5 Ways a Silk Pillowcase Can Benefit Your Hair and Skin

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The search for a great night's sleep can be filled with trial and error. And since you spend up to a third of your life in bed, you want bedding that's comfortable and helps you get quality rest. But some types of bedding can go the extra mile and even improve your skin and hair health.

Silk pillowcases may be the MVP of the bedding world. Not only is silk a natural, breathable fiber, but it can also keep your hair and skin healthy. If you've been wondering whether a silk pillowcase is worth the splurge, here's what to know about the benefits of sleeping with a silk pillowcase.

What are the benefits of a silk pillowcase for skin and hair?

Full disclosure: There isn't research to back up claims on the benefits for using a silk pillowcase. But silk is a natural fiber that's been used for thousands of years and is known for its hypoallergenic properties. It's a naturally durable and smooth fiber, and these properties may translate into benefits for your skin and hair.

A silk pillowcase can't cure all your hair and skin concerns. But silk pillowcases may help in different ways.

1. Prevent hair breakage

A silk pillowcase is naturally smooth. This reduces the amount of friction that forms between the pillowcase and your hair as you turn in your sleep.

"Because a silk pillowcase is so smooth, it's also less likely to snag or kink your hair overnight," said Dr. Maria Robison, board-certified dermatologist and GoodRx contributor.

This can reduce hair breakage and split ends, especially if you have chemically treated or damaged hair. Less friction also means you're less likely to wake up with knots and tangles in your hair.

2. Lessen hair frizzing

You might wake up with less of a "bedhead" look after sleeping with a silk pillowcase.

"Silk pillowcases absorb less moisture overnight compared to cotton, leaving your hair oils and products in place," said Dr. Prasanthi Kandula, a cosmetic dermatologist at SkinCare Physicians in Boston.

These are great benefits if you have dry hair. Using a silk pillowcase can help you hold on to moisture for healthier hair. Even if you don't have dry hair, silk's tendency to absorb less moisture means your hair may look smoother and is more likely to hold its natural texture and curl.

3. Keep your skin hydrated

Silk absorbs less moisture than cotton. That means it can leave your hair and skin more hydrated. It also means that your nightly skin-care products are more likely to stay on your face and less likely to get absorbed into your pillowcase.

This can be especially beneficial for people with dry skin. It's also helpful for side or stomach sleepers, since your face is in constant contact with the pillow in these sleep positions. Switching to a silk pillowcase can help hydrate your skin and keep your skin-care products in place longer, so they have more time to do their work.

4. Soothe your skin

Silk is a hypoallergenic material so it's less likely to irritate your skin or cause allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin or certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, a silk pillowcase may irritate your skin less than synthetic fibers or even cotton.

And there's some evidence to support this claim. In one small study, people with atopic dermatitis were asked to wear silk underclothes for 8 weeks. Within a month, participants had less skin redness, swelling, and itching. And their symptoms continued to improve throughout the rest of the study period.

A silk pillowcase won't replace your eczema and psoriasis treatment. But it's less likely to irritate your face and may even improve your symptoms.

5. Cause fewer wrinkles

Sleeping with a silk pillowcase may lead to fewer wrinkles. Again, there are no studies to support this claim (yet). But silk is a smooth material, which means that it's less likely to put tension on your skin overnight. Less friction means you're less likely to wake up with creases from where your skin was pressed against the pillow overnight. While these creases do go away during the day, over time, there's evidence that the repeated pressure can lead to wrinkles.

Sleeping with a silk pillowcase won't stop wrinkles from forming. But when added to a skin-care regimen that includes retinols, antioxidants, and moisturizers, it may slow signs of skin aging.

Are there other benefits of sleeping with a silk pillowcase?

Silk pillowcases feel cool and smooth, which is a feature of the silk itself. This can be a lifesaver if you tend to get hot at night or experience night sweats and vasomotor symptoms of menopause. Opting for a silk pillowcase and silk sheets may help you feel cooler overnight. This may help you get a better night's rest.

Silk pillowcases may also be helpful if you have allergies. Silk absorbs less moisture, so it's less likely to trap dirt, oils, and dead skin cells. This might attract less dust mites, which are a known trigger for allergies. Of course, silk pillowcases will still collect allergens over time. So they're not a substitute for allergy treatments and pillow covers.

How do you choose a high-quality silk pillowcase?

When shopping for a silk pillowcase, there are a few things to know:

• Make sure the product you buy is 100% silk. Some products are advertised as "silk-like" or satin. This doesn't mean that the product is actually made of silk. Also, silk can be blended with synthetic fibers - this means the product is not 100% silk. Synthetic fibers can irritate skin and worsen some skin conditions. Silk is measured in momme count, not thread count. If you can't find a momme count on your product, it's not a 100% silk pillowcase.

• Purchase a quality product that fits within your budget. Look for pillowcases with a 19 to 22 momme count. Higher counts are more durable than lower counts, so they'll last longer (they are also more expensive, though). It's also a good idea to get a product that's certified nontoxic, which means that the silk hasn't been exposed to certain chemicals during manufacturing.

How do you wash a silk pillowcase?

Your silk pillowcase will require special care. But following these steps will ensure that your pillowcase lasts for years:

1. Hand wash your silk pillowcase with gentle pH-neutral detergent, like a silk detergent, in cool water. You can also wash it in your washing machine. Just make sure that you wash it separately from nonsilk items in cold water and on the gentle cycle. It also helps to wash it in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from snagging on the washing machine drum.

2. Hang your pillowcase to dry, don't put it in the dryer. It's best to hang it indoors and away from windows. Direct sunlight can fade silk.

Frequently asked questions

References

Hung, M., et al. (2019). Influence of silk clothing therapy in patients with atopic dermatitis. Dermatology Reports.

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