You can tell a lot about someone by their nails.
Hobbies, personal style, and maybe even a few clues as to what they do for work. It begs the question, what do your nails say about you? We’re here to help you understand what healthy nails usually look like, answer some common questions, and show you how to keep them in tip-top shape.
Let’s get started!
What’s in a (healthy) nail?
Nails are primarily made of a protein called keratin. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s also found in your hair and outer layer of skin. The nail structure is a plate of hard keratin surrounded by soft keratin. This keratin, along with amino acids like cysteine, gives nails their hardness. What about the rest?
Our nails are made up of many different parts. Let’s briefly get to know each one and how they contribute to nail health:
- Nail plate: Tap the hard part of your nails. This plate contains the keratins that contribute to the resistance and hardness of your nails.
- Lunula: Check out the little white half-moon on the bottom of your nail plate. This is the only visible part of the nail matrix, getting its color from cells that aren’t quite keratinized yet.
- Nail bed: It’s the soft part covered by your nail plate that supports your nail as it grows. It includes blood vessels and tissues, which give nails their pink coloring.
- Nail matrix: Also known as the lower interior of the nail that’s responsible for growing and forming your nail plate.
- Eponychium: A thickened layer of living tissue that surrounds the nails and protects them from external aggressors. Not to be confused with the cuticle. Speaking of…
- Cuticle: This non-living tissue seals the space between the skin and your nail, helping to prevent microorganisms and dirt from getting under your skin — just one of the reasons why it’s so important not to cut them.
- Hyponychium: Touch the soft spot under the very tips of your nails. That’s the hyponychium — the soft living tissue that also protects the nail bed from external aggressors.
What do healthy nails look like?
1. They’re pink, smooth, and groove-free
Healthy nails are typically free of ridges, bumps, or dents. Damaged nails can also have white spots or lines as a result of bumps or scrapes. The good news? With new nail growth, these should disappear.
2. They bend but don’t break (usually)
Nails are one of the areas of the body most exposed to external stressors. So, they have to be both flexible and durable. Healthy nails are strong and resilient, meaning that they don’t split or break frequently.
3. Their texture stays consistent
You may notice your nails losing some of their strength as the years go by – don’t worry, it’s totally normal. With age, nails naturally become more brittle. However, if you notice a sudden change in texture and can’t pinpoint the reason why, visit your dermatologist.
4. They’re hydrated
Nails and cuticles are typically at their best when properly moisturized. When your cuticles are dry, they can become more irritated. Moisturizing your cuticles helps to keep the skin around the nails in good condition.
Turn to hand creams and especially nail treatments to help nails absorb moisture and stay healthy.
Are yellow nails healthy?
If you wear nail polish frequently, you might have noticed your nails turning yellow over time. This is because the pigment in certain polishes can discolor your nails. But it doesn’t mean your nails are unhealthy – you might just need a polish break every so often!
That said, yellow nails can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue. In healthy nails, new growth shouldn’t be yellow. So if your nails show yellow growth starting at the bottom of the plate, check with your dermatologist to see if there’s an underlying cause.
How can I get healthy nails?
If you’ve noticed that your nails are showing signs of weakness, discoloration, or split and break frequently, first off, give them a break from polish and any other stressors (think cleaning supplies or chlorinated pools). Then, apply a targeted solution that both strengthens and hydrates.
What ingredients should I look for in nail strengthened?
Choose a nail product containing a mix of ingredients that helps boost growth and support overall health. Here are a few to put at the top of your list:
Pistacia lentiscus
Remember what we mentioned about keratins? They’re an important building block for strong and resistant nails. Pistacia lentiscus gum helps support these proteins, strengthening their bonds and improving nail architecture.
Silanediol salicylate
Silicon is one of the main minerals that make up your nails. This cosmetic compound promotes silicon — a crucial step in growing healthy nails.
Cationic hyaluronic acid
An enhanced version of one of the most well-known moisturizers in the world, this innovative ingredient helps hydrate cuticles and nails. Being cationic, it adheres to the skin up to 17 times better than regular hyaluronic acid.
Expert tip: How to use ISDIN Si-Nails
Si-Nails nail strengthener is a clear, lightweight serum delivered by an easy-to-use applicator pen. After activating the product, just one click is needed for each nail. As stated on Byrdie, Dr. Diane Madfes, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends using Si-Nails on bare (or polished) nails daily.
Healthy, happy, beautiful
Whether caring for your nails, skin, or hair, the most important thing is how it makes you feel. Put yourself first with easy moments of self-care built in throughout the day. At your desk, on the phone, before bed — make sure your nail care routine works for both your schedule and your goals. And remember, healthy nails are beautiful nails.
Sources and references:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nail-problems/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
*Data on File; ISDIN Corp.; Morristown, NJ; 2022.
Editorial Team
Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its wonder. As wellness journalists, we explore topics that invigorate the senses and keep curiosity alive. We believe that glowing skin is the result of a healthy body and mind. Weaving beauty with science, we aim to inspire you to live young at every age.
