Do Your Nails Keep Cracking and Peeling?

Dry, brittle, or peeling nails are one of the most common nail concerns — they don’t just look unsightly, they can also cause pain, interfere with applying nail polish, and make your manicure chip faster.

So, why is this happening? Let’s take a closer look.

A Quick Biology Lesson: What Are Nails Made Of?

The part of the nail we paint is called the nail plate, and it’s made up of keratin cells, stacked in roughly 50 layers. These layers are porous and allow water and other substances to pass through them.

Keratin is a naturally hard and dry protein, but it needs a balance of natural oils from the nail bed to stay flexible and resilient. When this balance is disturbed, nails lose their strength and become prone to cracking, breaking, and peeling.

The Hidden Enemy: Water

While water may seem harmless, it’s actually one of the biggest threats to nail health.

💧 When your nails soak in water (e.g. during dishwashing, long showers, or cleaning), they swell up by as much as 30%, which temporarily softens them.

🚿 As the water evaporates over the next 1–2 hours, it drags away your natural oils (sebum) — leaving your nails even drier and more fragile than before.

Repeated exposure to water = more oil loss = more brittleness and peeling.

The Solution: Restore What Water Takes Away

To prevent nails from becoming brittle and peeling, you need to replenish the natural oils lost due to water exposure.

That’s where nail oil comes in.

✨ Nail oil acts like a flexible glue — bonding the layers of the nail plate together, sealing moisture, and improving nail flexibility.

💅 With regular use, nail oil helps:

• Prevent peeling and cracking

• Make nails more resilient

• Reduce breakage and hangnails

• Improve the look of your manicure

Tip: Start Using a Quality Cuticle Oil Daily

Regular hydration is key. Choose nail oils that contain jojoba oil, vitamin E, coconut oil, or apricot kernel oil — they penetrate deeply and nourish from within.

Shop our nourishing cuticle oil here — and start your journey toward healthier, stronger nails today.

Final Thoughts

Peeling and breaking nails aren’t just cosmetic — they’re a sign your nails are dehydrated and lacking essential oils. Now you know how to fix it.

💬 Got a tip for stronger nails? Share it in the comments — we’d love to hear your routine!

Have a great time painting your nails.

Your Colorly Cosmetics Team