What Causes Soft + Bendy Nails? Plus, How To Strengthen Them

Some people naturally have thinner nails. However, there’s a plethora of reasons your nails might be on the softer side and plenty of ways to strengthen them as well. To come, everything you need to know about soft and bendy nails. 

Not sure if you actually have bendy nails? Here’s a list of possible signs you may run into:

If any of the above apply to you, then the following causes may be at play. Do your best to think about each of these triggers in depth and take note of what changes you may be able to make—more on prevention next. 

“Overexposure to other harsh chemicals in cleaning products can also cause bendy nails,” professional manicurist and founder of clean polish brand sundays Amy Lin tells mbg. You could be exposed to these chemicals through work, cleaning your home, etc. 

However, it’s important to note that these effects can be lasting. Even if you stop getting acrylic and gel manicures, your nails may still be brittle for months to come until they can fully grow out untouched. 

However, there may be some steps you can take to strengthen your nails even if you are predisposed to thinner, more bendy tips already. Keep reading to learn more. 

Research demonstrates that working in wet conditions can lead to increased nail brittleness3. Moreover, repeated water exposure can also lead to nail peeling4. So if your nails are both soft and peeling, this may be your main culprit. 

“Decreased vascularization and oxygenation of the nail matrix is associated with brittle nails,” she adds. This can occur in diseases such as peripheral artery disease, and Raynaud’s disease.

“Aging leads to a decrease in cholesterol content in the nail which results in increased brittleness,” Stern says. This is inevitable but may help explain why your nails have become increasingly thinner over time. 

Rather than overanalyze your own diet, visit a professional to determine if your iron levels are imbalance (more on that in a bit).

You may now have a hint as to why your nails are chronically bendy. Next, let’s dive into the actionable tips. Altogether you should focus on consistency with whatever steps you feel inclined to add to your routine, so here are a few to consider.

Look for some elbow-high rubber gloves next time you visit the drugstore and keep them in your cleaning materials box, cabinet, etc. 

Acrylic tips and gel manicures can be extremely damaging to your nails, especially if they’re already on the thin side, to begin with. If you can, take a break from those invasive nail styles. In the meantime, work on tending to your nail health and use natural polish. 

Not sure where to look? We’ve compiled a list of the 8 best hair, skin, and nail supplements here to ease your search.

You can’t know what nutrients you’re deficient in without getting tested. Of course, you can keep track of what iron-rich foods you’re eating and how balanced your meals are, but it will be immensely difficult to determine a deficiency on your own. Instead, visit a medical professional. 

“This 3-step system is a revolutionary, once-weekly, nail treatment that immediately reveals a healthy, hydrated, youthful shine. This polish-free system is clinically proven to improve the appearance of nails, leaving them with a healthy, strong, smooth, shiny, glossy, and less brittle look and feel,” Stern says.

So, while cuticle oil might seem like a frivolous addition to your routine, let us be very clear—it's not. In fact, you should be using it daily. If you don't have one on hand already, here are 10 A+ oils to choose from.

Before you apply polish, be sure to slather on a nutrient-rich base coat. “Our nail-strengthening base coat B03 can also be used as a base or just as a nail strengthener, it is enriched with Vitamin E, argon oil and Amino acid, and it is designed to help soft nails grow stronger and healthier,” Lin says. You can shop the sundays B03 here if you want to stock up.

If you struggle with nails that tear like a piece of paper, you’re not alone. There are plenty of different causes that may be contributing to the fragility of your nails including exposure to chemicals, a wet work environment, gel manicures, etc. To remedy soft and bendy nails, try to keep up with a regular nail care routine and mind the possible triggers listed above. Remember that some people naturally have thin nails, and that's okay too. Ready to ditch your gel for a healthier manicure? If so, this guide is for you.