Why does my skin turn green with fake metal?

Inexpensive costume jewelry can make your ensemble unforgettable, but it can also leave your skin sporting stains as green as the Statue of Liberty.

Lady Liberty’s natural dye job occurred because she is made of copper, which turns blue-green when it oxidizes. Oxidation often involves some element reacting with oxygen, it can also describe other chemical reactions in which electrons are lost. In the Statue of Liberty’s case, the color transformation comprises a series of these reactions.

A similar process causes jewelry to discolor your skin. As Refinery29 explains, there’s a good chance the trinket in question contains copper or another metal that gets a new hue when it oxidizes. Even gold and sterling silver items have been known to change color, since they’re rarely made from pure gold or pure silver.

The catalyst of the reactions can be any number of things on your skin, from soap or lotion to plain old sweat. “One day, it might not affect me,” Suzanne Friedler, a board-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, told Reviewed. “Another day it could, depending on the heat and the sweatiness of my skin, and how closely it’s contacting my skin.”

If you want to avoid the issue altogether, stick to wearing white gold, stainless steel, and other materials that don’t change color. But before you toss out all your beloved bargain rings, you should know that there’s a pretty effective way to keep the green from tinting your finger: Just coat the underside with clear nail polish. (The trick should work for any jewelry, though intricate bracelets and necklaces may be a little harder to paint.)

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Dear Budget Fashionista: How can I stop jewelry from turning my skin green? I love wearing costume jewelry but usually after one or two wears it turns my skin green — or the piece tarnishes.

Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening?

Why jewelry turns your skin green

We all know how it feels to wear a gorgeous piece of jewelry, only to slip it off at the end of the day and discover that unsightly green mark of shame. Fortunately, it’s not uncommon. It’s fairly easy to solve the problem, too.

First, know that any lotion, hand cream or perfume can react with jewelry metals, such as copper, brass, pewter and silver. Even acidic sweat can cause it to happen.

The reason is pretty scientific — salty compounds form on the skin when acids sweat or product come into contact with the metal. Or, the metal simply oxidizes and tarnishes.

You will usually notice these issues with lower-end pieces. According to Jane Becker, founder of JB Jewels, “Most of the costume jewelry is dipped in and gold- and silver-colored paints to make them look shiny. Eventually these coatings wear off, staining your clothes and skin.”

Why does my skin turn green with fake metal?

There’s no harm in the greenish stain. It’s not dangerous, but it may come with some irritation if your skin is very sensitive. 

Removing green skin stains

You can remove green skin stains with makeup remover or rubbing alcohol. Simply apply your preferred solution to a cotton ball and rub off the stain.

4 ways to prevent jewelry from turning skin green

1. Clear nail polish

You can prevent the jewelry from causing marks on your skin with one of the simplest items in your beauty arsenal: clear nail polish. According to Becker, “If you brush the back or the parts that touch your skin…this will help.” 

2. Use jewelry skin guard

If the nail polish solution isn’t official enough for you, try jewelry skin guard. You can find it on Amazon.

Note that I’ve never used this type of formula. To me, it looks like repackaged nail polish, only more expensive.

3. Avoid water and soap

According to Business Insider, another solution for avoiding green skin is to avoid water and soap while wearing jewelry. That means:

  • Remove your jewelry when you’re washing your hands or exposing your skin to water. Avoid using soap while that ring is on your finger — this will slow the oxidation process and prevent stains.
  • Always remove jewelry when swimming or working out.
  • You might even skip jewelry when it’s humid.
  • Dry hands thoroughly before putting on your jewelry again.

4. Anti-tarnishing cloths

Why does my skin turn green with fake metal?

Keep some anti-tarnishing cloths handy. If it looks like your non-precious metals are in the early stages of oxidation, wiping them down gently can help. Storing these pieces in plastic bags may also slow the process.

You can find anti-tarnishing cloths on Amazon for less than $10.

How do you keep fake metal from turning your skin green?

Yes, there's a fix, and it doesn't involve applying antiperspirant all over the skin beneath your favorite faux pieces or avoiding hand lotion all together. The trick is to coat your jewelry, or whichever part of the jewelry comes into contact with your skin, with clear nail polish.

Does fake metal make your skin green?

Fake Jewelry or Plated Jewelry Turns Your Skin Green Over time, even the most robust metals will wear down. If your jewelry is silver or gold plated, the plating will wear down and expose the cheaper metal underneath. Your skin will react to the cheaper metal, most likely copper, and leave a green stain.

Does green skin from fake jewelry go away?

Yes, green skin from jewelry does go away. Some people may confuse this sensation with their skin being allergic to copper, but that's not the case. “It's important to note this is an oxidation reaction, not a skin reaction,” says Beatrix Bell of Beatrixbell Handcrafted Jewelry.

How do I keep my cheap metal from turning my skin green?

4 ways to prevent jewelry from turning skin green.
Clear nail polish. You can prevent the jewelry from causing marks on your skin with one of the simplest items in your beauty arsenal: clear nail polish. ... .
Use jewelry skin guard. ... .
Avoid water and soap. ... .
Anti-tarnishing cloths..