Not Nail Polish, Not Cuticle Oil—This Product Has Saved My Weak, Damaged Nails

This nail serum is a quick and easy way to smooth and hydrate nails between salon appointments.

I seem to have the weakest nails in existence. Honestly, I can't grow my nails for the life of me, and even after taking a really long break from acrylic and gel manicures and trying every nail strengthener under the sun, they are still constantly breaking. In fact, I'm always Googling "how to strengthen nails". The thing is, my nails are also incredibly dry, which doesn't help matters. So, when I accidentally stumbled across a nail barrier serum, I thought I'd try one final product to see if it would make a difference. After two weeks of use, I've already noticed a huge improvement.

A bit like your skin barrier, when you look after your nail barrier, your nails will feel (and look) healthier and stronger. But if I'm being honest, even as a beauty editor, I didn't even know the nail barrier was a thing before finding this under-the-radar serum. Now, I'm telling everyone about it because adding this product to my routine has genuinely made a difference. The product in question? The Mylee Barrier Boost Nail Serum.

It might sound counterintuitive, but this clever serum hydrates and improves the nail's flexibility. You're probably thinking, wait, do I want my nails to be more flexible? The thing is, when nails are dry and hard, they can be more prone to snapping, so flexible nails can actually help nails grow longer.

The formula is infused with a probiotic ferment, a marine bioactive extract and a bioactive tropical nectar to nourish the nail and enhance the natural barrier.

Deputy beauty editor Grace Lindsay holding the Mylee Barrier Boost Nail Serum

(Image credit: @gracelindsay__ for Who What Wear UK)

However, while the hydrating formula is certainly important, what really stood out to me when testing this product was just how easy it was to add to my daily beauty routine. I've tried using nail strengtheners before, but as someone who hates painting her own nails, I never stayed consistent. I've also dabbled in cuticle oils and hand creams from time to time, but found them a bit messy (and greasy) to apply.

The great thing about this serum is that all you have to do is apply one drop to each nail, massage it in and let it absorb overnight. I keep the bottle on my bedside table and apply it just before going to sleep, as it sinks instantly and doesn't feel sticky. I've used it consistently for two whole weeks, and I can't believe how much better my nails look.

As you can see, my nails are smooth, hydrated and a whole lot stronger. Of course, it goes without saying that taking a break from gel manicures, keeping my nails a little shorter with one of the best nail files and wearing gloves when doing things like cleaning have also helped my overall nail health, but nothing has made them as smooth as this serum. Plus, I love that it hydrates my nails and cuticles in one go, as it minimises the need for multiple products.

If you're also on a bit of a journey with your nails this year, I highly recommend adding this product to your routine. For £15, it's a worthwhile investment in your long-term nail health.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Grace Lindsay
Deputy Beauty Editor

Grace Lindsay is the deputy beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.

As Who What Wear UK's deputy beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.