Try This Under-$20 Trick If You Can't Stop Biting Your Nails
If you have a nail-biting habit, you probably know it's best if you quit it. I don't think you need me to tell you that. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says repeated nail-biting can make the skin around your nails feel sore, and it can damage the tissue that makes your nails grow, causing "abnormal-looking nails." Not to mention putting your hands near your mouth can also pass along some icky bacteria.
But if you have this habit, you also probably know that it's a hard one to quit—especially if you've been doing it since childhood. It's just so easy to revert to it. The AAD Association says some things you can do to stop biting your nails include keeping your nails trimmed short, getting regular manicures, replacing your habit with a good one (like using a stress ball or doing something else with your hands), identifying your triggers, and gradually weaning off the habit.
The association also recommends applying a bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails. These are over-the-counter formulas that are safe to use but taste so bad you won't even want to bite your nails. That sounds genius to me, and a lot of these polishes cost less than $20. So I did some research on the best ones and made a list for my nail-biting friends out there. Take a look below.
1. Orly No Bite
2. Onyx Professional "Stop the Bite" Polish
3. Londontown No Bite Nail Recovery
4. Ella+Mila No More Biting
5. Mavala Stop Deterrent Nail Polish Treatment
Both children and adults can use Mavala's highly rated no-bite treatment. It helps strengthen the nails and leaves a shiny finish. One reviewer said, "It's a miracle! I am 45 years old and have tried every product over the years... my mom used to put everything imaginable on my fingernails to keep them out of my mouth, and my grandma tried to pay me to grow my fingernails out, but still, here I was at 45 with horrible nails. This has been a miracle. I can't describe the taste but will just say that it makes me not want my hands anywhere near my face."
6. Barielle No Bite Pro Growth
7. Probelle Anti-Bite
Probelle's anti-bite nail polish contains vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, marine algae, vitamin A, nettle extract, and horse chestnut. One reviewer said, "Worked so great! I've been biting my nails for the last few years and nothing was working to help me stop. This creates a flavor on the tongue that is unbearable, so after applying it the first time, it started working. Unconsciously every time I want to bite my nails I now have to stop because of the flavor. If you bite your nails and want to stop, this will probably help you solve it."
8. Nail Quail Strong Will Anti-Nail Biting Click Pen
You can use this pen on your nails, cuticles, and skin—it dries quickly and invisibly, so it doesn't leave a glossy finish like many of the other polishes on this list. It also has skin-soothing ingredients like aloe leaf juice, eucalyptus leaf, ginger root, wintergreen leaf, and oat kernel.
9. Ellie Chase Quit the Bite
This nail treatment can be used by both children and adults, and it can act as a standalone polish, topcoat, or base coat. One reviewer wrote, "It's absolutely vile, which you would think was a good thing. The bad part is that when you touch any part of your finger to anything that touches your mouth and you will get its taste in your mouth. Even if it's just you licking some ketchup off your lips... So yeah, it'll definitely get you to stop chewing on your nails."
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Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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