Why your ears hate most earrings, what causes that green ring on your finger, and which metals won't let you down
New earrings. Wore them for three hours. Now your earlobes are red, itchy, and angry. You know this story because you've lived it more times than you can count.
Maybe you've stopped bothering with earrings altogether. Maybe you've got a drawer full of necklaces that leave your neck irritated and rings that turn your finger green. Jewellery shouldn't be this difficult.
It isn't – once you understand what's actually causing the problem. Most jewellery reactions come down to one thing: nickel. And most "hypoallergenic" labels are meaningless marketing. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly which metals work for sensitive skin, which don't, and why.
Why Jewellery Causes Skin Reactions
The Nickel Problem
Nickel allergy affects 10–15% of the population. It's the most common contact allergy worldwide, and it's in almost everything: cheap fashion jewellery, some gold pieces, some silver pieces, watch backs, belt buckles, jean buttons.
When nickel touches your skin, your immune system can mistake it for a threat. The result is contact dermatitis – redness, itching, swelling, sometimes blisters. It's not dangerous, but it's enough to ruin jewellery for you if you don't know what to avoid.
The frustrating part? You can develop nickel sensitivity at any age, even if you've worn jewellery without issues for years. Once you're sensitised, it's permanent.
Green Skin Is Different
That greenish-black mark a ring leaves on your finger isn't an allergic reaction. It's oxidation.
Copper-based metals (brass, bronze, cheap gold-plated jewellery with a copper base) react with sweat and moisture. The metal oxidises, leaving residue on your skin. Harmless, but annoying – and a clear sign of low-quality materials.
Reaction vs Oxidation: Quick Test
Allergic reaction: Redness, itching, swelling at the contact point. Appears within hours. Goes away when you remove the jewellery.
Oxidation: Green or black marks that rub off. No itching or swelling. Just discolouration.
Signs You're Reacting to Jewellery
Common Symptoms
- Redness exactly where the metal touches skin
- Itching that starts within a few hours of wearing
- Dry, flaky patches under rings or necklaces
- Swollen earlobes
- Small blisters (in more severe cases)
- Symptoms that clear up when you stop wearing the piece
Reactions typically appear within 12–48 hours, though some people notice symptoms much faster. If you're reacting to jewellery, removing it should bring relief within a day or two. If symptoms persist or seem severe, see a doctor – but for most people, the solution is simply avoiding the metals that cause problems.
Which Metals Are Safe for Sensitive Skin?
Can You Wear Gold-Plated Jewellery with Sensitive Skin?
Maybe. It depends entirely on what's under the plating and how durable that plating is.
Traditional gold plating is a thin gold layer over a base metal – often brass, copper, or nickel alloy. Problems start when the plating wears through (usually within weeks or months), exposing the reactive base metal underneath. Even if you don't react immediately, you will eventually.
PVD Coating: The Better Alternative
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coating works differently. Instead of layering gold on top, PVD bonds the coating at a molecular level. It's roughly 4x more durable than traditional plating and doesn't chip or flake.
When PVD coating is applied over 316L stainless steel, you get a hypoallergenic base with a gold finish that actually lasts. That's the combination to look for if you want gold-tone jewellery that won't cause reactions.
Before buying gold-plated jewellery, ask: What's the base metal? What type of plating? How thick is it? If a brand can't answer these questions, that tells you something.
Why Earrings Cause More Problems Than Other Jewellery
Earrings go through pierced skin, which is more vulnerable than intact skin. The metal sits inside a wound (even a healed piercing is essentially scar tissue), making reactions more likely and more intense. Earlobes are also full of nerve endings, so you feel every bit of that irritation.
Add trapped sweat and moisture behind earring backs, and it's no wonder so many people give up on earrings entirely.
What to Look For in Earrings for Sensitive Ears
316L stainless steel or titanium posts. The post is what goes through your piercing – that's the critical part.
Nickel-free throughout. Not just the post. If the decorative part contains nickel and touches your earlobe, you can still react.
Secure closures that don't trap moisture. Butterfly backs can trap sweat. Huggie hoops and hinged hoops tend to be better for all-day wear.
Given Up on Earrings? Might Be Worth Trying Again
Most people who've "given up" have only ever tried cheap earrings with nickel posts. Their ears reacted every time, so they concluded earrings don't work for them.
That's not quite right. What doesn't work is nickel. If you've never tried 316L surgical steel earrings, you don't actually know whether your ears can handle earrings. Worth testing with a simple pair of studs before writing off earrings forever.
Jewellery That Works for Sensitive Skin
Everything at Kaleya is 316L stainless steel with PVD coating. Here are some pieces that customers with sensitive skin particularly like:
Serpent Ring
If rings usually leave your finger irritated or green, this one won't. The serpent design is bold enough to be interesting, but the 316L steel base means your skin won't know it's there. Wear it all day without thinking about it.
→ Shop this ringLayered Crystal Necklace
Layered necklaces mean more metal against skin, which usually spells trouble. Not here. Both chains are hypoallergenic steel with PVD coating, so you get the layered look without the rash. The crystal detail adds sparkle without adding reactivity.
→ Shop this necklaceUnique X Ring in Silver
Want to test whether hypoallergenic jewellery actually works for you? Start here. £28, clean crossover design, no reactions. If your skin tolerates this, it'll tolerate anything in the collection. Good proof of concept before committing to more.
→ Shop this ringWoven Mesh Chain Choker Necklace in Gold
Chokers sit flat against your neck all day. With reactive metals, that's a recipe for irritation. With 316L steel and PVD gold coating, it's just a nice necklace. The woven mesh texture catches light beautifully without catching your skin out.
→ Shop this chokerStarburst Signet Ring in Gold
Signet rings look great but often cause problems because the flat face sits tight against skin. This one's different. 316L steel base, PVD gold finish, zero reaction. The starburst detail makes it feel vintage without the vintage-jewellery skin problems.
→ Shop this ringTired of Reacting to Earrings?
Every pair in our collection is 316L surgical steel with PVD coating. Safe for sensitive ears.
Shop Earrings for Sensitive EarsQuick Tips for Sensitive Skin
- Clean jewellery regularly. Soap residue and sweat build-up can irritate skin even with safe metals.
- Dry piercings after showering. Trapped moisture makes reactions more likely.
- Test new pieces for a few hours first. Don't commit to a full day until you know how your skin responds.
- Old jewellery can become problematic. Plating wears off. Something that worked five years ago might not work now.
- If you react, stop wearing it. Your skin won't "adjust." It'll just get worse.
Common Questions
Can you develop a jewellery allergy later in life?
Yes. Nickel sensitivity can develop at any age with repeated exposure. Once sensitised, it's permanent – but easily managed by avoiding nickel.
Is surgical steel the same as stainless steel?
"Surgical steel" typically means 316L stainless steel – the grade safe for body contact. Generic "stainless steel" could be a lower grade. Look for "316L" specifically.
Why do some earrings cause reactions and others don't?
Different earrings contain different metals. Two similar-looking pairs can have completely different compositions. Without checking materials, it's a gamble each time.
Can I wear gold-plated jewellery if I have sensitive skin?
Depends on the base metal and plating quality. Traditional plating over brass or nickel will eventually cause problems. PVD coating over 316L steel is a safer choice.
How can I tell if jewellery is really hypoallergenic?
"Hypoallergenic" isn't regulated – anyone can use it. Look for specific materials: 316L stainless steel, titanium, or nickel-free sterling silver. If a brand won't disclose materials, be suspicious.
Sensitive Skin Doesn't Mean No Jewellery
It means being selective. The right materials exist – 316L stainless steel, titanium, PVD coating over quality bases. The problem isn't that you can't wear jewellery. The problem is that most jewellery is made with cheap, reactive metals.
Find pieces made properly, and the reactions stop. It really is that straightforward.
Browse the Full Collection
Everything's 316L stainless steel. Everything's hypoallergenic. No guesswork required.
Shop Hypoallergenic Jewellery