If Your Nails Can't Grow Without Snapping Or Snagging, Try This Simple Routine From A Beauty Editor

This summer, however, I was able to master my nail care routine—which lead to some of the best growth I’ve ever seen. 

I condition my nails and cuticles with a dry oil about once a day. This achieves two things. First, it provides a hydrating, protecting buffer over the nail and cuticle.

I like dry oils because they’re light and fast-absorbing. Unlike thicker oils, they don't leave a lasting, noticeable residue on the body, so the skin feels dry after application. (Hence the moniker.) There’s no official categorization standard of dry oils, but common ingredients to look for are safflower seed oil, sunflower seed oil, rosehip seed oil, and sesame seed oil. 

"If you have thinner nails, if you have weak or peeling nails, instead of holding a file flush to the nail, tilt it so you file from underneath the nail," says celebrity manicurist and creator of her eponymous brand, Deborah Lippman. "While shaping nails, the file should not be slanted—it should be straight against the side wall and then perpendicular to the tip of your nail. File more or less in one direction." 

If snags are a regular occurrence—like say you work with your hands—you may want to stick to a more low-maintenance shape, such as square or round. Keeping a basic shape will help keep the risk of snags low to begin with, so you’re not constantly having to fix problems. 

Just like skin care and hair care, nail care requires consistent work—but it doesn’t have to be laborious. If you stick to just a few, low-effort steps regularly, I bet you’ll get past any growth issues you’ve been dealing with. And if this doesn’t work, you might need to address any underlying concerns that could be leading to brittle nails—read up on those here.