Will Sunscreen Damage My Engagement Ring and Wedding Band?

Whether you’re hitting the beach or relaxing by the pool, protecting your skin with sunscreen is a must! While it's imperative to protect your skin with SPF, it's important to be cautious since certain oil-based ingredients in SPF products can harm your gold or platinum band. These oils can create a film-like residue over your diamonds, causing them to appear lackluster or hazy. With time, this buildup can accumulate, leaving your ring looking dull or unclean. Additionally, lotions can get trapped beneath gemstones and within prongs, further contributing to a grimy exterior. 

How Can I Avoid Getting Sunscreen on my Engagement Ring and Wedding Band? 

To maintain your ring's radiance and avoid possible damage, we recommend removing your rings before applying sunscreen. After the sunscreen is absorbed and your skin is dry, it's okay to put your rings back on. Depending on whether you’re swimming in the ocean or a pool, leaving your rings at home or in your hotel room will help to eliminate potential risks. If you’re on vacation, remember to put your valuable jewelry in a safe. For added security, you may consider storing your rings in a safe at home or wearing a wristband with zip pockets to hold and protect them. 

What Should I Do If I Get Sunscreen on My Engagement Ring and Wedding Band? 

If you get sunscreen on your engagement ring and wedding band by accident, there's no reason to panic. SPF takes time to dull the shine of your rings, so there are immediate steps you can take to undo the mistake. For a convenient home remedy, delicately scrub the lotion off your bands using a soft toothbrush, mild dish soap, and warm water. If your cleaning doesn't give you the results you want, you can always entrust your rings to a professional jeweler for a thorough cleaning and inspection. Once you have cleaned your ring, its sheen will be fully restored. 

Make Sure to Give Your Rings a Regular Cleaning, Especially After Using Sunscreen. 

Regularly cleaning your rings does more than maintain their shiny appearance; it also enhances the durability of the setting and removes any accumulated oil and dirt. We recommend cleaning your rings at least once a week, especially during the summer, to eliminate SPF residue and everyday oils. In addition, we recommend getting your rings professionally cleaned twice a year by any respected jeweler. If you accidentally get a bit of sunscreen on your rings, it's important to clean them as soon as possible, even if you've already cleaned them recently. 

Although You May Not Want to, Sometimes it’s Best to Leave Your Rings Off  

Given the sentimental value of your jewelry, it's understandable that you may be reluctant to take off your ring set. However, there are specific scenarios when keeping your rings on can be harmful to your valuable pieces. Ideally, it's best to avoid wearing your rings altogether while applying SPF, as water and sweat can potentially cause the sunscreen to run onto your ring. 

Even With Precautions, It’s Always Best to Get Your Rings Insured  

Considering the sentimental and material value of your engagement ring and wedding ring, obtaining jewelry insurance is a wise decision that provides security and peace of mind. By insuring your rings, you guarantee protection in the event of loss or damage, as the insurance coverage will help to cover the expenses for replacement or repair. 

All our engagement ring settings are now ON SALE! We're taking 25% off our engagement rings collection! (Our engagement ring sale excludes two-stone engagement rings.)

Our customer concierge team is available to answer all your questions—contact us today!