We all know how great and useful coconut oil is.
This oil has its participation in almost every healthcare routine. Surprisingly, the oil works better with your nails as well!
Many of us tend to go to salons for our manicures and pedicures. But sometimes it gets hard to manage time for doing so after all the hustle and bustle of regular lives.
This is precisely where coconut oil can help you. The excellent properties of this oil can ensure a parlor-like manicure and pedicure for you at home.
The great benefits of coconut oil promote naturally strong and healthy nails for you along with perfectly nourished hands and feet as well.
In this article, you will know more about:
- Nine specific reasons to use coconut oil for nails immediately
- Coconut oil and its properties
- Benefits of coconut oil
- The reasons for using coconut oil for your nails and how to do that
- Some tips and precautions
- Frequently asked questions and answers
COCONUT OIL
The sweet smelling oil extracted from the meat or kernel of the giant and matured coconuts is what we call coconut oil [1].
People all over the world have been procuring the fantastic benefits of this oil for centuries. In recent years, coconut oil gained immense popularity in the field of nail care as well. [2]
The composition of coconut oil comprises high saturated fats. All these fats are beneficial for the human body, and they do not cause any harm.
From its massive use in cooking to many health benefits, coconut oil is much recognized for its application as a hair and skin care product.
The natural fungicidal, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties make it rich and beneficial. The oil is a package of powerful antioxidants along with vitamin E, vitamin K, and many other healthy nutrients.
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has both health and industrial benefits. For health benefits, the oil is used in two grades: Culinary and cosmetic.
The culinary use includes baking foods, pastries, snacks and also in nondairy creamers [3].
Cosmetic use includes almost all the body parts. The oil works great on both your skin and hair along with the scalp.
Industrial benefits of coconut oil mostly include its use as a diesel fuel for engines, power generators, and transports. Other uses may include its use as an engine lubricant [4], transformer oil, a raw material for manufacturing surfactants [5].
Coconut Oil for Your Nails
Come and explore some of these impressive benefits coconut oil can provide to your nails.
1. Helps in the growth of your nails
Those of you who crave for longer nails can get great benefits from coconut oil. After giving your nails a trim, you immediately start anticipating their growth.
Long nails are an added beauty to your hands, and they are the perfect elements where you can implement your artistic talent by creating nail arts on your own. Nail arts look best when applied on longer nails.
Coconut oil is here to put an end to this anticipation. Using coconut oil on your nails will intensify their natural growing process and ensure you longer nails in a very short span of days.
How to Use:
- You will need a quarter cup of fresh organic coconut oil, equal amount of honey and a few drops of rosemary oil [6].
- Stir up the ingredients and heat it up.
- Soak your nails in this mixture for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
- Repeat this process for once a week.
Key Takeaway: Coconut oil ensures proper and faster growth to your nails which result in longer nails.
Also Read: 12 Home Remedies for Nail Fungus that are Simple Yet Effective
2. Induces strength to your nails
Weak and brittle nails are two very common problems. Weak nails break very easily. An excellently maintained hand loses its beauty when one or two of the nails break down.
If you want to grow healthy and natural nails, start using coconut oil from now onwards.
The oil, being enriched with nutrients and powerful antioxidants, provides your nails the required amount of strength and nutrition.
How to Use:
- You will need a half cup of fresh and organic coconut oil and 5 drops of lavender and jojoba essential oil each.
- Mix all the ingredients to form a solution.
- Soak your nails for at least 15 minutes in this solution.
- Repeat this twice every week.
Key Takeaway: The healthy nutrients of coconut oil make your nails strong so if you want your nails to be stronger, start using coconut oil now!
3. Moisturizes the cuticles
Coconut oil is the perfect choice when it comes to providing moisture to the cuticles of your nails. Cuticles are the base of your nails. Healthy cuticles lead in healthier nails.
Coconut oil provides your cuticles the right amount of moisture and prevents them from getting ragged and damaged.
Evenly moisturized cuticles give your hand shinier and healthier nails and enhance its beauty.
How to Use:
Just take a few drops of natural coconut oil and apply it to your nails and cuticles massaging slowly and gently. Do this regularly.
Key Takeaway: The moisturizing property of coconut oil ensures healthy moisture and nourishment to the cuticles of your nails which result in healthier nails.
4. Prevents hangnails
Hangnails [7] mostly occur when your hands are exposed to too much use of water. Say for those who have to work always with water; hangnails are very common.
Sometimes, an improper manicure may also cause hangnail.
So what is hangnail? A hangnail is that little extra bit of skin that you may find coming out of the cuticles of your nails. [8]
Hangnails create openings in your cuticles. These openings provide bacteria and fungus the chance to hamper your skin by causing infections.
Such situations are totally unwanted. Hangnails cause discomfort. And if they get infected somehow, that just adds in more irritation and disturbance.
But no worries, coconut oil is here! The oil has the necessary agents that will resolve all of these problems.
Coconut oil provides your cuticles the necessary protection and prevents hangnails along with the infections that may be accompanied by them.
How to Use:
Apply some of the coconut oil on your cuticles and massage the oil by gently pressing the cuticle of your nails. This will make the cuticles stronger and prevent hangnails.
Key Takeaway: If you want to get rid of those hangnails, start using coconut oil from this moment!
Also Read: 19 Home Remedies for Foot Fungus, Nail Fungus & Athlete’s Foot
5. Cures the ridges
You may discover ridges on your nails sometimes. Ridges are often accompanied by lines or marks and weird spots on the nails. [9]
Though ridges are very common, they usually don’t point out to any health problems. Rather, it is usual to appear with growing age.
The vitamins and antimicrobial [10] properties of coconut oil both prevent and eliminate ridges of your nails.
How to Use:
Just keep on applying few drops of coconut oil regularly on your nails.
Key Takeaway: Coconut oil certainly has the necessary properties which will help you get rid of the ridges on your nails.
[NOTE: If brittle or splitting nails ever accompany the ridges, you might be suffering from a skin problem or specific health issues like anemia [11] or issues regarding the thyroid glands [12]. In such cases medical help is mandatory.
6. Cures discoloration
You may notice discoloration of your nails [13] at times.
Often these discolorations refer to various health problems. They are mostly results of skin infections that are caused by dirt, pollutants, and fungus.
The use of coconut oil takes in charge of curing this discoloration. The antioxidants and vitamin E help your nails to gain back their natural colors.
Also, the fungicidal and antimicrobial properties of this oil protect your nails from fungus and other infections and thus prevent discoloration.
How to Use:
- Pour out half a cup of coconut oil, an equal amount of honey and 4 to 5 drops of lemon essential oil [14].
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Soak your fingertips in this solution for 15 minutes.
- Repeat daily till the discoloration goes away.
Key Takeaway: Remove discoloration of your nails by using coconut oil and enjoy beautiful nails.
7. Prevents and cures fungus
Your nails are often attacked by fungus resulting in fungal infections. Almost all of us went through this problem at least once in our lifetime.
Fungal infections cause utmost irritation and pain. But worry no more, coconut oil contains antifungal acids that both prevent and cure fungus.
All the vitamins and antioxidants of this oil ensure nourishment and moisture back to your nails so that they look even prettier.
How to Use:
- You will need 10 drops of extra virgin coconut oil and 2 drops of oregano oil [15].
- Mix these two together to form an ointment.
- Apply it all over your nails and cuticles concentrating mostly on the parts where cuticles meet the skins of your fingers.
[NOTE: Dilute the oregano oil with some more drops of coconut oil or almond oil if it causes any irritation to your skin]
- Repeat using this ointment at least twice a day for few weeks till you get visible results.
Also Read: 6 Coconut Oil for Toenail Fungus Remedies and How to Use Them
Key Takeaway: Coconut oil is the best when it comes to taking care of the fungal infections of nails and cuticles.
8. Makes your nails soft and shiny
Smooth and soft nails make you feel great about yourself. We all want our hands to be soft and beautiful which can only be obtained if your nails are shiny and beautiful as well.
The natural minerals and essential vitamins of coconut oil provide your nails the necessary moisture and lock in the water content which results in shinier and healthier nails.
How to Use:
- You will need few drops of coconut oil and few drops of lemon essential oil.
- Mix the two oils and apply the mixture on your nails.
- Repeat regularly for shiny nails.
Key Takeaway: Use coconut oil to add an extra hint of shine and smoothness to your nails.
Also Read: How to Have Healthy Nails with Coconut Oil
9. Cures Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot [16], also known as tinea pedis is a very common fungal infection.
The skin of your feet gets affected by this infection. The very same fungus can also affect the nails of your foot and add more pain for you.
This fungal infection is accompanied by redness, itching, inflammation and even blisters if the case is too severe.
The application of coconut oil deals with all the signs and symptoms of this infection and protects both your nails and feet.
How to Use:
- Wash your feet and gently pat them dry using a soft towel.
- Warm up a quarter cup of coconut oil.
- Massage the oil gently all over your feet for a few minutes.
- Do this 3 or 4 times a day regularly till your feet get fully cured.
Key Takeaway: Coconut oil alone is capable of taking care of this infection. So if you are suffering from athlete’s foot, start using this oil immediately to get the best results.
TIPS AND PRECAUTION
- Coconut oil has no side effects, so it is safe for people of any age and children as well.
- It is recommended to avoid too much dishwashing, clothes washing or swimming for a few days if you are suffering from severe nail and cuticle infections.
- Always try to maintain a good hygiene for both yourself and your family.
- Trim your nails regularly and cut them short once a while using sharp nail cutters or clippers.
- Round the edges of your nails after cutting or trimming them off.
- If you have a habit of biting your nails, start practicing to avoid it from now.
- Don’t use nails to open up can lids or to untie tight knots.
- Don’t try to cut off an infected nail. Wait patiently till the nail gets cured and then cut it.
- Wear the shoes of the right size and choose them carefully.
Q & A
Q 1: Why do you need to use cuticle oil?
A 1: Strong cuticles promote healthy and flexible nails. The use of cuticle oil ensures strength to them which prevents your nails from being too weak or brittle.
Q 2: Name three best essential oils for nail growth.
A 2: According to me, three best essential oils for nail growth are: lemon essential oil, frankincense essential oil and lavender essential oil.
CONCLUSION
Coconut oil is truly great for your nails. So definitely give this oil a try for your nails, and we promise you won’t regret the decision ever.
If you have any questions regarding this article feel free to ask.
Keep using coconut oil and enjoy healthy and beautiful nails.
Also, don’t forget to share your experience with us by leaving a comment in our comment section below.
Read Next: 6 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Acne Treatment
