Treating Dry, Brittle And Peeling Nails. by p j Treating Dry, Brittle And Peeling Nails. Causes: water/cleaning products; They cause the nail to expand which results in weak brittle nails- wearing gloves can help to prevent against brittle nails.Treating your nails: use penertrating daily oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil or almond oil, as the smaller molecules penertrate the brittle nails quicker and easier and help strengthen them. You can do this everyday.Hot oil treatment: You can also heat any of these oils up and use cotton wool to dab it on the nail, then wrap the nails in foil for a deeper more nourishing penertration. Only do this once a week,Nail polishes: as an undercoat always use a nail strengthener polish. I would reccomend using 'sally hansen' its slightly more pricey but well worth it!