What Oils Help Nail Growth [8 Natural Options You Have To Try!]

Are you looking for the best oils to help your nails grow? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I am going to be sharing with you all of the top natural options you simply have to try. Let’s get into it!

So, what oils help with nail growth? The best oils for nail growth are those that are rich in fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and natural anti-fungal compounds. Avocado oil, Sweet Almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin E oil, and Jojoba oil all include as such and are some of the most commonly recommended to use.

Taking care of dry, cracked, brittle nails and those oddly painful hangnails, especially during the winter months, can be quite the challenge.

Don’t even get us started on nail fungus (but believe us, there’s an oil for that!).

Chapped hands, hangnails, cracked cuticles – we’ve all been there.

With so many luxurious, delicious-smelling and nourishing oils to choose from, how do you decide which one is the best one for your nails?

Well, keep reading because I’ve made a list of our favorite natural oils that will help you grow strong and healthy nails!

I’ll also introduce you to the best products in their category on the market – so you know exactly what to buy should you want to use them!

Why You Need To Be Using Oil On Your Nails

Before we get into the oils specifically, let us first consider why we would want to oil (and while we should choose oil over other products) to begin with.

While we can sometimes get so busy that we forget that they even exist, our nails are an important part of our daily life.

Our nails help protect our fingers and make it easier for us to complete all kinds of tasks. 

Nails are made up of a protein called Keratin, which is also found in hair and on the top layer of our skin.

Just like our hair and skin, our nails need regular care to stay healthy, and, just like the rest of our bodies, sometimes our nails will need a little bit of help getting all of their vitamins and minerals. 

Creams and lotions are great for restoring dry and chapped skin, but nails often need more targeted attention.

Natural oils are a great way to hydrate and nourish your nails and help them grow. 

Natural oils help your nails stay hydrated and are suitable for all skin types.

Many of these oils are rich in vitamins and minerals that encourage healing, promote growth and encourage overall nail health. 

But what are the best options – let us take a look!

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil helps encourage nail growth because it is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, B, and E.

Because of its high potassium content, Avocado oil also promotes keratin production, which keeps our nails from getting brittle.

Applying avocado oil directly to the nail bed and massaging it in is the easiest way to reap those benefits.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is also high in Keratin and is great for restoring many of the vitamins that help our nails grow.

Sweet almond oil is dense with antioxidants, vitamin E, omega 6, and three essential B vitamins: B1, B2, and B6. Sweet almond oil smells great and prevents nails from cracking and peeling.

It also leaves your nails looking moisturized long after you’ve applied it.

Coconut Oil

Just like avocado oil and sweet almond oil, coconut oil can be applied all over the body for maximum hydration.

The next time you’re ready to slather yourself in this rich, delicious oil, spend a few extra moments making sure that you’ve applied some coconut to your nails as well.

Coconut oil is full of good fatty acids and helps to restore dry, damaged cuticles and repair painful hangnails.

Over time, coconut oil has also been found to soften ridges that form on the surface of the nail and encourage healthy nail growth.

Coconut oil also has antifungal properties and can be paired with tea tree oil to fight nail fungus.

Olive Oil

It’s true – Olive oil is just as good for your nails as it is on your salad.

Olive oil absorbs quickly and contains many fatty acids that promote overall health.

One significant benefit of olive oil, whether you eat it or use it in your nail care routine, is that it helps to improve calcium absorption.

Calcium is especially important for healthy nail growth and helps maintain strong, flexible nails that are less likely to crack or break. 

Vitamin E Oil

Thick and luxurious, vitamin E oil has long been used for fighting inflammation of the skin and nails.

Its anti-inflammatory properties play an important role in improving blood circulation, which aids in healing and growth.

Vitamin E oil is deeply moisturizing and helps hydrate dry nails and chapped skin.

Vitamin E oil is so intensely hydrating that it can even help reverse damage from nail polish and nail polish remover.

Jojoba Oil

While some oils tend to linger on the top layer of our skin and nails, jojoba takes no time at all to dive right down to the deeper layers of both.

Rich in vitamin B and vitamin E, jojoba oil helps heal and repair daily nail disasters like hangnails and cracked cuticles.

Its antifungal properties also help to keep excess bacteria from building up around the nail and causing issues that would hinder nail growth.

Lavender Essential Oil

We could absolutely not complete this list without giving an honorable mention to some of our favorite essential oils.

Essential oils have a truly endless list of benefits and can help with nail issues such as inflammation and fungus.

They also smell absolutely fabulous.

Remember, essential oils should be diluted before being applied to the skin, as some skin types could be more sensitive to these potent and powerful oils than others.

Lavender essential oil is no exception; its soothing scent goes beyond its ability to ease tension and encourage a sense of calm.

Lavender essential oil also supports keratin growth, fights inflammation, and hydrates the nail and surrounding tissues. 

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil is another classic essential oil that supports many home remedies for mild, everyday issues.

Tea tree essential oil has powerful antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties, which is beneficial for keeping your nails healthy.

Nails will grow faster and stronger if they’re not dry, brittle, and free from things like nail fungus, which can be persistent and severely impact nail growth over time. 

As a natural antiseptic, tea tree essential oil can be more potent than other essential oils, which means that it should also be diluted before application to the skin and nails.

Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and any of the other oils mentioned above act as effective carrier oils and help dilute essential oils and limit the possibility of developing a sensitivity.

In the case of essential oils, less is often more.

Best Natural Oil Products

Below are the best natural oil products that you can buy off Amazon for each of the oils referenced above.

Each are the best selling in their category, have excellent customer reviews and you can pick any of them up at a fair, competitive price:

How Often Should You Put Oils On Your Nails?

You can apply oil to your nails multiple times a day, according to your needs. Just like skin, nails should be moisturized often to keep them looking and feeling healthy.

It is common to reapply oil to the nails after hand washing when you wake up and before heading to sleep.

Try applying 2-3 drops to your fingertips and massaging it into your nails, adding another drop or two as needed.

Try blending a few of your favorite oils together and reap an even wider variety of benefits.

Remember not to apply too much oil at once, or you’ll end up with enough to moisturize your hands, too!

However, this would be what we call a happy accident, as your hands benefitting from your nail care routine seems a lot more like an added bonus rather than a slip-up. 

How Long Does It Take For Oil To Absorb Into Nails?

Depending on the type of oil and quantity used, absorption can take as little as a few minutes and up to a few hours. 

Thicker oils, like coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and avocado oil, will take 10-15 minutes to absorb and dry completely.

The condition of your nails will also affect how quickly oil will be absorbed.

Nails that are extremely dry will soak up a few drops of oil in no time at all.

Already hydrated and healthy nails will take a little bit longer and need a little bit less oil to improve their appearance and overall health.

How Long Until You See Results From Putting Oil On Your Nails?

After applying oil to your nails, you will start to notice results in as little as a few minutes. 

Once the oil has been absorbed, your nails will look shiny and hydrated.

Nail growth only becomes apparent after a few days, but keeping them hydrated is a big part of keeping them healthy and encouraging their growth.

Keep in mind that nails typically grow slowly (about 3.5 mm per month on average), and healthy nails will grow faster and more consistently than nails that are in need of proper care.

Lastly

Natural products like oils are highly beneficial and are rich in properties that promote healing and encourage growth.

Keep in mind that natural oils are like anything else you apply to your skin or nails; you will need some time to get adjusted and figure out what works best for you.