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.
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.
While both of these soft, slippery fabrics are smart choices, one comes out on top. “Silk is my go-to for my patients with acne or acne-prone skin,” said VanHoose. “Silk is superior because it is made from 100 percent pure, natural fiber. It's smooth and breathable and it doesn't harbor bacteria.”
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.
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 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.
While a silk pillowcase won't stop you from getting breakouts, it's generally accepted that it can cause less irritation at night than other pillowcase materials due to the fact it's such a soft and smooth fabric.
Bamboo is natural breathable, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, which reduces the likelihood of acne on your face or odor on your pillowcase. Silk can feel warm against your face at night as it must be woven very tightly to produce the fabric. This may not suit those who tend to become hot and sweaty at night time.
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.
"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.
Both satin and silk support healthy skin and hair while you sleep. Either of these materials is going to boost your beauty game more than more traditional bedding materials (ahem, cotton).
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.
Latex: One of the biggest perks of latex is that it's natural and sustainable. Latex pillows tend to be very breathable, too, and they're great for someone who has allergies or who sleeps hot. The material offers good support but tends to be a bit more expensive than other pillows.
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 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.
Dermatologists have suggested that natural fibres are the best for your skin, think organic cotton, wool, cashmere, hemp, silk, alpaca, and linen. Properties of organic fabrics, like the fact that they are soft, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic always work best for the skin.
"I love Slip Silk Pillowcases because of their super smooth texture, gorgeous colors, and data that their pillowcases absorb significantly less face cream and create 43 percent less friction than cotton pillowcases," Marcus explains.
Now that you know which types of fabric to avoid, it's time to talk about what you can wear. Skin-saving fabrics such as organic cotton, cashmere, hemp, and linen are gentle on the skin, as they are breathable and have excellent moisture-wicking properties.
But make sure you don't overdo it with all the creams, face masks, and serums, especially if it's not the right product for your skin. At least you're sure of one thing. Mulberry silk is an anti-acne pillowcase that won't disappoint all skin types. It should keep you and your face well-rested the entire night.
Silk is naturally anti-microbial and doesn't harbor bacteria like cotton does. See the difference in a week.. Cotton soaks everything up. Silk doesn't act like a sponge with oils, lotions, creams so rest assured your evening skincare routine actually stays ON throughout the night.
Satin pillowcases offer an array of potential benefits to sleepers. The wrinkle-resistant fabric may prevent hair damage, support healthy skin, and limit exposure to allergens and bacteria.
For all your silk washing needs, Eucalan Lavender Fine Fabric Wash is the answer. It's gentle on delicate fabrics such as silk and linen, while still effectively cleaning them. Not only that, but it also helps to preserve vibrant colors and prevents shrinkage.
Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) can damage silk significantly. It is best to wash all silk products in cold water. Don't use bleach, which will harm the fabric and cause it to yellow, or fabric softener which can leave residue on the fabric.