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.
Silk pillowcases are known to have a ton of benefits for your skin, your hair, and your sleep. These include: It's super soft and smooth so it doesn't pull at or crease your skin which means your silk pillowcase can help prevent the formation of wrinkles on your skin over time.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Zeichner suggests going for 100 percent silk pillowcases because they're the softest on the skin. He also warns to “look out for any silk blends. Especially those with any synthetic fibers like polyester,” that can be rougher on the skin.
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.
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.
Silk is not especially wrinkle prone, however it can easily become wrinkled when folded up in a drawer or packed away in a tight suitcase. Silk is a natural fiber, which means that it is not as wrinkle resistant as other fabrics made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon.
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.
Also known as Tussah silk. Made with short and coarse fibres, Shantung is stiff to the touch, whilst lightweight and airy. Similar to Dupion with its texture, though the finish tends to be more irregular. A fabric that doesn't crease and is great for use in shirts, dresses and trousers.
Some silks -- like crepe de chine, habotai, noil and charmeuse -- are less prone to wrinkling.
Silk pillowcases are less likely to cause these types of wrinkles because they're so smooth. The fabric, unlike cotton, glides across your skin instead of pulling at it, which helps keep your skin looking younger and more elastic.
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.
"Silk doesn't absorb or pull moisture from your skin the way traditional cotton pillowcases do, leaving hair hydrated and frizz-free." Plus, according to Richy Kandasamy, a hair colorist and a member of R+Co Collective, resting your head on this fabric will keep textured hair fresher and less "slept on" upon waking.
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.
When comparing bamboo lyocell Vs silk, the majority of the main points of bamboo Vs silk can also be applied. While both are silky smooth – bamboo will last longer, get softer with time, wash well and provide hypoallergenic, antibacterial properties while you sleep.
Bamboo is more breathable than silk.
With a bamboo pillowcase, you can keep that cool side of the pillow feeling all night long. Silk pillowcases have a tighter weave, which means they heat up more easily.
While both bamboo and silk feel smooth and luxurious, bamboo pillowcases aren't quite as smooth as silk ones. Nonetheless, some people actually prefer it that way as silk can be too slippery like satin, whereas bamboo has more of a buttery feel that's more natural.
"I sleep on a silk pillowcase because when I first cut my hair, I'd wake up in the morning with crazy bedhead all over the place," she told Hamm. "My hair stylist said, 'You gotta get a silk pillowcase because it will keep your hair under control and your face won't wrinkle. '"
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.
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.