Silk is made with natural fibers with hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and breathable properties that provide wonderful life-long benefits for the health of our skin and hair. Silk pillowcases can also help prevent skin irritations, alleviate sleeping discomforts, and improve your bedtime routine.
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.
Satin offers similar haircare benefits to silk, but it won't retain moisture as well as silk. "Satin absorbs a little bit more than silk since it's a mixture of numerous materials including cotton, but it's still way less than 100% cotton pillow cases," Onuoha says.
There's a reason why many dermatologists recommend silk pillowcases. Not only is the material naturally hypoallergenic, which can keep irritation at bay, but it also has a silky smooth texture that's no match for the troublesome friction other materials might cause.
The Disadvantages of Satin
Satin can be difficult to sew and work with because of its shiny, slippery texture. Satin can also snag, this because of the way the threads interlace, creating those longer runs in one direction.
Silk is a much stronger material than satin. This is important because when you're investing in a high-quality bedsheet or pillowcase, you want it to last a long time. Being a durable, strong material, silk is much more likely to stand the test of time without tears and other damage to the structure.
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.
You Should Go for a Satin Pillowcase If…
You hope to clear up acne or hydrate dry skin. You notice hair breakage or tangling after sleeping. You have sensitive skin.
It's a good idea to wash your pillowcase at least once each month to remove product buildup or oils which it may have collected. Washing satin may seem like a daunting task, but it's not.
The silky material allows pores to breathe throughout the night which reduces the chances of acne. Similarly, if you are prone to dry skin and require a lot of moisture to keep your skin looking supple and youthful, satin can help. Other materials, like cotton, soak up moisture. Satin allows your skin to retain it.
The fabric of your pillowcase plays a role in the premature formation of wrinkles and overall skin health. “Silk pillowcases are better for your skin,” Dr. Michael Jacobs, medical technology director at Cortina and a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, previously told HuffPost.
But although a silk pillowcase may prevent breakage, it won't prevent hair loss. We all shed hair throughout the day. More significant hair loss can be caused by a number of factors — alopecia, chemotherapy, hereditary baldness, childbirth, stress — but your pillowcase doesn't have anything to do with it.
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.
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).
Satin. A long time ago, satin was made of silk. But now, it's mostly polyester and rayon, neither of which are breathable. So even though satin feels cool to the touch, it's not a good fabric for summer.
Over time, they can cause problems ranging from infertility to cancer. Other chemicals used in the creation of satin material can lead to dermatitis and allergies. For instance, AZO dyes, which are used to color textiles into vivid colors, can come off and come into contact with the skin.
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.
Bottom Line. Our testing team found the PlushBeds Silk Pillowcase was remarkably smooth, making it a good option for sleepers who want to reduce lines, wrinkles, and hair breakage. Silk's natural breathability should also help the pillowcase sleep cool throughout the year.
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.