Toenail fungus is one of the most common nail conditions dermatologists see, and it tends to show up more on toenails than fingernails — often after regular gel pedicures or long stretches in closed shoes.
How we choose
The 8 options below split into two different approaches: medicated liquids with an actual antifungal drug active ingredient, and cosmetic gels, patches, or polish designed to improve how affected nails look rather than treat the infection itself. Prices run from about $10 to $28, and understanding which type each product is matters more here than picking by price.
Our 8 Picks
Fungi-Nail Anti-Fungal Liquid Solution, 1 Fl Oz | Kills Toe Fungus with Tolnaftate & Clinically Proven to Cure and Prevent Fungal Infections
What it is
A topical liquid antifungal solution with 1% tolnaftate as the active ingredient, applied to the toenail and surrounding skin with a brush applicator.
Why it's worth it
Tolnaftate is an FDA-monograph over-the-counter antifungal active ingredient, and the brand states this solution is formulated to help treat and prevent fungal infections on the nail and surrounding skin. A good fit for mild, early discoloration where trying a topical OTC option makes sense before anything stronger.
Caveat
Topical treatments like this generally work best on mild, surface-level nail changes; a nail that's already thick, lifted, or badly damaged is worth having a podiatrist evaluate rather than relying on an OTC liquid alone.
Kerasal Fungal Nail Renewal with Tea Tree Oil for Damaged Nails, 0.33 oz | Fast-acting nail renewal with Tea Tree Oil helps restore nails damaged by fungus with visible results.
What it is
A urea- and lactic-acid-based topical solution enriched with tea tree oil, marketed by the brand to improve the appearance of nails affected by fungus.
Why it's worth it
Brand states the formula combines urea, propylene glycol, and lactic acid to soften and penetrate the nail plate, designed to improve the look of discoloration, thickness, and roughness rather than to act as a medicated cure. A good fit for someone whose main concern is nail appearance rather than an active, diagnosed infection.
Caveat
This is a cosmetic nail-appearance product, not an antifungal medication with a drug active ingredient like tolnaftate — it doesn't claim to kill or cure a fungal infection, only to improve how the nail looks.
Kerasal Nighttime Nail Renewal Patches, Overnight Nail Repair, 14 Count | Easy-apply overnight patches with Urea help improve the appearance of damaged nails while you sleep.
What it is
Adhesive overnight patches infused with urea, worn on the nail while sleeping instead of applied as a liquid or gel.
Why it's worth it
Brand states the patches stay in place for 6-8 hours and are meant to be applied nightly for 3-6 months, turning nail care into a set-and-forget step rather than a twice-daily application routine. A good fit for anyone who tends to forget daily liquid or gel applications but can commit to a patch before bed.
Caveat
Like the other Kerasal product in this lineup, this is a cosmetic urea-based formula for nail appearance, not a medicated antifungal drug, and brand states results take 3-6 months of nightly use.
Dr's Remedy Enriched Nail Polish: Non Toxic, All Natural, and Organic - Doctor Formulated: Strengthens, Restores, Heals, and Protects '24-Free' - BELOVED Blush
What it is
A nail polish infused with tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract, wheat protein, and vitamins C and E, which the brand states is podiatrist-formulated and free of formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates.
Why it's worth it
Brand states the formula is podiatrist-formulated with tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract, wheat protein, and vitamins among its ingredients. A good fit for anyone who wants to wear nail color while managing fungus-prone nails, rather than going polish-free while using one of the treatment products in this lineup.
Caveat
This is a color cosmetic, not a medicated antifungal treatment — brand doesn't claim it kills or cures fungus, only that its formula is designed with nail-friendly ingredients in mind.
Puremedy Clarifying Nail Ointment - With Tea Tree Oil, All Natural Salve for Yellow Nails, Athlete's Foot & Skin Irritations, 2 Oz
What it is
An all-natural salve made with organic and wild-harvested botanicals including marigold, echinacea, elderberry, and beeswax, marketed by the brand to help manage the appearance of yellow nails.
Why it's worth it
Brand states it's formulated without parabens, phthalates, or petroleum, and positions it as gentle enough for babies, children, and pets, not just adults. A good fit for anyone who specifically wants a plant-based formula over a drug-active liquid like the tolnaftate options in this lineup.
Caveat
Brand describes it as providing temporary relief of fungus-related symptoms rather than a medicated cure, and it doesn't list a drug active ingredient the way the tolnaftate-based liquids here do.
NONYX Fungal Nail Clarifying Gel | Clinically Proven for Discolored, Thick, Brittle, Yellow, Lifted, and other signs of Fungus-Damaged Toenails | 90% of Nails Improve | Over 8 million sold
What it is
A clarifying gel formulated with ethanoic acid, marketed by the brand to break down keratin debris behind common signs of fungus-damaged toenails like discoloration and thickness.
Why it's worth it
Brand states it was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in which 90% of nails improved in appearance, and that it can be applied under existing nail polish. A good fit for someone who doesn't want to stop wearing polish while treating nail-appearance changes.
Caveat
Brand states this study measured improvement in nail appearance, not a clinical fungal cure. Brand also states applying it just 3 times a month or with each polish change, a lighter routine than the twice-daily liquids in this lineup.
Artnaturals Tea Tree Essential Oil, 4 fl oz | 100% Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil for Aromatherapy, Diffusers, Massage & DIY Beauty, Steam-Distilled, Vegan & Cruelty-Free
What it is
A 4 fl oz bottle of 100% pure, undiluted tea tree essential oil, sold for topical and aromatic use rather than as a nail-specific antifungal product.
Why it's worth it
Tea tree oil is an ingredient several of the medicated and cosmetic products in this lineup include as one component, and buying it on its own is the lower-cost way to add it to a routine — brand states it's safe for skin only when properly diluted with a carrier oil. A good fit for anyone who wants to layer a tea tree element into their own routine rather than buy a pre-formulated nail product.
Caveat
This is an undiluted essential oil, not a nail treatment or drug product on its own — brand states it must be diluted before topical use, and it makes no claim about treating nail fungus specifically.
SILKA Max Strength Antifungal Liquid for Toenail Health with Brush Applicator, Results in 1 Week, Nail Fungus Treatment for Damaged Toenails, Athlete's Foot Treatment, Tolnaftate 1% 0.45 Fl Oz
What it is
A topical liquid with 1% tolnaftate as the active ingredient, applied with a brush applicator to the nail and cuticle area.
Why it's worth it
Like the Fungi-Nail liquid in this lineup, tolnaftate is an FDA-monograph OTC antifungal active, and the brand states this maximum-strength formula shows results within 1 week and is meant to be applied twice daily. A good fit as a comparable alternative to Fungi-Nail with the same active ingredient at the same 1% strength, from a different manufacturer.
Caveat
Brand states visible results start within 1 week; as with any topical OTC antifungal, more established or thickened nail fungus often takes longer to respond and may not fully resolve without a podiatrist's involvement.
How to choose
How to choose the right antifungal nail treatments for fungus-prone toenails
Takeaway
Medicated liquids and cosmetic nail-appearance products solve different problems, so matching the right type to what you're actually dealing with matters more than picking by price. For anything beyond mild discoloration, pairing one of these with a podiatrist's opinion is a reasonable, low-risk way to approach fungus-prone toenails.
