Nail Care Routine to Keep Your Hands Healthy

Let us face it, unlike your face and the rest of your skin on other body parts, it is probably the nails that you overlook the most. Some people think of both manicures and pedicures as something they only have to do once in every two weeks or just bi-monthly. We will be the first ones to say it : your nail care routine is just as important as the nightly regimen you do for the skin on your face. 

Here is why : Because nails are technically a protective layer on your hands, ignoring its overall health can lead to unconsciously welcoming germs and bacteria into your system. For instance: having long, untrimmed nails for about three weeks would mean having deeply seated dirt right at your fingertips – literally. On top of that, it is also not a good look and is just downright disgusting, yikes! 

The good news is that, more often than not, nail care products are not nearly as expensive as facial care or body care products. They usually just come in a fraction of the cost. Having healthy nail tips is really not that difficult. Trust us! 

Here is a simple but effective nail care routine.

Step 1 : Clean & Squeaky. 

Just as in any other self-care routine, the first step is always to wash your hands. Prep those nails by giving the cuticles a quick clean up. For starters, wash your hands under running water with regular soap. After which you will be needing one of the most important nail care products you should have : a nail softener or a nail cuticle remover. Just add a drop or two on each nail and massage in it. Instead of using a hard nail pusher, gently push it back with a nail of your own. 

By doing this, you are “magically” removing any dry skin or skin that has started growing on the surface. Keep in mind that the products might be a little too strong you so will need to wash again and then pat dry. 

Step 2: Long or Short, It’s Up to You! 

Now that you have cleaned your nails, the next thing to do is trim or file it. Since this is ideally meant to be a daily routine, our advice would be to file it. Otherwise, trim your nails. Offhand, if you are into keeping them long, we will get to that later on. 

For nail cutters, make sure to use one that’s durable, not too sharp and gets the job done. As for the nail file, choose one that is of good quality as it could actually ruin your nail if you do not choose carefully! 

Step 3:  Buff, buff, buff! 

Now that we are done with the first few steps, we have come to the more fun parts. As simple as it is not a lot of people actually know of this step. This is one of the nail care hacks that is always suggested by beauty gurus and most Youtubers. Buffing your nails will make them smooth and glossy in an instant. Just get yourself a nice buffing stick and use it before every manicure eor pedicure session. 

If you plan on going bare, this is the second to the last step of your routine. Otherwise, read on. By buffing your nails, your nail polish will apply more smoothly. It is also supposedly going to make it last longer. 

Step 4 : Moisturizer & Treatment

Yes. You read it right. Moisturize! Not necessarily the nails, but your hands.  Just like you do with your face. There are several hand and nail moisturizers available in most beauty stores so finding one that is perfect for you should not be much of a problem. Having healthy, moisturized skin is also one step to keeping your nails healthy. If you are feeling a little extra, pop in some treatment. Your hands will thank you for it! 

Here’s a tip on how to take care of long nails : always make sure to moisturize and add treatment! Long nails generally entail more tedious maintenance so its best to shower it with as much as you can to keep damage at bay. 

Step 5 : Polish 

Now, this last step is optional. It should also only be done once or twice a month at most! Choosing the  nail color or sticking to clear polish is really up to you. Ideally, just choose a nail polish that is extra hardworking – one that keeps your nails strong, is enriched with vitamins or at the very least, does not make use of harsh chemicals. 

That’s it! You are now well on your way to having your nicest nails ever!