• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • PRICE LISTS
    • PRICE LIST: NAILS
    • PRICE LIST: MAKE-UP
  • CONTACT
  • SHOP
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • FAQ
    • Nails FAQ
    • Make-up FAQ
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Rambling Rose Nails & Make-up

  • Price Lists
    • Nails
    • Make-up
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Articles
    • How to … & Tutorials
    • Make-up brushes & tools
    • Nails
    • Product Reviews
  • Contact

Why nails split, peel or crack

December 21, 2020 | Articles, Nails | Leave a Comment

Buffed nails

Cracked, splitting and peeling nails have many causes, from infections to the normal side effects of getting older.

The most common reason for split or cracked nails is unfortunately something we have no control over. Ageing. As we get older, our fingernails naturally become thinner and more prone to cracking and splitting. This is most common in women over the age of 60, but can affect men, too. You may also notice ridges that run vertically (from the top to the bottom of your nails), and your nails may peel. Strangely enough, toenails get thicker with age, possibly due to the trauma of being kicked so often!

If your hands are often in water, like washing dishes, cleaning frequently, or having a job in a hair salon, you may find that your fingernails split more often than not. Water softens and weakens fingernails and you may also find that the cracking is worse in winter. If possible, wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when your hands will be in water, and gently file down any snags or uneven edges before they split or crack.

One of the biggest culprits of nail damage is often something as simple as using your nails as tools to scrape, peel, or pry things off. Another one is picking and peeling off your polish (whether it’s gel or traditional polish). If your manicure starts to chip, you need to remove the polish correctly, peeling it off is going to remove a few layers of your natural nail with the polish, leading to thinning, cracking and peeling. 

Medical conditions such as fungal infections, psoriasis, anemia, thyroid disease or iron deficiency may also cause your nails to crack or split. If you think you may have one of these conditions, it’s best that you visit your GP or medical practitioner for proper testing and diagnosis. 

There are a few preventative steps that you can try: 

Dadi Oil
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to hot water, like in the bath, sauna or spa, or when washing dishes. 
  • Wear protective gloves when performing activities that require you to submerge your hands in water for long periods of time. 
  • Apply moisturiser to your hands and fingernails after washing them. 
  • Apply a good quality cuticle oil to your nails and the skin around your nails every night. If you can, apply it in the mornings as well. Dadi Oil is a salon quality cuticle oil and can be bought here if you live in New Zealand.
  • Always file your nails, never cut them. Cutting with clippers or scissors causes tiny rips and tears that lead to cracks. 
  • Refrain from picking or biting your nails and cuticles. Saliva wets your nails just like water does.
  • If you have your nails done professionally, consider having IBX Treatment to help strengthen your nails and prevent further cracks and splits. (Read more about IBX Treatment here).
  • Consider taking a biotin supplement or a hair, skin and nail supplement, as these can help to nourish and strengthen your nails. 

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Matte pink and black hibiscus manicure
About

Debbie is a qualified nail technician and freelance make-up artist, based in Army Bay, Whangaparaoa (Auckland).

Debbie studied nail technology at Monaco Nail Academy (qualified in 2015), and uses the Artistic Nail Design range which includes Colour Gloss gel polish, Artistic Putty (also known as PolyGel), and Rock Hard LED Gel.

Debbie also holds CIBTAC and ITEC qualifications in make-up artistry, and obtained these in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

Disclaimer

I do not receive monetary compensation for any of the product reviews posted on my blog. All reviews are based on my own personal opinion after purchasing and using the products myself.

If I am approached by a company to review a product for them at any time (or am paid to do so), this will be mentioned in the relevant post. Being given free products, or being paid to promote a product will not change my personal honest opinion of the product.

Please bear in mind that every body is unique, and although I may not have an allergic reaction to the make-up or skincare products that I have reviewed, your skin may react differently. Wherever possible, please patch test new make-up and skincare products on yourself before purchasing them.

Thank you,
Debbie
Rambling Rose Nails & Make-up

Recent Posts

  • Skin Radiance Moisturiser
  • Mia Belle Shampoo Bar
  • Essie Gel Couture Polish
  • Why nails split, peel or crack
  • Garnier Nude Effect BB Cream
  • Sugar Baby Bronze Bombshell

Categories

  • Articles
  • How to … & Tutorials
  • Make-up brushes & tools
  • Nails
  • Product Reviews
What do you think of this beautiful Wedgwood inspi What do you think of this beautiful Wedgwood inspired manicure?

#wedgwoodinspired #wedgwood #wedgwoodnails #wedgwoodmanicure #ramblingrosenails #monacograd #learnatmonaco #artisticcolourgloss #artisticcolourglossgelpolish #gelpolishmani #artisticcolourglossaimtochill #powderbluemani #powderblue #powderbluenails #whangaparaoa #whangaparāoa #whangaparaoapeninsula #nailswhangaparaoa #armybaynz #nzsmallbusiness
Ever wondered why certain mall/chain salons are so Ever wondered why certain mall/chain salons are so cheap? ... If you're happy going to one of those, you probably don't want to know the real answer!

Do you prefer to pay a little more for good quality product that won't wreck your natural nails, or are you happy with cheap and nasty?

#nicenailsaintcheapandcheapnailsaintnice #nicenails #goodqualitymanicure #yougetwhatyoupayfor #ramblingrosenails #monacograd #debbiepagewood #nailextensions #gelpolishmanicures #gelpolishnailart #polygelextensions #acrylicextensions #nastynails #cheapnailsaintnice
Sometimes all you need is a fresh manicure to help Sometimes all you need is a fresh manicure to help you feel better. 

It doesn't have to be bold or arty, simple and elegant works, too.

#artisticcolourgloss #artisticcolourglossnails #artisticcolourglossgelpolish #artisticcolourglossglammedupgrunge #salmonpink #salmonpinknails #salmonpinkpolish #debbiepagewood #ramblingrosenails #learnatmonaco #monacograd #nailswhangaparaoa #whangaparaoa #whangaparāoa #whangaparaoapeninsula #armybaynz #nzsmallbusiness #gelpolishmanicure #salmongelpolish
New year, new name ... but don't worry, we're stil New year, new name ... but don't worry, we're still in the same place.

You may start seeing a few changes on our social media and website over the next few days or weeks.  We're changing the name of the salon and will try to make the switch over as seamless as possible, but please bear with us (and feel free to  let us know) if any links you try to use don't work.  There may be one or two that we accidentally miss during the change over, or it make a few days (or weeks) for Google to fully update all the changes.
Pantone's Colours of the Year for 2021 - yellow an Pantone's Colours of the Year for 2021 - yellow and grey

#yellowandgrey #colouroftheyear #colouroftheyear2021 #pantone2021 #yellowandgreynails #greyandyellow #greyandyellownails #debbiepagewood #ramblingrosenails #floralnailart #abstractnailart #learnatmonaco #monacograd #nails2021 #artisticcolourgloss #gelpolish #gelpolishmanicure #artisticcolourglossmonkeybusiness #artisticcolourglosstemperamental #artisticcolourglossbride
Happy New Year! I hope you celebrate safely tonig Happy New Year!  I hope you celebrate safely tonight.

May 2021 be a much better year than 2020 was.

#happynewyear #happynewyear2021 #newyear #newbeginnings #freshstart #freshstart2021 #auldlangsyne #takeouttheoldbringinthenew #hopefulforthenewyear #debbiepagewood #celebratesafely #newyearcelebrations #prosperousnewyear #prosperousnewyear🎉 #fingerscrossed #fingerscrossedfor2021 #beinghopeful #feelinghopeful
Blue ombré for New Year #newyearsnails #newyea Blue ombré for New Year 

#newyearsnails #newyearsnails2020 #newyear #newyear2020 #newyear2021 #ombrenails #ombrénails #blueombrenails #blueombrénails #blueombre #learnatmonaco #monacograd #debbiepagewood #silverstars #starnailart #newyearnailart #nailsmagazine #nailsmag #holographicglitter #becreativepigments #artisticcolourgloss #artisticcolourglosshalo #nightskynails #nightsky #newyearssky #celebrationnails #celebratenewyear #celebratenewbeginnings
Wishing all my clients a very merry Christmas. A h Wishing all my clients a very merry Christmas. A huge thank you for all the support throughout this year, it really is appreciated! 

Kindly note that the salon will be closed from 1pm on the 24th December 2020 and will re-open at 8am on the 19th January 2021.  If you'd like to book an appointment for 19th January onwards, kindly use the online booking system (link in bio). Thank you.

#merrychristmas #closedforchristmas #closedforchristmasbreak #annualclosure #reopeninginjanuary #debbiepagewood #nailswhangaparaoa #whangaparaoa #whangaparāoa #whangaparaoapeninsula #armybaynz #supportlocalnz #nzsmallbusiness
My last Christmas manicure for 2020 ... French wit My last Christmas manicure for 2020 ... French with a Twist.  Sparkly red French tips, silver stripes and white snowflakes.

#frenchchristmasnails #frenchtips #frenchtips #frenchwithatwist #frenchwithatwistnails #redfrenchtips #sparklyredfrenchtips #debbiepagewood #learnatmonaco #monacograd #frenchmanicure #frenchmanicurenails #frenchmanicurewithatwist #christmasfrenchnails #gelpolishmanicure #artisticcolourglosshotness #artisticcolourglosstrouble #snowflakenailart #christmasnailart #christmasnailartdesign
Before I get wrapped up in the last pre-Christmas Before I get wrapped up in the last pre-Christmas manicures and all the crazy pre-Christmas prep for tomorrow, I'd just like to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas. 

May your days over this festive season be merry and bright, and filled with love, laughter and happiness.

#hohoho #hohohoandallthatjazz #merrychristmas #closingsoon #closingforchristmas #merrychristmas2020 #debbiepagewood #whangaparaoa #christmasmanicures #christmasnails #christmasnailart #nailsalon #closingday #closingtoday #closedforchristmasbreak #annualclosure #annualshutdown2020

Copyright © 2021 · Debbie Page-Wood Nails & Make-Up