You have a skincare routine and a haircare routine, but what about your nail care routine? Taking care of your digits can make all the difference between weak, brittle nails and the long, gorgeous claws you see trending on social media. And while you can always go with press-on nails or pay for the professionals to put on a set of acrylics, why spend the extra money when you could grow them on your own? If your nails tend to chip and crack, look no further than Hard As Hoof strengthening nail cream.
What Is Hard As Hoof Nail Cream?
This unassuming hand cream is specifically formulated to strengthen nails with nourishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, vitamins and silk protein. Not only does it strengthen healthy nails and encourage growth, but it can also help repair weakened nails for those who’ve removed gel only to uncover now damaged nails that bend and break.
This makes it ideal for those of us who are especially hard on our hands (calling all moms!) and older folks. Most people experience a natural decrease in blood circulation, collagen and keratin production, which can lead to weak, brittle nails. Keeping a jar of this nourishing cream on hand (literally) can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your nails.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers say that with consistent use of this under-$15 product, your nails will become stronger and longer. And if you’re still on the fence, know that the product has racked up a 4.4-star rating across nearly 80,000 reviews at Amazon. Check out what these reviewers had to say about Hard as Hoof transforming their nails.
- SailorWoman: “I started using this once a day about a month ago. I had what other reviewers has - thin nails that would peel and even bend easily. Over the years I have tried various strengthening nail polishes, and none worked like this cream. The difference was noticeable within a few days. Now my nails are hard and do not bend easily. I can’t think of another beauty product that works as well as this one. If you decide to give this a try, just rub it in over your nail. Once my nails got a little length, I began dipping the whole fingernail into the container so I could get the cream under each nail as well as on the top. I just leave the cream under the nail and go to bed!”
- L. Hayward: “My nails were left so thin from the abuse of acrylic nails that they hurt! It was almost like I had no nails and every time I accidentally knocked my fingers against something, they hurt. My fingers were left unprotected. I considered a nail hardener polish but I remember my podiatrist told me that any kind of polish is bad for healthy nails. The nails might be strengthened by the presence of polish, but it’s a temporary mask for nail health. Did you know that fungus grows under nail polish? Eeew! Applying Hard As Hoof 3x/day has greatly restored the health of my nails AND cuticles! I don’t get hang nails anymore! Yay! The cream nourishes the nails and cuticles and not only restores, but improves their health. It’s a keeper.”
- Shelbug: “I was looking for something to give my fingernails and toe nails a summer reset. Oh boy did I find it. This product is amazing. I can’t wait to show off my amazing toenails in my sandals this summer. My fingernails have felt the love too. They are long and strong. Just how I like them.”
- Erynn Grady: “I love this stuff! Easy to use, has already helped improve my nail strength and cuticle health after two weeks. I work with kids and in a pool often, which makes nail health a challenge but this stuff has really shown up. You don’t need a lot, the small jar will last a long time. Smells like summer!”
- Cheryl Hoffman: “Am loving this product! After a nail salon technician removing my polish from a rubber gel manicure somehow managed to destroy my nails, I am nursing them back to health with biotin supplements and this wonderful cream. I bought the unscented one and am using it 2 or 3 times a day. The jar is lovely, the cream non-greasy, and seems it will last a long time. Very happy with this purchase.”
- Tech Lady: “I have had problematic splitting nails for many years and this is the first product that has made a difference! Have tried all kinds of nail oils and other lotions, even vaseline. Nothing really helped. But this cream has helped my worst nail to heal. It was cracking vertically (from the outer tip halfway down to the nail bed) and becoming very painful. I rub this cream in several times a day (especially after getting my hands wet) and I saw a visible difference in just a couple of weeks. It’s now almost healed, but I’ll continue to use the cream to prevent future issues. It’s a very pleasant cream (I got the unscented) and it rubs in very easily; does not leave a greasy or oily feeling because absorbs really well. My only complaint is that it comes in a tub and you have to put your finger into the tub to swipe out some cream. This is not as sanitary or easy compared to a squeezable tube.”
Other Nail Care Products to Consider
Take a look at a few other items that can help to heal dry cuticles and peeling nails from previous HuffPost coverage.
Peptide-Infused Oil Treatment
Another of Pham's oil treatment picks, Dermelect's dual-formula Revital Oil features a protein peptide, an ingredient the brand claims can strengthen brittle nails. The rest of the nourishing complex is made up of essential oils like jojoba and argan seed along with glycerin, a dermatologist-approved hydrator for the skin.
Japanese Gentle-Blade Cuticle Clippers
Britney Tokyo is a celebrity nail artist based in Los Angeles and founder of Tokyo Spice nail products. For grooming wayward hangnails, her nippers of choice are these Japanese-crafted clippers by the brand Utsumi. The brand says these are their bestselling model and a great option for beginners, featuring a blade that's gentle on the cuticle and skin. Jacqueline Pham, a New York City-based manicurist and nail artist and owner of DJ Nails, prefers clipping only when you need to, and maintaining your cuticles with cream and oil, which she said will eventually lead to less cuticle trimming.
Gel-Lined Moisturizing Gloves
After you've applied all of your nail and cuticle treatments, Miki Higuchi, a New York-based nail artist whose clients include Ariana Grande, suggests wearing gloves as an effective way to stave off dryness. These washable gloves are gel-lined and infused with nourishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, olive oil and vitamin E. This kind of hydrating inner lining won't snag on peeling or cracked skin like traditional cotton gloves.
