First let me welcome you to forum.First thing to do is just prevention from further damage.you can use cuticle oil frequently or even daily if your nails are flaky and brittle.Don't cut or tear the skin or cuticles by yourself as they help in protecting the growth center of your nail.
Always remember to apply a hand cream after you wash your hand, as some soap makes nails very dry which results peeling and become brittle. Yea Nail polish does protect the natural nail, but remember to remove it as soon as it starts to chip. don't peel off nail polish, as this might also result in removal of the top layer of your nail leading to further damage. Have your nails manicured on a regular basis, usually every three to four weeks to make sure that your hands and nails remain healthy.