Many find satin pillowcases essential to their beauty sleep. Purported benefits include anti-aging properties, resistance to allergens and bacteria, and reduced hair damage.
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.
The theory is that silk's slippery surface reduces friction on the skin, and thus reduces the facial wrinkles and morning creases that other fabrics might cause when you sleep on your side or face.
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.
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. While these possible advantages are common with satin pillowcases, performance varies depending on the type of material.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Down alternative pillows tend to last approximately 1 to 2 years. Polyester pillows are among the least durable and should be replaced every 6 months to 2 years. Avoid washing latex pillows in a washing machine. You can spot clean stains and hand wash the pillow with warm water and a mild detergent every 2 to 3 months.
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.
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.
Detergent can stiffen silk
Even if you are hand washing your silks are per the instructions, if you are using a detergent, they can become stiff. Using a castile soap like Dr Bronner's instead can help a lot. Even after air drying, though, your silk may still be a bit stiff.
Don't put silk items in the dryer. Heat can damage delicate silk fibers. If the dryer is absolutely necessary to use only 'air' setting for 15 minutes or less with NO fabric sheets or dryer balls. Remove sheets before completely dry.
To wash satin pillowcase use cool water, mild detergent. Turn them inside out and use a gentle cycle in the washing machine. Dry them at a low heat cycle otherwise air dry is the best option. Prevent from direct sunlight.
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.
The Advantages of Satin
Satin has a luxurious look and feel – this is often the key advantage and who it is chosen. It is also versatile, as shown by the different types of satin and sateen listed above, and it can be durable, the taut nature of the fabric stronger than many plain weaves.