Can Vitamin C Help Nails Grow Stronger? A Dermatologist Weighs in

Whenever I dispense or scoop out too much of my skincare products, I like to rub the excess into my hands and cuticles because, honestly, my hands could always use some more TLC. Lately, I’ve been overestimating how much vitamin C serum I need on my face, and so my hands have been getting all the extra. 

Since doing this, I’ve noticed that my nails have been growing faster and stronger, and it made me wonder if vitamin C can significantly benefit nail health. To get some answers, I chatted with Dr. Karan Lal, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New Jersey. 

Is Vitamin C Good for Nail Health?

While vitamin C is well known for its brightening properties, Dr. Lal explains that the antioxidant also helps build collagen — which is one of the main proteins found in the nail bed. Because of this, it makes sense that vitamin C serums and supplements could contribute to overall nail health, but there’s not enough evidence to know for sure. “That doesn’t mean vitamin C doesn’t help — it just means we don’t know how yet,” says Dr. Lal.