Mayola Fernandes
The time to invest in one of the best silk pillowcases – and ditch your standard cotton pillowcases – has come. With warmer weather upon us, the benefits of a cooling silk pillowcase are not to be overlooked. We all know first-hand how a good restorative slumber can benefit our overall health, and our choice of bedding plays a huge part in how well we sleep. But for an additional beauty boost, silk pillowcases are it.
Silk boasts a wealth of beauty bonuses, including anti-ageing properties for our skin and anti-frizz properties for our hair. In fact, silk helps to retain the skin’s natural moisture while we snooze, keeping it soft and supple, and in turn reduces fine lines, wrinkles and breakouts.
Suffice to say, a silk pillowcase is a no-brainer for those of us with sensitive skin, too. It’s little wonder this organic textile has long been recommended by dermatologists. Similarly, pure silk keeps our hair naturally hydrated, and thanks to its luxuriously smooth surface, there’s far less friction than with cotton or linen alternatives, meaning a silk pillowcase can be used to prevent hair breakage, static, and even split ends. The result? Gorgeous, glossy locks – who doesn’t want to wake up to a good hair day, every day?
Typically, silk pillowcases are sold either individually or in pairs, and can be used separately to complement our luxe bedding set-up. But for all-out opulence, look for complete pure silk bedding sets, sheets, and bedspreads. Throw in an electric diffuser and a weighted blanket, and you’re in for the best beauty sleep of your life.
The best silk pillowcases at a glance – our top picks:
- Best silk pillowcase, overall: 19 Momme Housewife Envelope Silk Pillowcase, £39, LilySilk
- Best silk pillowcase, runner up: Audley Pure Silk Oxford Pillowcase, £90, The White Company
- Best patterned: Cherry Blossom Pure Silk Pillowcase, £61, Mayfairsilk
- Best Mulberry silk: Pure Mulberry Standard Housewife Pillowcase Pair, £60, Soak & Sleep
- Best smooth: Silk Hair & Skin Beauty Pillowcase, £65, The White Company
How we tested the best silk pillowcases:
Our editors have slept on tonnes of silk pillowcases to evaluate differences in their design and materials, and these are the ones we (and countless reviewers) swear by. All of these picks are at least 19 momme and scored top marks in comfort, durability, and reducing hair flyaways as well as skin creases. Lean more about how we test.
Is it worth buying a silk pillowcase?
Silk, derived from domesticated silkworms, is widely agreed to be less likely to contribute to fine lines than your average cotton pillowcase, which doesn’t have such a smooth surface. Plus, silk pillowcases might even make your beauty routine more effective – they won’t pull the hydration out of your skincare products overnight, meaning your creams and serums will actually have a chance to penetrate the skin’s barrier and do their job. “They keep your products from escaping from your skin, so you can really ensure they are penetrating,” says celebrity facialist and La Mer global skin care adviser Georgia Louise.
Perhaps most importantly? Just like your silk scrunchie, or silk sleep masks, silk pillowcases lessen the chances of breakage, frizz and split ends caused by moving around in your sleep, making for smoother, healthier hair. Silk bedding also proves a great choice for curly hair, so if you’re as obsessed with the viral Curly Girl Method as we are, add in a silk pillowcase to the regime and your ringlets will thank you for it.