Is It Harmful to Wear Nail Polish Daily?

But while manicures can be damaging, you don’t need to give them up altogether. “Nail health is all about balance,” explains Dr. Aanand Geria. “Taking breaks between polish applications is helpful. Ideally, go polish-free for several days every two to three weeks to let nails recover. Think of breaks as a ‘reset’ in order to keep your nails strong.”

But beyond just giving your nails the opportunity to recover, choose products that support long-term nail health, including non-acetone polish removers like Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover. Additionally, Geria recommends applying cuticle oil like Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing Oil, which you should probably be applying every day anyway, to help rehydrate the nail plate. “Using a nourishing base coat before each manicure can additionally help prevent some staining and brittleness,” he adds. Look for something intended to help restore nail strength, like Essie’s Strong Start Base Coat.