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Growing out your nails is no easy feat, especially if genetics aren’t on your side, you’re a nail biter, or you’ve overly damaged them with one too many gel manicures (like me). Sure, you could always get extensions, but there’s nothing like the feeling of having healthy and long natural nails that won’t break the moment you try to open a package. One surefire way to nurse your nails back to health and make them grow much faster is by incorporating a nail growth serum into your daily routine.
“Nail growth serums are products that contain ingredients that offer strengthening, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and growth-promoting properties,” says Julie Kandalec, a New York City-based celebrity manicurist. “They work by absorbing into the nail plate and skin surrounding the nail to offer strengthening, flexibility, and elasticity to prevent the nails from peeling and splitting.” She also explains that they can be useful even if you have nail polish on, since you could always apply them onto your cuticles and under the nails if your nail bed isn’t fully bare. And because your nails won’t break as easily, you’ll be able to retain any new growth that occurs.
Our top picks for the best nail growth products of 2025
To find the best options, also tested a few formulas and read through countless customer reviews across the internet. Kandalec shared her go-to nail serums with me, so keep scrolling for the 10 best nail growth serums that’ll help you wow your artist at your next spring nail appointment.
Pros
Fast-absorbing formula
Cons
- Can be difficult to reach the last drops of the product
I must admit that I have naturally strong nails, but I’ve been known to abuse them with frequent gel manicures, so I need some extra help sometimes. OPI’s nail serum, which repairs the nail’s natural keratin bonds from within, is super easy to use; it comes with a brush (kind of like nail polish) that applies the product evenly across your cuticles and nail bed. The formula is thin and not at all oily, and my dehydrated nails drink it up like water every time.
Key ingredient: Keratin
Size: 0.3 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve had thin, fragile nails forever. I’ve tried every strengthener you can imagine. Skin, hair, and nail vitamins helped, but I had one fingernail with a vertical split that would not heal. I started using this for that nail, but I almost immediately noticed that all my nails were much stronger and less prone to breaking. Within a week, the difference was noticeable. It’s amazing. I’m a convert!”
Best Dermatologist-Formulated
Dr. Dana Deep Hydrating Formula Nail Serum
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Comfortable, easy-to-dispense formula
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
Dr. Dana, a brand spearheaded by a board-certified dermatologist and nail specialist, is responsible for one of Kandalec’s top picks. “It’s a gel-oil hybrid, which allows for a more controlled application, and it’s designed to nourish and restore nail cells with ingredients such as apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, and rosemary leaf extract,” she reports.
Key ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, rosemary leaf extract
Size: 0.17 oz.
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My nails were getting brittle and chipping and splitting. Started using this about five weeks ago, twice a day. The tube makes it easy to apply if you squeeze slowly. Now, my nails are long and soft, and my cuticles look good. You can see the difference because the tips of my nails still show some roughness, but the new nail growing in looks smooth.”
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Pros
- Convenient dispenser
Cons
- May take a lot of clicks for product to reach tip
Olive & June’s serum has won several awards—a testament to its easy-to-use packaging and cosmetically elegant formula. “It has a foam tip for precise, mess-free application and is fast-absorbing,” Kandalec says. You should swipe it on twice a day to keep your cuticles smooth and the nail bed shiny.
Key ingredients: Avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil
Size: 2 x 0.14 oz.
Olive & June rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Olive & June reviewer says: “I’ve noticed such a huge difference in my nail beds and edges since I started using this serum. It’s easy to apply, isn’t slimy or greasy, and has improved the look of my nails overall!”
Pros
- Works quickly
- Prevents splits from spreading
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
“CND RescueRXx is a daily keratin treatment in my regular rotation when my nails are bare,” Kandalec says. “It really works and smells divine, too.” The formula contains jojoba oil, which many testify is one of the best ingredients for nail growth and strengthening.
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, keratin
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Move over, traditional cuticle oil! This stuff is far superior and amazing. I’ve been using this for a few weeks, and my nails are no longer peeling, and they can actually take impact without breaking! I never thought I’d see my nails this strong again. I used this everyday on bare nails for a week and a half. Then I started putting polish on again, and now, I’m using it every other day or every few days. I will never be without this.”
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Best Strengthening Cream
Onyx Professional Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
Now 19% Off
Pros
- No greasy residue
Cons
- May not absorb as quickly as a serum
I’ve known about Hard as Hoof since I was a teenager, and there are so many people who swear by this product. If you don’t mind a slightly thicker texture, this jojoba oil- and calcium-infused formula instantly starts working to maintain hydration levels in your nails and cuticles, and stop cracks in their tracks. There’s a reason this boasts nearly 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
Key ingredients: Calcium, jojoba oil, shea butter
Size: 1 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Seriously blown away by this. I have hypothyroidism, and even with medication, my nails are always thin, flimsy, slow growing, and brittle. I’ve never been able to grow them long in my life, and I’ve always wanted natural, long nails because I hate the feeling of all the types of fake nails. (Also hate the cost of having to get and upkeep them.) I used this cream directly on my nails and right at the base of the cuticle every night before bed for maybe a week, and I instantly saw my nails grow faster, and they haven’t been breaking, tearing, or anything like that. This product is a complete game changer.”
Pros
- Gentle scent and has an unscented version
- Leak-free packaging
Cons
- May need to be rubbed in for faster absorption
This isn’t technically a serum, either, but I had to include it in this list because it’s an incredible nail product everybody should know about. This cuticle oil is a blend of over five different oils and features such a beautiful citrusy scent that I can’t stop sniffing it when I put it on. When I use it consistently, the oil soothes my irritated, peeling cuticles and prevents my nails from drying out and cracking.
Key ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, squalane, castor seed oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, sesame seed oil, sea buckthorn fruit oil, essential oils
Size: 0.68 oz.
Bare Hands rating: 5/5 stars
A Bare Hands reviewer says: “Before using this oil, I seriously had the shortest and weakest nails. I thought that no polish strengthener or amount of cuticle balm/oil could help them until I found this oil. It’s seriously so amazing. I use it two times daily, and it works like a charm. Smells amazing, and I saw my nails get healthier within a day or two.”
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Best Luxury Nail Cream
Dior Crème Abricot Strengthening Nail Care
Pros
- Can also be used to treat dry patches on hands and feet
Cons
- Not vegan
I used to lust after this cream long before I could afford such a luxurious nail product, and I do think it was worth the wait. Dior actually discontinued it a couple of years ago, but the brand brought it back, to the relief of thousands of devotees. This time, the classic cream still retains its signature apricot hue and adorable container, but it also now features seaweed extract and apricot oil to further nourish the cuticles and nails. The formula is a little sticky, but nothing compares when it comes to truly, deeply moisturizing the area.
Key ingredients: Beeswax, apricot kernel oil, seaweed extract
Size: 0.28 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This cuticle cream was recommended to me by a store clerk in Paris twenty years or more ago, and I have to say she was right—best cuticle repair cream and nail strengthener ever.”
Pros
- Dries down quickly
Cons
- Can spill out of container if knocked over
When I went to Paris last year, I was happy to see Manicurist in several of the pharmacies I visited. I’ve had great experiences with the polishes, so I’ve come to trust the brand’s formulations. This serum is packed with panthenol, vegetable glycerin, and chestnut extract, which collaborate to hydrate the cuticles and protect them from losing moisture as the day goes on.
Key ingredients: Vegetable glycerine, panthenol, chestnut seed extract
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have very brittle nails, so this stuff has smoothed them out and made them stronger. I highly recommend this to anyone who is a nail picker, biter, or just has plain weak nails. Cute bottle too.”
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Pros
- Works quickly
Cons
- Can feel a sticky
Biotin and peptides are known for their nail-strengthening properties, and the two ingredients are the stars of Sally Hansen’s best-selling nail serum. You can wear it under and over polish as well as on bare nails.
Key ingredients: Peptides, biotin
Size: 0.45 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I had severe damage on my nails after more than a decade of using acrylic and press-on nails (even had some damage to my nail bed on a few fingers). They looked awful. I needed something that would help strengthen, heal and help my nails grow fast. This stuff was cheap and had some rave reviews on beauty blogs. Short story: it works. It (for real) instantly strengthens nails so they don’t bend or tear. It allowed me to grow out my damaged nails quickly. I used it daily, under and over polish. It just worked when nothing else did.”
Best Shea Oil for Nails
L’Occitane Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
- No sticky residue
Cons
- Small size
Just like the skin on your face and the rest of your body, your cuticles and nails could probably use some extra moisture—otherwise, the painful cycle of bleeding cuticles and brittle nails can’t help but continue. Keep this travel-friendly L’Occitane nail and cuticle oil around to slowly but surely heal your nails and help them thrive.
Key ingredient: Shea oil
Size: 0.25 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “With this product, I did not notice any growth improvement for the first maybe six weeks but my nails were so bad that they were almost painful, and the L'Occitane product is so soothing that that was enough to keep me happy. Then, I started noticing little white half-moons on the tips of my nails, and the painful splits on both of my thumb nails healed, something that I did not expect. My nails are now peeking over the tips of my fingers, and they look pink and healthy.”
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How often can you use nail growth serums?
“Serums generally can be used as often as one to two times a day, but follow each product's manufacturer's specific instructions to get maximum results,” Kandalec says.
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What are some other ways to encourage nail growth?
It all starts from within, according to Kandalec. “A healthy diet of leafy greens and veggies, omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and collagen (I recommend Lemme Glow gummies) is always good,” she says. The nail artist also recommends always applying a base coat to protect your nails before going in with polish.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee consulted a celebrity nail artist to learn more about nail strengthening serums. She also tested options and combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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