The Best Silk Pillowcases in 2021

Luxury indulgence aside, there are some serious health and beauty benefits to sleeping on silk pillowcases. For instance, you can wake up to better hair and smoother skin when you sleep on a silk pillowcase.

If you’re looking for a silk pillowcase that can help you amplify your beauty routine, or just because you like the soft silky feel while you sleep, we’ve got you covered. Check out reviews of the best silk pillowcases below and then learn more about the benefits of these pillowcases and some shopping tips to keep in mind.

Best Silk Pillowcases

• Best silk pillowcase for hair and skin – ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
• Best hypoallergenic silk pillowcase – 100% Pure Mulberry Slip Silk Pillowcase
• Best rated silk pillowcase – Fishers Finery Silk Pillowcase
• Best silk pillowcase for curly hair – Bedsure Satin Pillowcase

What are Silk Pillowcases?

SIlk pillowcases are derived from domesticated silkworms. This luxury material is naturally hypoallergenic, protecting from the accumulation of dust mites and other allergens. Silk pillowcases are also naturally breathable, keeping you cool while you sleep.

As early as the 27th century BC in China, silk fibers woven from the mulberry silkworm cocoon were seen as a luxury fabric popular among people in high society. It was only a matter of time before people realized the beauty and comfort that silk bedding provided. Since then, sleeping on silk sheets has become a hallmark for a luxurious lifestyle.

When they can afford them, people choose silk sheets for their smooth, weightless feel and the ease of movement they allow. But that slippery feeling is not for everyone and many people might hesitate to spend several hundreds of dollars on bedding.

Luckily, you can indulge your senses at a much more affordable price and achieve several health and beauty benefits by simply adding silk pillowcases to your bedding. Resting your head on the cool, silky smoothness of a silk pillowcase will not only make you feel like royalty, but your skin and hair will thank you for the overnight spa treatment they’ll enjoy by simply sleeping. Easiest. Beauty. Treatment. Ever.

Benefits of Silk PIllowcases

Silk is a natural protein fiber rich in amino acids that are often used in skin and hair care products for their protective and moisture retaining properties. The silk protein binds to keratin in your skin and hair, repairing damage and sealing in moisture. 

Silk amino acids also provide a protective barrier to harmful ultraviolet rays and act as an antioxidant that maintains the glow and resilience of youthful skin and hair. Nightly contact with your silk pillowcase will improve the health and appearance of your skin and hair as well as provide you with cool and comfortable sleep.

Why Buy a Silk Pillowcase?

Once you learn about the benefits of silk pillowcases, you can see that there are many reasons you should buy one, including: 

• Have smoother skin
• Avoid wrinkles and early aging
• Protection against bed head, especially for people with curly hair
• Avoid night sweats
• Reduced acne breakouts
• Protection from dust mites and other allergens

Smoother skin

Unlike cotton, which actually draws moisture away from your skin, silk helps to keep your skin’s natural oils where they belong — on your face. In addition to being less absorbent than cotton, silk fibers contain amino acids that, in combination with your skin’s keratin, provide a protective seal that locks in moisture. You’ll wake up to dewy, luminous, hydrated skin even before you wash and moisturize your face.

Avoid wrinkles and early aging

Dermatologists recommend sleeping on your back to help avoid developing face and neck wrinkles. Unfortunately, only eight percent of us can get comfortable in that position, so silk pillowcases are your next best bet. 

The slippery surface of silk creates less friction between the fabric and your skin, which means fewer creases and that morning puffiness that comes from sleeping with your face scrunched up. 

Less friction also means you can adjust positions easily without having to reposition your head to smooth out facial creases. With fewer temporary creases that can eventually turn into permanent wrinkles, your silk pillowcases can help you look younger longer whether you sleep on your back or not.

Protection against bed head

It’s true. Your hair can actually look good as soon as you get out of bed when you sleep on a silk pillowcase. The same way silk preserves your skin at night, it also protects and babies your hair. The reason? Silk’s “silky” smooth texture allows your hair to glide effortlessly over the pillowcase without the friction that cotton and other fabrics can cause. 

Related: How to prevent bed head

Less friction means fewer kinks that can create tangles, cause split ends, and result in a morning mop that looks like Medusa. And the amino acids in silk are also at work on your hair at night, helping to seal in moisture and protect it from the sun’s harmful rays the next day and damage due to aging.

Avoid night sweats

Created by Mother Nature to protect the mulberry silkworm through its 10- to 14-day incubation in its cocoon, silk has the astonishing ability to keep you cool when it’s warm outside and warm when it’s cold. That’s pure gold for people whose temperature fluctuates dramatically when they sleep, people who sleep hot, or people who struggle with night sweats or hot flashes at night.

Reduced acne breakouts

The benefits of silk pillowcases for your skin are not just for people worried about wrinkles. Young and old silk advocates have found that their tendency for acne dramatically decreases when they sleep on silk pillowcases. 

While there is no scientific evidence that concludes that silk pillowcases can reduce acne breakouts, there is anecdotal evidence that suggests they can help keep your acne under control. 

Too good to be true? Let’s break it down: Silk does a better job of regulating your body temperature than cotton, so you sweat less when sleeping on a silk pillowcase. With less sweat and the bacteria and oils from your skin that come along with it ending up on your pillow, your face may come in contact with less acne-causing substances. 

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that with silk pillowcases, you will sleep better giving you the restoration and stress-relief you need for clear skin.

Protection from allergens with hypoallergenic materials

Allergy and asthmas sufferers take heed: silk pillowcases can keep your allergies and asthma at bay by reducing your nightly exposure to typical bed allergens like dust mites and mold that can trigger attacks and disturb your sleep. The beauty of silk is that this protection comes naturally without harsh chemicals or artificial additives.

How to Find the Best Silk Pillowcase

With many different options, you can find silk pillowcases to fit every budget. Here’s what to look for: 

• 100% Mulberry Silk: The best silk pillowcases are made from 100% mulberry silk harvested from the cocoon of the mulberry silkworm.
• Momme: The weight of the silk weave, called the momme, should range from 19 to 25. (Lower momme weights are not durable enough for pillowcases and higher momme is unnecessary.) 
• Care and Maintenance: Look for pillowcases that are machine washable. Most manufacturers recommend air drying silk.
• Price: You should expect to pay between $25 and $90 for one standard pillowcase, but with so many health and beauty benefits, even the top range seems like a bargain.

Who doesn’t want to sleep on silk? The cool, silky feel of the soothing frictionless surface makes you feel like you’ve been transported to your own kingdom, even if it’s only for the eight hours you’re in bed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are silk pillowcases worth it? 

Silk pillowcases come with many benefits at a reasonable price. SIlk pillowcases are naturally hypoallergenic, meaning they protect you from dust mites and other allergens. Plus, they are good for anti-aging by protecting against wrinkles and good for your hair, especially if you have curly hair you are protecting.

Which is better, silk or satin pillowcases? 

Satin pillowcases are cheaper than silk pillowcases, but silk pillowcases are better quality at maintaining the natural oils in your hair to prevent friction and protecting your skin from wrinkles.

Summary

Compare the best silk pillowcases below: 

Pillowcase	Best for	Standard Price	Customer Rating
ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase	Best for Hair and Skin	$23.99	4.6
100% Pure Mulberry Slip Silk Pillowcase	Best Hypoallergenic	$22.99	4.6
Fishers Finery Silk Pillowcase	Best Rated	$45.99	4.5
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase	Best for Curly Hair	$9.95 (2-pack)	4.4

All of these silk pillowcases are sure to give you the luxurious sleep you’re looking for. When it comes to deciding which is best for you, keep in mind which factors are most important to you. Are you protecting your skin? Your hair? Or just looking for a silky night’s sleep? Knowing what you’re looking for will help guide you to which is best for you.