5 Best Essential Oils for Nails

A well-maintained set of nails speak a lot about their owner. A manicured hand with pretty & polished nails is a beautiful sight and it subtly accentuates the sensuality. Though we don’t need to put any effort in growing nails, keeping them healthy and in shape does require some time and effort. Nails get used pretty much everywhere making it that much more difficult to maintain them and so easy to neglect. While you are eating, washing up, cleaning dishes, chopping up food, these poor nails are taking the flak for you. They are also a mirror of our internal health. Your nails say a lot about your habits, your ailments and your work style. You should be particularly concerned when you see brittleness, discolouration or pigmentation, they are tell-tale signs of illnesses manifesting within you.

While some of us love to keep them well trimmed and regularly painted, this is not really taking care. It’s just keeping them looking beautiful outwardly. It’s like a make-up which is externally making you beautiful. However, the idea here is not to belittle the nail grooming process. One needs to understand that frequently using nail polishes, polish removers, and glueing fake nails expose them to harmful chemicals. Nails often lose their shine, become brittle and weak.

Here are some widely used and effective essential oils that can clock back time.

1.​ ​Lemongrass Oil

A few drops of the ​lemongrass oil​ in your hand wash soap will ensure that your nails start looking shinier and turn healthier. The soap cleanses the nails and the presence of the oil improves blood flow around the cuticles and stimulates the lymph. This essential oil also aids in naturally disinfecting your hands.

Tip: Make this a regular feature in your hand wash routine.

2. Myrrh Essential Oil

This essential oil is one of the best essential oils to promote nail growth. It is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. Make it your bedtime routine and you will be amazed at how quickly the brittleness of your nails goes away and how your nails will start looking healthy once again.

Tips​: Use it directly on your nails and slowly massage the oil into your cuticles.

3. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil​ has antibacterial and antifungal properties. These properties greatly aid in the general health of the nail and cuticle area. This oil does not just prevent the onset of nail and skin related diseases, it also helps alleviate any existing irritation that you may be suffering from. Who doesn’t like gorgeous smelling hands and with Rosemary essential oil you get just that. Frequent massaging also improves blood circulation and the texture of your skin and nails. It is also known to increase the nail strength, thus addressing usual issues around nail breakages.

Tips​: You can choose to apply directly on to the nails or use it along with virgin coconut oil.

4. Lavender Essential Oil

There are so many beauty products that use ​Lavender oil​, it almost speaks for itself. The medicinal properties help you strengthen the nails and fight off fungal and bacterial infections. Lavender

essential oil with its heavenly fragrance keeps your skin and cuticle areas moisturised. After a few applications, you can buff them to show up the shine.

Tips​: You should soak your nails in lavender oil for a few minutes before wiping it off.

5. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense oil​ is usually prepared by distillation of the tree resin. A strong aromatic oil, it has medicinal benefits that are well known for centuries. This is also one of the best essential oils for nail growth. It moisturises the cuticle, prevents chafing and peeling. It also protects it from infections and thus helps your nails become stronger and shinier.

Tips​: You can choose to mix with a carrier oil which is high in Vitamin E or directly use on the nail and cuticle area.

Like any other part of your body, nails also need proper care and nourishment and ​essential oils​ are the secrets to managing them well.