Many women fingernails that split and crack. Why? Like body shape, skin tone, and hair texture, it all came from your mom ! -- so if your mom had weak nails, you're likely to have them as well. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid much of the splitting:

Protect your nails from water; be sure to wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.

Apply hand cream religiously; be sure to slather on cream every time you wash your hands.

Limit use of nail polish remover; it contains alcohol and other chemicals which make nails brittle. Use remover no more than once a week.

Buff instead of polish; nail polish can have a drying effect on weak nails. To get a shiny effect, try a buffer. The friction it creates stimulates nail growth.

Keep nail length manageable; Go for no more than a quarter-inch beyond the tip of your finger.

If you try the above with no success, consult a dermatologist.