Yahoo LifestyleThe Best Earrings for Sensitive Skin
- 1/24
The Best Earrings for Sensitive Skin
Raise your hand if you’ve gotten itchy lobes after donning a pair of earrings. You might have sensitive ears and the cause of irritation is likely the type of metal in your jewelry.
“An allergy to nickel, which is mixed in with most gold jewelry (except 24k gold), is the probably culprit for your allergic reaction,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, MD. Symptoms typically include redness, itching, rash, and swelling around the earring area, she says. If this sounds all too familiar, she recommends cleaning your ear with fragrance-free soap and water before applying hydrocortisone cream to the affected place until it heals.
We hate to break it to you, but it could also be best to toss aside the styles you scored at your favorite fast fashion retailer. While you should always double check the material content or packaging (some will denote "nickel-free"), Dr. Ingleton advises anyone with an allergy to “avoid wearing costume jewelry in general, as these are commonly made with nickel” to keep the manufacturing costs down.
So what sensitive-skin friendly metals should you look for in earrings and other jewelry to prevent irritation? According to Dr. Ingleton, sterling silver (which is marked with a 925 stamp), 18k or 24k gold (which contains 75% or pure gold, respectively), nickel-free stainless steel and platinum, are your safest bets since these metals are less likely to contain nickel. Yes, some of them may cost a bit more, but because they are so durable, these pieces will last longer too.
From studs to hoops to statement styles (and everything in between), we found the prettiest hypoallergenic earrings for sensitive pierced ears.
- 2/24
1) Platinum Plated Sterling Silver Stud Earrings set with Round Cut Swarovski Zirconia (1 cttw)
Amazon Collection
amazon.com
$15.00
These 1 carat (total weight) Swarovski circonia studs are so sparkly, they look like the real deal.
- 3/24
2) Extra Large Sweetheart Hoops
Simone I. Smith
amazon.com
$179.99
You'll definitely be making a statement in these oversized 18k gold-plated silver hoops, which made it onto Oprah's 2020 Favorite Things list.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 4/24
3) Fiore 18K Gold Vermeil Flower Stud Earrings
BaubleBar
nordstrom.com
$30.40
Gold vermeil is a base of sterling silver that is thickly coated in gold for a durable finish. These colorful floral studs will tide you over until spring blooms.
- 5/24
4) 14K Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver CZ Alphabet Letter Earrings | Initial Earrings
PAVOI
amazon.com
$12.95
While these are 14K gold-plated, which contains a lower amount of gold and thus a higher amount of other metals, the brand notes that this initial pair is nickel-free.
- 6/24
5) Top Seller - 2.1 Carat T.G.W. Created Emerald 18kt Gold over Sterling Silver Stud Earrings, 6mm
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 7/24
6) Classic Duet Hoops
Shiffon
shiffonco.com
$380.00
Created in collaboration with former First Lady Michelle Obama's When We All Vote organization, this chunky sterling silver style with diamonds represents how many hoops women have jumped through while celebrating those who came before us. Feel good while wearing these as well—19.65% of profits (a nod to the year women won the right to vote) from each pair will fund female entrepreneurs through the Startup Girl Foundation.
- 8/24
7) Grey Mix Drop Earrings
Chan Luu
shopbop.com
$87.00
These pretty shoulder dusters are 18k gold over sterling silver and frame the face just so.
- 9/24
8) Wilder Shimmer Chain Huggie Hoop Earrings
Gorjana
nordstrom.com
$45.00
Delicate chains and cubic zirconias prove to be a pretty combo. Because the base metal of this pair is sterling silver, you likely won't have to worry about any irritations if the top 18k gold-plated layer rubs off with time.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 10/24
9) Jodi Beaded Fringe Drop Earrings
Deepa
anthropologie.com
$58.00
Not only are these festive beaded danglers in the 2021 Pantone Color of the Year Illuminating, they also have stainless steel backs.
- 11/24
10) Kate Hoop Earrings
Machete
nordstrom.com
$44.00
Add a pop of color to your earring game in these modern Italian acetate hoops with stainless steel posts.
- 12/24
11) Tiny Heart Stud Earrings
AquarianThoughts
etsy.com
$28.00
Offered in 14k gold fill (which is gold layered over a metal) or sterling silver, these little hearts are cute on their own or in second holes.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 13/24
12) Seven Golden Chevrons Earrings
Robindira Unsworth
uncommongoods.com
$90.00
While the chevron beads are 14k gold, they cascade off 22k gold vermeil hooks, giving these handmade earrings a shimmery look.
- 14/24
13) Double Ball Earrings
- 15/24
14) Sterling Silver Chain Link Hoop Earrings
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 16/24
15) Siren Semiprecious Stone Drop Earrings
- 17/24
16) 3-Packs Earrings Set
Argento Vivo
nordstrom.com
$48.00
Whether you have multiple piercings or not, this sterling silver set gets the earring party started.
- 18/24
17) Moon & Star Jacket Earrings
Sterling Forever
nordstrom.com
$60.00
You're in the itch- and nickel-free zone when you wear these celestial motif chandelier ear jackets.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 19/24
18) Pavé Open Circle Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings
Nordstrom
nordstrom.com
$49.00
Set in sterling silver and platinum, this is a modern alternative to the solitaire stud.
- 20/24
19) Roxanne Stud Earrings
Tory Burch
nordstrom.com
$88.00
With a retro feel, these glass button studs are nickel-free and have titanium posts so you can wear them all day in comfort.
- 21/24
20) Pavé Heart Hoop Earrings
Pandora
pandora.net
$16.25
These sterling silver pavé hoops are perfectly sized for day or evening.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 22/24
21) Croissant Knocker Earrings
Mejuri
mejuri.com
$75.00
Le croissant, c'est chic! This charmingly-named mini door knocker style is versatile enough for every day when you need a little something.
- 23/24
22) Golden Moon Earring Small Polished
Auvere
auvere.com
$205.00
You truly can't go wrong with simple and classic ball studs in 22 karat gold. Buy as either a single or pair.
- 24/24
23) Ross-Simons 2.85 ct. t.w. Baguette and Princess-Cut CZ Ear Climbers in Sterling Silver
Studs, danglers and hypoallergenic hoops ahead.
