If your hair feels frizzy and lacklustre, it may be down to something as simple as using the wrong pillowcase. Have you considered swapping your cotton design for a silk pillowcase?
Silk or satin pillowcases prevent friction between your skin and the fabric, and also absorb less moisture than cotton, so your skin will stay more hydrated during the night. Claims have been made surrounding the antimicrobial properties of silk versus cotton, and although silk fibres have antibacterial properties at the microlevel, there's no clinical evidence to prove silk is more hygienic than cotton. However, there are several nutritional benefits of silk for the hair and skin – read on to find out more!
In need of a new pillow too? Check out the best feather pillows for a supportive night's rest.
What's the difference between silk and satin?
Silk and satin can often look very similar, but there are some key differences between the two.
Silk is a natural material, derived from the cocoons of silkworms. Like linen, silk is an isothermal fabric, meaning it can regulate your body temperature efficiently. The natural fibres silk is formed of make it a strong, breathable fabric, with hypoallergenic properties. This makes it a long-lasting material with benefits for people who suffer from hay-fever or other allergies.
Unfortunately, the intensive labour of producing silk make it a sought after and expensive material. To maintain the benefits of silk, you should also be careful to follow specific care instructions.
Satin, rather than being a type of fabric, is actually a form of weave, meaning it can be made from any number of fabrics. In this weave, threads are woven very closely together, creating a shiny look similar to silk. Satin tends to be cheaper to produce than silk, making it more accessible. It’s also a lot easier to take care of, as you can usually machine wash it without any repercussions – but, again, always read the label.
Is satin or silk better for hair and skin?
While both fabrics are better than cotton for sleeping on, we recommend silk over satin when it comes to skincare benefits. Overall, silk is a far smoother fabric, which is gentle on the skin.
Even though its usually made from cotton or polyester, satin is still beneficial for your hair. The texture of the final product is slippery and smooth, perfect for reducing friction and preventing breakage.
However, again, we would recommend silk over satin when it comes to protecting your hair. The vital proteins contained in silk’s natural fibres help to nourish and strengthen your hair overnight. Rather than simply preventing breakage, silk offers fantastic benefits to your hair similar to expensive Keratin treatments you fork out for at the salon.
Enjoy soft and fresh bedding with our review of the best fabric softener.
What is momme?
Momme is a Japanese word used as a unit of weight measurement for silk. The higher the momme, the higher the thread count of the silk, meaning it will be heavier, denser, and smoother. It will also be more rich in nutrients and more beneficial to the face and hair, so it’s an important factor to consider when shopping for silk pillowcases!
So take a browse of the best silk pillowcases below, and treat your hair and skin to lovely night's rest.
Discover how to clean and store winter bedding.
Best silk pillowcases for 2024
Mulberry Park 30 Momme Silk Pillowcase
Available in a range of beautiful shades, these silk pillowcases by Mulberry Park are an impressive 30 momme, which is comparable to a 1000 thread count cotton pillowcase.
Mulberry silk is the finest quality silk you can buy, made from silk worms that are fed exclusively on leaves from the Mulberry tree. So this is a luxurious, yet affordable choice.
We love the range of colours, and this Mulberry silk pillowcase will fit your standard size of pillow. Usually we prefer envelope-style pillowcases, but silk is so smooth, it tends to cause the pillowcase to slip off the pillow. Hence why this pillowcase - and most others - have a hidden zipper sewn in.
Silk & Style Natural Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
This high quality silk pillowcase is available in several attractive, neutral tones, as well as dusty rose and champagne shades. There are different sizes to choose from, and the hidden zipper means it won't slip off your pillow at night. At 22 momme, it's made of high quality fabric - and at a great price.
House your guests in style with a stylish sofa bed.
ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
With over 14,000 five star ratings, this silk pillowcase had to be included in our roundup! Although this design is not competitively priced for 19 momme, it's clearly provided several customers with a positive experience.
Available in an impressive range of colours, there's something for everyone. Made from 100% 19 momme Grade 6A Mulberry silk, its a quality product, albeit not quite as high quality as our aforementioned pillowcases. That being said, ZIMASILK offer a satisfaction guarantee, so if you're not happy, you can get your money back within 180 days of purchase.
Veaken Silk Pillowcases 25 momme
If both you and your partner are concerned with your hair and skin, or you can't bear to think about having non-matching pillowcases, this two pack by Veaken is super value.
These are the second highest quality pillowcases in our roundup, available at a ludicrously good price.
Available in a champagne shade, a dusty rose, silver, white, or charcoal, these pillowcases will suit any style. You can opt for King, Queen, or standard, and, as usual, there's a concealed zipper to prevent the pillowcase slipping.
Find a new duvet cover to match in our roundup of the best spring and summer bedding.
Vespersilk 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase and Eye Mask
If you're after an eye mask as well as a silk pillowcase, why not opt for this sweet set be Vespersilk?
The eye mask is made from 100% Mulberry silk, with a lightweight cotton padding for comfort and light control. There's even an adjustable strap to fit all head sizes.
This set would make a lovely birthday gift, and it's always useful to have an eye mask when you're on a flight, or enjoying a long lie.
Alaska Bear Silk Pillowcase and Scrunchie
Another lovely set to consider, and this one includes a scrunchie - perfect for your pre-bed routine.
This silk pillowcase is arguably the most beautiful in our roundup, and great quality too. The gorgeous cover is an easy way to add some vibrancy to a white bedroom.
With 22 momme, this is a high quality choice, and there's a wide variety of standout designs to consider.
Bedsure Satin Pillowcases
If you're not so bothered about silk, and fancy a more budget-friendly option, this set of satin pillowcases may be the choice for you.
Available in a huge range of colours, these satin pillowcases are designed with an envelope closed end, rather than a zipper.
You can choose to order them in a pack of two or four, and they're made from 100% polyester satin, which is not as beneficial for the hair and skin as silk, but will still feel soft.
How to care for your silk pillowcase
We always recommend hand-washing your silk pillowcases to maintain their beneficial properties. Here’s our step-by-step cleaning instructions, but remember to always read the label for specific care instructions.
- Before washing, turn your silk pillowcases inside out to protect the outer layer
- Fill a basin with cool water and a mild detergent, according to the proportion directions on the bottle
- Submerge the pillowcases into the water, and gently agitate them
- Rinse the pillowcase in more cool water. Don’t wring dry, but rather gently press the fabric between your hands to remove water
- Lay the pillowcase on a clean towel and roll up to remove the last of the water, before hanging the pillowcase to air dry - do not tumble dry
Although we don’t recommend using a washing machine to clean silk pillowcases, if you must, turn them inside out first and wash on a cool, gentle cycle with other like-coloured silk fabrics. Do not use fabric softener on silk, as it may leave residue on the fabric. Never use bleach or a detergent with enzymes on silk, as it can dissolve the natural fibres and leave it feeling hard and rough. Look out for a neutral, pH balanced, toxin-free soap without enzymes for perfectly soft silk.
Looking for a firm and supportive pillow? Browse our review of the best memory foam pillows.
