Are silk pillowcases good for your skin?

Close up of black mulberry silk pillowcase

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:

  1. Why is it good to sleep on a silk pillowcase?
  2. Can silk pillowcases prevent wrinkles?
  3. Do silk pillowcases help with acne?
  4. Are silk pillowcases good for oily skin?
  5. Are silk pillowcases anti-aging?
  6. Do silk pillowcases help with eczema?
  7. How do silk pillowcases help your skin?
  8. Are satin pillowcases as good as silk pillowcases for your skin?
  9. Will a silk pillowcase transform my skin?

 

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    White and black silk pillowcases

     

    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.

    1. The smooth, soft texture of silk against the skin provides a sense of comfort and relaxation, promoting a more restful night's sleep.
    2. 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.
    3. Silk is gentle on the skin and less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.
    4. The smooth surface of silk reduces friction with the skin, lowering the risk of fine lines, irritation and inflammation.
    5. Silk's natural hypoallergenic properties make it less likely to trigger allergic reactions or skin irritations.
    6. 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.
    White silk pillowcase in scooms box

     

    Do silk pillowcases help with acne?

    Yes, silk pillowcases can help with acne-prone skin. Here's why:
    1. The tight weave and hypoallergenic properties reduce the likelihood of trapping dirt, oil and bacteria, lessening the risk of clogged pores and spots.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.

     

    White silk eye mask and silk bag | scooms

    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.

     

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    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:

     

    Author: Jonathan AttwoodPublished: 22 April 2024Last modified: 22 April 2024






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    Bedding size guide

    DUVET SIZES

    These are standard UK bedding measurements so if you know your mattress size, you can easily work out which duvet size you need. (Width x length.)

    UK sizes Duvet size Mattress size
    Single 135 x 200cm (53 x 79") 90 x 190cm (36 x 75")
    Double 200 x 200cm (79 x 79") 135 x 190cm (53 x 75")
    King 225 x 220cm (89 x 87") 150 x 200cm (60 x 78")
    Super king 260 x 220cm (102 x 87") 180 x 200cm (72 x 78")

    US/CANADA BEDDING SIZES: Approximate matches to UK sizes are US King/UK Super king, US Queen/UK King,  US Full/UK Double and US Twin/UK Single.

    EUROPEAN BEDDING SIZES: Each size - Single, Double, King and Grand king - is a little larger than the UK equivalent.

    Measure your mattress to see which size bedding you need: our UK v European v US mattress comparison guide.

     

    DUVET TOG RATINGS

    Young children can overheat so if they are old enough to use a full size bed, we recommend using a single size 4.5 tog duvet.

     Tog rating Season / heat Feel
    2.5 tog High summer / hot sleepers Light thermal insulation
    4.5 tog Summer Lower thermal insulation
    9 tog Spring & Autumn Cosy medium heat
    All season 13.5 tog 4.5 tog + 9 tog Very warm
    All season 11.5 tog 2.5 tog + 9 tog Warm
    All season 7 tog 2.5 tog + 4.5 tog Lower warmth

     

    DUVET FILL WEIGHTS

    Our goose down duvets have high 700 fill power. Fill weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). For example view our 9 tog king size goose down duvet for more duvet details.

    Fill weight (not total duvet weight)
    Single All seasons - 788gsm
    9 tog - 486gsm 
    4.5 tog - 302gsm 
    2.5 tog - 220gsm
    Double All seasons - 1168gsm
    9 tog - 720gsm
    4.5 tog - 448gsm
    2.5 tog - 320gsm
    King All seasons - 1478gsm
    9 tog - 911gsm
    4.5 tog - 567gsm
    2.5 tog - 400gsm
    Super king All seasons - 1671gsm
    9 tog - 1030gsm
    4.5 tog - 641gsm
    2.5 tog - 480gsm

     

    PILLOW SIZES

    Our pillows come in two sizes and two firmness options. (Width x length.)

    Standard  50 x 75cm
    King 50 x 90cm

     

    BED LINEN SIZES

    Our fitted sheets are deep fit, up to 40cm / 15.7" mattress depth. And our duvet covers fasten with large, easy to use buttons. (Width x length.)

    Duvet cover Fitted sheet Flat sheet Pillowcase (pair)
    Single 140 x 200cm 90 x 190cm 180 x 275cm
    Double 200 x 200cm 135 x 190cm 230 x 275cm 50 x 75cm (Standard)
    King 230 x 220cm 150 x 200cm 275 x 275cm 50 x 90cm (King)
    Super king 260 x 220cm 180 x 200cm 305 x 275cm

     

    TOPPER & MATTRESS PROTECTOR SIZES

    Our mattress protectors are deep fit, up to 40cm mattress depth. Choose the same size topper or protector as your mattress size. (Width x length.)

    Topper / protector size Mattress size
    Single 90 x 190cm 90 x 190cm
    Double 135 x 190cm 135 x 190cm
    King 150 x 200cm 150 x 200cm
    Super king 180 x 200cm 180 x 200cm 

     

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