Winter Nail Care Tips
Slipping on mittens is one way to shield nails from the ravages of winter. But it’s not the only solution.

Seasonal Pointers
Cold temperatures bring snowball fights, hot chocolate—and, quite often, craggy nails and cuticles.
Since winter’s dry air is especially rough on hands, it’s a good idea to have a weatherproofing plan
right at your fingertips.

Why Nails Hate Winter
Two words: moisture loss. “Healthy nails contain 18 percent water on average,” says Erin Gilbert, a
New York City dermatologist. “In winter, you’re constantly moving between the hot, dry air indoors
and the freezing temperatures outdoors. These extremes can reduce the moisture level in your nails,
leaving them dehydrated.” Dried-out nails are more likely to break, split, and chip. Compounding the
harsh climate conditions are stressors such as hot showers (water draws moisture from nails as it
evaporates from skin) and drying products, like polish removers with acetone, alcohol-based hand
sanitizers, and dishwashing liquid. Keep your nails hydrated with Nail Radiance by Backscratchers. 

The Protection Plan
Intense hydration is the name of the game. Nails are made up of flattened dead cells containing
keratin, but moisturizers can make them flexible, supple, and less likely to split and break. So when
you reach for that rich winter hand cream (which you should apply after every
 hand washing), get in the habit of slathering your nails, too. If you have
polish on, just massage the cream into the cuticles to help stimulate healthy nail growth. Morning and night, rub on cuticle oil.

Once a week, step things up with an intensive treatment. Soak nails in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes, then coat them with Nail Radiance cuticle oil and slip on cotton gloves for at least an hour.