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.
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.
Satin is one of the best materials for pores. 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.
Benefits of a satin pillowcase
These include: 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.
The smooth surface of satin reduces friction between your hair and the pillow, which means less breakage. Friction can cause your hair cuticles to lift, making your hair more susceptible to damage. By sleeping on satin, you'll be protecting your hair from unnecessary stress and breakage, promoting healthier growth.
Additionally, while some pillowcase materials actively pull moisture from the skin, satin pillowcases made from silk absorb less liquid, which helps the skin stay hydrated. Adequate hydration helps prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging. Satin pillowcases may also appeal to sleepers with acne.
If you're someone who goes to bed with wet hair often, you might want to consider resting your tresses on satin. Unlike cotton, which can cause damage to your hair if you sleep with it wet, satin pillowcases will be more forgiving and allow your wet hair to move more freely and prevent creases while you sleep.
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.
Machine wash satin pillowcases with a gentle detergent and cold water on a delicate setting. Put the pillowcases in a mesh laundry bag for protection. Air dry them on a clothesline or on top of a fluffy towel away from direct sunlight. Use a steamer or an iron on low heat to get rid of wrinkles.
Bacteria and dirt will build up more slowly on silk or satin than on cotton, but you still need to wash it frequently. You don't want to be applying a fresh layer of skin irritants every time you go to sleep! For this reason, read the label carefully before deciding between silk or satin pillowcases.
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.
"Satin is much more forgiving, as it moves with the hair which reduces the friction between the hair fiber and the pillowcase or surface," explains Hill. Satin also provides the same benefits as silk: It is hypoallergenic, less absorbent, and breathable.
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.
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.
The first thing you need to know about how to dry silk pillowcases is that you should never put them in the dryer. The high heat of a dryer — even on a low setting — will destroy the silk's fiber.
DO wash your silk pillowcase before using it for the first time. DON'T dry a silk pillowcase in direct sunlight or in a heated dryer cycle. If you absolutely must use the dryer, use it on the air/no-heat cycle.
Compared to traditional cotton, satin is much smoother. This means that while you sleep on satin bedding, your hair will become much less tangled and matted and you won't have to worry about static. It's great for your skin. Less expensive fabrics often retain moisture, but that's not the case for satin.
High levels of heat will cause satin to shrink, however satin should never be placed into these types of environments. Your satin clothing and bedding should be washed in cold water, not hot water, and air dried as opposed to machine dried.
Less Friction
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.
If you have short hair, sleep with it down since tying it up would cause too much friction and pressure on your scalp. If you have long hair, you're going to want to tie it up to protect your strands, especially the ends, from getting snagged or pulled as you sleep.
Satin is slightly similar to silk at first glance but it has a noticeable difference up close. Satin has both glossy and shiny sides, while silk is lustrous all the way. It can retain its shape and doesn't wrinkle or frizz the hair, unlike other fabrics. However, It's not as breathable as silk.
Here are some of the reasons we love satin: 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.
Bottom line, yes: Silk pillowcases can improve skin and hair hydration, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and result in smoother, frizz-free hair every morning. Just don't expect magical results. "Be wary of unrealistic claims," says Sachs.