If you’ve ever wondered whether a silk pillowcase is worth it to improve hair and skin health, then you're not alone.
Why I love my silk pillowcase
As I've become older, I've struggled to keep my long hair feeling soft and smooth. It felt brittle and easy tangled, but when I brushed it, all that happened was I created more frizz. This is what led me to try a silk pillowcase for the first time.
When I first switched to a 25 momme mulberry silk pillowcase, the difference in my hair was so immediate that I genuinely now won't sleep on anything else. Even after one night, my hair looked shinier and less tangled. I won't travel without it and even my children are now obsessed with silk. They love how it feels and I love how it makes my daughter's thick, messy hair more manageable.
I’m someone who runs out the door in the morning, barely stopping to look in the mirror, either rushing for the train or if it's my turn for the school run. I'm not someone who wants to spend hours styling their hair, so the feeling of being able to wake up with a manageable “bed-hair” look is unbeatable for my busy lifestyle.
I've now been regularly sleeping on a silk pillowcase and after about 4 months, what really surprised me is how my hair stays looking fresh and cleaner for longer. I used to use dry shampoo regularly on office days, but I've not touched dry shampoo in 6 months. My hair is naturally long and fine so the less time spent washing and blow drying my hair is an easy win, not only in saved time but less heat stress on my hair.
You might be thinking, why does silk help hair feel cleaner? Most people don't know this, but silk is naturally less absorbent than cotton which means your silk pillowcase doesn't build up sweat and oils from your hair and skin in the same way, which reduces the transfer back to your hair the next night. Leaving your hair feeling fresh and clean.
Still not sure if silk is right investment for your hair? Here’s a simple guide to how pure mulberry silk, satin and cotton compare for when choosing the right fabric for your pillowcase.
What makes pure mulberry silk feel more luxurious?
MYRN Silk uses 6a grade, 25 momme, pure mulberry silk in all their silk pillowcases, eye masks and scrunchies. Pure mulberry silk matters for these simple reasons:
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Mulberry silk is naturally smooth, your hair glides across it
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Silk doesn’t cling, drag or pull on your hair or skin
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Silk feels soft and cool against your skin
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Silk is less absorbent than cotton, keeping hair and skin naturally more hydrated
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Silk has natural anti-mould properties helping it stay drier and hair fresher
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Silk is naturally breathable, helping you regulate your temperature whilst you sleep versus synthetic satin fabrics which can cause you to sweat and disrupt sleep.
Silk vs satin pillowcases
What is satin?
Satin is a weave, not a fibre itself. Most satin pillowcases, eye masks and scrunchies are made from polyester, which is a completely different material to silk. Yes the surface looks smooth and shiny but it's not the same as silk and certainly doesn't feel as luxurious.
How does satin feel compared to silk?
Satin can be smooth, but it's not natural or as breathable as real silk so it won't make you feel cool or help you regulate your body temperature on those warmer nights. A polyester satin pillowcase can create static which leads to your hair frizzing and will make it cling to your hair. This is a particular nightmare if you have fly-away or curly hair. When it comes to satin vs silk, it's a no brainer once you experience how luxurious pure silk feels against your skin.
Is silk better for hair?
Silk tends to be gentler because it’s naturally soft and doesn’t cling to the hair. Satin is a more affordable option for some so can be a preferred option for helping with smoothness and shine, but it just doesn’t compare to the benefits that silk will provide.
Is silk better for skin?
Satin is synthetic so it doesn’t help you regulate your temperature in the same way as silk. You might find a satin pillowcase wakes you up feeling hot and sweaty, disrupting your sleep and playing havoc with your skincare routine. Silk is cool to the touch and naturally breathable so many people prefer how pure silk feels while they sleep, while making skin feel fresh and reducing irritation.
My verdict on silk versus satin pillowcases?
Polyester satin is a budget-friendly alternative, but pure mulberry silk is the premium choice for anyone wanting true softness, breathability and comfort. If you want to genuinely see the long term benefits for hair, then pure mulberry silk is worth the investment and if you care for it correctly it will last for many years. Choose a heavier weight such as 25 momme silk for a luxurious feel that's more durable than 19 or 22 momme.
Silk vs cotton pillowcases
I love cotton, I even find I miss the feel of it sometimes. Cotton is familiar, cosy and perfect for bedsheets (I wouldn't sleep with anything else) but when it comes to my hair, I can't change back from silk. My hair is softer than it's been in years and whenever I go back to cotton, even for one night, I instantly notice the tangles and impact to my hair.
What cotton does well:
Cotton can be beautifully soft and durable, you don't have to be quite so careful with it as you do silk. It's affordable and widely available in pretty much every style, colour and budget. Cotton is certainly a natural and breathable choice for bedding and I wouldn't use anything else for my bed sheets and duvet covers, but not for my pillowcase. Not now I know how good silk is for hair.
Where cotton struggles for promoting good hair and skin:
Cotton is more absorbent so it soaks up more moisture from the skin and hair. This leads to two problems; one, your pillowcase gets dirtier more quickly, it might even feel damp in the night. Two, cotton can strip the natural moisture away from your hair and skin, which is particularly harmful for curly, coloured or heat-styled hair which benefit from increased moisture. Cotton will even absorbed those expensive beauty creams and serums you apply, minimising their impact.
Cotton feels soft, but when you compare it side by side, cotton is slightly rougher, which causes more friction, resulting in hair breakage and can cause friction and irritation for more sensitive skin. If you roll two pieces of thread over cotton you'll see they tangle and knot together, but on silk, they just glide across the surface.
My verdict on silk pillowcase benefits for hair?
For me there is only one choice and it's silk. I've tried it and I'd never go back but it's really about what works for you and your hair. Silk is an investment but one that you will not regret if you are looking for smoother, shinier and more manageable hair. You may even find you no longer need quite so many hair products.
Read why your cotton pillowcase could be ruining your hair care routine