Tired of that dreaded green ring around your finger or those itchy, irritated earlobes? You're not alone. For those of us blessed with sensitive skin, finding jewellery that's both stylish and skin-friendly can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But here's the good news: hypoallergenic jewellery isn't just a buzzword – it's your ticket to wearing beautiful pieces without the worry of reactions or irritation. Whether you're dealing with metal allergies, sensitive piercings, or just want to avoid that telltale tarnish, we're about to dive into everything you need to know about choosing jewellery that loves your skin as much as you love wearing it. From understanding what makes jewellery truly hypoallergenic to discovering tarnish-free and waterproof options that stay radiant longer.
Consider this your ultimate guide to comfortable, allergy-safe jewellery that doesn't compromise on style.
Why does my jewellery tarnish?
Tarnish happens when low-quality jewellery reacts with moisture and chemicals - often these are from jewellery that isn't waterproof or sweat proof. This can dull its shine and irritate sensitive skin. If the jewellery is made from low-quality metals, this can't be avoided and will inevitably happen. One way to speed up this process, however, is to wear your jewellery when swimming, or while applying perfumes - which will damage that top layer of the jewellery and tarnish it quicker.
The good news is that tarnish-free jewellery, like our lifeproof gold huggie hoops or silver chain necklaces, are made from tarnish-resistant, waterproof and high-quality materials which make them stay radiant longer and as they're also hypoallergenic, they won’t irritate your skin either - making them perfect as allergy safe jewellery. Avoid wearing jewellery in pools or while applying perfumes to reduce tarnishing further.
Is gold hypoallergenic?
Not all gold is hypoallergenic. Pure gold is often referred to as hypoallergenic, but alloys of gold are often mixed with nickel or copper, which are cheaper to produce and can cause irritation.
Instead, look for high-quality gold that is not alloyed with low-quality metals - such as our dainty gold earrings or chunky gold hoops. At Elk & Bloom, we know how important this is for our customers and only use high-quality hypoallergenic materials throughout our whole collection, meaning all our jewellery is perfect for sensitive skin and designed for all-day wear without causing redness or itchiness - even on the most sensitive allergy-prone skin.
- For more information and types of gold qualities - explore our 14 v's 18 Karat Gold blog to find out more.
How to tell if a piercing is rejecting?
Piercing rejection often happens when the body reacts to low-quality metals. It can be painful and frustrating - here's how to tell if your piercing is rejecting - keep an eye out for persistent redness, unusual hardness or pain around the piercing. If the jewellery is starting to sit more shallowly than when first pierced, or if you can see more of it through your skin - it could be migrating. Migration is a major red flag - if the entrance and exit holes are getting farther apart or if the skin between them looks thinner or more transparent, your body might be pushing the jewellery out.
Sometimes this cannot be avoided, and if you've chosen to no longer use pierced jewellery, there's lots of other alternatives for no piercing, or piercing-free jewellery - such as our lifeproof gold and silver ear cuffs. These hypoallergenic options are gentle on the skin and won’t irritate your piercings, even if you wear them 24/7.
Can I sleep with earrings in?
Yes - but listen to your body - if you don't find them irritating, or getting in the way, you can sleep with earrings - but it's best to make sure they're hypoallergenic and comfortable - and to make sure you don't accidentally catch them on any bedding or clothing. Low-quality metals can cause discomfort and even infections. Our small hoop earrings are designed for day-to-night wear. They’re lightweight, tarnish-free, and made for sensitive ears, so you can wake up feeling put together each morning.
How to prevent keloids and scarring from poor materials?
Keloids are a type of scar that forms when your skin reacts to poor materials or improper aftercare. They can be tough to manage and often need to be surgically removed.
To prevent this, only use hypoallergenic jewellery pieces that won't irritate your skin - and regularly clean your jewellery and piercings to prevent any dirt from building up that could cause scarring or irritation - this way you can still look gorgeous and stylish without having the pain behind it.
Thanks for reading!
