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While I will forever die on my “I got my ears pierced at Claire’s” hill, my skin has gotten more sensitive to jewelry over the years. I’ve had to be more mindful of the earrings that I buy and the jewelry that I let come into contact with my eczema-, redness-prone skin. Because I’ve been trying to figure out how to best treat my sensitive skin, while still attempting to find affordable jewelry that won’t cause itchiness and red blotches, I talked to Los Angeles-based, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry.
For those with sensitive skin shopping for affordable jewelry, what should they look for? What should they avoid?
If you have sensitive skin, look for jewelry labeled nickel-free, hypoallergenic, or surgical-grade stainless steel. Sterling silver, titanium, platinum, and 14-karat gold are usually safe, too. Try to avoid cheap costume jewelry, especially if it doesn’t list the metal ingredients. (Nickel is often hiding in there, and it’s a common trigger for skin reactions.)
What can cause a jewelry allergy? When dealing with an outbreak, what should you do to care for it?
Most jewelry allergies are contact dermatitis, and nickel is the most common culprit. Your immune system sees it as an irritant and reacts, causing redness, itching, bumps, or even blistering. If that happens, take the jewelry off, gently cleanse the area with a mild cleanser, and apply a soothing barrier cream or over-the-counter hydrocortisone. If it doesn’t calm down in a few days, I recommend seeing a dermatologist.
How do you know if you're sensitive or allergic to jewelry or metals?
If you’ve ever noticed redness, itchiness, flaking, or tiny blisters where your jewelry sits, like your earlobes, neck, or fingers, you might be allergic or sensitive to a metal. It usually shows up within hours to a couple of days of wearing the item. Patch testing with a dermatologist can confirm the allergy. Even without testing, if the reaction happens consistently with certain pieces, it’s a sign you should switch to safer metals.
Are there any jewelry brands or designers you recommend for those who have sensitive skin?
Some jewelry brands I recommend for my patients with sensitive skin include Mejuri, Ana Luisa, Maison Miru, and Studs. These brands are transparent about their materials and offer nickel-free options.
Here are some options under $130 currently sitting in my cart:
Some everyday earrings that’ll make a subtle statement…
These dome huggies from Mejuri have an asymmetrical shape, so they’re different from your standard pair of huggies. They come in the brand’s standard sterling silver or gold vermeil, which is made of both a thick layer of 18-karat gold and sterling silver. I love that they’re under $100 too. ($58, Mejuri)
A dainty beaded ring…
Wear this ring on its own or stack it with your other daily favorites. Because it has a beaded design, it’ll catch the light. It comes in both white and yellow 14-karat gold, so you don’t have to worry about it tarnishing or irritating your skin (especially after coming in contact with water). ($128, Mejuri)
A bracelet with a modern floral design…
To Dr. Berry’s point, Ana Luisa is a great resource if you have ultra sensitive skin. Pretty much all of their product pages note that their pieces are hypoallergenic. This minimal gold bracelet has floral charms that are amorphous and not overly feminine. It’s made of 14-karat gold on brass and is water-resistant. Make sure to dry it off post-water exposure to ensure it’ll last. It also comes in a silver version. ($56+, Ana Luisa)
A classic initial necklace…
You can’t go wrong with a simple initial necklace. If you’re looking for a high-quality option that isn’t expensive, try this one. I’d also layer it with this slim gold chain to dress up any basic outfit. On top of being hypoallergenic and water-resistant, all of Ana Luisa’s jewelry has a two-year warranty coverage. ($65, Ana Luisa)
A necklace bundle that’s a designer dupe…
This necklace set reminds me of Elsa Peretti’s iconic bean necklace, but at a fraction of the price. Each necklace is made of 14-karat gold layered over brass, so you can forget the hassle of removing any green residue from your skin. I’d wear these two necklaces together and add a colorful third option for contrast. ($90, Ana Luisa)
Bar earrings you can comfortably sleep in…
I reach for my tiny bar studs on a daily basis. Their elongated shape catches the light similar to gemstone-based earrings, but I love how the design is different. These are a part of Maison Miru’s Nap Earring collection, which have flat backs to ensure you can lay down without them poking your neck. As per Dr. Berry’s recommendation, these are made of medical-grade titanium, while the gold pair is made of medical-grade titanium plated in 18-karat gold. ($75, Maison Miru)
A precurated earscape set…
If you have multiple piercings, Studs makes cohesive sets that take the stress out of pairing earrings together. This set comes with four earrings, so you can mix and match them however you want. You’ll get two pearl huggies, a flatback stud, and a dangling pearl hoop. All of Studs’ earrings are safe for sensitive skin, and you can even get your ears pierced at any of their 33 locations. ($98, Studs)
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