When we think about adjusting our beauty routines for the seasons, nails are often the last thing that come to mind.
We change our skincare routines for dry skin in winter, protect our hair from humidity in the summer and change makeup for the season, but nails?
They are very often overlooked!
Indeed, as with any part of skin and hair, nails are very sensitive to changes in the weather.
The way they respond to their surroundings can vary, and if neglected, they can end up brittle, dry, or even start peeling.
Okay, let’s see how weather affects our nails and, more to the point, how you can adjust your nail look regime to rock perfect nails in any season.
Let’s dive in!
Why Do Weather Changes Affect Nails?
Fingernails as well as hair and skin are made of keratin.
Which means that they may be rather sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity of the environment.
Here’s how different types of weather can mess with your manicure:
Cold Weather and Nails
If summer is challenging for your nails, wait until winter to watch out for the problems affecting your nails – the cold and dry weather do not suit them at all.
To put it in less technical terms, it is as if the fingernails are similar to your skin getting exposed to the cold weather where the cold weather reduces the nail’s ability to hold moisture leading to the nails becoming very brittle and snapping off quite easily.
Combine that with the constant hand washing and hand sanitizers (hi there, flu season) and you’ve got a recipe for disaster with nails.
Have you ever thought about the fact that your nails become brittle especially during winter?
That’s because when your nails lose moisture, their flexibility is not as high as it used to and they can easily break.
Not only is it annoying, but it can also be painful too!
Warm Weather and Nails
While summer is good for nails as it is more humid it also has its own challenges.
First of all, sun exposure is rather detrimental to nails because it dries them and they can start peeling.
Also, if you are at the pool most of the time or even at the beach the constant soaking in water and then drying up your nails definitely do them harm.
Oh, one more thing – sweaty hands.
Swear and excess oil create problems for the nail, making them weaker and more prone to damage.
In other words, weather can really harm your nails if you do not take the necessary precautions if it is hot or cold.
Adjusting Your Nail Care Routine for Cold Weather
But before we delve into that discussion, let’s just go back to the one on the effects of cold weather on our nails and how you can strengthen and maintain healthy nails in the coming winter season.
Spoiler alert: it’s all about adding moisture!
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
First things first, your nails require moisture, and it’s probably something that your nails have been craving for a long time now.
To avoid this happening, you should make sure that your hands, especially the nails, are always well moisturized.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Cuticle oils and creams: These are your best pals during winter. Applying them regularly keeps the skin around the nails moist thus preventing the formation of hangnails and growing strong nails.
- Moisturizing hand creams: You understand you have to moisturize your skin, have you also considered doing so for your nails? I suggest using a thick layer of hand cream each time you wash your hands, and massage your nails and fingertips.
- Stay hydrated: Hydratation doesn’t happen only on the outside. It is also very important to keep your nails healthy from the inside by drinking plenty of water.
Protect Your Hands
I know, I know — gloves are not exactly the most comfortable accessory to put on.
But let me tell you this if you want to save your nails, then it’s worth it!
If you are out in the cold, then wear a glove to warm your hands and nails.
You should also remember to wear gloves while doing household chores, as well.
Strong washing products have the tendency to remove the moisture of the nails and the skin and that is not what we would wish for.
Keep Your Nails Short
I enjoy long nails as much as you do.
However, during winter it is advisable that you do not grow your nails too long.
Short nails are easier to manage and do not get caught or tear on something as normally would.
Besides, short nails require little attention, and they do not lose moisture as fast as long nails do.
Don’t Skip the Base Coat
A base coat isn’t only used to protect your nails against staining from your polish.
It also serves as a layer between nails and the environment functioning as a seal to uphold moisture.
Ideally, opt for base coats with hydrating or strengthening capabilities — so useful in the winter time!
Adjusting Your Nail Care Routine for Warm Weather
When we are approaching the warm months, the nail care regimen also has to change for one reason or another.
Even though summer is the best time to be as expressive as you can with your nail art and vivid nail polish, you have to consider how all these factors influence nails.
Watch Out for Sun Damage
And as you know, your skin cracks when exposed to the sun too much, the same thing happens to nails.
After some time, they can lead to weakness of nails or cracking of nails making them split easily.
Hence, if you are spending most of your time outside, you should put on a layer of sunscreen on your hand and this includes the nails.
Take It Easy on the Water
If you love water and you spend so much time in it, consider how much time your nails are exposed to water.
Depending on water on a regular basis or being more often in places surrounded closely by water may make the keratin in your nails softer, making them more brittle.
Don’t forget to dry your hands and nails after each washing especially if you got out of the water.
And if the nails are in water, which is actively chlorinated, for instance, if you are swimming in a public pool, it is advisable that you apply some moisturizer on the nails after washing as chlorine tends to dry the nails.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
While in summer everyone wants to keep their skin radiant, it is also important to take special care of our nails and thus applying a scrub to our nails will help to soften the cuticles and clean the skin on the fingers.
This assists to clean cuticles and get rid of the build up of dead skin surrounding them and improves the appearance of nails.
A gentle scrub is employed or you make your own using sugar and olive oil for instance.
General Tips for Nail Care Year-Round
As for the points mentioned above, there is one vital rule – it is necessary to adapt to the weather while, simultaneously, it is important to follow simple rules of nail care regardless of weather conditions.
If you abide by these, you will be well on the way towards having good healthy nails all through the year.
Take a Break From Nail Polish
While I am a fan of coloured and perfectly shaped nails, one has to take a break once in a while.
They found that nails are also negatively affected due to continuous use of nail polish thereby leading to breaking and peeling especially if you use gel polish.
It is also advisable to leave your nails bare for about three or four days every other week in order to provide them with some time to ‘breathe’.
File, Don’t Clip
One more tip – if it is necessary to cut your nails, better do it with files, very often people cut the corners using scissors.
That way you do not split your nails while filing and it is a much gentler process.
Plus is a good method to set the length to which you prefer to keep your nails and all this without blunting them or accidentally trimming them too short!
Nourish From the Inside Out
The kind of foods you consume affects your nails in one way or the other.
Therefore, if your nails are brittle and break easily you may require more biotin in your system.
Biotin is the nutrient that you want to encourage, and you’ll find that foods like eggs, almonds, and sweet potatoes contain large amounts of biotin and will be helpful to your nails.
You also should pay special attention to eating enough protein food, as nails consist of keratin – a kind of protein.
Therefore it is advisable to take foods rich in protein such as lean meats, fish, beans, and nuts to enable the nails to be strong enough and to grow to the required length.
In Conclusion: Pay Attention to Your Nails!
Often weather circumstances negatively affect the appearance of nails.
However, with proper care, the nails will look good in any period.
Whether it is an appropriate skin care during the winters or a sunscreen which comes handy in summers or even simply giving the nails the care that they require, all through the year, these little changes can go a long way.
You thought that your nails were very hard on the outside, but you are wrong as they are very much receptive to changes in the external conditions.
Therefore, the next time you are changing your beauty regimen with the type of weather, make sure to include the nails as well.
