Cotton pillowcases are known to absorb the oils from your hair and skin, which can leave them dry, brittle and prone to breakage. The good news is all these problems are easily addressed by switching to a silk pillowcase. Silk allows the hair to slide around on your pillow effortlessly, so you wake to smoother hair.
Cotton is an absorbent fabric, which only means that it can trap sweat, dirt, hair/skincare products, drool, and other debris. The sad part is, you add or deposit more of these things on your pillow, night after night. This can then clog your pores and trigger breakouts.
When choosing a pillowcase, there are a few standard fabric options. Cotton is known for being soft and breathable, and it can often provide a luxe feel for an affordable price. Microfiber and polyester are also inexpensive and wrinkle-resistant. For a more luxurious feel, opt for silk or linen.
The choice of pillowcase fabric plays a vital role for acne-prone skin. Silk pillowcases cause less friction and prevent flare-ups. The anti-absorbent properties of silk are known to fight active acne and reduce inflammation while cotton pillowcase absorbs the healthy natural oil and worsens the skin condition.
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.
Materials that combine temperature regulation and softness are great options for people looking for pillowcases that help prevent acne. Silk has a smooth and soft feel that is gentle on sensitive skin. It's also lightweight and breathable, so it can help keep sleepers cool throughout the night.
"I'd certainly recommend changing your pillowcase at least two to three times a week," she says. "This will help prevent breakouts and congested skin." It's not just your pillowcase, though, as experts recommend replacing your pillow every one to two years.
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.
Cotton is frequently used because it is a comfortable and affordable option for pillowcases. It's available in a range of thread counts, is pleasing to sleep on due to its coolness and absorbency, and can be cleaned quickly and easily.
Less Friction
That's not the case with a satin or silk pillowcase. The satin pillowcase will allow your hair to gently glide over the top of it reducing friction, tangles, and frizz and keeping your hairstyle intact. The satin or silk pillowcase also helps prevent split ends from breaking.
Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Brooklinen is well renowned for its cozy sheets and towels, but the bedding brand also makes all-star silky pillowcases. Its mulberry silk material is breathable and naturally cool to the touch, two features that guarantee less friction damage to your hair and skin.
Wash pillowcases weekly.
"Eight hours times seven days equals 56 hours of use—even if you don't sweat or have oily hair, that's enough 'wear' to necessitate washing them with the rest of the sheets."
Polyester fabric is more durable and has outstanding strength. This is not known as natural, as it is made from man-made chemicals and other substances. Dirt and stains also tend to be kept, so we are not as breathable or relaxed as natural cotton.
After all, cotton is the original performance fabric: breathable yet absorbent, soft yet incredibly durable. Cotton is also naturally hypoallergenic, odor-resistant, and easy to maintain — everything you could want in your bedding without any of the harsh chemicals required to create polyester.
Cotton pillowcases are known to absorb the oils from your hair and skin, which can leave them dry, brittle and prone to breakage. The good news is all these problems are easily addressed by switching to a silk pillowcase. Silk allows the hair to slide around on your pillow effortlessly, so you wake to smoother hair.
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.
Your pillowcase has a build up of oils, dirt, and sweat from daily use. This means they can harbor bacteria and cause allergies. In some cases, pillowcases can even damage your hair or skin. Experts suggest washing your pillowcase every two days or so.
Machine wash warm on gentle cycle. Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry normal on medium heat.
Wash Settings
Washing your cotton sheets on a cold setting is ideal, but if you have any stains on the sheets use warm water no hotter than 105 degrees. Always wash your sheets in the washing machine by themselves.
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.
You want to be on the lookout for fabrics that are hypoallergenic and breathable, that reduce friction and therefore irritation, and don't soak up a ton of products like face creams and serums so that the oils and any bacteria fester on your bedding. These include: Silk pillowcases. Satin pillowcases.
Luckily, the best silk pillowcases can help you get your beauty sleep sans frizz. From preventing wrinkles to helping reduce hair breakage caused by friction, dermatologists and hair stylists have been touting the benefits of silk pillowcases for years.