Hand and
nail care tips

Care for your hands and nails with tips from NIVEA

Read Time

6 min

In short:

Why is nail care important?
What is each part of the nail?
Common symptoms of unhealthy nails
How to take care of your nails
Cuticle care tips and advice
Nail care against brittle nails
Hand and nail care with NIVEA

Why is nail care
important?

Like any other regularly visible part of the body, fingernails are susceptible to damage and cosmetic changes. Since fingernails are almost always on show, any change in their appearance is usually easy to spot. Still, you might be wondering where to start with nail care and, in particular, cuticle care. Read on for our nail care guidance, including cuticle care, the role of hand and nail cream, and how you can build a nail care routine for healthy-looking nails.

What is each
part of the nail?

A fingernail is made up of six main parts: the root, nail bed, nail plate, cuticle, paronychium and hyponychium.

The root

The root is the semi-circular white patch closest to the knuckle and is responsible for nail growth.

The nail bed

The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail, which contains nerves and blood vessels and extends from the root to the outer edge.

The nail plate

The nail plate is the nail itself, smooth on the surface and grooved underneath to help it adhere to the nail bed.

The cuticle

The cuticle is the edge of skin at the root of the nail, which glues the nail to the finger. Cuticle care is especially important because it seals the gap between the nail plate and the finger, which can become infected when exposed.

Paronychium

Paronychium is the skin on either side of the nail, which can be prone to ingrown nails and skin infections.

The hyponychium

The hyponychium is the skin below the tip of the fingernail, which helps to fuse the nail to the bed and prevent any water or harmful bacteria from entering.

A healthy fingernail is smooth, consistent in colour and free from discoloration or spots, although light ridges and grooves are also completely normal. Knowing this, together with each component of the fingernail, you can start to identify where any possible issues may be coming from and create an effective nail care routine. But what exactly are the signs of damaged or unhealthy nails?

Common symptoms of
unhealthy nails

If your fingernails do not fit the description above, there may be an issue affecting one or more parts of the nail. Common symptoms include:

Discolouration: this can occur if there is a bacterial infection, which will often turn the nail a dark green/black colour. If you notice a yellow discoloration, this may be the result of nail varnish remover and smoking. On the other hand, something more significant or unusual, such as a black streak, should be raised with a dermatologist immediately.

Swollen cuticles or paronychium: this can happen when the cuticle or the skin on either side of the nail is chewed or removed. One of the best forms of cuticle care is to leave them alone altogether.

Nail separation: where the top layer of the nail separates from the nail bed, causing a white discoloration. This can be the result of trauma or overuse of certain products.

Brittle nails: this common symptom often stems from a poor diet and is usually a sign of vitamin deficiency. However, it can also occur from repeated wetting and drying of the hands, for example from regular washing.

Dipping: in cases where the nail becomes extremely thin and brittle, it may begin to dip and create a spoon-like shape. This can be a sign of iron deficiency.
White spots: can be caused by an injury to the nail but also by malnourishment.

Peeling: another symptom of trauma, particularly if the nail is used as a tool to pick or scratch something. This can also be caused by repeated and prolonged exposure to soapy water.

How to take care
of your nails

Aside from regular washing and trimming, an effective nail care routine is more of an ongoing process than a strict daily ritual. Below are some of the most important steps to keep your nails looking strong and healthy over time.

Moisturise

Bringing an effective hand and nail cream into your nail care routine can help relieve symptoms such as swollen cuticles and also nourish the keratin within the nail. NIVEA offers a range of hand creams that can boost your nail care routine. In particular, our NIVEA 3-in-1 Q10 hand cream provides an intensive layer of moisture with an added firming boost to improve the appearance of dull skin.

Hygiene

Fingernails are prone to collecting all sorts of germs and bacteria. Good hygiene is the foundation of any effective nail care routine. This can be as simple as keeping your nails trimmed to a short length and occasionally using a brush with soap to scrub beneath the tip.

Avoid water where possible

It is tempting to dive into the washing-up without putting on rubber gloves, but this step is crucial to protect every part of your nail and avoid further treatment later on. If you feel that the appearance of your nails has declined and they are often exposed to water or constantly wet conditions, it may be time to wear gloves whenever you can.

Adjust your diet where necessary

The nail itself is formed of layers of keratin, a protein found in many foods such as eggs, sweet potatoes and kale. Increasing your intake of keratin-rich foods is an easy way to support your nail care routine. This helps keep your nails firm and even in appearance. You can also find a wide selection of supplements that contain keratin. Other vitamins to look out for include, for example, biotin and collagen – two popular vitamins in nail care. In addition, vitamin E is particularly good at fighting free radicals, which can affect nails. Be sure to read our advice on antioxidants to learn more about their benefits in skincare.

Use the right tools at the right time

Although slightly trickier to use than traditional clippers, manicure scissors can elevate your nail care routine. They can produce a neater cut along the tip, creating a smoother, more rounded appearance. This strengthens the nail tip and helps prevent breakages. Wait until after you have bathed, as the nail will be slightly softer and easier to cut. This should allow for neater edges and avoid any damage. In between trims, avoid biting the nail or pulling any hangnails, as this can damage the nail and irritate the surrounding skin.

Cuticle care tips
and advice

The cuticle might seem like an obstacle when applying a fresh coat of nail varnish. A common part of the nail painting process involves pushing the cuticle back to reveal the nail underneath and slightly extend the nail's length. However, pushing or cutting the cuticle can cause inflammation and potentially open the door to infection, which may affect nail growth.

In any case, it is best to leave the cuticle well alone. Other ways you can care for your cuticles include:

Moisturising to keep the skin soft and prevent dryness and, in turn, cracking. A moisturising hand and nail cream will help here. In cases of extreme dryness, you may prefer to use an ointment.
Avoiding unnecessarily abrasive manicures that involve pushing or cutting the cuticle. Although this may improve the appearance of the nail in the short term, it can affect growth and nail health in the long term.
If you love having painted nails, try to avoid frequent use of varnish remover that contains acetone, as this will dry out the cuticle and nail. The same is true for washing-up liquid. Rubber gloves really are a great tool for cuticle care.
While a good hand and nail cream will provide adequate moisturisation, you may want to try a cuticle oil, particularly if you have trimmed or pushed your cuticles in the past.

Nail care against
brittle nails

If, after following the guidance above, you notice that your nails look and feel brittle, it may be time to add a few extra steps to your nail care routine.

Brittle nails can be either soft or dry. Soft, brittle nails contain too much moisture. They are often the result of overusing nail polish remover or overexposure to harsh chemicals such as detergents. By contrast, dry, brittle nails lack moisture, which can happen after frequently washing and drying the hands. Brittle nails may also be caused by a nutrient deficiency, for example iron. A lack of iron reduces blood cell levels. If you suspect this, it may be worth speaking to a doctor about adding iron supplements to your nail care routine.

If you notice your nails are dry and brittle, be sure to apply a moisturising hand and nail cream before going to bed. Look especially for revitalising ingredients, for example provitamin B5, to build up and lock in extra moisture. It is also worth applying a moisturiser if your hands have been washed and dried frequently, and wearing gloves as a preventative measure wherever possible. If your nails are softer, again, gloves are particularly effective. Be sure to wear them in cold weather or if your hands are regularly exposed to detergents or other harsh chemicals. As an extra step, you may want to apply a nail hardener to reinforce the nail's structure. If you do not notice any improvement after following this guidance, speak to your doctor about pharmaceutical remedies.

Hand and nail care
with NIVEA

NIVEA offers a wide range of hand care products to support your nail care routine. From 3-in-1 hand and nail creams containing provitamin B5 to fast-absorbing hand and nail cream enriched with beeswax and honey, NIVEA is here to help with your nail care. If you are unsure which hand cream is right for you, we also share advice on choosing the right hand cream.