If you’ve ever felt embarrassed pulling your hand out in public because your nails are chipped, peeling, or so thin they bend backward you’re not alone.

Constant manicures, gel polish, harsh removers, and everyday wear can leave nails brittle, weak, and prone to breakage.

Sometimes all your nails need is a little helping hand to become healthy, long and glowing again.

While there’s no shortage of supplements, oils and crazy DIY hacks claiming to repair and strengthen your nails, not all formulas live up to their promises.

So, What Makes a Nail Serum Different?

Unlike basic cuticle oils that simply sit on the surface, a true nail serum penetrates deep into the nail bed to deliver nutrients where growth begins.

It’s like skincare for your nails, the right formula can help reinforce nail strength, hydrate, and support long-term health at the root.

But with so many different options available it can become overwhelming to find one that actually works.

That’s why we decided to put five of the most talked-about nail serums to the test to see which ones actually give you the best results.

1. OVERALL VALUE:
NAILA Nail Growth Pen

Effectiveness: 95%
Safety: 100%
Price: $
Overall: A+

Out of all the nail serums we tested, NAILA delivered the most significant improvement in nail strength and appearance.

What makes NAILA different is it's Nail Matrix Technology, a science-backed approach that delivers key nutriets where they are needed most.

Instead of just coating the surface, its formula penetrates deep into the nail matrix nourishing healthy nail growth at the root.

Testers noted smoother, stronger nails within days and visible length beyond their typical breaking point by the end of the second week.

The sleek, pen-style applicator made it easy to apply without mess or oily residue. 

Best of all they are currently offering a limited offer with up to 50% off which makes it a super good deal for anyone looking to heal their nails.

2. JOY PRETTY NAILS REPAIRING SERUM

Effectiveness: 80%
Safety: 85%
Price: ££
Overall Value: B

This treatment is infused with allantoin to improve rough, dull nails plus glycerin and aloe to add luster and softness. A lot of our reviewers shared how this helped their nails feel soft and hydrated.

But it didn’t really help much with strengthening and lengthening, despite their 7-day claims. Overall, it’s a pretty affordable option if you just want some moisture on your nails.

3. METANAIL TOENAIL TREATMENT

Effectiveness: 85%
Safety:80%
Price: £££
Overall Value: B

If your issue is mostly your toenails, this is a great option. The formula helps fight bacteria and fungal infections so your toenails stay healthier.

That said, we didn’t really notice anything else. We’re not too sure if it takes longer to see effects in terms of stronger and longer nails. 

4. PODERM FUNGAL TOENAIL RENEWAL

Effectiveness: 80%
Safety: 90%
Price: ££
Overall Value: B

This one is also marketed towards toenails, but we also gave it a try on our hands. It’s got a great formula plus it’s vegan.

This one focuses more on repairing damaged nails and restoring their appearance. We did notice an improvement but it took longer compared to NAILA’s quick results. Overall, still worth trying.

5. AZUREBEAUTY CUTICLE OIL

Effectiveness: 80%
Safety: 80%
Price: £
Overall Value: B

This cuticle oil has some notable good ingredients, including jojoba oil and grape seed oil. Most of our reviewers commented how it did help nourish their nails, but not as quickly as NAILA did. A few of them also shared how it peels off from the nail, so maybe that’s one of the reasons why it takes longer to see the effects of the formula. Either way, if you’re looking to test out cuticle oils at an affordable price, this could be worth checking out.

Why We Chose the NAILA  Nail Growth Pen

While several products offered minor benefits, NAILA stood out for its fast and consistent results.

It’s one of the few nail serums that combines effective ingredients with ease of use and a visible transformation in nail health.

The results were so impressive, that we sat down with investigative reporter Eliza Thornwell to hear more about how the NAILA Nail Growth Pen worked for her.

Eliza tells her story

Honestly, I never trusted at-home nail treatments. I figured anything I applied would just wash off the minute I washed my hands or did the dishes.

Between the occasional gell manicures for special events, I’d accepted that brittle, weak nails were just my reality.

So when I was asked to test NAILA, I didn’t expect much. But that all changed after the first week.

The serum came in a pen that made it easy to apply directly to the nail without making a greasy mess.

What surprised me the most was the quick absorption of the serum, it didn’t just wait to get rinsed off but actually got absorbed into the nail.

Whilst I was waiting for the results I decided to investigate further to find out how the NAILA Nail Growth Pen actually worked.

What makes the NAILA Nail Growth Pen so effective?

After doing more research, I found that the serum restores your nail health with a unique nail matrix aproach, here’s how it works:

1. Nourish at the Root

Jojoba oil penetrates deeply into the nails due to its unique molecular structure, allowing it to reach the nail matrix and deliver nourishing nutrients.

Unlike heavier oils that only sit on the surface, jojoba oil absorbs quickly, helping to restore the natural lipid barrier that keeps nails flexible and strong.

2. Strengthen the Structure

Next, hydrolyzed keratin (a broken-down form of the protein your nails are made of) binds to the nail’s inner layers.

It fills in weak spots and reinforces the natural structure

In most oil based formulas this has no effect but thanks to the jojaba oil the keratin get's delivered deep into the nail maitrix where it can actually support growth.

3. Support Long Term Growth

Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, grapeseed oil supports new growth from within. and protects against free radical damage that can weaken nail structure.

It's particularly beneficial for mature nails because it helps counteract the oxidative stress that contributes to age-related nail thinning.

How fast did you notice the results?

I kept applying the serum twice a day, it was easy to do and became a part of my routine.

And within the first week, I noticed something that never happened before: my nails weren’t bending or splitting at the slightest pressure. I could even open cans with my nails again.

For someone who’s dealt with brittle nails for as long as I can remember, that alone felt like a win.

They didn’t flake at the edges or snap halfway through growing out. Instead, they felt stronger like they could actually hold up to daily life.

By the end of the second week, they’d grown past the point where they normally break.

I actually caught myself admiring them in the mirror again, something I hadn’t done in years.

It wasn’t just a one time miracle

Stunned with the results I convinced my best friend to try the NAILA Nail Growth Pen as well to see if she would experience the same results.

Like me, she constantly struggled with brittle nails and relied on gel manicures to cover them up only to end up damaging her natural nails even more.

It felt like a never-ending cycle, so she was more than willing to give it a try.

And let me tell you—my jaw dropped when I saw her two weeks later.

Her nails looked like she had just stepped out of a salon with fresh acrylics… but they were completely natural. 

How to get healthier nails yourself

If you're tired of brittle nails, slow growth, and constant breakage, the NAILA Nail Growth Pen is genuinely worth trying.

And it's not just us

Many users report seeing stronger, healthier nails in as little as two weeks.

Thanks to it's effectiveness this serum has quickly become a crowd favorite and often sells out.

So if you're thinking of giving your nails the full recovery they deserve,
we recommend ordering soon (and enough to complete the entire treatment).

Addendum to the article

Since we published this article, many of you have asked questions. That’s why we’d like to briefly address the most important ones:

Questions or remarks?