Every DIY nail fanatic knows the basics of nail care, even if we don’t always (ahem) follow the rules. But even if you spend hours each week perfecting the world’s best at-home mani-pedi, chances are you’ve still dealt with weak nails from time to time.

It happens to the best of us. The thing is, nail weakness is just a symptom and not the cause of the underlying problem, which is usually rooted in our daily habits.

Most of us don’t know how to tell what’s making our nails more fragile than usual. So we drink more milk, take biotin supplements, swipe on strengthening products and hope for the best.

After all, if you don’t know what’s actually wrong, how can you know the best way to fix it?

Strengthener goes a long way toward restoring fingernails’ durability, but every day we do things that break our nails down, making our strengtheners’ jobs harder.

Jojoba oil is the perfect compliment to boost your nail strengthening routine. Read on to find out why this super-powerful stuff deserves a permanent spot with your on-the-go essentials!

Most nail issues are caused by a moisture imbalance

Like hair and skin cells, our nail cells have their own ideal moisture level for optimum strength and durability. Simple things we do every day can protect or harm that moisture balance, which makes or literally breaks nail strength.

Picture this: It’s Monday morning, and you stroll into work feeling confident and proud of your best manicure yet. You feel put-together and ready for whatever the day’s got in store-- until you log into your PC and the tip of your index fingernail goes flying across your cubicle. Ugh. Why now? 

If your nails break clean at the free edge, or the white part at the top of your nail, then you’re most likely dealing with brittleness, caused by dehydration in the nail plate.

Or maybe your nails don’t snap off, but do fold easily and peel off in sheets? Makes you cringe just thinking about it, right? Nail polish can be your best friend here, but when it starts to peel you get the urge to pull it off the rest of the way, which does not help the underlying issue.

Softer nails that peel are most often caused by overhydration in the nail plate.

Oil helps keep nails from becoming under or over-moisturized

Here’s the interesting part: Using nail oil can help correct both sides of the moisture spectrum.

Your nail plate has natural oils that aid in maintaining its own best moisture level. But everyday activities can overexpose those cells to water -- things like soaking in the tub, going for a swim, washing dishes without gloves on, and even washing your hair.

When that happens, your nail’s oils are stripped away and the nail cells lose that balance. Your moisture levels fall at the mercy of your habits, and so does any nail art you’ve done that week.

One of the best ways you can help restore the proper moisture level to your nails is to apply nail oil throughout the day.

So why jojoba?

You can find all kinds of nail oils on the market with various ingredients, scents, and modes of application. Some are packaged in a bottle with a brush applicator, like nail polish. Others come in droppers, and you can even find brush-and-go pens to stash in your purse.

All of them are applied by gently rubbing the oil into your cuticle several times a day.

But it’s the molecular structure of the oil that produces results, not the application or the packaging. Whatever oil you choose has to have molecules small enough to get down inside the nail plate in order to make a difference.

In this contest, jojoba oil beats out every competitor, every time. Maybe that’s why it’s been used in cosmetics and even medical treatments for ages.

Jojoba oil’s molecules are actually very close to the same size as those of your nail plate’s natural oils. That means this stuff gets right in where it counts and packs a punch for moisture balance!

The spaces along the nail plate where oil belongs are so small that most oils out there can’t even get through the cracks. So you can use the wrong oil day in and day out and never see a change.

It’s also worth noting that not all jojoba oil is the same: Some manufacturers cut costs by using lower quality or different oils altogether. How can you make sure you don’t get duped? Always buy nail products from a reputable seller with a commitment to high-quality ingredients.

For the longest, strongest nails, use jojoba oil to boost your favorite strengthening routine.

Apply it liberally and often. Just remember not to use it immediately before a manicure, when you’ll want your nails oil-free for best results. Once that top coat is dry, though, go ahead and give those cuticles some love!