Silk sheets are extremely fragile, and while they can last a long time, a mishap in maintenance will often result in needing to replace silk sheets. Bamboo sheets are extremely durable when compared to silk. Bamboo sheets can be machine washed (on a cold, gentle cycle), and will come out best when line dried.
Bamboo sheets naturally wick moisture away, keeping your sheets fresh for longer. They're ideal for those with sensitive skin or who have allergies. While natural silk does have certain hypoallergenic characteristics, these properties become less effective the longer the sheets are worn.
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.
The Cons of Satin Pillowcases:
Satin doesn't have any of the antimicrobial or antifungal benefits of bamboo or silk. Satin also isn't hypoallergenic.
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 pillowcases have an extremely soft feel, making them especially gentle on sensitive skin. Silk is also breathable, which helps wick away moisture and reduce the buildup of oils and sweat.
Which one you choose comes down to a few factors, like price and preference. "I like satin more because it's less expensive than silk, but it's also smoother than silk, reducing the friction between the hair strands and the pillowcase," says Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, Trichologist, Ph. D.
Fewer Wrinkles and Creases? Some pillowcases can irritate your skin and leave creases, especially if you toss and turn a lot at night. Silk pillowcases cause fewer wrinkles because the smooth quality of the fabric produces less friction, which means it won't tug at your skin as much as a fabric like cotton.
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.
As amazing as bamboo fabric sounds, there are a few cons to using bamboo. Not only is it expensive, it needs a little more care when you are doing the washing, and the way it is made may be less sustainable than you might think.
Using a bamboo pillow reduces friction between your pillowcase and your face, which will positively impact your skin's elasticity and lead to fewer wrinkles. Bamboo doesn't absorb skincare products. In contrast to cotton, bamboo won't soak up any moisturizers or face lotions that you put on at night.
On the other hand, bamboo is a natural fibre that is actually quite resistant to wrinkling. This is due to the fact that bamboo fibres are longer and stronger than other natural fibres like cotton and linen. As a result, they're able to withstand more stress and tension without creasing or wrinkling.
In contrast, it takes over 12,000 cocoons to make one silk comforter and each of these cocoons has to be spun by one silkworm. With such a discrepancy in how difficult it is to harvest the material, it's no wonder that bamboo viscose is less expensive than silk.
Silk traps heat and gets too hot to sleep in for some, especially in summertime when you want to cool off in a smooth cooling fabric when you go to bed after a long hot day. Bamboo is a breathable fabric and a lot more comfortable, temperature-wise than silk.
Aesthetically speaking, bamboo bed sheets are generally more prone to wrinkling, & they lack the “crisp” sheet feeling. On the flip side, TENCEL™ is less prone to wrinkling and tends to have a lustrous and less matte look. TENCEL™ sheets are also notably softer and more drapey than bamboo.
If you frequently sleep with wet hair, we suggest investing in a silk pillowcase. Silk doesn't retain moisture well, thereby allowing your hair to dry faster. More importantly, it's slick and produces less friction when compared with a cotton or flannel pillowcase.
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.
Silk pillowcases feel incredibly soft and luxurious to lie on, but they also have notable benefits to help you get your best possible beauty sleep: Silk has a smooth surface that allows your hair and skin to easily glide over the fabric to reduce friction (and its unwanted effects) on your skin and hair.
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.
The silky soft texture of bamboo fibres prevents any unnecessary pulling and friction; making bamboo sheets good for your hair. Instead of waking up with a new hairstyle every day, bamboo pillowcases do not rub against the hair fibres, keeping your locks as silky soft as you left them the night before.
While you should wash your pillowcases every two weeks, at least, along with your sheets and other bedding, you can get away with leaving your actual pillow for longer.