tips & trends

Ridges on fingernails: causes and treatments for a healthy manicure

Have you discovered bumps, lines, or ridges on your nails? They might make a smooth polish application slightly trickier, but in most cases, ridges on nails are nothing to worry about. Like wrinkles in the skin, horizontal and vertical nail ridging is often down to ageing or genetics.

There are plenty of potential causes, but the good news is there are also heaps of treatment options to keep your nails in tip-top condition!

What causes ridges in nails?

Ridges are depressions on the nail plate. Whether horizontal or vertical, they might pop up on your finger and toenails, often side by side with white spots and lines.

Horizontal vs vertical ridges

To figure out what causes ridges in nails, the first step is to look at whether they’re horizontal or vertical.

Vertical lines on nails run lengthwise from cuticle to tip. These are super common and usually just come with age. But in some cases, vertical nail ridging is caused by vitamin deficiencies, manicure solvents, or poor circulation.

Horizontal ridges in nails, sometimes referred to as Beau’s lines, run from side to side. They sometimes indicate damage to the nail matrix, whether you’ve hit your finger against something, picked at your nails, or have inflammation from conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

4 expert tips to get rid of ridges on nails

Now that you know what causes them, here’s how to get rid of ridges on nails! Of course, if you’ve had a nail injury or suspect an underlying condition, the first port of call should be your GP. At home, you can try these tips:

1. Use a cuticle nourishing treatment

2. Use a base coat

3. Use a top coat

4. Try a gel-effect polish

1. Massage cuticles with a nourishing treatment

You would treat dry skin with moisturising creams and damaged hair with conditioners,
so treat your nails with the same TLC. Use a nourishing oil like essie Apricot Cuticle Oil to combat dryness and brittleness.
Our 97% natural formula includes apricot kernel and jojoba oils for softer, mani-ready cuticles.
Massage into nails and cuticles twice a day to say goodbye to those pesky ridges on fingernails.

2. Set a smooth foundation by always using a base coat

Base coats not only protect your nail, but also give a smooth foundation to work from while bonding polish to the nail surface.
Our Grow Stronger base coat is formulated with ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and other minerals to protect nails.
Alternatively, our All-in-One might be right for you, serving as a smoothing base and glossy top coat.
Try essie First Base to smooth ridges and prevent chipping, or apply the Smooth-E base coat to fill uneven surfaces. Infused with ceramide, it’s scientifically formulated to give a sleek, ridge-free finish.

3. Use a nourishing and strengthening top coat

For strong, healthy nails with less visible ridging, don’t skip the top coat!
Our Gel Couture Matte Top Coat protects your nails while offering a glossy, shiny finish.
It’s quick-drying and easy to apply directly over your colour of choice for a clear,
gel-like finish – no UV lamp needed.

4. Disguise the appearance of lines and ridges with Essie’s gel-effect polish

While ridges on fingernails are totally normal, that doesn’t mean you want to see them.
Fortunately, you’ve got the option of hiding them for up to 15 days with our gel-effect polish. Ready to give it a try?
Apply two coats of our Gel Couture colour before a layer of Gel Couture top coat, and that’s it – you’re good to go. And with so many different colour options, the
possibilities are endless. Will you go bold and runway-ready with Fifth Avenue or keep it classic with Tailor Made with Love?

Treatment for nails with ridges

Strong nails are healthy nails, so strengtheners can be a great treatment for nails with ridges.
Apply two coats of essie Good As New Nail Strengthener to clean, bare nails for one week. manicure.

It’s enriched with ceramides to improve nail surface.
You’ll see the difference instantly with an even colour and texture –
no more yellowing and ridged nails! It comes in essie’s iconic
sheer pink colour with a demi-matte finish, for a polished natural

Or why not try Hard To Resist? This tinted strengthener throws up a barrier between your nail and all the stresses or daily wear and tear.

Apart from strengthening treatments for nails with ridges, you can nourish them from the inside out with a healthy, balanced diet that contains your five-a-day and healthy oils. While it’s tempting to buff away ridges on nails for a quick fix, it’s best to avoid overdoing it with too-frequent acrylic or gel manicures. Plus, with our gel-effect polishes, you can get the same look, all without damaging your nail bed.

Whether they’re horizontal or vertical, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to covering and treating ridges on fingernails! Show your nails a little love using our cuticle oils and strengthening treatments. And if you’d like to see what one of our nail polishes would look like before you buy, why not head to our Virtual Try-On Nail Salon for a closer look?