Common nail care mistakes happen faster than you think: beautiful nails need care – but sometimes habits creep in that do more harm than good. Here are the most typical nail care mistakes and simple solutions to keep your nails healthy and strong.

❌ 1. Cutting with blunt tools – and not filing afterwards

Blunt scissors or clippers crush the nail instead of cutting it cleanly.

• 🚫 Problem: The nail edge splinters, tears and the nail becomes brittle.
• ✔️ Solution: Shorten long nails with a sharp BNC nail clipper made of hardened stainless steel and then file the edge smooth. Small length corrections are best done directly with a file – gently and in one direction.

❌ 2. Filing too aggressively

Too much of a good thing makes nails thin and vulnerable.

• 🚫 Problem: Coarse files and filing back and forth weaken the nail plate and encourage splitting.
• ✔️ Solution: For natural nails choose a grit of 180 or higher, for example the BNC half-moon buffer file “Strawberry design” 180/240, and work with light pressure. Find out which file is suitable for what in Which nail file is best for me?

❌ 3. Neglecting the cuticles

Ignoring the cuticles or cutting them away radically can lead to cracks and inflammation.

• 🚫 Problem: Dry cuticles tear, hangnails form and germs have an easy time.
• ✔️ Solution: Care for your cuticles regularly with nail oil and gently push them back with a BNC gel spatula / cuticle pusher. Only remove loose bits of skin carefully with BNC cuticle nippers.

❌ 4. Constant polishing without base coat and care

It's not the polish itself that dries out your nails – frequent removal with acetone-based remover and a lack of care do.

• 🚫 Problem: Dark or heavily pigmented polishes can leave yellowish stains without a base coat, and frequent removal draws moisture from the nail.
• ✔️ Solution: Always use a base coat, remove regular nail polish with an acetone-free remover such as BNC Nail Polish Remover and oil your nails and cuticles afterwards. Polish-free phases aren't a must, but they help you spot discolouration.

By the way: the idea that nails need to “breathe” is a myth – find out more in Nail myths debunked.

❌ 5. Picking off gel or shellac

When the polish lifts at one corner, it's very tempting.

• 🚫 Problem: When you peel it off, the top layers of the natural nail come off with it – the nail becomes thin, soft and sensitive.
• ✔️ Solution: Soak off UV nail polish properly, for example with BNC Shellac Remover with lanolin, which protects the cuticles from drying out. We explain how to remove gel nails gently in Removing gel nails.

❌ 6. Using your nails as tools and cleaning without gloves

• 🚫 Problem: Opening cans, scraping off labels or washing up without gloves – this stresses the nail edge and dries out skin and nails.
• ✔️ Solution: Use tools for such tasks and wear gloves for housework. Afterwards, apply hand cream, for example BNC Velvet hand cream with shea butter and vitamin E.

❌ 7. Using nail oil only now and then

• 🚫 Problem: Oiling once a month does little – dry nails become brittle and splinter.
• ✔️ Solution: Ideally massage in a few drops every day, for example in the evening. BNC scented nail oil Almond clear cares for natural nails and cuticles and, according to its description, promotes nail flexibility. You'll find more scents under nail oils.

If your nails are already brittle, you'll find more tips in Brittle nails – causes and remedies.

FAQ: Nail care mistakes

Is cutting nails harmful?

Not in principle. With a sharp clipper and filing smooth afterwards, cutting is perfectly fine. The problem is blunt tools and unfinished edges.

How often should I use nail oil?

Ideally every day. A few drops in the evening are enough to keep cuticles and natural nails supple.

Do nails need to “breathe” in between?

No, nails are nourished via the nail bed, not through the air. Polish breaks can still be useful to spot discolouration and give your nails intensive care.

Can I cut my cuticles?

Only loose, torn bits of skin. It's better to gently push back the cuticle itself, because it protects the nail from germs.