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We use our hands for so many things, and they are often one of the first things others notice.  However, your skincare routine may not be cutting it when it comes to your nails.  Lotions and other skincare products often dry our nails out and can make them brittle.  While healthy and strong nails look better and are easier to maintain, getting nails to grow quickly is not easy for many people.  You’ve may have heard about the benefits of essential oils for helping nails grow and contributing to the overall health of your nails.  If you’ve been wondering what essential oils are good for nail growth, you’ve come to the right place.  Keep reading to learn more about which essential oils can help your nails grow quickly, strengthen them, address hangnails, and more.

Essential Oils for Nail Growth

So, what essential oils are good for nail growth?

There are actually quite a few different options to consider.

Each essential oil delivers different benefits, so take a few minutes to learn about what you can expect to help you select the right essential oil for fingernails to match your needs.

Here are some essential oils that are often recommended for nail health and growth.  We’ll explore a little more about the benefits of using each of these options in the following sections.

Tea Tree Oil for Nail Growth

100% Tea Tree Oil Pure - Tea Tree Essential Oil for Skin Dry Scalp and Cuticle Oil for Nail Cleaner - 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil for Hair Skin and Nails Plus Cleansing Oil for Face - Packaging May Vary

Many people ask, “Does Tea Tree Oil promote nail growth?”

While this essential oil doesn’t necessarily help nails grow, there are a number of tea tree oil benefits for nails.  Tea tree essential oil, such as Maple Holistic’s Tea Tree Essential Oil, is a very effective antiseptic.  Tea tree oil  also offers antifungal, antibacterials, and antimicrobial benefits, making it an excellent choice for keeping your nails healthy.  Its antifungal properties can also be beneficial if you have any nail fungus on your fingernails or toenails that need to be addressed.

So if you’ve asking, “Is tea tree oil good for nails,” the answer is most definitely yes.

How do you use tea tree oil for nail growth?

Well, like we shared above, tea tree oil is most effective at keeping your nails healthy and and treating nail fungus.

If you’re interested in using tea tree oil, also called melaleuca, add it to a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, or almond oil, and massage it into your nails and cuticles.  Allow it to sit there for about an hour, then you can rinse your hands using warm water and add a moisturizer.

Myrrh Nail Oil

Majestic Pure Myrrh Oil, Premium Quality, 4 fl Oz

Myrrh is one of the best essential oils for damaged nails.

Myrrh essential oil, like this Myrrh Essential Oil from Majestic Pure, is very moisturizing.  The moisture it provides to the cuticles creates a healthy space for your nails to grow in.

Another benefit of Myrrh essential oil is that it helps make nails stronger and can stop them from becoming brittle and breaking easily.

Myrrh also offers antifungal and antimicrobial properties that will contribute to the overall health of your fingernails and toenails too.

Lavender Oil

Handcraft Lavender Essential Oil - 100% Pure & Natural – Premium Therapeutic Grade with Premium Glass Dropper - Huge 4 fl.oz

Lavender essential oil is another nail growth oil.

When applied regularly, Handcraft Blends’ Lavender Essential Oil and other similar options can strengthen your cuticles or nails.  Lavender essential oil is also an excellent choice for moisturizing nails.  The hydration it provides to nails can also help address cuticle issues, such as inflammation or ragged cuticles.  Lavender essential oil on nails helps promote the growth of keratin, which is what is needed to grow long and healthy nails.

Eucalyptus Oil

Cliganic USDA Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil, 100% Pure | Natural Aromatherapy Oil for Diffuser Steam Distilled | Non-GMO Verified

Is eucalyptus oil good for nails?

Yes, Cliganic Eucalyptus Essential Oil and other eucalyptus oils are among the most effective essential oils for nail health.

It works as an antifungal and can be used to treat toenail fungus.  Because of how eucalyptus oil soaks into the skin, not only does this essential oil kill the fungus on the toenail, but it also kills the fungus and clears up any infection inside the nail bed.  This will lead to healthier nails that are less likely to be impacted by future fungal infections.

Lemon Oil

Majestic Pure Lemon Oil, Therapeutic Grade, Premium Quality Lemon Oil, 4 Ounces

Unhealthy nails won’t grow, or will be very brittle if they do.

Lemon oil, like this Lemon Essential Oil from Majestic Pure, keeps your nails healthy with its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antiseptic properties.  It works to stimulate blood flow and can also nourish your skin.

Adding lemon essential oil to your skincare routine can also result in shinier and brighter nails.

Frankincense Oil

Frankincense Essential Oil (Huge 4oz Bottle) Bulk Frankincense Oil - 4 Ounce

Frankincense Oil from Sun Essential Oils and other brands provides moisture to the cuticles.

This is one of the best natural cuticle oil options that can be applied directly to your nails (without needing a carrier oil).  As your cuticles become more hydrated, it provides a healthier space for nails to grow and will result in longer, stronger, and healthier nails.

Essential Oils and Their Benefits for Nails

Oils Good for Nails

Many essential oils can not be used on their own.  They need to be applied to your nails through the use of other natural oils, often referred to as carrier oils.

Carrier oils dilute an essential oil for fingernails, such as myrrh oil, lemon oil, or the other essential oils we shared above.  Once diluted, you’ll be able safely enjoy the benefits associated with the essential oil.

Many carrier oils also offer their own benefits for nail growth and health as well.

Almond Oil for Nails

Almond oil is full of nutrients that can help protect skin and nails.

Some of these nutrients include vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E.  Almond oil also contains omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids, which are antioxidants.

Does Almond Oil Help Nail Growth?

Almond oil keeps healthy and protects them from breaking, peeling, or getting too dried out and brittle.  It can also help make nails look healthier and more attractive by increasing their natural shine.

Almond oil for nails and cuticles, like this Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil from Pure Body Naturals, makes a great carrier oil to increase the effectiveness of one of the essential oils shared above.

Olive Oil for Nail Growth

Is olive oil good for your nails?  Yes, using olive oil for fingernails can help moisturize your nails, skin, and cuticles.  Olive oil has a lot of vitamin E, which can help improve mineralization and calcification.

Does Olive Oil Help Nail Growth?

When you soak your nails in olive oil or use it as a carrier oil for an essential oil, it can deliver great benefits.

The vitamin E in olive oil, like this Organic Olive Oil from Renewalize, helps nails grow more quickly.  It can also make our nails less likely to break by improving their flexibility.  Olive oil delivers other benefits including strengthening nails and preventing hangnails.

Olive oil for cuticles can also hydrate and moisturize them, providing a healthier place for your nails to grow.

Coconut Oil for Nail Growth

Using coconut oil for nails and cuticles is another good option.

Coconut oil for dry cuticles is an excellent solution to bring some moisture to the cuticles and rehydrate them.  Additionally, coconut oil, such as Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals’ Fractionated Coconut Oil, can treat damaged cuticles to prevent them from tearing or heal cuticles that are already torn.

So, the answer to the question, “Is coconut oil good for cuticles” is a definite yes!

Does Coconut Oil Help Nail Growth?

Coconut oil can help your nails grow.  It helps make the nails beds stronger and can stimulate growth.

Jojoba Oil for Nails

Jojoba oil is another oil that offers anti-fungal properties to address fungus or athlete’s foot.

Does Jojoba Oil Help Nail Growth?

Yes, jojoba oil, like Cliganic’s Organic Jojoba Oil, can help your nails grow.  In addition to acting as an antifungal, jojoba cuticle oil is very nourishing.  It can help improve or even repair damaged nail beds.  A healthy nail bed is necessary for nail growth.

Castor Oil

Castor oil includes a numerous omega fatty acids and a good amount of protein.  It also includes vitamin E.  These ingredients will help moisturize your nails and cuticles.

Does Castor Oil Help Nail Growth?

Premium Nature’s Castor Oil, and other castor oils on the market, can also help nails grow more quickly.  Its nourishing and moisturizing properties create a healthy environment for nails to grow and can stimulate their growth.  The difference between castor oil nails before and after will be quite noticeable.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E Oil, like RejuveNaturals Vitamin E Oil, is also very moisturizing.  Using it alone or as a carrier oil for your essential oils can help improve the health of your cuticles by keeping them hydrated.

Does Vitamin E Oil Help Nail Growth?

Vitamin E Oil for nail growth is another benefit of this oil.

Since vitamin E oil helps hydrate and moisturize your cuticles, it supports healthy nail growth.  Your nails will have a healthy foundation in which they can grow.

Rosehip Oil for Nails

Rosehip oil is another nail treatment oil to consider.

It naturally moisturized nails and skin.  Additionally, Radha Beauty’s Rosehip Oil and other similar oils can also help improve the overall health and strength of your nails.  Using rosehip oil can make it less likely that your nails will either split or break.

Does Rosehip Oil Help Nail Growth?

Yes, rosehip oil can also help your nails grow.  As it strengthens your nails, it also makes them healthier and can stimulate new growth.

Best Oils for Nail Growth

Remember, these oils can help with nail growth.  They can be used alone and are also a good choice for a carrier oil to use alongside essential oils for nails.

Here are the best oils to use for the following nail issues:

Homemade Nail Oil Recipe

Looking for a nail oil DIY you can try at home?  The nail oil recipe below is easy to make using just a few essential oils and carrier oils.

Homemade Nail Oil Ingredients

Recipe:

Combine the ingredients listed above in a small jar and stir.  Once mixed, the nail oil should be stored in an amber bottle or a dark jar to preserve it and help the oil last longer.  If you have a roller ball container, putting the oil in it could make it easier to apply.  You can also consider using a clean and dry nail polish bottle.

Apply this homemade nail oil to clean hands at least two times each week.  To apply, brush or roll it over your nails and cuticles and massage it in.

How Can I Make My Nails Thicker and Stronger?

Looking for more ideas to help you get thicker, stronger, and healthier nails?  We’ve got you covered!  Check out our top five tips for healthier and stronger nails below:

  • Moisturize:  Keep both your hands and cuticles moisturized.  Greasier ointments are ideal for your hands, and moisturizing cuticle oils with essential oils like Frankincense are good choices for cuticles.
  • Mixing Oil with Nail Polish: Some people wonder, “Can you put essential oils in nail polish?”  The answer is, yes, you can.  However, keep in mind that if you add too much of an essential oil, it could make the smell of your nail polish overwhelming.
  • Schedule manicures with a professional:  A professional manicurist can help keep your nails in good shape and remove hangnails and other potential problem areas.  This can improve the overall health of your nails and keep them strong.  Natural nail polish is a better option than getting fake nails for creating strong and healthy nails.  To apply fake nails, your natural nails need to be filed down so much that they can become too thin and weak.  Fake nails have also been known to cause nails to turn green.
  • Eat a balanced diet:  Foods rich in iron, protein, zinc, and biotin can help strengthen your nails and make them healthier.
  • Avoid using products labeled as “nail hardeners”:  Some of these products can actually make it more likely that your nails will break or crack because they can make your nails too hard.

Essential Oils For Nail Growth: A Recap

Keeping our nails and cuticles healthy is important not only for maintaining an attractive appearance, but also for protecting the skin beneath the nails.  Our nails shield our fingers from all of the things our hands come in contact with each day and can help protect us from infection when they are properly cleaned and cared for.

Essential oils are an excellent option when you’re looking to keep your nails and cuticles healthy, strong, and moisturized.

Hopefully you’ve been inspired to try a few of the essential oils and natural oils we shared in this article.