The fingernails undergo constant stress, from hand washing to nail polish. However, despite the daily stress on nails, strong, healthy fingernails are possible when using a surprisingly effective ingredient: glycolic acid.
“Glycolic acid specifically has been shown in medical literature to be an effective agent for nail rejuvenation. “It’s very common in skin care, but quite revolutionary for nails,” Dr. Dana Stern told Well+Good.
For relief with peeling, rough, discolored, or weak nails, chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid is an effective, widely available option.
Fingernail anatomy
Fingernails are living cells in the finger, composed mostly of keratin, a tough protein.
The fingernail is made up of several parts, including the:
- Nail plate – the hard, visible part of the nail
- Nail bed – the skin underneath the nail plate
- Cuticle – the softer tissue that encircles the base of the nail
- Nail folds – the skin that frames the nail
- Lunula – the half-moon at the base of the nail
- Matrix – the nail underneath the cuticle
While fingernails are typically thought of as hard and sturdy, the fingernails can become easily damaged, thanks to their permeable nature.
Damage to the nails
The fingernails can easily become damaged, as these living cells lose water faster than other parts of the body. Cosmetic products like nail polish, acetone, and nail buffers can damage nails, along with common household products like dish soap, cleaning solutions, and laundry detergent.
Additionally, frequent hand washing can dry out and harms nails, thanks to the contact with hot water and soap.
Damage to the fingernails takes many forms but the most common signs of damages to fingernails are:
- Discoloration
- Peeling
- Bumps
- Rough, uneven texture
- Split or cracked nails
Despite the constant stressors on fingernails, the skincare hero ingredient glycolic acid can help create stronger, healthier fingernails over time.
Solutions with chemical exfoliation
When nails become dry or weak, most consumers turn to heavy duty moisturizers or hydrating oils to repair the damage.
However, gentle chemical exfoliation of the nails with glycolic acid can actually speed up nail healing and ensure that moisturizing lotions, creams, oils, and hydrating nail masks deliver the best results.
As the smallest, most lightweight molecule in the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, glycolic acid is able to gently and effectively penetrate both the nail plate and the cuticle to dissolve the bonds holding older, damaged skin cells together.
By effectively shedding off dead and damaged cells, glycolic acid can help to shed away dry skin, reduce hangnails, ensure healthier cuticles, and help to rejuvenate the overall appearance of the fingernails.
A helper with hydration
Additionally, glycolic acid ensures hydrating ingredients, like oils, lotions, or nail masks, will absorb fully into the fingernails and surrounding skin.
“The concept of a moisturizing nail mask is great. Nails can become extremely dehydrated from product use, the environment, hand-washing, and so on, so you do need an element of moisture,” dermatologist Dana Stern told Allure. “But moisture alone is not enough if you’re looking for increased growth and strength. I’m a big believer in exfoliation so that your nails can absorb the mask’s ingredients.”
By removing the dry, dead, or older cells from nails and cuticles, glycolic acid ensures hydrating, healing products will be fully absorbed into the nails and perform at their peak capacity.
Glycolic acid can rejuvenate the overall appearance of the fingernails
Beyond skincare
Healthy, beautiful nails are possible with glycolic acid, the gentle chemical exfoliant that can slough off dry skin, reduce hangnails, make cuticle maintenance easier, and help build stronger, shinier nails.
