I hardly remember the first time I tried gel polish, though I know I was absolutely enamored. Gel polish’s chip-free wear and plump, ultra-glossy finish is hardly comparable to traditional nail polish; that said, with gel polish comes the risk of nail damage, be it from picking or harsh, drying acetone soaks. 

After a decade of gelling my own nails, I’ve discovered essential products for restoring strength, softening my cuticles, and removing the notoriously tricky hardened polish once I’m ready to switch colors. In fact, I’ve nursed my nails back to health after one too many gel faux pas (I can hardly resist picking once they begin to peel) and maintained a healthy, smooth canvas that allows me to continue biweekly gel manicures with gleaming results. 

Below are my nine go-to nail care products from brands like OPI, Sally Hansen, and Dior:

OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum

This restorative nail serum is inspired by bond-building haircare products. Keratin, the structural protein that comprises both hair and nails, is a key ingredient in many bond builders, and an equally important element in this nail serum. Specifically, the brush-on formula features a proprietary complex that rebuilds keratin from within. In turn, it fortifies weak, bendy nails — in as little as six days. 

CND SolarOil

Rihanna donned this lightweight cuticle-perfecting oil during her 2023 Super Bowl performance. As if that weren’t enough incentive to snap one up yourself, it boasts over 20,000 five-star shopper ratings at Amazon. One reviewer said the oil made their formerly rough nails and cuticles appear “neat, pretty, and very healthy.” Key ingredients include vitamin E and a blend of lightweight oils, like jojoba, which deliver a non-greasy, effectively cuticle-softening, nail-strengthening finish, with visibly healthier nails in two weeks. 

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover

Prior to discovering this cuticle-annihilating gem, I was plagued by dry, stubborn skin at the nail bed, which impeded any paint job by creating a crusty, rough surface. A fellow beauty industry friend told me about this gellike elixir, which removes dryness, sans irritation, in mere minutes. I’m forever grateful… and always, always stocked up.

OPI Drip Dry Nail Polish Drying Drops

Raise your hand if you’ve ever smudged a freshly painted set. Given that virtually every polish-donning person has definitely done so at some point, I’d venture to say this dry time-enhancing formula is an essential component of any nailcare collection, particularly if you dabble in traditional, air-dry polishes. Dispensed via a pipette dropper, the liquid formula enrobes freshly painted nails and whittles drying time to a mere minute. Since discovering the product, I’ve saved myself countless smudges and ample time.

Zodenis Gel Polish Remover

Perhaps the best-kept secret for gel polish removal, this formula cuts through tough lacquer in minutes, breaking it apart, and allowing a gentle push from a manicure stick to slide it right off. I’ve permanently abandoned the tedious, time-consuming foil-wrap method thanks to this minutes-long brush-on solution. Plus, I’m much less tempted to peel my gels — a decidedly damaging habit — and have noticed stronger nails post-removal as a result.

Dermelect Makeover Smoothing Ridge Filler

My 71-year-old mom and I love this aptly named smoothing ridge filler. A single swipe of the pearlescent, neutral-pink polish delivers a healthy wash of semi-sheer tint — akin to a tinted moisturizer for nails. The ridge-filling effect smooths the nail surface instantly.

Dior Nail Glow

Fun fact: Dior’s iconic Lip Glow comes in a nail-friendly format that imparts similarly glowing results. This luminous, ultra-glossy polish provides a healthy looking sheen that subtly enhances nails thanks to its pinkish glow. It’s perfect giving talons a break between gel polish, and equally ideal for creating a clean, your-nails-but-better vibe — or trying your hand at the lipgloss nails trend.

L’Occitane Shea Nail Oil

After testing dozens of cuticle-care products, InStyle crowned L’Occitane’s the best of all — and understandably so. The formula dispenses via a brush tip applicator, making it a breeze to apply in swipes along the cuticles, where it smooths and softens even the roughest hangnails. Loaded with shea butter and almond oil, both of which boast ample vitamin E, it softens sans greasiness. 

Nécessaire The Hand Cream

Admittedly, it was the stylish packaging that lured me to try this hand cream. As it turns out, the formula itself is a real treat for winterworn skin, including chapped hands and rough, stubborn cuticles. Rich, creamy, yet somehow entirely non-greasy, this fragrance-free lotion functions as a barrier cream for the often-forgotten hand skin. Peptides firm laxity while marula oil plumps withered skin on contact. Plus, a glossy, gorgeous manicure is only as good as the surrounding skin, no? 

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