Brittle nails: what causes them?

Vitamins & minerals
Eléonore de Maurissens
Reading time: 2 minutes
Broze nagels: hoe komt dat?

Your nails are fragile, brittle… Is that due to the change of seasons, an iron deficiency, or regular trips to the manicurist? How do you explain this phenomenon that can be directly linked to your health? And how do you get stronger nails?


Your nails consist of layers of a protein called keratin. This component is also found in your hair and skin cells. Although your nails act as a ‘shield’ for your fingers, it is not uncommon for them to crack, become brittle, or break. This is a common occurrence known as ‘onychoschisis’. An underlying health problem or other external factors can be the root cause.1

27% of women have brittle nails: it is very common!1

Why are my nails fragile?2,3

Your nails can become brittle for many reasons. The most frequent causes include…

  1. Age: as you get older, your fingernails typically become thinner, while your toenails actually become thicker.
  2. Regular contact with water: cleaning your house, doing the dishes, or having a job where you wash your hands frequently can damage your nails.
  3. Frequent manicures, having artificial nails applied, and removing nail polish: acetone-based nail polish remover, among other things, can make your nails brittle.
  4. A lack of nutrients and/or an unbalanced diet: a deficiency in iron, B vitamins, and/or a protein deficiency can damage your nails and inhibit the production of keratin.
  5. Change of seasons: your nails can suffer, in particular, from lower temperatures.
  6. Certain conditions (e.g., psoriasis) and treatments can also cause brittle nails.


How can I strengthen my nails?2,3

  1. Hydrate your nails with a suitable lotion.
  2. Wear gloves during prolonged contact with water.
  3. Let your nails breathe: if possible, it is best not to have artificial nails applied and avoid using overly harsh removers. Use nail polish with nylon fibers instead, which strengthens the nails.
  4. Keep your nails short.
  5. Eat healthily, with a diet rich in protein and iron.
  6. Certain nutritional supplements can also help. Brewer's yeast is particularly rich in B vitamins, which are essential for the production of keratin. Your nails will be less prone to breaking, grow faster, and look better.

Have you ever suffered from fragile and brittle nails? What worked best for you? Share your tips with us on our Facebook and Instagram!

Scientific references

  1. By the way, doctor: Does having ridged and split fingernails mean I'm unhealthy? Harvard Health Publishing. 2019. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-having-ridged-and-split-fingernails-mean-im-unhealthy
  2. Brittle splitting nails. AOCD. https://www.aocd.org/page/BrittleSplittingNail
  3. Stephanie Booth, Cracked Nails. WebMD, August 04, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/cracked-nails-reasons

Product mentioned in this article

Trappist brewer's yeast tablets

Do you want to support your skin, hair, and nails from within? TRAP Brewer's Yeast combines natural brewer's yeast with B vitamins and selenium for daily support of skin, hair, and nails.
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