What makes ears sensitive?

“The ears are a delicate area with thinner skin than other areas of the body, meaning they are more susceptible to dryness and irritation,” explains Engelman. “Environmental factors such as wind, sun, allergic reaction to jewelry, and hair or skin care products can all contribute to ear irritation.”

How do you know if you're allergic to certain earrings?

Investigate the composition of your earrings, as many allergic reactions are brought on by nickel—a metal that many jewelry makers use because of its durability. You’ll know if you’re allergic to a pair of earrings based on visible irritation (e.g., redness, dryness, or bumps). If you feel itchy or a burning sensation, then that could also be an indication, according to Engelman. “These symptoms typically pop up anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after skin contact,” she says. “It’s even possible to develop the allergy over time.”

The 12 Best Earrings for Sensitive Ears of 2023

Getting your ears pierced is an exciting moment—a game-changer when it comes to accessorizing—as the tiny punctures open you up to countless more earring options. Unfortunately for some, the satisfaction can be short-lived when they realize their skin is reacting negatively to those new baubles. Many affordable jewelry pieces use nickel as the base metal, and with time, friction, and moisture, the skin can become increasingly sensitive, experts say.

Everyone's ears are different, so not all earrings will work for you if you have a particular allergy to that metal. The only way to assess sensitivity is through a trial-and-error process, understanding the materials that tend to be pretty troublesome. Generally speaking, you want to avoid nickel, copper, and cobalt and opt for sterling silver or gold that’s at least 14K. If your ears still react negatively, you might try titanium or platinum, which tend to be the least reactive. And, worry not: The pieces don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. You just have to know where to look.

Meet the Expert

Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon based in New York City.
Marion Fasel is an author and the founder of The Adventurine, an online jewelry magazine.

“Unless you insist on buying 24K gold, hypoallergenic earrings don’t have to come with a high price tag,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologic surgeon. “The cost can start at $10 and go up [from there].”

To simplify your search for earrings for sensitive ears, Byrdie did the vetting for you and picked the best pieces available online, with the help of our experts. So, say goodbye to painful, red lobes. The stylish earrings ahead are safe for even the most sensitive ears.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Mejuri Bold Large Hoops at Mejuri.com

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Best Budget:

Tini Lux Priya Studs at Tinilux.com

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Best Huggies:

Rowan Tube Hoops 12mm at Heyrowan.com

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Best Diamond Studs:

Ippolita Carnevale Stud Earrings at Bloomingdales

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Best Cartilage:

The Clear Cut Burnished Diamond Ear Cuff at Theclearcut.co

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Best Silver:

Alighieri The Flashback Earrings at Hbx.com

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Best Chunky Hoops:

Ippolita Classico Thick Hammered Round Hoop Earrings at Neiman Marcus

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Best Statement:

Elsa Peretti High Tide Earrings at Tiffany.com

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Best Timeless:

Blue Nile Diamond Earrings at Bluenile.com

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Best Nature-Inspired:

Leigh Miller Lucia Hoops at Leighmiller.us

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Mejuri

View On Mejuri.com

Gold hoops are always a sound investment. Of course, they don’t have to break the bank. Mejuri makes staples that are long-lasting but won’t cost a fortune, like this pair in 14K gold. Their two-year warranty makes for an even better value.

Metal: 14K gold | Style: Hoops

Tini Lux

View On Tinilux.com

To ensure comfort on even the most sensitive skin, Tini Lux crafts its styles in biocompatible titanium and generally offers a great bang for your buck. Wear these tiny, water-resistant hearts with everything from workwear to sweats and even beachwear.

Metal: Titanium | Style: Studs

Rowan

View On Heyrowan.com

Everyone could use a reliable pair of huggies, as they’re subtle enough to go with virtually everything. Like all of Rowan’s offerings, this pair is made from hypoallergenic metal to guard against allergic reactions.

Metal: Sterling silver | Style: Hoops

Bloomingdales

View On Bloomingdales View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Ippolita puts a spin on the classic diamond stud with this ceramic-accented style. The earrings are crafted in high-shine 925 silver, which plays up the brilliance of the stones. (The bezel makes them look bigger.)

Metal: Sterling silver | Style: Studs

The Clear Cut

View On Theclearcut.co

You can’t go wrong with this ear cuff from The Clear Cut. The 14K-gold style has tiny, round diamonds for a subtle shine. Like all of the label’s pieces, this style is made-to-order.

Metal: 14K gold | Style: Cuff

Olivela

View On Hbx.com View On Olivela.com

Alighieri is well-known for creating unique, handcrafted jewelry from recycled materials. Its silver earrings are super safe for sensitive ears because they’re made entirely from sterling silver. (Gold offerings, by contrast, are plated bronze, an alloy that often contains copper. However, since the posts are also sterling silver, these could be safe, depending on the severity of your allergy.)

Metal: Sterling silver | Style: Horseshoe

Ippolita Classico Thick Hammered Round Hoop Earrings

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus View On Saks Fifth Avenue

These chunky hoop earrings make a visual impact but are engineered to feel super lightweight. They’re crafted in hammered sterling silver to create a textured, light-reflecting surface.

Metal: Sterling silver | Style: Hoops

Tiffany & Co.

View On Tiffany.com

This design emphasizes the simple beauty of nature, with the curves of the earrings subtly echoing the texture of rippling waves. They’re made by Elsa Peretti, a legendary designer who prioritized sculptural, organic forms in the 1970s and elevated the status of sterling silver, the material with which these earrings are made.

Metal: Sterling silver | Style: Drop

Blue Nile

View On Bluenile.com

In the jewelry world, few things are more timeless than a pair of round diamond studs. This particular pair is secured in platinum four-prong settings. Each earring weighs roughly 0.5 carats for a total diamond weight of 1 carat.

Metal: Platinum | Style: Studs

Leigh Miller

View On Leighmiller.us

Leigh Miller Newman’s designs are inspired by nature and its natural elements, which those with sensitive ears can enjoy in the label’s sterling silver iterations. This hoop-like style has a hinged closure, so you can wear them without having to keep track of a separate back.

Metal: Sterling silver | Style: Hoops

Tiffany & Co.

View On Tiffany.com

Reminiscent of a solitary raindrop or a shining bead of morning dew, these hoop earrings in 18k gold should keep you comfortable. (Dr. Engelman says anything above 14K should be safe, while Fasel advises shoppers to go as high above 14K as possible to best safeguard against any issues of quality or sensitivity.)

Metal: 18K gold | Style: Teardrop

The Clear Cut

View On Theclearcut.co

For just a touch of gold and sparkle, go for these bezel studs in 14K gold from The Clear Cut. The natural diamond studs come in I-J color and two sizes: 0.25 carats and 0.5 carat.

Metal: 14K gold | Style: Studs

What to Look for in Earrings for Sensitive Ears

Pure metals

Alloys are a mixture of chemical elements, generally metals. Alloys often make up jewelry, though for sensitive skin, they can be hazardous. This is because these pieces (costume jewelry made with materials like gold vermeil) generally include traces of nickel, copper, and cobalt—metals known to cause an immune response, like redness or itching. Hypoallergenic earrings are made with metals less likely to cause an allergic reaction, such as gold, platinum, sterling silver, and titanium.

Price

Despite some materials, like platinum, carrying a heftier price tag, not all earrings for sensitive ears are expensive. The cost can start at $10 and go up much higher, depending on what you’re looking for. Platinum and gold are certainly expensive, but they’re both worthy investments for those with sensitive ears given their hypoallergenic qualities, Fasel assures.

FAQ

What makes ears sensitive?

“The ears are a delicate area with thinner skin than other areas of the body, meaning they are more susceptible to dryness and irritation,” explains Engelman. “Environmental factors such as wind, sun, allergic reaction to jewelry, and hair or skin care products can all contribute to ear irritation.”
How do you know if you're allergic to certain earrings?

Investigate the composition of your earrings, as many allergic reactions are brought on by nickel—a metal that many jewelry makers use because of its durability. You’ll know if you’re allergic to a pair of earrings based on visible irritation (e.g., redness, dryness, or bumps). If you feel itchy or a burning sensation, then that could also be an indication, according to Engelman. “These symptoms typically pop up anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after skin contact,” she says. “It’s even possible to develop the allergy over time.”

Why Trust Byrdie

Hayley Prokos is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor focused on fashion and lifestyle. She contributes regularly to Byrdie’s commerce section and has a passion for sourcing chic and practical pieces with long-term wearability. After hours of researching and chatting with our experts, she’s gathered enough insight to determine which earrings are best for sensitive ears.

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