A base coat acts as a protective barrier between your nail and the color, says Syreeta Aaron, an educator with LeChat Nails. “When using darker colors like red, navy, or black, for example, these shades can bleed through to your natural nail, and therefore you need a base coat,” she explains. In other words, those fall nail colors and even those irresistible winter nail colors you love so much can actually stain your nails if applied without a base coat.
And what about those of us whose nails need a little TLC? If you have ridges in your nails or nails that tend to peel, you’re not alone. “Nails can be susceptible to daily wear and tear and external factors, such as exposure to hot water, soaps, and detergents, which can contribute to peeling and ridges,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University. “There are also some medical conditions, such as thyroid abnormalities and nutritional deficiencies, that may contribute to nail changes.”
According to Dr. Garshick, people who have nail peeling or ridging should do their best to keep their nails moisturized and protected. She recommends simple steps, like applying Vaseline Healing Jelly Ointment or another cuticle treatment to the nails to help lock in moisture, and wearing gloves when doing dishes. She also has some suggestions on what to look for when shopping for base coat nail polish.