Do The Best Silk Pillowcases for Hair and Skin Really Work? Top 3 Benefits
By Jacqueline Samaroo
There is no doubt that the answer to the question “Are silk pillowcases better than cotton ones?” is an emphatic YESSSS!!! The best silk pillowcases carry a range of benefits for your hair, as well as for your skin.
Silk is particularly helpful in curly and natural hair care. Curly hair struggles to retain moisture, leaving hair dry and brittle. Also, curly, natural hair is more likely to tangle and knot on itself leading to breakage.
Read on! Find out why silk pillowcases really work to give some extra love and attention to your hair and skin. We’ll compare silk pillowcases to cotton ones. We’ll also answer the question: Which is better for your hair, silk or satin pillowcases?
What is silk?
Silk is a continuous natural fiber of protein. It is created by the larvae of certain insects who use it to make their cocoons. The best-known and most common type of silk comes from the mulberry silkworm. The practice of turning silk into fabric began in Ancient China thousands of years ago.
Silk has been a prized fabric throughout history and not only in Ancient China. Samples of silk were traded along the Silk Road in both Asia and Europe. Silk fetched high prices. It was often traded for gold and other precious gems, as well as for expensive and exotic spices.
Silk cloth is most often described as luxurious. That’s thanks to its softness, smooth texture, and shimmering appearance. Silk cloth is also very strong and quite durable. In fact, silk is one of the strongest natural fibers known to exist. There are samples of silk from many centuries ago that are still in good condition today.
A word on cotton
Cotton is also a natural material. Its fibers are made up of cellulose and are usually found as hairs around the seeds of some plants. Cotton fibers are naturally short. They must be woven together to create longer threads. This gives the finished fabric a degree of roughness which can cause damage to curly hair.
Let’s take a look at some benefits of silk pillowcases over cotton ones.
Why are silk pillowcases better than cotton ones?
The benefits of silk pillowcases for hair and skin have long been known. The best quality silk pillowcases are made from 100 percent mulberry silk. However, you can find blends that are made from silk and polyester or some other synthetic fiber.
1. Silk is less absorbent than cotton.
Silk pillowcases won’t suck as much moisture and oils as cotton does from your hair and skin. This makes a silk pillowcase a good choice for anyone trying to avoid dry skin and dry hair. It helps with flaking scalp issues, too.
Cotton draws grime, grease, and bacteria from your skin. These get transferred to other areas of your skin as you switch positions in your sleep. It’s why cotton pillowcases tend to make acne and similar skin conditions worse.
2. Silk creates less friction than cotton.
Cotton’s rough texture can be difficult on your strands. It can also cause inflammation and worsen skin conditions such as acne.
The best silk pillowcases have a smooth, frictionless surface. This makes it gentler on the delicate skin of your face. It also leads to less pulling and snagging of strands. The result is less frizz, fewer tangles, fewer split ends, and less breakage. Silk pillowcases also help to banish that early morning bedhead look. They preserve the style of your curly hair whether it’s a blowout, braid, or another style you are looking to protect.
3. Silk pillowcases last longer than cotton ones.
We know – the higher price tag can’t be thought of as one of the benefits of silk pillowcases. But, they do last longer than cotton ones. That means they make up for the initial higher price in the long run.
As you have probably guessed by now, we love singing the praises of silk and the benefits of the best silk pillowcases for hair and skin. We must make one thing clear, though. Silk pillowcases are more labor-intensive than cotton ones.
Your silk pillowcases should be hand-washed or machine-washed separately on a gentle cycle every few days. This helps to ensure they do not build up dirt, bacteria, and grime. That’s good to keep in mind if you want your silk pillowcase to help with keeping your skin healthy.
Which is better for your hair, silk or satin pillowcases?
Satin refers to the way in which a fabric is woven. Thus, you can have satin that is made of silk or some other material. For example, there is satin made of polyester or nylon – both of which are synthetic or manmade.
Satin cloth is made to be smooth and shimmering. These qualities are superior in silk satin than in the synthetic varieties. You get the best results from the best quality silk pillowcases. However, synthetic satin is cheaper than real silk. And, it will still give you some of the benefits of silk for hair and skin.
So, looking for a pillowcase to help you take care of your curly hair? If you prefer to not spend upwards of $50 on real silk pillowcases, then synthetic satin ones make a better choice than cotton.
If you sleep on a silk pillowcase, what are some of the benefits you’ve noticed? Share!
