Why Brittle Nails Hit Harder Than People Admit
Nails are supposed to be reliable.
They’re your built-in tools for daily life—opening packages, typing, cooking, buttoning clothes.
When nails start peeling in layers or cracking down the middle, you feel it constantly.
And the frustration is worse when you’ve tried everything: hardeners, oils, expensive manicures, “miracle” supplements.
Temporary improvements can trick you into hope… then the peeling returns.
You might be thinking, “Is it just aging?”
Sometimes aging plays a role, but it’s rarely the only factor.
Brittle nails can be a sign of dehydration, nutrient gaps, thyroid shifts, repeated chemical exposure, or certain skin conditions.
The key isn’t panic—it’s pattern recognition.
Because once you know the cause, you stop guessing.
And that’s when the change feels fast.
STOP: The Two Clues That Narrow Everything Down
Before the 10 causes, answer two quick questions:
Do your nails peel in layers (like thin sheets)?
Or do they split and crack (vertical lines, breaks, chips)?
Peeling often points to dryness, chemical exposure, or repeated wet-dry cycles.
Splitting and thinning can lean toward nutrient gaps or hormonal/medical factors.
Neither is a diagnosis—but it’s a useful starting map.
Now let’s uncover the 10 “hidden causes” that get overlooked most often.
