I’ve dealt with toenail fungus for almost three years, and honestly, it’s been embarrassing as hell. I tried over-the-counter creams, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar soaks – you name it. Nothing really worked long-term. Then I stumbled across Kerassentials and figured I’d give it one more shot before seeing a dermatologist.
Here’s what happened after using it for three months.
What Is Kerassentials?
Kerassentials is a topical oil blend designed to treat nail fungus and improve overall nail and skin health. It comes in a small bottle with a brush applicator, kind of like nail polish.
The formula combines several essential oils and vitamins that are supposed to fight fungal infections while nourishing your nails and surrounding skin. The main ingredients include tea tree oil, lavender oil, almond oil, flaxseed oil, and a bunch of other natural stuff.
What caught my attention was that it focuses on both killing the fungus and preventing it from coming back by improving nail health overall.
My Nail Fungus Situation
Before I get into the review, let me explain what I was dealing with. I had fungus on three toenails – my big toe was the worst. The nail was thickened, yellowish-brown, and honestly kind of crumbly at the edges. The other two nails were in earlier stages but definitely infected.
I’m pretty sure I picked it up from a gym locker room a few years back. Once you get nail fungus, it’s stupidly hard to get rid of. The fungus lives deep under the nail, so topical treatments struggle to penetrate properly.
I’d tried pharmacy antifungal creams for months with minimal improvement. My nails looked slightly better but never fully cleared up.
First Impressions of Kerassentials
The bottle arrived pretty quickly after ordering. It’s a small 15ml bottle – seems tiny for the price, but you only need a few drops per application.
The consistency is like a light oil, and it has a strong herbal smell from all the essential oils. Not unpleasant, but definitely noticeable. The lavender comes through pretty strongly.
The brush applicator makes it super easy to apply precisely where you need it. Much better than trying to rub cream into your nails.
Application Process
The instructions say to apply it four times daily – morning, afternoon, evening, and before bed. That seemed like a lot, but I committed to following it exactly.
You brush the oil onto the affected nail and the skin around it, then let it absorb. Takes maybe 30 seconds per nail. The oil soaks in pretty quickly and doesn’t leave your feet feeling greasy.
I set phone reminders for the first couple weeks until it became habit.
Week 1-2: Getting Into the Routine
The first two weeks, I didn’t see any visible changes to my nails. They looked exactly the same. But I also didn’t have any negative reactions – no irritation, redness, or burning, which was good.
The smell grew on me a bit. At first it seemed strong, but I got used to it pretty quickly.
One thing I noticed right away was that my cuticles and the skin around my nails looked healthier. Less dry and cracked. That was a nice bonus even if the fungus wasn’t changing yet.
Week 3-6: Starting to See Changes
Around week four, I started noticing the first real improvements. The discoloration on my big toenail seemed slightly less intense. Hard to tell if I was imagining it, so I started taking weekly photos to track progress.
By week six, there was definitely new, healthier-looking nail growth coming in at the base. The new growth was clearer and less thick than the infected part. This was genuinely exciting because it meant the treatment was working at least for the new nail growing in.
The infected portion of the nail wasn’t magically clearing up, but that makes sense – you have to wait for the healthy nail to grow out and replace the damaged part.
Month 2: Clear Progress
Two months in, the improvement was obvious. Looking at my before photos compared to current state, you could clearly see healthier nail growing in.
My smaller affected nails were looking much better. Since they weren’t as severely infected, they responded faster. The discoloration was mostly gone and they were growing in normally.
The big toenail was still pretty gnarly, but probably 30% of it had grown out healthy by this point. Toenails grow slowly though – like 1-2mm per month – so this was actually good progress.
I was still applying four times daily without missing applications. Once you see results, it’s way easier to stay consistent.
Month 3: Really Happy With Results
By three months, I’d say my two less-affected nails were about 85% cleared up. They looked almost completely normal. Just a tiny bit of discoloration near the tips where the old infected nail was still growing out.
My big toenail was maybe 50-60% improved. The new growth looked completely healthy and normal, but I still had infected nail that needed to grow out. Based on the growth rate, I figured I needed another 2-3 months for it to fully clear.
The important thing was that the fungus seemed to be gone – it was just waiting for the damaged nail to grow out and be trimmed away.
What I Liked About Kerassentials
Actually worked: This is the big one. After trying so many things that failed, having something actually clear up the fungus was huge.
Easy to use: The brush applicator is so much better than creams. Quick and precise application.
No side effects: My skin tolerated it perfectly. No irritation or reactions.
Improved overall nail health: My nails and cuticles looked better in general, not just where I had fungus.
Natural ingredients: I liked that it wasn’t harsh chemicals. Essential oils can be powerful when used correctly.
Works preventatively: Even after clearing the fungus, I still use it a few times a week to prevent reinfection.
The Downsides
Takes time: You need patience. This isn’t a one-week fix. Nail fungus takes months to fully clear because you’re waiting for healthy nail to grow out.
Four times daily is a commitment: It’s not hard, but you have to remember to do it consistently. Miss too many applications and results will suffer.
Price: It’s not cheap. One bottle lasted me about a month with four daily applications on three nails. The cost adds up over several months.
Strong smell: Some people might find the essential oil scent too intense, especially applying it four times a day.
Small bottle: For the price, the bottle seems tiny. But a little goes a long way.
How Does It Work?
From what I understand, Kerassentials attacks nail fungus through multiple mechanisms:
Tea tree oil and lavender oil have natural antifungal properties that kill the fungus organisms.
Oils like almond and flaxseed penetrate the nail bed and carry the antifungal ingredients deeper where the fungus lives.
Vitamins and nutrients strengthen the nail and improve overall nail health, making it harder for fungus to survive.
The combination approach is probably why it works better than single-ingredient treatments I’d tried before.
Who Should Try Kerassentials?
Based on my experience, I’d recommend it if you:
- Have mild to moderate nail fungus
- Are willing to commit to consistent daily application
- Prefer natural treatments over prescription medications
- Want to improve overall nail health, not just treat fungus
- Can afford to invest in treatment over several months
Who Might Want to Skip It
- People with severe, long-standing fungal infections might need prescription meds
- Anyone looking for instant results
- Those on a tight budget
- People sensitive to essential oil scents
Tips for Best Results
Here’s what I learned works best:
Be consistent: Don’t skip applications. Set reminders if needed.
Keep nails trimmed: Cut away infected nail as it grows out. This removes the damaged part and lets healthy nail replace it.
Keep feet dry: Fungus loves moisture. Dry your feet thoroughly after showers.
Wear breathable shoes: Give your feet air. Avoid sweaty, enclosed shoes when possible.
Wash socks and sheets: Kill any fungus spores in fabrics to prevent reinfection.
Take photos: Track your progress weekly. It’s motivating when you can see improvement.
Comparing to Other Treatments
I tried OTC antifungal creams like Lotrimin before Kerassentials. They helped a tiny bit but never fully cleared the fungus. Kerassentials penetrated better and worked more effectively.
I haven’t tried prescription oral antifungals because I wanted to avoid potential side effects and the cost of doctor visits. For my level of infection, Kerassentials was effective enough.
Compared to home remedies like vinegar soaks and Vicks VapoRub (yes, I tried that too), Kerassentials was way more effective. Those barely made a dent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does one bottle last?
For me, using it on three nails four times daily, about one month. If you have fewer affected nails or use it less frequently, it’ll last longer.
Can you use it on fingernails?
Yes, it works for both toenails and fingernails. Fingernail fungus should clear faster since fingernails grow quicker.
Is it safe for everyone?
Generally yes, but pregnant women, nursing mothers, or people with skin sensitivities should check with a doctor first. It’s essential oils, so patch test if you have sensitive skin.
Do you need a prescription?
Nope, it’s an over-the-counter topical treatment. You can order it directly online.
What if it doesn’t work?
They offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free for two months.
Where to Buy Kerassentials
Only buy from the official website. I’ve seen fake versions on Amazon and eBay. You don’t want to risk getting a counterfeit product.
The official site usually has bundle deals where you save money buying multiple bottles. Since you need it for several months anyway, the bundles make sense financially.
They also only honor the money-back guarantee for purchases through their site.
My Final Verdict on Kerassentials
After three months of use, I’m genuinely impressed. My nail fungus is clearing up for the first time in years. I’m not completely there yet on my big toenail, but the progress is undeniable.
Is it perfect? No. It’s pricey, takes patience, and requires consistent application. But it works, which is what actually matters.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, yes. If you’re dealing with nail fungus and want a natural treatment that actually delivers results, Kerassentials is worth trying.
I’m continuing to use it until my nails are completely clear, then I’ll probably use it preventatively a few times a week. After dealing with this frustrating condition for years, finally having clear, healthy nails growing in feels amazing.
My Rating: 8.5/10
It loses points for price and the time commitment required, but gains major points for actually working without side effects. For nail fungus sufferers, this could be exactly what you need