Yahoo Finance Take expert care of your nails this winter thanks to Kiehl's, Olive and June and Burt's Bees
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
Winter is a season of holiday cheer, twinkly lights and hot chocolate. For many folks, though, it also signifies the start of chilly climates and harsh winds. Caring for dry, chapped skin can be an uphill battle, but in addition to tending to your face and body, you should provide your hands and nails with extra TLC, too.
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Here at Reviewed, our expertise is in products, so we’ll help you find the best items to take care of your nails this winter.
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1. This heavy duty hand cream from Kiehl’s
Dubbed as the best hand cream by Reviewed's tester, the Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve boasts an ultra-moisturizing formula that simultaneously feels lightweight on the skin. It contains avocado oil and shea butter to achieve this hydrating feel. Once massaged into her skin, our tester said the formula didn't feel greasy or powdery: "It just felt like my hands but better."
Our tester also found that there’s a slight earthy fragrance, thanks to the inclusion of eucalyptus oil, but it isn’t too overpowering. And while it’s advertised as being a good option for people with dry, cracked hands, anyone's hands and nails can benefit from this creamy salve.
2. This nail strengthener from Olive and June
A good nail strengthener will do exactly what the name implies: help condition brittle or peeling nails for a healthier feel. Olive and June’s Nail Strengthener claims to increase nail strength using celery seed extract, which works to help heal and condition the surface of your nails.
Apply the clear formula to bare nails daily for an "intensive treatment" or once a week before applying regular polish, if you like to keep a weekly manicure routine.
3. This daily use cuticle moisturizer from Dior
The Dior Huile Abricot Treatment aims to harden the nails' keratin to protect and strengthen them. Its formula contains moisturizing ingredients, like vitamin E, camellia and apricot oils to aid in its conditioning efforts, but it claims to have a non-greasy feel.
Use the tube's brush applicator to apply a drop to each nail and massage it into the cuticles. With consistent use—Dior recommends daily application in the morning or at night—your nails should feel smoother and stronger.
4. This glass nail file from Bona Fide Beauty
If your nails tend to break and chip with every move you make, the Bona Fide Beauty Glass Nail File may be a better option compared to a classic emery board. While you use it like any other file, glass alternatives are gentler on fragile nails because they don’t damage the nails’ keratin layers. Still, one provides smooth edges and can even help prevent chipping and cracking.
This glass nail file comes in an array of colors and its glass is tempered and wear-resistant, meaning that it won’t corrode or rust even with consistent use. Glide the glass gently back and forth on the nail you're filing down.
5. This acetone-free nail polish remover from Ella+Mila
If you frequently paint your nails, harsh acetone-based polish removers can strip away moisture and your nails' keratin, resulting in peeling. You don’t have to totally ditch your manicures, though—just consider switching your go-to polish remover to one with a gentler formula, like the Ella+Mila Soy Nail Polish Remover.
Despite not containing acetone, reviewers say it’s still effective at removing polish, though it may take you more time. Best of all, though, it contains lavender essential oil, meaning that it doesn’t smell of the bitter chemicals you’re likely used to with a typical polish remover.
6. This hydrating hand balm from Burt’s Bees
Thanks to its tiny packaging, the Burt’s Bees Hand Salve is the ideal item to keep in your purse or bag for moisture on the go. It’s a solid option for people who like to spend snowy days outside—looking at you, snowboarders and ice skaters—as the brand recommends applying the salve before and after hands-on activities.
To keep your hands feeling smooth, it uses olive and sweet almond oils as well as beeswax. Unlike the aforementioned Kiehl's hand salve, this is a solid, ointment-like formula that you can use on its own or on top of a creamy moisturizer to further lock in moisture.
7. This cuticle pusher and nail cleaner from Utopia Care
Chances are, if you’ve gotten a manicure before, you’ve seen your nail tech push your cuticles back with this handy tool. The Utopia Care Cuticle Pusher has two sides: one pushes back cuticles and the other is meant to clean dirt out from underneath the nail.
Before use, massage a moisturizer or cuticle cream onto clean hands. Use the tool to clean around and under the nail and then gently push back cuticles. (Remember: This step shouldn't hurt!)
8. This hangnail remover from Tweezerman
If you’re a chronic nail picker (guilty), hangnails are an annoying consequence. It’s tempting to pull at them, which can cause splits or cuts in your nail beds. To help alleviate this pesky problem, the Tweezerman Hangnail Squeeze Snip Snipper is a must-have because of its durable stainless steel construction and sharp, angled blades that can snip hangnails on the first try.
To use, Tweezerman advises first softening your cuticles in warm water. From there, you can use the tool to trim excess skin and hangnails, though you’ll want to make sure you’re not accidentally cutting into any healthy skin.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 8 nail care items to keep your mani healthy from Kiehl's, Olive and June
