13 best silk pillowcases to care for your skin and hair, tried and tested

GETTING a full eight hours of sleep has loads of health and wellness benefits, but hitting the pillow can often affect our hair and skin.

From causing frizz to dreaded blemishes, ditching cotton fabrics in favour of the best silk pillowcases can make the world of difference when it comes to achieving soft hair and clearer skin.

If you have a bedtime ritual, switching up your pillow can help get the best out of the products you’re using without moisture and hydration being compromised.

Not only do they feel super luxurious, but silk pillowcases also have countless benefits including being hypoallergenic, long-lasting and great at reducing hair breakage.

If that’s not enough, the material also has anti-ageing properties including causing fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

We’ve tried out the best silk pillowcases on the market, at a range of price points.

What are the benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase?

Fans of silk pillowcases say they’re great for hair because the super smooth surface doesn’t create as much friction, so your tresses won’t become frizzy and damaged as you toss and turn at night.

Advocates also say the fabric doesn’t absorb as much moisture and dirt compared to cotton, which can be helpful for those prone to acne and blemishes.

Plus, the smooth surface means less friction on your skin, which can reduce irritation and therefore inflammation, as well as potentially wrinkles.

While no scientific studies have been conducted on these claims, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that it might work.

But if nothing else, the fabric just feels really nice to sleep on and is gentle on even the most sensitive skin.

Best silk pillowcases at a glance:

• Best pillowcase for quality:
• Best pillowcase for hair: 
• Best pillowcase for sensitive skin: 
• Best budget pillowcase: 
• Best choice of colours:
• Best for sustainability:
• Best for temperature:
• Best for design:
• Best ethical pillowcase:
• Best for patterns and designs:
• Best king size pillowcase:
• Best dark-coloured pillowcase: 
• Best satin pillowcase:

Best pillowcase for quality: Slip Silk Pillowcase

13

• Slip Silk Pillowcase, £82.99 from Amazon -

Dubbed the "eight-hour beauty treatment", Slip Silk pillowcases have been developed over the course of a decade to provide the perfect amount of durability and softness.

With a thickness of 22 momme, the brand vows to improve skin’s radiance, hydration and the appearance of fine lines.

We gave the silk pillowcase a try and to say we were impressed would be an understatement. The handy side zip made slotting our pillow in super easy and the material was incredibly soft to the touch.

After undertaking our usual skincare routine, the pillowcase was a delight to sleep on, even keeping us cooler during the night.

Overall, our skin felt soft when we woke up and the products used appeared to fully absorb. The Slip range also comes in a variety of stunning colours to suit any room’s aesthetic.

READ MORE:

• Best bed sheets
• Best cashmere blankets and throws
• Best mattress deals
• Tefal steamer review
• Best iron
• Best draught excluders

Best pillowcase for hair: Bouclème Silk Envelope Pillowcase

13

• Grey Silk Envelope Pillowcase, £29 from Bouclème -

Anyone with a curly hair type will know that tossing and turning in our sleep can often lead to increased frizz and less definition.

Already known for its extensive range of curl nourishing products, Bouclème’s silk envelope pillowcase promises to reduce friction while being kind to the skin.

We gave this a whirl after completing a full wash routine that left our curls fresh and fully defined. After sleeping with our hair down, it was a welcomed surprise to see that it still maintained its curl pattern with no flyaways or loose strands.

Afro hair often requires a lot of moisture and it can be frustrating when cotton fabrics lead to dryness but the silk really helped our locks retain hydration.

Made from 22 momme and 100% Mulberry Silk, this pillowcase is of high quality without the hefty price tag.

Best pillowcase for sensitive skin: The White Company Pure Silk Pillowcase

13

• Silk Beauty Pillowcase, £65 from the White Company -

The White Company has designed its silk pillowcase with anyone who has sensitive skin or allergies in mind.

There’s nothing worse than a pillowcase aggravating the skin during the very moments that are reserved for nothing but rest and relaxation.

If cotton hasn’t done your skin any favours, you'll find this pillowcase a dream to sleep on. Our skin was left without any irritation and redness which we definitely put down to the luxurious feeling material which is 19 momme and 100% silk.

At £65, this is a worthwhile investment that will have you converted to the world of silk bedding.

Best budget pillowcase: M&S Pure Silk Pillowcase

13

• Pure Silk Pillowcase, £29.50 from M&S -

A more budget-friendly option, we were interested to see how M&S’ silk pillow offering would fair against the high-end options.

Known for its quality products, the brand’s pillowcase is 100% silk and available in four muted tones that radiate luxury.

The pillowcase felt the slightest bit courser than other higher-priced options but it felt equally amazing to sleep on. Our hair remained in its curl pattern with little frizz after sleeping with it down.

The results on our skin were also positive, leaving it feeling hydrated after applying our usual products the night before.

Overall, this is a great choice for anyone who may want the benefits of a silk pillowcase without breaking the bank.

Best choice of colours: Holistic Silk Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

13

• Holistic Silk Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase (Jade), £90 from Wolf & Badger -

This 22-momme, 100% Mulberry Silk pillowcase works to promote a crease-free sleep and has less drag than cotton.

At first glance, the piped finish of this pillowcase gives it a super luxurious look that makes it even more enticing.

This has been sized to fit a standard pillow and features a secure reverse closure. After a night on this pillow, it quite literally was a dream to sleep on.

Turning during the night was a breeze thanks to the soft material and all of our products applied the evening before were able to penetrate the hair leaving it feeling manageable with no knots.

Although this is a steeper buy at £90, the pillowcase did live up to eliminating bed head and letting products absorb in our hair and skin.

Best pillowcase for sustainability: Lilysilk 19 Momme Housewife Envelope Silk Pillowcase

13

• 19 Momme Housewife Envelope Silk Pillowcase, £31 from LilySilk -

Lilysilk’s anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic pillowcase uses 100% Grade 6A Mulberry Silk for a high-quality feel.

Free of harmful chemicals, the brand pays close attention to sustainability by ensuring it doesn’t overproduce or waste raw materials.

It’s hard to believe the pillowcase is retailed at such a low price point — the smoothness and effortless glide it provided matches many of the higher-end offerings.

Available in a number of colourways and patterns, this was very impressive. It left our skin and hair feeling refreshed and soft with the products able to work their magic during the night.

This is also great in warmer weather conditions as it kept us feeling comfortable.

Best pillowcase for temperature: Soak&Sleep Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

13

• Champagne Pure Mulberry Silk Standard Housewife Pillowcase Pair, £60 from Soak&Sleep -

Soak&Sleep’s pillowcase features temperature-regulating properties to promote a cooler night's sleep and keep any heat at bay. This promises to keep the skin hydrated and prevent morning wrinkles.

The pillowcase is anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic making it perfect for allergy sufferers, plus it’s made from 19mm silk satin so you can sleep in comfort.

We loved the fact that this set came as a handy pair, making it great for alternating or simply matching as a set with your bed linen.

After putting the pillowcases to the test, we can confidently say it prevented us from overheating on a warmer night. It remained cool throughout and felt amazingly soft against our skin with no dryness caused.

It’s worth adding that our curls felt soft and bouncy with no frizz visible when we woke up which is always a welcome bonus.

Best pillowcase for design: Dorma Silk Pillowcase

13

• Dorma Silver Silk Pillowcase, £24 from Dunelm -

Dorma’s silk pillowcase works to reduce static hair by helping the strands retain moisture and it also has hypoallergenic properties making it great for anyone who is sensitive to irritation.

At just £30 this has all the components of higher-priced options, from the soft and durable feel of the material to the level of comfort it adds to a night's sleep.

We tested this on straightened hair that would usually be wrapped in a satin bonnet to prevent dryness.

After sleeping with our hair out, the results were incredibly positive with no kinks appearing and moisture remaining.

A serum we applied the night before was also able to sink into the skin leaving us waking up to a glowy complexion.

With navy, ivory and silver colourways available, these are incredibly versatile to match a variety of bedroom themes.

More of the best silk pillowcases

The options below were not tested by us, but have received positive reviews from around the web.

Best ethical pillowcase: Ethical Kind Organic Peace Silk Pillowcase

13

• Ethical Kind Organic Peace Silk Pillowcase, £89 from Ethical Kind -

We think it's worth paying a little bit more for a silk pillowcase if it's made from ethically sourced material.

This pillowcase is made from organic, cruelty-free Mulberry Peace Silk. It's free from chemicals or harsh dyes making it perfect for those with sensitive skin and scalp.

You are limited with colour options as it only comes in white.

Best for patterns and designs: Royal Garland Silk Pillowcases Set of Two

13

• Royal Garland Silk Pillowcases Set of Two, £159 from Liberty London -

Whilst most silk pillowcases come in plain pastel colours or white, this beautiful set of two Royal Garland pillowcases feature a stylish and elegant floral design.

The mixture of blue, red and pink will compliment almost all bedroom colour schemes and bedding.

It is on the pricier end of pillowcases at almost £160, but they are a limited edition set made by Coco & Wolf in the UK.

Best king size pillowcase: Slip Embroidered silk king pillowcase

13

• Slip Embroidered silk king pillowcase, £63 from net-a-porter -

A much loved silk pillowcase brand, Slip's products are high-quality and durable. It is also one of the only brands to make pillowcases in more than one size.

If you have extra large pillows that fit a king-sized bed, then this is the perfect pillowcase as it will be the perfect fit.

We love the bright pink colour, but there are other options too such as pastel orange and white.

Best dark-coloured pillowcase: Jasmine Silk 100% 19 Momme Mulberry Black Pillowcase

13

• Jasmine Silk 100% 19 Momme Mulberry Black Pillowcase, £19.99 from Amazon -

You might have noticed that most silk pillowcases are available in a limited range of light colours or white.

Luckily, Amazon is on hand to offer a wide variety of colours such as navy blue, burgundy and black.

All the pillowcases are naturally hypoallergenic and are made with high quality silk to ensure durability.

Impressively, these pillowcases can be machine washed at 30 degrees.

Best satin pillowcase: Kitsch Satin Pillowcase Blush

13

• Kitsch Satin Pillowcase Blush, £15 from Boots -

Although this pillowcase is not made from silk, we thought it was worth adding a satin option.

A satin pillowcase has many of the same properties as a silk one but is far more budget-friendly. This lovely blush pink pillowcase helps tame frizzy hair and is gentle on skin.

At just £15, you can't go wrong with this soft and sumptuous pillowcase.

Is it better to sleep on silk or satin pillowcases?

While silk is a natural protein fibre, satin is actually a style of weave (the way the fibres are arranged to create a fabric).

Historically only silk can be used to make satin, but these days nylon and polyester are also used.

The same weave can also be achieved using cotton, and the result is called sateen.

If your pillowcase is made from satin, make sure to double-check whether it’s made from silk or another material as the result will be very different.

And when shopping for silk, the higher the momme count the better.

How often should you wash silk pillowcases?

Silk pillowcases can be washed regularly, just like ones made from other fabrics.

Ideally, you should wash it at least once a week to maintain hygiene on your bed. And if you sweat a lot or drool, it's best to wash it more often.

How to wash silk pillowcases

To care for your silk pillowcases and any other silk bedding, it’s always best to hand wash them. It’s fairly easy and won't take too long.

You start by soaking your silk pillowcase and any silk bedding in some cold water with a gentle, pH-balanced detergent — ideally one that’s formulated for silk like this one from — for around five minutes.

After that, you just gently move the fabric around and lift it out of the water a couple of times. Make sure you don’t rub or scrub the fabric.

Once you’re happy that it’s clean, rinse out any soap with clean water.

To dry your silk pillowcase or bedding, gently squeeze out the excess water from the fabric (don’t wring it) and then roll it up in a fresh towel to draw out most of the moisture.

When it’s damp to the touch but not dripping, hang it up to dry using a cushioned hanger.

For machine washing, you’ll need a mesh laundry bag to put your silk pillowcases in.

Then simply pop it in your washing machine on the silk/wool cycle with a gentle detergent.

Afterwards, hang up to dry as normal.

Are silk pillowcases good for skin?

Silk is better for the skin thanks to its smoother properties which are kinder and cause less friction than cotton.

Silk pillowcases help to keep the skin hydrated and moisturised, and promote a healthy glow. The material also has anti-ageing benefits with prevention of fine lines and wrinkles.