Other fabrics will absorb the oils and dirt from our faces and hair night after night, meaning that we go to sleep each night on a dirty pillowcase. A silk pillowcase does not absorb these oils and dirt as much as other fabrics, meaning fewer breakouts! Silk is also great for your skin in terms of wrinkles and lines.
Cotton is commonly named the best pillowcase material, but other options are worth considering. Not all cotton pillowcases are created equal. Egyptian long-staple cotton, also called Pima or Supima® cotton, is deemed the highest quality for the softest texture with breathability.
Our bodies naturally lose moisture and oils as we sleep, which end up being absorbed into our pillowcase. This causes friction and our skin sticks to the fabric, which can lead to creases and over time, more lines and wrinkles. Also, the buildup of sweat and oil in the fabric can cause or worsen acne.
Silk absorbs less moisture than other popular bedding materials like cotton. This allows the skin to retain more moisture, which in turn helps prevent dry or itchy skin. Silk is also less likely to absorb any lotions or serums you might use in your bedtime skincare regime. These benefits extend to your hair as well.
As such, silk is prone to fading when exposed to direct sunlight, either indoors or outside. Even this best silk bedding will fade if left in direct sunlight. This is why we recommend always hanging your silk to dry away from the sun. Happily, your silk sheets should air dry very quickly, even indoors.
Satin is non-absorbent, and therefore helps preserve the moisture in the hair and skin. Satin also won't absorb any applied night creams. Silk (and cotton) are highly absorbent, which can rob hair and skin of their natural oils.
Silk is recommended by leading dermatologists for its anti-ageing properties and helps to keep skin soft, supple and wrinkle-free. These pillowcases contain the same natural fibres found in our skin and hair, helping to reduce friction and moisture loss while keeping your hair healthy, sleek and shiny.
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.
Satin is also soft, so it won't pull at your skin or hair which means it's better compared to a cotton pillowcase and can help prevent the formation of wrinkles or reducing breakage and frizz. A satin pillowcase can easily be thrown in the wash with the rest of your laundry (silk requires more careful care).
Thread count often measures the quality of the fabric and the higher the number the better the quality. For instance, the “standard” cotton thread count is between 100 and 150 while better quality pillowcases start at around 180. A count of 200 and more is considered a great quality fabric.
“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.
Most silk pillowcases are both silk and satin, but you can find satin pillowcases made of polyester for a lower price. Mulberry silk is the highest quality of silk you can find. Think of it as the Egyptian cotton equivalent of silk: The fibers are longer and more uniform so the fabric is smoother and more durable.
Cotton is more porous than silk, so traditional pillowcases absorb moisture from your hair, while silk leaves that hydration right where it belongs: in your hair. That means if you suffer from dry strands or a flaky scalp, a silk pillowcase will be a godsend.
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.
Don't put silk items in the dryer. Heat can damage delicate silk fibers. If the dryer is absolutely necessary to use only 'air' setting for 15 minutes or less with NO fabric sheets or dryer balls. Remove sheets before completely dry.
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.
Satin pillowcases offer a variety of potential benefits. The glossy, smooth texture of the weave allows the head to move easily, reducing the friction that could otherwise cause wrinkles, hair frizzing, and breakage. The material is also less absorbent, which may promote hydrated skin while decreasing the risk of acne.
Less friction
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may help prevent fine lines over time thanks to this reduced friction. It'll also help you avoid those unattractive pillow creases you encounter from sleeping on cotton.
Satin also provides the same benefits as silk: It is hypoallergenic, less absorbent, and breathable.
Silk is shiny from both sides but satin has a glossy surface and dull back. Silk is the oldest fabric invented 12000 years ago in china but satin was found in middle age. Silk is a stronger fabric than satin. Silk can be hand washed but satin sometimes needs dry clean.
Silk and satin – often get confused for each other, they look similar but what are the differences between the two? Despite their similar appearance the biggest difference is that satin is a weave and not a natural fibre, whereas silk is a natural fibre fabric.
When you feel a polyester satin fabric, it has a distinctly slippery feel under your fingertips. But while it is slippery, it isn't necessarily soft. Pure silk fabric – because it is made from a natural protein – provides both a smooth and soft feel that man-made textiles just have not been able to replicate.