While a silk pillowcase won't stop you from getting breakouts, it's generally accepted that it can cause less irritation at night than other pillowcase materials due to the fact it's such a soft and smooth fabric.
The best pillowcases for acne are breathable, soft, and easy to clean. This helps reduce moisture buildup and skin irritation. Certain materials, like bamboo-derived fabrics and silk, tend to be softer and gentler on the skin.
Silk is hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial
Dust mites, bacteria, dribble, mildew and mould are unable to survive on silk the same they do on other fabrics. Which means less nasties to get under the skin and cause pimples.
“There is some evidence that when compared to typical cotton pillowcases, less moisture is absorbed with a silk pillowcase,” says Janiene Luke, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Loma Linda University in California. These benefits are more pronounced for hair, especially curly and textured hair.
Hair and skin help – When choosing between a satin vs silk pillowcase for skin and hair, you win either way, as satin also has the benefit of low friction. It also shares silk's breathability and hypoallergenic nature.
Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
However, conventional silk is not made ethically as it requires boiling live silkworms while still in their cocoons, and child labor is not uncommon in this industry. It's also not sustainable because sericulture is very energy and water-intensive, and a lot of chemicals are added to the fabric.
“Silk sheets and silk pillowcases are gentler on the skin of people with acne or sensitive skin that rough cotton ones," says Dr. Anna Chacon, a board certified dermatologist. "This is because the friction from cotton on sensitive skin can create more inflammation, making acne, eczema, or other skin conditions worse."
Silk is naturally anti-microbial and doesn't harbor bacteria like cotton does. See the difference in a week.. Cotton soaks everything up. Silk doesn't act like a sponge with oils, lotions, creams so rest assured your evening skincare routine actually stays ON throughout the night.
Sleeping on your back is considered the best sleep position for healthy skin. When you sleep on your back, your face is not pressed against a pillow, which can help prevent wrinkles and acne caused by the friction and pressure of the pillow.
"Unlike satin pillowcases, silk is tightly woven, which means that it will not retain dust, fungi, [and] bed mites, as well as pollen and mold." Gentle on acne-prone and sensitive skin: Cotton is prized for being gentle on sensitive skin, but silk may actually be even gentler.
While both of these soft, slippery fabrics are smart choices, one comes out on top. “Silk is my go-to for my patients with acne or acne-prone skin,” said VanHoose. “Silk is superior because it is made from 100 percent pure, natural fiber. It's smooth and breathable and it doesn't harbor bacteria.”
Though there isn't much scientific evidence supporting that silk pillowcases can reduce or even prevent acne, the fact that it doesn't snag the skin like rougher cotton or polyester fabrics can ultimately help prevent redness and irritation that can make acne look and feel worse, experts told us.
Change them once a week at the very least, but if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, once every other night may be an even better idea, ensuring you have a clean sleeping surface.
Pillowcases can house dirt and oil.
Like anything else that transfers dirt and oil to your skin, pillowcases can be the cause of something thats called acne mechanica. Acne mechanica is any type of acne that is the result of material or objects touching your face.
Mack says she would recommend switching your pillowcases every two to three days and the rest of your bedding every week. Now, she says every day or every other day is ideal.
Silkworms are killed to preserve material quality, thread length, and value because they chew their way out of their cocoon when they become adults in nature. Silk is widely used in the fashion industry today. It's considered a luxury and one of the finest fiber in the fashion world for thousands of years.
Silk is a fabric that's made from fibre spun by worms. These so-called 'silkworms' are moths, but they aren't given the chance to metamorphose when used in the silk industry. They are instead raised on farms, and often boiled alive and killed on an unimaginable scale as part of the silk-making process.
Detergent can stiffen silk
Even if you are hand washing your silks are per the instructions, if you are using a detergent, they can become stiff. Using a castile soap like Dr Bronner's instead can help a lot. Even after air drying, though, your silk may still be a bit stiff.
If you frequently sleep with wet hair, we suggest investing in a silk pillowcase. Silk doesn't retain moisture well, thereby allowing your hair to dry faster. More importantly, it's slick and produces less friction when compared with a cotton or flannel pillowcase.
Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) can damage silk significantly. It is best to wash all silk products in cold water. Don't use bleach, which will harm the fabric and cause it to yellow, or fabric softener which can leave residue on the fabric.