Nail Oil—does it penetrate through nail polish?
Or are you just wasting your time?
In this post I’ll answer how nails and polish absorb or block nail oil. You’ll also learn how to hydrate your nails properly so they can grow longer and stronger.
ASK ANA
“When wearing nail polish does the oil penetrate down to the nail then? I’m not using oil when wearing nail polish because I thought it didn’t work.” ~Cecilie
ANSWER
Although nail lacquer looks solid—it is not. There are microscopic holes in the polish.
The oil does work it’s way into the polish to help keep it flexible.
As each day passes with us washing our hands, our polish continues to dry out.
You’ll start to see little cracks in the polish. Cracked polish is prime for water absorption, which breaks the polish-to-nail-bond.
Your polish will start to chip and you’ll be more tempted to pick and peel. I know I am more tempted.
Pulling your polish off actually pulls up layers of keratin nail cells, as in the electron microscope photo to the right.
Oiling your nail polish actually helps keep the polish more flexible. And oiling your cuticle lines keeps the skin soft and prevents hangnails.
Polish Is A Trap!
Polish has a tighter molecular structure than nail plates. When you are applying oil to your polish and cuticle lines, the oil is not getting into your nail plate.
This is why it’s so important to “go naked” for my 3-Day Hydration Treatment™ to get your nail plates back in balance. Then your manicure will actually trap that oil in your nails temporarily.
Your body also continually sends moisture and body oil into the nail plate through the pink nail bed underneath the nail.
The polish also traps this moisture in your nails and protects them. My personal experience has shown that polish creates an excellent barrier between water, soaps and the nail plate.
In Between Manicures
You’ve worked really hard to keep all of this oil and moisture in your nails. But with one swift wipe of acetone (or non-acetone) remover, you’ll undo 1/2 of your hard work. Thus begins the love/hate relationship with removers.
Acetone is the best solvent for nail lacquer—and it’s also the best solvent for oil and moisture.
How do you dissolve polish but not dry out your skin or nails?
The simple answer is—you can’t!
I guarantee you there isn’t a product on this planet that can achieve this claim.
The answer seems quite simple when you understand what’s really happening to your nails.
Simply Put It Back
After removing a manicure, your nails will need to be rehydrated with water and nail oil. Remember healthy nails are the perfect balance of 18% water and 5% oil.
After removing the polish, rinse your hands in warm water and scrub them with a nail brush for a few minutes. You want your nails to absorb a small percentage of water—not a lot—just a little.
Then oil your nails and cuticle lines. You’ll know how long you need depending on how frequently you need to reapply the oil. Your nails should only need 2 to 8 hours of oiling between manicures.
Wipe your nails with rubbing alcohol, to clean of dirt the the surface layer of oil. Now you’re ready for your favorite ridge filling base coat!
Thank you! That was very helpful!!!
You’re very welcome Elizabeth! ~Ana
In the Pure nail oil, what do the other ingredient oils besides jojoba oil do to benefit the nails? Do they penetrate a well? Thank you.
Hi Sabia, here’s some info I recently wrote for a brochure that should help.
WHAT IS IT?
Pure Nail Oil™ is a blend of extraordinary oils combined with Vitamins A and E developed by a mother allergic to almonds. Since most cuticle oils contain almond oil, she created her own.
Customer results have demonstrated Pure’s™ superior performance over all cuticle oils on the market which can be seen at http://www.NailCareHQ.com. Pure™ is now sold around the world.
WHAT IT DOES
Jojoba Oil carries Vitamin E deeply into skin to help reduce visible signs of aging. Naturally light oils keep skin soft and supple, helping to eliminate hangnails.
It keeps natural nails tough and flexible. Helps prevent cracking in nail lacquer and nail enhancements.
Repeated use drives oils deeper into natural nails and nail enhancements, maximizing the benefits and reducing service breakdown.
WHY YOU NEED IT
The average person washes their hands 20 times daily. Repeated exposure to water and harsh soap dries out the natural nail plate, nail lacquer and nail enhancements.
Pure Nail Oil™ rehydrates the natural nail plate and helps prevent cracking in nail lacquer and enhancements.
It moisturizes the skin around the nails, preventing painful hangnails and reducing fine wrinkles.
FEATURED INGREDIENTS & BENEFITS
Jojoba Wax Ester (Simmondsia Chinensis): Not an oil, but a liquid ester. Jojoba has an almost identical molecular structure to human sebum.
Jojoba penetrates deeply into skin and nails, providing unparalleled moisturization and conditioning. Jojoba is also a carrier to increase penetration of other ingredients.
Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate): Successful in fighting free radicals, photo aging and damage to maintain younger looking skin.
Grapeseed Oil (Vitis Vinifera): A preferred cosmetic ingredient for controlling moisture of the skin.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea Europaea): Contains healthy fats which plump and moisturize the skin. Contains natural antioxidants hydroxytyrosol and vitamin E to help prevent cell degeneration in your skin.
I am still confused. I’m using this product and initially did the 3 day hydration treatment. I’ve done longer than the 3 day hydration, consistently oiling my nails. I’ve examined tons of before and after pictures and I am still confused — if your nails are to be kept polished, why do we need to oil them while they are polished if the oil cannot penetrate the polish? Is it simply to hydrate the cuticles? My cuticles are pretty ok, but I suffer from nail peeling. I still use the nail oil rubbing consistently over my polish but I am still confused as to how this works if our nails are polished most of the time?
Yes, your article was helpful