How We Tested
No matter what position you sleep in, you spend hours each night with your hair or face pressed up against a pillow. Turns out all that friction can cause creases that turn into wrinkles over time, not to mention bedhead that'll take longer to style in the morning. Thankfully, silk pillowcases exist to give you the beauty sleep of your dreams.
Silk pillowcases create a smooth surface for your hair and skin to glide over, and with less friction there will be less creases on your skin and less frizz in your hair. Silk also has inherent cooling capabilities and feels so luxurious to lie on. But because it's pricey and super delicate, you want to make sure you're investing in one that'll last.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has tested dozens of real silk and synthetic satin pillowcases for durability, moisture wicking properties, smoothness, and more. We also send them home with our consumer panel for real life snooze-testing. Read on to learn about our top picks, but first, here's everything you need to know about silk pillowcase benefits:
Do silk pillowcases really make a difference?
When it comes to bedhead and wrinkles, yes! Studies show that friction from tossing and turning causes creases in the skin, but dermatologists say that a silky smooth surface can reduce this effect in the long run. Similarly, with less friction on your hair, you're less likely to wake with frizz and tangles. But keep in mind: you should always be wary of unrealistic promises and you can't expect major changes like fewer breakouts, amino acid benefits, or anti-aging benefits.
Is Mulberry silk actually silk?
Yes! Mulberry silk is not only real silk, it's the highest quality of silk you can find. Think of it as the Egyptian cotton equivalent of silk: the fibers are longer and more uniform so the fabric is smoother and more durable.
What momme silk is best?
Instead of thread count, silk fabrics use momme – i.e. fabric weight. You'll usually find a range of 15-30 momme, but in our tests the top performers were 22 momme or higher.
What's the difference between silk and satin?
If you're wondering the difference between silk and satin, Silk is a fiber, whereas satin is the weave. Most silk pillowcases are both silk and satin, but you can find satin pillowcases made of polyester for a lower price. Don't worry: the faux silk pillowcaseswill give you the same smoothness benefits (plus some added durability).
From: Good Housekeeping US
