Why a silk pillowcase might just be a beauty MVP
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When it comes to beauty essentials, few are as hardworking (and low effort) as a silk pillowcase. Making the switch to one can have dramatic effects on your hair and skincare routine, leading to a smoother complexion and less frizz.
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Because silk pillowcases absorb significantly less cream than cotton pillowcases, your skincare and haircare products can do their job more effectively while you sleep. Silk also creates less friction than other fabrics, which can reduce stretching and tugging on delicate facial skin and in theory result in fewer facial wrinkles.
If you’re curious about the world of silk pillowcases and what to look out for when you’re shopping, find our guide to what you need to know below. Looking for the perfect pillow to stuff your new case? Read our guide on the best pillows.
Summary of the best silk pillowcases
Best silk pillowcase for hair: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase
Best silk pillowcase for skin: Blissy Silk Pillowcase
Best Canadian brand: Silk & Snow Silk Pillowcase
Best luxury silk pillowcase: Cozy Earth Silk Pillowcase
Best affordable silk pillowcase: Ravmix Silk Pillow Case
Best washable silk pillowcase: Lunya Washable Silk Good in Bed Pillowcase
Best silk alternative: Bedsure Satin Pillow Case Queen Size 2 Pack
Best silk pillowcases explained
Best silk pillowcase for hair: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase
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If your main goal for using a silk pillowcase is to tame tangles and frizz, look no further than these Slip pillowcases. In clinical tests, 90 per cent of users agreed that they had less frizz in their hair upon waking, and that their hair was more manageable. The pillowcases are made with 22 momme silk to deliver the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness and durability.
Fabric weight: 22 momme
Care instructions: The brand recommends handwashing for best results, but you can also wash the pillowcase in a laundry bag using cool water on a delicate cycle. Air dry only.
Sizes available: Comes in queen size or king size
Colours: 19 colours and patterns
Price: $121
Where to buy: Sephora | Amazon | Slip
Best silk pillowcase for skin: Blissy Silk Pillowcase
A silk pillowcase can help keep your skin looking its best. Since this Blissy silk pillowcase doesn’t absorb oils and moisture the way that cotton or linen bedding does, it helps skin stay hydrated overnight. It also won’t absorb your valuable skin and hair products, letting them work harder while you sleep.
Fabric weight: 22 momme
Care instructions: Hand wash or wash the pillowcase in a laundry bag using cool water on a delicate cycle. Air dry or place in the dryer at the lowest temperature for up to 20 minutes.
Sizes available: Standard, queen, king, youth, toddler
Colours: Dozens of colours and patterns
Price: $125
Where to buy: Amazon | Blissy
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Best Canadian brand: Silk & Snow Silk Pillowcase
With a name like Silk & Snow, you can bet the brand has at least a few products made from silk on hand. This pillowcase has an envelope closure and a lightweight 19-momme fabric weight for a soft and luxurious sleep. Pair your silk pillowcase with one of Silk & Snow’s popular bed frames to get the full sleep experience – read our review here.
Fabric weight: 19 momme
Care instructions: The brand recommends you hand wash your silk pillowcase for the first few washes. After that, it can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water. Let air dry.
Sizes available: Standard, king
Colours: Seven colours available
Price: $70
Where to buy: Silk & Snow
Best luxury silk pillowcase: Cozy Earth Silk Pillowcase
Silk fibres are categorized by their quality and sorted into 11 different grades. Cozy Earth uses the highest quality grade 6A silk to make its pillowcases, which is durable and has a naturally luminous quality to it. It has a silky smooth finish and is treated with aloe vera for a cooling feel.
Fabric weight: 6A long fibre silk
Care instructions: Machine washable, cool iron, do not dry, mild detergent or hand wash delicately.
Sizes available: Standard, king
Colours: Black, wine
Price: $19
Where to buy: Cozy Earth
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Best affordable silk pillowcase: Ravmix Silk Pillow Case
Ringing in under $30, this pillowcase is one of the most affordable options if you’re looking for 100 per cent silk and not satin, the less-expensive alternative. It has a hidden zipper closure to ensure that your pillow doesn’t slip out while you sleep and a soft feel that’s luxurious despite its inexpensive price tag. However, reviewers note that the lighter colours are prone to stains, so if you’re concerned about the look you may want to opt for a darker shade.
Fabric weight: 21 momme
Care instructions: Hand wash only
Sizes available: Standard, queen, king
Colours: Dozens of colours available
Price: $27
Where to buy: Amazon
Best washable silk pillowcase: Lunya Washable Silk Good in Bed Pillowcase
For low-maintenance beauty enthusiasts, a washable silk pillowcase is a must. This one from Lunya is specifically designed to hold up to frequent washing and drying so there’s no need to worry about time-consuming care instructions. It has a velvety smooth finish and helps to regulate temperature while you sleep.
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Fabric weight: Undisclosed
Care instructions: Machine wash cold with like colours on a delicate cycle. Do not use bleach, tumble dry low, cool iron if needed.
Sizes available: Queen
Colours: White
Price: $126
Where to buy: Lunya
Best silk alternative: Bedsure Satin Pillow Case Queen Size 2 Pack
Since the mulberry silk used in most bedding and apparel is produced by silkworms, it’s technically not a vegan product. For a similar result minus the animal products, a satin pillowcase is a good alternative. This set comes with two pillowcases that offer similar benefits to silk versions, although they won’t be as breathable since they are made with synthetic fibres.
Fabric type: 100% Polyester
Care instructions: Machine wash, do not bleach, hang dry.
Sizes available: Standard, queen, king, California king
Colours: Dozens of colours available
Price: $15
Where to buy: Amazon
What to know about silk pillowcases
Fabric content: When shopping for silk pillowcases, ensure that you’re buying products with “pure silk” or “100% silk” listed as the fabric content. Any other variations will typically be made from a blend of silk and other materials or synthetic alternatives like polyester satin.
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Momme: Much like cotton can be measured with a thread count, silk is measured in momme. Momme measures silk’s weight and density – a higher momme count means that there are more strands of silk per 100 yards of fabric. Momme typically ranges from 3 to 40, with anything under 20 momme considered lightweight and anything over 28 momme considered heavy.
Benefits: As a natural fabric, silk is thermoregulating and breathable, making it a great choice for use in bedding. It’s also beneficial for hair and skin, as the smooth fabric causes less resistance than other fabrics like linen or cotton. Because there’s less friction while you toss and turn, hair is less frizzy and skin isn’t indented from the fabric wrinkles.
Drawbacks: Silk is a delicate fabric that often requires special care. Unless otherwise stated, it’s best to hand wash and air dry silk pillowcases to keep them looking their best.
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