Does Clear Nail Polish Strengthen Nails?

With an ever-growing nail polish market, clear nail polish has become a staple in nail care routines for its subtle sheen and protective abilities. But can a simple swipe of top coat really strengthen your nails? Let’s inspect the facts.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Clear nail polish alone does not strengthen nails significantly, but it does provide a protective barrier that can help prevent nails from becoming brittle and weak over time.

How Nail Polish Works

Nail polish is composed of several layers and ingredients that work together to protect and beautify the nails. Here’s an overview of the key components:

Nail Polish Layers and Ingredients

Nail polish contains 3 main layers:

• Base coat – Helps the polish adhere to the nail and prevents staining. Key ingredients are nitrocellulose, adhesion polymers, and plasticizers.
• Color coat – Provides color, shine, and coverage. Main ingredients are pigments, film formers, and solvents.
• Top coat – Creates an extra layer of protection and sheen. Contains acrylic polymers and UV filters.

Some additional nail polish ingredients include:

• Thickeners like stearalkonium bentonite to give polish the right viscosity.
• Plasticizers such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to make the polish flexible.
• Resins and polymers that help the polish dry and set.
• Color pigments made from organic compounds or minerals.

These components work synergistically to produce a smooth, vibrant and resilient manicure.

How Top Coat Creates a Protective Barrier

Applying a top coat is key for strengthening nails and locking in your manicure’s shine. Here’s how it works:

• The top coat forms an extra layer over the base and color polish. Many top coats contain acrylic polymers that “sandwich” layers together.
• UV filters in top coats help prevent fading from sunlight exposure. Benzophenone-1 is a common UV absorber.
• Top coats seal the free edge of the nail, preventing moisture loss that leads to brittleness and cracks.
• Some top coats have protein or calcium supplements to condition nails underneath.
• The smooth finish deters chipping and peeling by “filling in” imperfections in the polish layers below.

Experts recommend reapplying top coat every 2-3 days to refresh protection. The extra barrier helps nails grow stronger and longer!

Does Clear Polish Strengthen Nails?

Provides Minimal Strengthening Ability

Clear nail polish does provide a bit of strengthening power to nails, but the effects are quite minimal compared to fortified polishes. When applied, clear polish forms a protective layer over the nail that shields it from excess moisture loss and helps bonds the layers of keratin together.

However, clear polish lacks key components like calcium, vitamins, and proteins that can deeply penetrate and reinforce the nail plate. At best, clear polish may make nails appear stronger and healthier temporarily by creating a smooth, sealed surface.

But long-term, the thin layer of lacquer does little to actually improve nail thickness, hardness, or resistance to breaks and chips.

Prevents Breakage and Peeling

While clear polish doesn’t actively strengthen nails, it can help prevent certain types of damage. By acting as a barrier over the nail plate, clear lacquer blocks external elements like water and bacteria from penetrating deeper layers of the keratin structure.

This protective coating minimizes the chances for moisture-induced peeling and potential infection. Some research also shows that any type of polish can act as a “splint” that holds nail layers together tightly, reducing the incidence of splits and cracks.

So while clear polish may not boost the nail’s internal strength, its protective abilities can maintain the appearance of strong, healthy nails by preventing common signs of damage. One study found women who used clear polish regularly had 31% fewer broken nails than those who went bare.

So while the fortifying effects are small, clear polish can be a useful tool in nail care routines.

Using Clear Polish with Other Treatments

Base Coat for Added Protection

Using a base coat underneath clear polish can help strengthen nails even more. The base coat acts as a primer and barrier between the nail and polish. It helps the polish adhere better to the nail, preventing chipping and peeling which can weaken nails.

Base coats also typically contain nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, calcium, and essential oils to condition nails and make them stronger.

Some great base coat options to use under clear polish for strengthening include:

• OPI Natural Nail Base Coat – contains vitamin E and keratin for harder, healthier nails.
• Essie Here to Stay Base Coat – uses ridge filling technology to smooth and strengthen nails.
• Sally Hansen Hard As Nails – fortifies weak and brittle nails with calcium, vitamin E, and wheat protein.
• Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat – bonds to the nail plate to prevent lifting and peeling.

Combining with Strengthening Polishes and Formulas

For even more strengthening benefits, use a nourishing nail treatment or polish as a base before applying clear polish. Here are some options:

• Nail hardeners – Formulas with formaldehyde or calcium help harden and strengthen soft, weak nails. Brands like Nail Magic and Nail Tek XL are popular hardeners.
• Ridge fillers – These fill in irregularities and smooth rough, ridged nails. Try brands like Silk Naturals Ridge Filler.
• Nail conditioners – Look for nutrient-rich polishes that contain hydrating ingredients like jojoba, vitamin E, and essential oils to improve nail health. Good options are Duri Rejuvacote and Barielle Nail Strengthener.
• Protein polishes – These contain hydrolyzed wheat or soy protein to reinforce weak nails prone to peeling and breakage. Some examples are Essie Millionails and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails.

Apply 1-2 coats of the strengthening formula, let dry, then follow up with 2 coats of clear polish for lasting protection and shine.

Applying Properly for Best Results

To get the most strengthening benefits from clear polish, it’s important to apply it correctly:

• Prep nails – Remove any old polish, file nails into desired shape, and push back cuticles. Buff surface lightly to remove shine.
• Clean nails – Wash hands thoroughly and wipe nails with acetone or alcohol to remove any oil and debris.
• Apply base coat – For extra protection, use a nourishing base coat before the clear polish.
• Apply 2 coats of clear polish – Wait 5 minutes between coats to allow proper drying.
• Use thin coats – Thick layers are more likely to peel and won’t cure properly.
• Cap the tips – Brush clear polish over the tips of the nails to seal in moisture and prevent breakage.
• Finish with a top coat – This helps prevent chipping and peeling. Look for quick-dry formulas.

Avoid picking or peeling the polish, always use remover. Fill in any gaps as they grow out to keep nails reinforced. Reapply every 2-3 days for best strengthening results.

The Best Clear Polishes for Stronger Nails

Opt for Salon-Quality Polish

When looking to strengthen nails using clear polish, it’s best to choose salon-grade formulas. These polishes are designed to protect nails while making them appear shiny and healthy. Popular salon brands like OPI and Essie make high-quality top coats that help defend against cracks and breaks.

Compared to drugstore varieties, salon polishes tend to use superior ingredients that nourish nails, like keratin, vitamins, and essential oils. They also boast a more durable finish that resists chipping. Using a top-of-the-line top coat every few days will help reinforce nails.

Look for Strengthening Ingredients

Clear polishes that actively help fortify nails will contain key ingredients like calcium, keratin, silk fibers, and various vitamins. These components work to actively fill ridges and cracks in the nail plate for a smoother, more resilient surface.

Calcium and keratin essentially replenish building blocks that strengthen nails from within. Silk fibers add flexible structure to the nail plate to prevent cracks and splits. Vitamins like biotin (B7), panthenol (B5), and tocopheryl acetate (E) provide nourishment while making nails less prone to breaking.

Consider Thickening Formulas

Thicker clear polishes that almost resemble gels can also reinforce thin, peeling nails. These polishes have a dense, viscous formula that adheres strongly to nails for added durability and protection.

Thick top coats help lock in moisture and provide an extra layer of armor against damage. They also last longer between reapplications, keeping nails fortified for days rather than just hours. Just be sure to thoroughly remove residue with non-acetone remover instead of peeling thick polishes off, which can damage nails.

As these quotes from authoritative health websites show, clear polishes with fortifying ingredients are highly effective at reinforcing nails prone to cracking or peeling. So when shopping for a sturdy top coat, be sure to check the formula for elements like keratin, calcium, silk, and key vitamins that nourish and defend nails.

Conclusion

While clear nail polish alone cannot fundamentally strengthen nails, it does provide a protective barrier that can help prevent breakage and peeling. For best results, use clear polish as part of a comprehensive nail strengthening regimen that includes a base coat, treatment polish, and proper application techniques.

With a diligent nail care routine, you can have long-lasting, strong and beautiful nails.