By Ellie – Daisy Moo
Mooeys Horsham

Peeling nails can be frustrating, especially when you’re doing your best to keep them looking gorgeous and healthy. Whether they’re catching on things, splitting at the tips, or just refusing to grow, we’re here to help you understand why it might be happening and most importantly, how to get them back to their best.

First up: What causes peeling nails?

There are a few common culprits behind peeling nails, and most of them are things we can absolutely help with. Let’s break them down:

1. Trauma to the nail

One of the most common causes of peeling is previous damage to the nail plate – particularly from things like biting off gel or acrylics (we see it more than you’d think!). When you pull or peel off enhancements, you’re often taking layers of your natural nail with it, leaving the surface weak, thin, and super fragile. These damaged nails can then continue to peel and split as they grow out.

2. Vitamin deficiencies

Peeling nails can also be your body’s way of saying it’s missing something. Common deficiencies linked to weak or peeling nails include Iron, Vitamin D, and B Vitamins like Biotin, which plays a big role in nail strength and growth. If you’re noticing changes in your nails along with fatigue or dry skin, it might be worth chatting with your GP or a nutritionist. For more information on what to look out for in our nails, check out or blog HERE

3. Using your nails as tools

We get it – it’s so tempting to use your nail to peel off a label or open that stubborn tin. But regularly using your nails as tools can lead to trauma and micro-damage that causes them to lift, split, or peel. Our top tip? Keep a little keyring multitool or tin opener handy – your nails will thank you!

What to do if you’ve got peeling nails

If you’ve had gels or builder and they’ve started to lift, we know it’s so tempting to pick them off but trust us, it’ll only cause more damage. Instead, book in for a proper removal or infill as soon as you can. We’ll remove your products gently and safely, while keeping your natural nails protected underneath.

For recovery, we often recommend a treatment like ‘Little Treat for the Hands’ to keep nails hydrated and tidy while they grow out. If the peeling is minimal and you’re ready for colour again, we might recommend a builder base for some added strength and protection.

If you notice peeling on your nails, avoid the temptation to buff the lifting area yourself as if not done correctly, it can seriously damage your nail plate and make your nails too thin. As professionals, we’re trained to safely remove any excess lifting to protect your natural nails and prevent further peeling, ensuring your gel stays intact and healthy underneath. Trust us, it’s always better to let the experts handle it!

When to get help

If your nails are consistently peeling or not improving after making a few changes, it might be worth having a chat with your GP to rule out any underlying health concerns.

At Mooeys, we’re always here to help you find the best path to happy, healthy nails whatever your starting point. 

We hope this helps and look forward to seeing you soon

BOOK HERE for your next Appointment