If you’ve embraced bond-building treatments for your hair, it’s time to give your nails the same level of attention. Similar to how damaged hair benefits from repairing broken bonds, our nails are also made of keratin and contain a network of bonds that can become compromised over time. Too many gel manis and using harsh acetone nail polish remover over the years, plus the normal aging process and everyday wear-and-tear can weaken those bonds, leaving nails brittle, peeling and prone to breakage. That’s where epres’s ePhD Nail Treatment ($20), a 2026 NewBeauty Beauty Award Winner, stands out.
The Benefits of epres’s ePhD Nail Treatment
Created by bond-repair pioneer Dr. Eric Pressly (he helped develop Olaplex), this nail treatment applies the same science that transformed hair care to nail health. Rather than simply coating the nail surface, the oil-based formula penetrates the nail plate to repair damaged keratin bonds from within. It focuses on repairing the underlying structure of the nail rather than temporarily hardening it like many other nail repair treatments.
The brand’s patented Biodiffusion technology uses the same bond-building molecule found in its cult-favorite hair treatment (we’re big fans) to deliver deep repair where nails need it most. And perhaps most surprising is the ingredient list, which includes just two vegan, biodegradable ingredients: ethyl acetate and diethylhexyl maleate.
As a busy mom, I don’t get manicures as much as I used to, but I do love cute press-ons, and they aren’t exactly gentle on my nails. This treatment helps bring my nails back from the dead. I use it on bare nails—the “naked manicure” approach—but you can also use it under your nail polish (even gel manis) as a strengthening base coat. Don’t forget your toes, too!
You can use it every day if you need to, and once your nails are back in shape, pare it down to a couple times a week as maintenance. No need to wash it off. After using it consistently, nails look noticeably smoother and healthier, with less peeling and splitting.
