth and good resistance of the nails.
Vitamin E
Like vitamin C, vitamin E has a powerful antioxidant action that protects cells and supports microcirculation at the nail bed, thus preventing the appearance of vertical ridges and other signs of fragility.
Vitamins are essential for strong and healthy nails.
Vitamin deficiencies: what effects do they have on nails?
Your nails speak to you and are often the first warning signs of nutritional deficiencies. Here's how to decode the signs of a vitamin deficiency.
Slow growth
Are your nails growing slower than usual and becoming thin and fragile? This may be a sign of a biotin or vitamin B6 deficiency, which contributes to the metabolism of amino acids that are precursors to keratin. When these B vitamins are deficient, keratin production decreases, and naturally, nails grow more slowly.
Soft nails
Do they bend easily, look dull, and lack firmness? Soft nails can indicate a vitamin A deficiency, essential for ensuring proper nail hydration and maintaining their natural rigidity.
Brittle nails
Nails that break easily are also associated with a lack of vitamin B12 or vitamin C, essential vitamins for nail strength. A vitamin B5 deficiency can also cause brittle or split nails by reducing hydration.
Ridged nails
Have vertical or horizontal ridges formed on your nails? Ridged nails are often a sign of a vitamin E or B12 deficiency, which disrupts growth and causes irregularities on the nail plate.
⚠️ If these symptoms persist despite a balanced diet, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Some deficiencies require medical follow-up.
How to strengthen your nails with vitamins?
Securing your vitamin intake ensures strong nails and radiant, long-lasting manicures. Here's how to do it:
A balanced diet
Diet remains the primary source of vitamins for nails and the simplest way to maintain the health of skin and natural nails. What foods are best to prioritize for healthy nails?
- For biotin (B8) and B vitamins intake: cooked eggs (especially the yolk!), liver and offal, oily fish (salmon, mackerel), nuts (almonds, walnuts), legumes (lentils, chickpeas), brewer’s yeast, whole grains.
- For vitamin B12 intake: beef liver, fish (tuna, trout), shellfish (oysters, mussels), fortified whole grains, eggs. If you follow a vegetarian diet, supplementation may be necessary.
- For vitamin A intake: liver, sweet potato, carrots, spinach, dried apricots, butter. Orange vegetables and leafy green vegetables are your best allies.
- For vitamin C intake: fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit), kiwi, peppers, broccoli, strawberries. Eat them raw when possible, as vitamin C is sensitive to heat.
- For vitamin E: vegetable oils (wheat germ oil, sunflower oil), green vegetables (spinach, broccoli), nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), seeds (sunflower, flax), avocados.
Eating a balanced diet: the best way to ensure your intake of essential vitamins and minerals.
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Targeted dietary supplements
Sometimes, diet alone is not enough to meet needs, especially in cases of restrictive diets or proven deficiencies. That’s where dietary supplements come in!
The Nail Boost dietary supplements are designed to work from within and address vitamin deficiencies with a formula rich in biotin as well as vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals (zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium). Taken over 2 or 3 months, this supplement helps stimulate growth and strengthen the keratin structure of natural nails. You can adjust the treatment according to your needs:
- For soft and damaged nails, opt for a 3-month treatment with 2 capsules per day.
- To care for your nails and boost their vitality, choose a 2-month treatment with one capsule per day.
Vitamin-rich nail care
In addition to a balanced diet, nail care and manicure products enriched with vitamins help to act on the surface to improve nail strength.
- The Green Flash™ Vitamin Base Coat is the first enriched semi-permanent polish base that protects and strengthens the nail under the color. Its patented KeraHCE+ technology combines hexanal, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The result? It creates an antioxidant shield that preserves keratin layers and optimizes the adhesion and tenue of Green Flash™ polish.
- The Active™ Smooth treatment polish is a polish designed like a CC cream for nails, available in 4 different shades. It smooths the surface by depositing a satin nude veil that erases irregularities and revitalizes the nail thanks to a formula combining castor fibers, hexanal, AHAs, and vitamin E. The best ally for ridged nails!
- The Active™ Bright treatment polish is a brightening polish that creates a luminous white effect, ideal for reducing nail yellowing. It also hardens and repairs deeply thanks to a formula enriched with lemon, linden, hexanal, AHAs, and vitamin E extracts.
- The S.O.S. Base is the ultimate emergency treatment for damaged nails. Enriched with panthenol and vitamin C, it repairs, restores, and strengthens fragile nails. Use as a treatment for 2 to 3 weeks, applied alone or under a Green™ polish, to regain harder, healthier nails.
- The Keratin Booster, a biotin + keratin concentrate designed for enhanced action on soft nails. Its biomimetic formula penetrates deeply to support keratin production and densify the nail plate. Apply on bare nails 1 to 3 times a day for 5 to 7 days.
- The Perfecting Concentrate, enriched with castor oil, pistachio extracts, and vitamin E, it hydrates and protects nails and cuticles daily. Its convenient pen format allows for easy application anytime during the day.
- The Complete Serum is formulated with a base of water, vegetable glycerin, panthenol, and chestnut extracts, it hydrates and restores dry, damaged, or brittle nails. We love it for its light texture that absorbs quickly, without a greasy finish or sticky effect.
To show beautiful natural nails, you first need to know how to listen to them! Adopt a varied diet combined with targeted supplements if needed and suitable vitamin-enriched care, and your nails will lack nothing. However, if signs of fragility persist, do not hesitate to consult a doctor to find out the cause.
