Are Silicone Rings Bad for You?

There has been a lot of scrutiny recently about the products we use, particularly ones that are man-made. We’ve discovered in recent years that not all new products are positive. Many people question whether silicone wedding rings fall into that category and may actually be harmful. The good news is there is no scientific evidence that silicone is harmful to wear.

Harmful Chemicals in Our Everyday Life

We’ve learned that many of the chemical components in everyday products are actually harming our health. These include:

• Phthalates, found in shampoos, body sprays, nail polish, perfumes, laundry detergent, and more

• Organophosphate pesticides used to improve crop production

• Flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) used in televisions, computers, insulation, and even children’s toys

• BPA (bisphenol-A), a chemical found in plastics

• Polychlorinated biphenyls, used in industrial products and chemicals that are outlawed today but can still linger in our food and water supply

This is only a small list of potentially harmful chemicals that have proven over time to impact development, reproduction, and overall health.

The Silicone Difference

While silicone products are a man-made elastomer (a rubber material), they are more of a hybrid between rubber and plastic. Their plastic-like properties of being flexible and malleable, hot and cold resistant, and water resistant make them a popular choice for many materials. But they are different from plastics in that the base components to make silicone are naturally occurring materials.

Silicone is made by using silicon (without the ‘e’), which is the base element of silica (we’re not trying to confuse you, but these are all a little different). Silica is a natural material similar to a fine sand. To make silicone you heat silica and carbon at a very high temperature, then add hydrogen and oxygen as well as other siloxane monomers.

Studies have shown that silicone, which is extremely stable, doesn’t leach into nearby materials. A study of silicone baby bottle nipples found that after six hours there was no detectable level of siloxane in baby formula or milk. You probably won’t soak your ring in your baby’s bottle, but these studies show that wearing it around your finger is safe.

Silicone is also used in the production of medical products because of its stability and safety. Medical-grade silicone (what we use for silicone rings) is the safest option for prolonged skin contact. High-quality silicone is also hypoallergenic, so an allergic reaction is unlikely, even if you have sensitive skin.

Shop for Silicone Rings

With all the uncertainty out there about plastics and chemicals, you can rest assured knowing that Enso Rings uses only the highest quality medical-grade silicone to create our rings. They are safe to wear for just about everyone, so shop today to get yours.