Do Perfume and Hand Sanitiser Damage Jewellery? What Everyday Products Do

Double-Layer Zircon Ring

Short answer: yes, everyday products like perfume, hand sanitiser, hairspray, lotion and sunscreen can dull jewellery over time. Their alcohol, oils and chemicals leave a film on metal and stones, can wear plated finishes faster, and can dry out or stain pearls and porous stones. The fix is simple: apply products first, let them dry completely, then put your jewellery on, and wipe your pieces after wearing.

Which everyday products affect jewellery?

Product What it can do Most at risk
Hand sanitiser Alcohol and additives dull metal and leave residue behind stones. Rings, plated pieces, pearls
Perfume Alcohol and fragrance oils can dull shine and mark pearls. Necklaces, earrings, pearls
Hairspray and dry shampoo Leave a sticky film that attracts dust. Earrings, necklaces
Lotion and hand cream Build up under stones and in settings, reducing sparkle. Rings, bracelets
Sunscreen Leaves residue that dulls metal and stones. Everything, especially in summer
Makeup and foundation Collects in earring settings and on earring backs. Earrings

Hand sanitiser and rings

Rings take the most punishment, because we sanitise and moisturise our hands many times a day. Over time, alcohol-based sanitiser and hand cream build up around stones and settings, dulling sparkle and wearing plated finishes. Pearls, mother-of-pearl and porous stones such as turquoise are especially sensitive, as they can dry out or absorb residue.

  • If you can, slide rings off before using sanitiser, or let your hands dry fully before putting them back on.
  • Wipe rings with a soft dry cloth at the end of the day.
  • Give rings a gentle clean every few weeks. Our guide on cleaning cubic zirconia shows how to bring back sparkle.

Perfume and jewellery

Spraying perfume directly onto your neck or wrists while wearing jewellery coats the metal and stones. Pearls are particularly vulnerable: perfume can dull their lustre and, over time, mark the surface.

  • Spray perfume first and wait a few minutes for it to dry.
  • Then put on necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
  • Never spray perfume directly onto jewellery.

For pearls specifically, see how to clean pearls.

Hairspray, dry shampoo and makeup

Earrings sit right in the path of hairspray, dry shampoo and foundation. These products leave a sticky film that attracts dust and can build up around posts and backs.

Lotion and sunscreen

Moisturiser and sunscreen are the biggest cause of "cloudy" stones, because they collect behind and around settings. In an Australian summer, sunscreen residue builds up especially quickly. Apply and let products absorb before putting jewellery on, and wipe pieces after wearing. See our summer jewellery care guide.

The simple routine: last on, first off

  1. Get ready first: skincare, sunscreen, perfume, hair and makeup.
  2. Wait a few minutes for everything to dry and absorb.
  3. Put jewellery on last.
  4. Take it off first at the end of the day, before removing makeup or showering.
  5. Wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth and store it separately.

Want to know when else to take jewellery off? Read can you shower, sleep or work out in your jewellery?

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Frequently asked questions

Does hand sanitiser damage gold-plated rings?

Frequent contact can dull the finish and help wear plating faster over time. Let your hands dry fully before putting rings back on, and wipe them at the end of the day.

Can perfume ruin pearls?

Over time, yes. Perfume can dull a pearl's lustre and mark its surface. Always apply perfume first, let it dry, then put pearls on.

Why does my jewellery look cloudy?

Usually it's a film of lotion, sunscreen, soap or sanitiser on the metal and behind stones. A gentle clean with mild soapy water and a thorough dry usually brings the shine back.

For more ways to look after your pieces, visit our Jewellery Care Guide.