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By Kristin Granero, Andrea Navarro, and Paula Lee
Finding the best earrings for sensitive ears can be a game changer when it comes to styling cool earscapes that won't produce an allergic reaction. Because even when your accessories game hits a painful snag (ever found a cute pair of earrings from an affordable jewelry brand only for them to turn your lobes into an itchy red mess?), there’s no need to stay away from earrings altogether—it all comes down to knowing what metals are hypoallergenic, as well as which ones to avoid.
“The most common allergy experienced by jewelry wearers are nickel allergies,” cautions New York–based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “A lot of affordable jewelry pieces use nickel as the base metal—and with time, friction, and moisture, the skin may begin to feel sensitive. Adhesives used to put costume jewelry together can be another source of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).”
If you’ve experienced irritation from earrings, it’s likely the aforementioned condition, which is “a form of eczema characterized by dry, itchy pink or red patches on the skin caused by exposure to certain chemicals—in this case various metals found in jewelry,” explains Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Platinum and stainless steel tend to be less reactive, making them the best metals for sensitive ears, says Dr. Marchbein. “These are also good options, along with plastic, for initial ear piercings, which can decrease the risk of developing ACD later on,” she explains.
If your personal style leans toward gold hoops, opt for 14-karat or 18-karat yellow or white gold from a demi-fine or fine jewelry brand, which in addition to being hypoallergenic, is tarnish-proof and water-resistant for added durability. “The higher the karat, the purer and less likely to cause a reaction,” says dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar.
Luckily, there is a wide range of affordable hypoallergenic jewelry without the hefty price tag (unless you're in for a splurge). From hoops of all sizes and shapes to studs that you can leave in 24/7, scroll through for a jewelry box's worth of best earrings for sensitive ears that (finally!) look as good as they feel.
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Can’t settle on a hoop size? Switch it up with this smart set of hypoallergenic earrings from Oanvider. The Amazon’s Choice pick features three small surgical stainless steel hoop pairings that look like any other silver earring but can be worn throughout the day sans irritation (and swapped out in size to suit different outfits and occasions).
These versatile nickel-free earrings are made of surgical steel and have racked up a near-perfect rating—and close to 4,000 five-star reviews. “Love them. I have a nickel allergy and super-sensitive skin and I haven't had a reaction to these at all,” comments one reader. “I can 100% confirm that these are hypoallergenic,” says another. They also feature a double-notched back for added security (though, if you happen to lose a set, you can rest easy knowing you have four backups).
Adding a touch of bling to your rotation is easy with this set of studs from Nordstrom, which features a cubic zirconia stone set in sterling silver with platinum or 14-karat gold. The hypoallergenic materials, accessible price point, and pretty box also make this pick prime for gifting.
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Aurate is all about accessible, wear-forever gold jewelry that’s sustainably sourced—the brand says they use over 99% recycled gold in its collection. Many of the designs are offered in 14k gold vermeil (which is sterling silver base plated in thick 14k gold), 14k or 18k solid gold, so you can opt for whatever works best for your ears and budget. Plus, we love the beautiful soft tone of the gold here. Intended to deliver maximum shimmer, the ribbed detail on these gold hoops catch the light and provide just the right amount of texture.
Mejuri is one of our go-to affordable jewelry brands for statement pieces that'll get daily wear, like this chubby style that's giving major Bottega vibes. Dipped in 18-karat gold vermeil, this stackable pair won’t oxidize or discolor.
Huggies will never not be in style, and we love this simple 14-karat-gold-plated set from nickel-free jewelry brand Maison Miru, which can be worn solo or stacked with other pieces.
If huggies or smaller hoops simply aren't your thing, reach for these larger Stone & Strand hoops. While they're not the brand's biggest size option, their diameter is still large enough to make a statement. If you have multiple piercings, try stacking them with some of the brand's smaller hoops and studs for an edgy look.
Jackie Burke founded Tini Lux in response to her many run-ins with not-so-hypoallergenic earrings, centering the brand around the biocompatible properties of titanium and niobium. This square pair is a modern take on traditional silver hoops and is backed by nonallergenic titanium. According to the brand, you can even wear your earrings in the water without fear of tarnishing.
All of Baublebar’s jewelry pieces are certified nickel-, lead-, cadmium-, and phthalates-free, which means you can feel even better about scooping up this sparkly set of 18-karat-gold-plated silver, cubic-zirconia-encrusted hoops. Plus, they're available in a range of finishes and gemstone colors for all of your shimmering needs.
Jackie Burke founded Tini Lux in response to her metal allergy and many run-ins with not-so-hypoallergenic earrings, centering the brand around the biocompatible properties of titanium and niobium. Pure medical-grade titanium (which is also lab-tested for purity) is used as the base for all the earrings, like these pretty hoops with dangling freshwater pearls. According to the brand, they can even be worn in the water without fear of tarnishing or turning color.
If you want something unintrusive you can leave in for days at a time, low-key bar studs are the way to go. This minimalist 14-karat solid gold style (available both as a pair or single) is simple on its own or stacked with other earring styles if you have multiple piercings.
Inspired by a popular ’80s earring style, these puffy huggies from Madewell’s demi-fine jewelry collection offer a textural twist on the classic smooth hoop. Also available in sterling silver, this version is plated in polished 14-karat gold. If the reviews are any indication, these will be a wardrobe staple.
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A little bit edgy, a little bit classic, this crisscross design appears to hug the ear for a cool effect. Like all of the Ana Luisa jewelry, the studs are tested and guaranteed to be safe, hypoallergenic, and tarnish-resistant.
Tortoise checker gives these patterned square hoops their modern edge. Handmade from premium Italian acetate with hypoallergenic stainless steel posts and measuring at an inch and half wide, this is a pair that can be worn on the regular or when you want to give your metal hoops a break.
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Expect these shiny studs to be a mainstay in your jewelry box (although chances are, they’ll just live on your ears). Handcrafted with 14-karat solid gold, they will never oxidize or turn color. Plus, the spheres are the ideal size, not too tiny or over-the-top for everyday wear.
Piercing salon Rowan was founded on the premise that getting your ears pierced should be safe—as such, all piercings are performed by licensed nurses with hypoallergenic earrings safe for newly pierced ears. But even if you don’t need another piercing, you can shop a nickel-free assortment on its website. Our pick is this delicate chain hoop pair (also available in silver) to lend soft movement and a touch of sparkle to any ear stack.
Fan of a big full hoop? Jenny Bird makes some of the best in the market (celebs like Selena Gomez, Zendaya, and Hailey Bieber are often spotted in the brand’s earrings). Perhaps it’s the sleek silhouette with ball stud detail that simultaneously feels both modern and timeless, but it’s also because they happen to be comfortable. This pair, also available in a smaller size, is crafted from flexible and hollow stainless steel that twists to open, which means no more stray or missing earring backs—and your hair won’t get caught in them.
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