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Improper nail care, lack of moisturization, insufficient nutrition, and even aging can lead to ridges in your nails. The top-quality nail ridge fillers in 2024 are an excellent cure for these ridged nails because they can bring back the smoothness of your nails and promote their growth. However, with various nail filler polishes at hand, deciding on the perfect one is challenging. So, in this guide, we’ve researched and reviewed the finest ones on the market and have added some tips on finding an effective nail ridge filler polish to help you make an informed decision.
Comparing the Finest Nail Ridge Fillers of 2024
BARIELLE Nail Ridge Filler — Best Overall
The Barielle Hydrating Nail Ridge Filler is filled with silk protein fibers to provide proper nutrition and hydration to ridged nails for added strength. The deep moisturization elements of this base coat help recover the damaged parts of your nails and prevent breakage. Barielle has also focused on making its base coat pregnancy-friendly, which is why it’s free from harmful plasticizers and other unhealthy elements. With its amazing nail rejuvenating properties and focus on both safety and health, it’s no surprise we’ve chosen this nail ridge filler as the best on our list.
Pros
- Nail recovery with deep moisturization
- Easy to remove
- Proper hydration with silk protein fibers
- Safe for pregnant women
Cons
- Doesn’t last long
OPI Nail Ridge Filler Treatment — Fastest Drying
The OPI Nail Ridge Filler Treat dries very quickly and fills the ridged lines on your nails within seconds. Two or three layers of the base are required for the optimal effect and the lacquer itself boasts excellent longevity. Even better, this pick not only fills your ridged nails but also strengthens them for a long-term cure. That said, OPI recommends applying the polish to bare nails and waiting for them to dry before applying color.
Pros
- Polish dries fast
- Great longevity
- Strengthen nails and promotes their growth
- Can be removed with cotton
Cons
- Doesn’t fit all skin colors
- Some may not like the matte finish
Nail Tek Nail Ridge Filler — Best for Nail Growth
Nail Tek is considered a top brand for natural nail treatment products. Their nail ridge filler is packed with natural ingredients and ensures healthy nail growth. According to Nail Tek, it utilizes vitamins and natural oils to not only strengthen nails, but also promote their growth with proper moisturization. Unlike some other nail ridge polishes, it offers an anti-yellowing base coat to prevent yellowing stains, along with nail ridges and other imperfections. The perfect choice to get your nails looking great again.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Promotes natural nail growth
- Conditions nails to prevent breakage
- Cures superficial nail ridges
Cons
- Doesn’t dry quickly
- Contains formaldehyde and other cancer-causing chemicals
Ella+Mila Nail Ridge Filler — Best Non-Toxic Pick
Ella+Mila Nail Ridge Filler Base Coat is a 100% vegan base that’s free from harmful cancer-causing chemicals like formaldehyde and camphor, making it a suitable pick for people who have allergies to chemicals or are concerned with their health. One layer of the base is enough to treat nail ridges, but we recommended drying the polish before applying nail lacquer. And, for those concerned with animal rights, don’t fret — this nail ridge filler is cruelty-free and is even PETA-certified.
Pros
- Prevents nail yellowing
- Cruelty-free and PETA-certified
- Long-lasting polish
- Vegan and free of toxic additives
Cons
- Not very effective for nail conditioning
Dermelect Nail Ridge Filler — Best Anti-Aging
This nail ridge filler from Dermelect packs healthy ingredients like vitamin B5, Pentavitin, and keratin peptides, which help with naturally strengthening weakened nails and conditioning them to prevent breakage. Applying this filler base is easy and is similar to applying nail polish. Best of all, it gives your nails a pinkish color to improve their appearance while keeping them healthy. Though this ridge remover comes at a relatively higher price, the use of anti-aging, fortifying elements and the pinkish appearance it provides make it worth the price.
Pros
- Contains healthy ingredients for anti-aging
- Effective hydration with vitamin B5
- Prevents nail yellowing
- Gives your nails a pinkish color
Cons
- A bit expensive
Buying Guide: Ridge Nail Filler
As various nail care brands are developing nail ridge fillers nowadays, deciding on a suitable one is tricky. To make matters worse, there are various fake products on the market that barely cover small ridges. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll look at how you can make an informed decision when buying a ridge refiller polish for your nails.
Why You Should Get a Nail Ridge Filler
It’s pretty obvious that nail ridge fillers effectively fill the ridges on your nails and provide a smooth surface. Other than that, here are some reasons you should opt for a nail ridge remover:
Alternative to regular base coats
A common use of ridge fillers is to provide a smooth base for the application of nail polish. Therefore, they work as a great replacement for regular base coats as they give your nails a smoother, more appealing look.
Nail strengthening
Ridge fillers also go the extra mile, strengthening your nails to promote their growth and keeping them healthy for a long time. This is made possible by the moisturizing ingredients they have, like vitamin B5.
Glossier nails
Another benefit of nail ridge removers is that they give your nails a glossy look. As a result, your nails don’t only look appealing, but sometimes won’t even require nail polish.
Key Details When Choosing a Nail Ridge Filler
Below are the most important factors to look into when deciding on a ridge filler for your nails.
Toxic or non-toxic
Many nail care products are made of harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. These are harmful elements and end up irritating the skin and other body parts. For instance, formaldehyde is a carcinogen that leads to watery eyes and causes severe damage to mucous membranes.
Some brands like Ella+Mila only use non-toxic ingredients to ensure their products are suitable for patients who have allergies or diseases that compromise their health, like cancer. If you’re also allergic to chemicals used in nail fillers, be sure to opt for a non-toxic and 7-free nail ridge filler, which means it doesn’t contain the seven toxic chemicals commonly used in nail polish.
Effectiveness
Effective nail ridge fillers contain healthy, moisturizing ingredients to promote the growth of your nails. So, when looking for a ridge filler, make sure it helps recover nails and smooths their surface.
Yellowing
Poor quality and toxic nail care products end up leaving yellowish stains on your nails. We recommend opting for a nail ridge filler that prevents yellow nails and promotes a healthy appearance. These polishes contain special ingredients like keratin to keep your nails from absorbing stain-causing chemicals from the ridge filler. The best way to find out if a ridge filler causes nail yellowing is by looking at its official customer reviews on Amazon. There, you’ll be able to learn from others’ experiences and make an informed decision.
Hydration and moisturization
Lack of hydration and moisturization is a common cause of nail ridging. Some nail ridge fillers contain vitamin B5 for proper moisturization, preventing brittle, cracked, and broken nails. If you’re looking to strengthen your nails, it’s important to choose a nail ridge filler that offers moisturizing or hydrating ingredients like vitamin B5, liquid paraffin, and petroleum jelly.
Other healthy ingredients
If you’re looking to strengthen your nails alongside filling the ridges in them, go for a filler that offers healthy and natural elements like keratin protein and Pentavitin peptides. These are anti-aging ingredients that promote your nails’ strength and improve their growth, giving you healthy nails that are flexible, smooth, and glossy.
How to Use a Nail Ridge Refiller
Applying a ridge filler base coat is similar to using nail polish. Take out the brush and apply the refiller polish to your nails. Once you’re done, wait for the polish to dry and either apply gel polish on the ridge filler or leave it on its own. As most of the ridge fillers come with a glossy color, you won’t have to apply nail polish unless you’re looking for a special appearance.
How Long Does Ridge Filler Last?
Ridge fillers come in all sizes, with some as small as 0.34 ounces and others as large as 2.5 ounces. How long a ridge filler polish lasts depends upon its size, thickness, the number of layers required at each application, and the frequency of use. That said, a ridge filler polish should last for a few weeks of regular use.
