Are silk pillowcases good for your skin?
Silk pillowcases aren't just a luxurious indulgence, they can be an essential part of your skincare regime. Silk pillowcases offer lots of benefits for your skin and hair including improved skin hydration and the prevention of fine lines and wrinkles.
(Jonathan keeps telling Emily that she looks 10 years younger since she started sleeping on silk!)
Find out more in our guide:
- Why is it good to sleep on a silk pillowcase?
- Can silk pillowcases prevent wrinkles?
- Do silk pillowcases help with acne?
- Are silk pillowcases good for oily skin?
- Are silk pillowcases anti-aging?
- Do silk pillowcases help with eczema?
- How do silk pillowcases help your skin?
- Are satin pillowcases as good as silk pillowcases for your skin?
- Will a silk pillowcase transform my skin?
Why is it good to sleep on a silk pillowcase?
As your face spends around 8 hours a day in contact with your pillowcase, it makes your choice of pillowcase really important. In addition to providing a luxurious and indulgent sleep experience, there are 6 compelling reasons why it’s good to sleep on a top quality pure Mulberry silk pillowcase.
- The smooth, soft texture of silk against the skin provides a sense of comfort and relaxation, promoting a more restful night's sleep.
- Natural silk fibres have a lower absorbency rate compared to cotton, meaning that they are less likely to absorb oils and beauty products from your skin.
- Silk is gentle on the skin and less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- The smooth surface of silk reduces friction with the skin, lowering the risk of fine lines, irritation and inflammation.
- Silk's natural hypoallergenic properties make it less likely to trigger allergic reactions or skin irritations.
- Silk has natural temperature-regulating properties, helping to keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather, preventing overheating or excessive sweating.
Can silk pillowcases prevent wrinkles?
Yes, silk pillowcases can help prevent wrinkles and here’s why:
- Our luxurious silk pillowcases have a smooth surface that reduces friction on your skin when sleeping, preventing those pesky sleep lines from forming.
- Silks natural properties make it less absorbent than other fabrics, helping to retain moisture and therefore keeping your skin hydrated throughout the night and minimising the risk of dehydration-induced wrinkles.
- Your skincare routine may include special lotions and moisturizers. Given silk's natural resistance to absorption, more cream remains on your face overnight, allowing it to work its magic.
- Silk is naturally hypoallergenic so is less likely to cause skin irritations or allergic reactions compared to cotton or synthetic fabrics. This can prevent inflammation and potential damage to the skin that may contribute to wrinkle formation.
Do silk pillowcases help with acne?
Yes, silk pillowcases can help with acne-prone skin. Here's why:- The tight weave and hypoallergenic properties reduce the likelihood of trapping dirt, oil and bacteria, lessening the risk of clogged pores and spots.
- Your acne routine may include special lotions and medications. As silk is naturally less absorbent, more cream will stay on your face overnight, enhancing its effectiveness.
- The smooth surface of silk reduces friction on the skin, which can help prevent irritation and inflammation that may worsen acne.
Are silk pillowcases good for oily skin?
Yes, they can be. Silk is less absorbent that other fabrics meaning that it absorbs less oil, providing a cleaner surface to sleep on during the night.
Additionally, silk's smooth surface reduces friction with the skin, minimising inflammation that can often exacerbate oil production and lead to breakouts if you have oily skin.
Are silk pillowcases anti-aging?
Silk pillowcases can reduce wrinkles which in turn can make you look more youthful. But if anti-aging is your goal, there are many other more important factors to consider such as using sun protection, having a heathy diet and following a good overall beauty regime.
Do silk pillowcases help with eczema?
Whilst there is no magic solution, your bedding choices can make a difference to your eczema. Overheating and sweat can exacerbate eczema symptoms. Silk's temperature-regulating properties and natural resistance to dust mites may benefit individuals with eczema. Additionally, the smooth, low-friction surface of silk can be more comfortable to sleep on.
How do silk pillowcases help your skin?
Silk has skin friendly properties because of its unique composition and structure.Silk composition - the scientific facts!
- Silk is a 100% natural product made from the cocoons of silk worms that live on mulberry trees. Silk primarily consists of a natural protein fibre called fibroin, which mainly consists of the amino acid glycine. This gives silk its strength, elasticity and low moisture absorption.
- The amino acid composition of silk makes it naturally water-repellent. This allows silk to retain moisture on your skin's surface, especially benefitting dry skin types. Research suggests that silk pillowcases can reduce skin dehydration by 50%. It also means it resists absorbing any creams from your face, allowing them to work better.
- Silk shares a whopping 18 out of 20 amino acids with human skin. This high degree of similarity makes silk hypoallergenic and biocompatible. Which simply means that silk is well-tolerated by most skin types.
Structural properties:
- Smoothness: Silk fibres have a very smooth surface due to the tight packing of its fibroin molecules. This reduces friction compared to materials like cotton and linen, minimising mechanical stress on skin (and hair). Resulting in less pulling against your skin and therefore, less wrinkles and irritation for you.
Chemical free:
- Our scooms mulberry silk pillowcases and eye mask are OEKO-TEX 100 approved, meaning that they are certified free from toxins and chemicals.
Are satin pillowcases as good as silk pillowcases for your skin?
No, satin pillowcases are not as good for skin as silk pillowcases. Whilst silk and satin can look and feel similar, they are very different fabrics. Silk is a 100% natural fabric, whereas satin is a type of weave, not a specific fabric. Satin can be made from man-made plastics, meaning satin doesn't contain the natural proteins and amino acids found in silk, resulting in fewer beauty benefits.
Will a silk pillowcase transform my skin?
Whilst silk pillowcases can help to improve your skin, don't expect a miraculous transformation! Though some individuals and even famous models swear by silk pillowcases for enhancing their skin and hair, results may vary depending on your skin type and lifestyle. A healthy diet, good quality sleep, reduced sun exposure and a sensible overall beauty regimen are equally essential.
Ready to experience the luxurious benefits of silk pillowcases or silk eye masks for yourself? Explore our range of natural silk pillowcases and silk eye masks.
Emily spent over a year testing our silk pillowcases and eye masks, learning a lot along the way. So if you need to know more, try our other silk guides:
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