The modern methods for eliminating nail fungus aim to stop bacterial growth but before you start your anti-fungal journey, you should arm yourself with patience and persistence. Nail fungus can be very stubborn, therefore, the sooner you start applying an anti-fungal product, the sooner the problem will be gone!
How to choose an effective nail fungus product?
Some of the common ingredients with clinically proven efficacy against nail fungal infections include Undecylenic Acid, Deacetylated Chitin, Zinc Undecylenate, and some potent essential oils.
Below you can see the best nail fungus products available without a prescription, based on their overall performance, clinical evidence, and users’ feedback.
Best nail fungus solution
Ariella Nail Repair Pen
 
- Tested and proven nail fungus remover
- Gentle and harmless to the skin
- Restores discoloration, brittle and cracked nails
- Easy to apply
Ariella Toenail and Nail Repair Pen is one of the best-selling nail fungus solutions you can find on the Internet. The antifungal pen has an impressively high rating, over 1400 users shared their experience.
Ariella is tested and proven to destroy nail fungus on both toenails and fingernails. You can see lots of before and after pictures – the positive difference is obvious and the entire fungi removal period required is no more than a couple of months (until the nail regrows).
Below you can see the photos of the 7-week improvement of a user who tried a few different antifungal products with little to no success. When initially started using Ariella fungus remover, he filed the nail once a week for 5 weeks and applied Fungus Stop until the 6th week. Then, the only thing he needed to do was wait for the rest of the nail to grow out:
A user with a severe fungal infection, affecting the fingernails managed to completely eliminate the problem within 10 weeks:
Index finger with a severe fungal infection, causing pain and discomfort is starting to recover after 2 weeks of application. (Ariella Pen was applied 3-4 times a day):
The active ingredients in this nail fungus solution include: Deacetylated Chitin 2% (a natural polycationic linear polysaccharide derived from chitin), O-hydroxybenzoic acid 3% (a common bacteriostatic agent and preservative in cosmetic products), and Angelica Dahurica (dried root of Angelica herb with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties).
Ariella Nail Repair Pen contains gluten-free and non-GMO ingredients only.
This natural anti-fungal pen is 100% safe and does not cause discomfort or painful sensation during the time of application, unlike most antifungal methods. You can even apply it to the skin surrounding the affected nail – the solution will absorb into the cuticle and the skin around the edge of each infected nail and will attack the fungus from within.
When applying a nail fungus product, it is best for the toenails to be free of anything that might hinder the product from reaching the fungus (e.g. nail polish). The anti fungal pen is easy to use – the brush included will help you apply the substance to the nail affected, while the clear liquid will dry out within seconds.
Another great aspect of this anti-fungal solution is that you have a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your results. However, if you check some of the users’ comments, this may not be needed:
Excellent product! I have tried several other brands with some success, Ariella pen cleared it up in no time . Easy to use applicator. I have had trouble with one nail for years Ariella cleared it up in a few days.
This nail fungus method works really well; I’ve had great results using it. People should note that it takes months for a nail to look normal again since it usually takes a long time for a nail to grow. Don’t get discouraged, this stuff is great.
Arishine
Arishine solution is a safe option for fixing fungal nail infection, affecting the toenails or fingernails. Depending on the severity of the condition, the complete fungi removal lasts approximately 4-12 weeks.
Arishine Fungus Solution is a set of 2 pens, which will be enough for almost 3 months if you regularly apply the product (3 times a day).
The active ingredients in this anti-fungal solution include: Deacetylated chitin 2%, O-hydroxybenzoic acid 3%, and Angelica Dahurica
Even though most similar products contain these exact ingredients, the number of people saying this formula works much better is incredible.
According to users who tried Arishine, the nail starts to fall off when it grows out. But this relates to the dead part of the nail only, a newly formed nail starts growing during the process.
Below you can see the improvement of someone who has a fungal infection from long ago, who took many photos of his progress:
Now 5 weeks in and I can go barefoot without worry. I know in another 2 weeks it will be 100% cured.
Many other users shared their success stories, some of them needed less time to recover the nail plate (for instance, this man’s toenails needed only 5 weeks of regular application):
This product seems to be finally working for me. I’ve been using it for more than 5 weeks and now can see the new nail growing out clear, thinner, and normal looking.
Another comment, written by a lady who had a fungal infection on 3 of her toenails is indeed promising. She managed to get completely rid of the problem within 5 weeks:
It really worked for me, and worked greatly. I had 3 toenails that were infected, and applied this pencil product three times a day (sometimes two) on those toenails
Here’s a very inspiring review, written by a user with fungal infection, starting in the middle of the nail plate:
4 weeks on, seems to be working, the fungal has gone just waiting for the nail to grow out.
Unlike most similar products, aiming to treat fungal nails, this one allows the application of nail polish on top of the infected nail. However, the effect will come faster if you avoid covering it.
You should also remember to let the substance dry out completely before wearing your socks.
The overall performance of Arishine is amazing – more than 85 % of all users say this product is excellent, those who decided to leave a comment are quite satisfied with the results obtained.
Funginix
 
- Destroys nail fungus
- Contains FDA-approved undecylenic acid
- Won’t provoke discomfort or pain
- Easy to apply
More than 70% of all consumers report successfully eliminating nail fungus after using Funginix. The main ingredient is FDA-approved Undecylenic Acid, USP 10% – a potent antifungal ingredient, proven effective against the stubborn, easily spreadable fungi. Funginix is also suitable for eliminating athlete’s foot, ringworm.
There are comments informing that the positive effect can be noticed really fast:
“I noticed a difference within days, not weeks. I have been using this nail fungus solution for 2 months now and my fungus is totally cleared up.”
Several users added photos to their reviews, where the effect of Funginix nail can be easily noticed:
A user, who got the fungal infection aster getting a pedicure at a beauty saloon decided to try Funginix and managed to destroy it after a 3-month regular application:
After three months of use, I am pleased to report the fungus is gone.
It is highly recommended to apply Fungginix to the skin surrounding the finger and toenails that are affected by fungi. This way, the nail fungus solution absorbs into the cuticle and the skin around the edge of each infected nail.
The most important is to be consistent – you shouldn’t skip the daily application of Funginix, as this may cause the bacteria to spread.
Also, keep in mind that nail fungus doesn’t resolve overnight. Think months, not days when using nail fungus products!
Kerasal Fungal Nail Renewal
 
- Proven to improve the condition of the nail plate within 1 week
- Effective nail fungus remover
- 100% money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with your results
Kerasal nail fungus remover provides improved appearance for discolored or damaged toe nails or finger nails by directly penetrating the nail. You can see visible results in just 1 week.
Kerasal’s rating is average – most of the users rated it an excellent product, while it didn’t work that well for others.
Kerasal nail fungus solution works by removing the upper layer of the nail plate and eliminating the fungi. Kerasal stops the spreading of bacteria and the effect of the anti-fungal action can be visible within a comparatively short period of time.
However, multiple comments say this fungus remover is not the most successful one:
Been using this product now for almost 2 months and still have not yield any results.
You should also note, that Kerasal fungus remover should not be applied on top of nail polish, as it won’t have any effect.
The containing ingredients in Kerasal include humectants (that increase moisture), lactic acid and sodium hydroxide (which immediately forms sodium lactate to eliminate bacterial spread).
Fungucept
Fungucept contains 100% pure essential oils and A, C, E Vitamins, the base ingredient is oregano oil essential oil, which is also alcohol-free and undiluted. Oregano oil is a potent antifungal compound and has a unique ability to kill both bacteria and fungi.
ZANE HELLAS
ZANE HELLAS products an excellent performance on the Internet. More than 70% of all users report that they had very successful results thanks to their ZANE HELLAS nail fungus remover.
ZANE HELLAS Complete nail fungus formula is free from alcohol, yeast, gluten, and preservatives.
According to the description, you will need 4-8 weeks until the nail is completely recovered. Most people managed to destroy the fungal infection within a month and a half (they applied ZANE HELLAS twice a day). However, it took longer for others:
This works. Nail fungus doesn’t resolve overnight. Think months, not days.
Also, the infected nails must be clean and without nail polish, so ZANE HELLAS could be absorbed and penetrate below the nail plate.
A lady shared a picture of her progress so far, she believes ZANE HELLAS has helped her a lot and is very grateful that her large toenail is getting back to normal:
A woman bought ZANE HELLAS for her boyfriend’s toenails. After a month of regular applications, his condition has visibly improved:
This nail fungus solution is manufactured in Greece, this is why the delivery may take around 3 weeks, so you should keep that in mind before ordering this essential oil blend.
Fungi Nail Brand Pen
 
- Discreet, travel size antifungal solution
- Safe and effective nail fungus remover
- A pharmacist-recommended solution to destroy the fungi
The active ingredients in this nail fungus remover include Undecylenic Acid and Isopropyl Palmitate. Both ingredients have very strong antifungal activity. According to users, the formula works well and doesn’t leak, which is quite important since it is highly recommended that the substance is applied to the affected area as long as possible.
The nail fungus remover should be applied over the toenail and over the nail bed.
There are loads of positive comments about Fungi Nail Pen, yet its’ rating is below the average:
“After using two other nail products, this is the first one to show any affect on Nail Fungus. I will be re-ordering.”;
“Finally something that’s showing improvement quickly.”
Only one user left pictures, showing the recovery process of the fingernails, they were all severely affected by fungi:
Worked really good on my last two finger nails which looked horrible. I applied this nail fungus remover 2x a day for about 3 months. Morning and night. Never skipped a day.
The disturbing part is that there is a considerable number of negative comments claiming that the formula is not effective at all; there are many users who saw no improvement in their condition:
At first it seemed like this was working but after 2 months of using twice a day it didn’t seem to be working anymore. The pen/brush part was nice but it didn’t control how much cames out at all. It was like using a dropper! Not very impressed.
What are the ingredients in an effective anti-fungus remover?
The effective ingredients used in a nail fungus remover aim to kill the fungal cells and prevent them to grow and reproduce. Some of the ingredients proven to provide fast and strong effect include:
- Undecylenic Acid – an unsaturated fatty acid, derived from castor oil; a topical antifungal agent used in common oth antifungal beautys
- Deacetylated Chitin – destroys the fungal species, found to provoke no skin damage when applied topically, unlike most antifungal compounds
- Zinc Undecylenate – reduces the irritation and swelling, associated with nail fungal infections, prevents the growth of the fungi
- Essential Oils
- Oregano [1]
The oil contains large amounts of carvacrol and timol, two anti-fungal ingredients that dehydrate and kill the fungi and do not allow spreading of the infection - Lemongrass [2]
Lemon grass oil has antimicrobial and antiseptic compounds that help eliminate fungal nails and promote their healing. - Geranium [3]
Geranium essential oil is suitable for any skin type and sensitivity. It has a strong antimicrobial and antifungal activity. It requires more prolonged application if the fungal infection affects the nail plate and matrix - Tea Tree [4]
Tea tree oil is powerful fungicide has strong healing properties; works fast against onychomycosis - Eucalyptus [5]
Proven to be an effective nail fungus remover if the nail matrix is not infected yet, suitable for the initial stages of fungal spread
- Oregano [1]
Important
Everyone's skin is unique, and even if you have chosen the best product for your skin issue, the containing ingredients may still cause some irritation, burning sensation, rash or allergy.
To avoid potential skin reactions, we highly recommend performing a patch test before using the product (you can download printable PDF version here)
References
1.Antifungal effects of essential oils from oregano and fennel on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17897206
2. Antifungal activity of the lemongrass oil and citral against Candida spp
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18553017
3. Evaluation of anti-Candida potential of geranium oil constituents against clinical isolates of Candida albicans differentially sensitive to fluconazole: inhibition of growth, dimorphism and sensitization.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20337938
4. Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil) against pathogenic fungi in vitro.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9055360
5. Is eucalyptus oil an effective antifungal remover for onychomycosis with and without nail matrix infection?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595230/
Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API