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Weak nails happen—but these serums, creams, and polishes can help.

There's nothing worse than spending time (and money!) on intricate nail art or a fresh manicure—only to have one of your nails break or split. Weak nails are all too common, and can be the result of normal wear and tear, nutritional deficiencies, or damage from nail treatments like gel, shellac, acrylics, and more. Plus, we've all tried to be our own nail tech, and all that amateur buffing, filing, and endless soaks in acetone for DIY removals were not kind to our natural nails.

Luckily, the solution is as simple as a single swipe or pill. Topical nail strengtheners work by delivering vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid straight to the nail in the form of a clear polish. You can double down on the results by taking an ingestible nail supplement, too. Ahead, the 14 we love.

Olive & June knows how to care for nails—because the brand was taking care of Los Angeles's finest before launching products. This formula has shown a 77 percent increase in nail strength, and may even extend the length of your mani by two to three days.

Think of this like your favorite face serum, but for your nails. Formulated with keratin and jojoba oil, this daily treatment will give your nails a boost in just a week.

Who do Bella and Gigi turn to when it comes to their nail health? Jin Soon Choi. The celebrity nail guru has mastered the art of maintaining gorgeous, healthy nails, so this treatment is almost as good as having her on speed dial.

A tried-and-true favorite, Orly's Nail Defense can be used as a base or top coat to prevent splitting, peeling, and breakage.

Even the weakest nails can be strengthened by this pro-loved formula. With over 5,000 rave reviews on Amazon, some users noted that when nothing worked, this bottle came to the rescue.

With over 40,000 reviews, this is Amazon's best-selling nail strengthening cream—and for good reason. The blend of jojoba oil, beeswax, calcium, and vitamins help nails come back to life after acrylics, or just grow longer, faster. We like to keep a jar on our nightstand and apply before bed—plus an extra jar in our handbag to reapply throughout the day.

Brittle nails are no match for this easy-to-use strengthener in a pen. You'll notice results in 28 days, so carry it with you and apply it across all your nails and cuticles daily.

This classic nail strengthener comes in shades other than clear, so you can treat your nails without sacrificing your weekly mani. Calcium and hydrolyzed wheat protein help nails grow stronger and longer.

Applied daily on bare nails, this award-winning serum from Sally Hansen blends antioxidant-rich vitamins A, C, and E together to help bring weak, brittle nails back to life in a matter of days. If you're serious about nail health, it's the best $5.99 you'll ever spend.

With over 5,000 glowing reviews on Amazon, this four-week nail treatment really delivers. Wear it for one week, remove with a non-acetone remover, then reapply for a second week. For weeks three and four, repeat the process every other day. It sounds complicated, but it's not—especially once you see how your nails respond.

If adding an individual nail strengthener sounds like too much work (no judgment!), this top and base coat delivers the same benefits in less steps. Plus, we love how durable it makes our at-home manicures.

You can use this nail treatment as a clear manicure (if you apply two coats), or as a strengthening base coat to help your nails feel less brittle with each weekly appointment.

This is the nail treatment we reach for after we just peeled off our gel manicure even though we weren't supposed to. Two alpha hydroxy acids help resurface the nail while a coat of nitrocellulose helps protect your nails from future damage. Use it twice a week when your nails really need it.

The way a kale salad is just inherently good for you, so is this base coat. Rich in antioxidants and keratin, it helps prevent nails from splitting and cracking while also helping them grow longer.

How do nail strengtheners work?

Similar to a hair masks, nail strengtheners contain proteins and vitamins and that help fortify your nails. They also add a layer of physical protection, so your nails won't dry out or break while they're healing.

Will nail strengtheners help damage from gel manicures?

Your fingers literally can't get to Amazon quickly enough. Yes, if you're experiencing dry, thin, brittle or peeling nails from a too-long stint of gels or acrylics, give yourself a breather and stick to a strengthener. With regular use over a few weeks, strengtheners will have your nails right back in the game.