Hypoallergenic jewelry: which metals for sensitive skin
If your skin turns red, itches or peels under a ring or by earrings, it's most likely not "poor quality" but a metal allergy — most often to nickel. The good news: a solution exists and it's simple.
Culprit number one: nickel
Nickel is the most common cause of contact allergies in the world. It was used as a cheap additive in alloys because it's hard and inexpensive. The problem is that with sweat or moisture it releases ions that irritate the skin.
Safe metals for sensitive skin
| Metal | Hypoallergenicity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | Excellent | Naturally pure, no nickel |
| 18K gold (nickel-free) | Excellent | Fewer alloys than 14K |
| Palladium | Excellent | White metal, light |
| Titanium | Excellent | Common in medicine |
| Surgical steel 316L | Good | Low nickel release |
| 14K gold | Depends | May contain nickel — check! |
| Sterling silver 925 | Mostly good | Mind copper content |
Why 18K is better than 14K
Higher karat = more pure gold and fewer alloy metals. 18K gold (75% gold) has less room for potential allergens than 14K (58% gold). For very sensitive skin, 18K nickel-free or platinum is the safest choice.
White gold — be attentive
White gold was historically a common cause of problems because nickel was used for "whitening". Modern quality white gold uses palladium instead of nickel. Always ask whether the white gold is nickel-free.
Practical tips if you have sensitive skin
- Choose platinum, 18K nickel-free gold or titanium
- With earrings the skin is especially sensitive — insist on quality materials
- Keep jewelry dry — moisture speeds up ion release
- Occasionally clean the skin and jewelry (soap/sweat residue irritates)
- For new ear piercings use titanium or surgical steel
Myth: "hypoallergenic" is not a legally protected term
The "hypoallergenic" label alone guarantees nothing — the actual composition is what matters. So always check the karat and alloy, not just the label.
With us
At Kraguljevich Jewelry we use nickel-free alloys in all karats, so our jewelry is suitable for sensitive skin too. If you have a known allergy, tell us — we'll recommend the safest material for your piece.
What's next?
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Author: Kraguljevich Jewelry · Buyer's guide