Having gorgeous nails is a privilege, we know that, but we don’t blame anyone for spending loads of time, effort, and money on a perfect manicure, whether it’s going to a salon for long-lasting gelish nails, or doing it yourselves, updating your nail polish shade every week to match your mood. And there are just so many things to explore — nail polish, confetti and metallic and cracked effects, painted nail art, 3-D decals, nail stickers, nail wraps — yep, you see how easy it is to get obsessed.

The downside though? That’s a lot of pressure on our nails. For instance, most nail polishes contain drying ingredients that sap moisture from the nail plate and weaken it. We hate to burst your bubble, but that’s not all; chemicals, even in base coats, can affect your nail plate, and certain nail polish removers might even strip your nails of their natural oils. Not to mention the cosmetic procedures that happens at nail salons. All these could lead to weak nails that don’t look their best.

Time for some TLC then. We don’t wanna sound like your mom, but really, you’ve got to take care of your nails before any further problems set in. So, here’s a multi-tasking product that aims to do that: Kerasal Nail.

Presented in a tiny 10ml tube, this powerhouse, patented formula is a great way to ease common nail problems, since it’s said to smoothen, hydrate and soften our nails. Here are some of the problems we usually face, and how the solution can help solve them:

#1 Discoloured Nails
You know the moment when you finally get rid of your nail polish, only to find that your nails aren’t exactly in the pink of health? Instead, they look a little duller, more yellowish. Alternatively, discoloured nails could happen due to nicotine stains from smoking, heat damage or a possible fungal infection. No worries though — Kerasal helps to restore the appearance of dark, discoloured nails.

#2 Thickened Nails
This is new to us: apparently, our nails thicken and harden as we grow older, and that’s because they grow at a slower rate. Thickened nails usually occur for our toenails, possibly due to things like the constant pressure they’re facing when we’re on our heels or wearing ill-fitting shoes, or minor accidents like stubbing our toe. Thankfully, Kerasal helps by softening and smoothening the outer layers of the nail plate, so the surface of our nails is kept nice and even.

#3 Brittle Nails
Oh, this has got to be our biggest peeve — the cracks and chips on our nails, where we have no choice but to cut those parts away and stubbornly will them to grow back asap. Common causes of brittle nails include filing them too often, constantly wearing nail polish, or nail polish hardeners and nail polish removers (contains chemicals such as acetones), which are harsh and drying on our nails. Kerasal, however, keeps our nails healthy by giving them the hydration they need. It’s worth noting too that the formula is free from preservatives and fragrances, while all the ingredients are fully biodegradable.

All you have to do is to apply Kerasal Nail, a clear solution, once daily to the affected nails, preferably in the evening just before bedtime. Other solutions require you to do this twice a day, but we’ll take anything that makes the application process more convenient too. Like all products, this comes with a disclaimer that says “individual response may vary”, but it’s worth a shot — especially since you might finally attain the dream of healthy and good-looking nails.

Kerasal Nail, $29.90 for 10ml, available at Cold Storage, Guardian, Watsons and Unity. kerasal.com.sg