The word hypoallergenic is everywhere in the jewellery industry. It appears on packaging, in product descriptions, on websites. But it is rarely explained — and the difference between a truly body-safe metal and one that simply carries the label matters enormously when jewellery is worn against intimate skin.
At REPIOR, we have been selecting and working with body-safe metals since 2012. This guide explains what hypoallergenic actually means, which metals deserve that description, and why the choice of metal is the single most important decision in making intimate jewellery that works.
What does hypoallergenic mean?
Hypoallergenic means less likely to cause an allergic reaction — not impossible. The prefix hypo means under or below. So a hypoallergenic material is one that sits below the typical threshold for triggering an immune response in most people.
It is not a regulated term. No governing body defines what a material must contain or exclude to carry the label. This means that hypoallergenic on a product description tells you almost nothing on its own. What matters is the composition of the metal itself — specifically, what it contains and what it does not.
The most common cause of metal reactions: nickel
Nickel allergy is the most prevalent contact allergy in the world. It is estimated to affect between 10 and 20 percent of the population, with higher rates among people who have had prolonged contact with nickel-containing metals — particularly through piercing jewellery.
Nickel is commonly added to metal alloys because it is cheap, makes metals harder, and improves their finish. It appears in stainless steel alloys, gold alloys, silver, and many common jewellery materials. When nickel comes into contact with skin moisture — sweat, body fluids — it can leach out of the alloy and trigger a reaction: redness, itching, swelling, and in severe cases, open sores.
For jewellery worn against intimate skin, the stakes are higher than for a ring or a bracelet. The skin in intimate areas is thinner, more sensitive, and more continuously moist. A metal that causes no visible reaction on the wrist may cause significant irritation in an intimate context.
The three metals REPIOR uses — and why
Copper
Pure copper is naturally antimicrobial. It does not contain nickel. It is one of the oldest metals used in human adornment, and its interaction with the human body is well documented over thousands of years of use.
Copper responds to body chemistry — it warms to skin temperature, develops a unique patina shaped by the individual who wears it, and over time becomes entirely personal. This is not a flaw. It is the nature of a living metal that responds to its environment.
A small number of people have copper sensitivity. Symptoms typically appear as greenish marks on the skin where the metal touches — this is the copper oxidising against the skin’s moisture, not a toxic reaction. It is harmless and washes off. People with diagnosed copper allergies should choose steel or aluminium instead.
Stainless steel
The stainless steel REPIOR uses is 316L surgical grade — the same grade used in medical implants and surgical instruments. 316L contains a small percentage of nickel, but the nickel is locked tightly within the alloy structure and does not leach under normal conditions of wear.
For the vast majority of people, including most with nickel sensitivity, 316L surgical steel causes no reaction. It is cool to the touch, maintains its finish indefinitely, and requires minimal maintenance. For those who prefer precision and permanence in their jewellery, steel is the correct choice.
The exception: people with severe, diagnosed nickel allergy should still exercise caution with any steel alloy and may prefer to choose aluminium instead.
Aluminium
Aluminium is nickel-free, lightweight, and genuinely hypoallergenic in the strictest sense. It does not react with skin chemistry, does not tarnish, and does not cause contact dermatitis in the vast majority of people — including those with metal sensitivities.
Its defining characteristic as a jewellery material is weight — or rather, the absence of it. An aluminium REPIOR piece weighs almost nothing against the skin. For all-day wear, this makes it the most comfortable choice by a significant margin. The presence of the piece is felt as sensation rather than weight.
What REPIOR never uses
No nickel. No plating. No coatings. No alloys with undisclosed compositions.
Plating is a common technique in jewellery manufacturing — a base metal is coated with a thin layer of a more desirable metal (gold, silver, rhodium). The plating wears away over time, exposing the base metal beneath. When jewellery is worn against intimate skin, this means the skin eventually comes into contact with whatever the base metal is — often brass or zinc alloy, both of which may contain nickel.
REPIOR pieces are made from solid material throughout. There is no surface that wears away to reveal something different underneath. What you wear on the first day is what you wear on the thousandth.
How to choose the right metal for you
If you have no known metal sensitivities: copper is the most tactile and personal choice. It develops a unique patina and responds to your body chemistry. Steel is the most permanent and low-maintenance. Aluminium is the lightest and most comfortable for all-day wear.
If you have nickel sensitivity: choose copper or aluminium. Both are nickel-free. If your sensitivity is severe, choose aluminium — it is the most inert of the three.
If you have a diagnosed copper allergy: choose steel or aluminium.
If you are unsure: write to us at info@repior.com before ordering. We will help you choose based on your specific situation.
A note on intimate skin
The intimate body is more sensitive than the surface areas where most jewellery is worn. Reactions that would not manifest on the wrist or earlobe may become apparent when metal is worn against nipple or genital skin. If you are trying intimate jewellery for the first time, wear it for a short period initially — one to two hours — and monitor for any response before committing to longer wear.
At REPIOR, we have been designing for this context for 14 years. Our material choices reflect that experience. If you have any doubt about which material is right for your skin, ask us before you order. We would rather answer a question than have you wear something that does not serve your body well.
→ repior.com
Related: Understanding hypoallergenic metals · Complete care guide · Caring for copper
→ Shop REPIOR non-piercing jewellery · REPIOR Journal · FAQs & sizing · Ask Pilar directly