Key Takeaways:
- Most yellow nails are caused by staining from nail polish, dyes, or acrylics, but they can also result from fungal infections or underlying skin or health concerns.
- You can reduce yellowing by giving nails a polish break, using gentle removers, keeping your nails trimmed and moisturized, and hydrating with cuticle oils and hand creams.
- Supporting nail health from within is key to improving nail strength and appearance over time. It’s important to treat your nails with proper supplementation, like collagen.**
Yellow Nails: Causes and How to Get Rid of Them
If you’ve ever removed nail polish only to notice a yellow tint on your nails, you’re not alone. Yellow nails are surprisingly common, and while they’re usually harmless, they can sometimes signal a deeper nail or skin concern. The good news is that most causes are fixable with gentle care and the right routine. Building a few preventative habits can be just the difference between you and your yellow nails.
Let’s break down the causes of yellow nails, how to get rid of them, and how supporting nail health from within may be key to a successful nail routine.
Yellowing Nails: What Are the Primary Causes?
Yellow nails can appear for a few reasons, some simple and others involving skin or nail health. Some of the most common include:
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Nail polish stains: Highly pigmented nail polishes (especially those of a darker shade like red, blue, or black) can leave the nail plate slightly stained. This can be especially true if a base coat isn’t used prior to applying color. Additionally, certain types of nail care can cause yellowing and nail brittleness, such as continuous application of acrylics or other harsh chemicals.
- What it looks like: Even yellowing across the nail, usually without pain or much texture change.
- Other types of stains: Nicotine exposure from smoking, hair dye, or even consistent handling of food coloring can discolor nails over time.
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Fungal infections (onychomycosis): This infection is one of the most common causes of nail yellowing or thickening.
- What it looks like: Yellow or brown discoloration along with a thickening or crumbling of the nail. The nail may also lift slightly from the nail bed.
- Note: If the nails are painful, thick, or crumbly, talk to your healthcare provider.
- Skin or health conditions: Conditions like psoriasis, diabetes, or changes in circulation can all impact nail appearance, causing them to look yellow.
How to Get Rid of Yellow Nails
The best way to treat yellow nails depends on what’s causing the discoloration. If staining is from polish, remover, or everyday dyes, simple at-home care usually helps to brighten the nail surface. If the nails appear thickened, crumbly, or painful, a dermatologist can confirm whether a fungal infection is present and guide treatment.
Here are some tips to get rid of yellow nails:
- Give the nails a polish break (7-14 days). This allows the stains to fade and the nail to naturally rehydrate.
- Use a gentle, non-acetone nail polish remover to help prevent dryness that can worsen the discoloration.
- Hydrate daily with cuticle oil and hand cream to help smooth and support nail appearance.
- Trim and file your nails regularly. Shorter nails show less surface staining and are easier to care for, meaning they’re less prone to infections and fungi.
- Support the nails from within. Daily collagen supplementation helps support healthy nail growth and nail strength from the inside out. Vital Proteins® Collagen Peptides Beauty Edition contains collagen plus vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for a beauty boost from within that works alongside topical care.**
Why Collagen Is Important for Maintaining Nail Color
Nails are made primarily of keratin, a structural protein produced naturally by the body. As we age, our collagen levels gradually decline, and because collagen helps to support the structures beneath the nail plate, this can influence things like nail growth, strength, and overall appearance. This is similar to what happens with facial volume loss (sometimes referred to as runner’s face, which you can learn more about in our blog: “Runner’s Face: Is It Real?”), where external stressors and natural aging can influence appearance.
Stronger, well-supported nails are less likely to peel, chip, or develop discoloration, including the yellow tint that appears when the nails become dehydrated or weakened. Topical care helps improve the nail surface, but supporting nails from within gives them the building blocks to maintain their natural look and color as they grow out.
To help support nails from the inside out, try Vital Proteins® Collagen Peptides Beauty Edition, a daily beauty supplement that features:
- 12.5g of collagen per serving
- Vitamin C, which helps to support collagen synthesis
- Hyaluronic acid to help support skin and nail hydration
The unflavored collagen capsules are easy to take on the go, making them a great addition to your daily routine. Consistent use helps to support stronger, healthier-looking nails that maintain their natural color over time.**
The Bottom Line About Your Nails
Yellow nails don’t have to be permanent. Small habits and changes in your routine can help your nails regain their natural color. Pair that with daily collagen support to nourish your nails from within, and you’ve got a routine that works with your nail growth cycle, not against it.**
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.