For curly haired women and women with thicker hair textures, silk pillowcases have been the BFF for retaining moisture and reducing hair breakage. But silk pillowcases aren’t just soft material that helps improve hairstyles. They’re also an efficient way to improve skin care. Here are seven reasons to give up your cotton pillowcases for silk pillowcases.
Silk Pillowcases Are Natural Facial Moisturizer
According to the Sleep Foundation, silk absorbs less moisture than cotton. This comes in handy for avoiding dry, itchy skin while laying down for multiple hours. Instead of waking up with marks and that “smashed” look, silk pillowcases are more like a massage for the face.
Silk Pillowcases Retain Bedtime Lotions and Serums
If you are in the habit of using moisturizer after your skin toner, both of which have potential anti-aging perks, you want to make sure it doesn’t dry up while you sleep. Silk absorbs less lotions and serums that you may put on before bedtime.
Silk Pillowcases Keep Pillowcases Clean Longer
If you’ve bought a set of white pillowcases or sheets and feel like all the bleach and detergent in the world could not stop them from yellowing, you’re not alone. Half the reason those cleaning products were created was because white bedding is so hard to keep clean. Low moisture retention from the face (and hair) reduce yellow stains.
Silk Pillowcases Are Better for Heavy Sweaters
Silk material is a cooler texture, which reduces sweating while sleeping. (Turning the temperature down at night and a ceiling fan help too.) For menopausal women and people who generally sweat at night, silk pillowcases offer temperature regulation and moisture management.
Silk Pillowcases Come In Handy for Makeup Sleepers
If you’re guilty of falling asleep with makeup on, that can result in clogged pores, dry skin, wrinkles and accelerated aging (from trapping dead skin cells and preventing healthy collagen). But at least if it happens with mulberry silk, the material is hypoallergenic and chemical-free. It’s also commonly used for makeup removal cloths and facial wipes. Additionally, it’s washable and reusable, and it won’t stain the same way as a cotton pillowcase.
Silk Pillowcases Save a Few Laundry Coins
Because silk is a delicate fabric, handwashing is better than putting silk pillowcases in a machine washer. For the same reason silk bra washing instructions commonly recommend handwashing, the same rules should apply for laundry day with silk bedding. Fill a sink or bucket with cool water, and add a mild detergent. Swish the water around for a few minutes, or let the material soak (if needed). Then, rinse with cool water and hang dry on a towel rack, laundry line or shower caddy hook.
Silk Pillowcases Have Manmade Alternatives
If you live a more plant-friendly lifestyle and don’t want to purchase real silk, which is a natural protein fiber made from insect larvae proteins, faux silk is another option. Made from cellulose, this plant-based material comes from wood pulp, cotton, bamboo or soy. There’s also rayon, bamboo silk, azlon and ecovero. Although the manmade versions of silk may not be as durable, maintenance and wear-and-tear will determine its longevity.
While these seven reasons for silk pillowcases don’t mean you have to throw away all of your cotton pillowcases immediately, they are clear reasons why they are a good idea to have in your bedding closet collection. And if you’re an eco-friendly household, you can always use those makeup-stained and lotion-stained cotton pillowcases as cleaning rags, dusting electronics or pet bedding. Reduce, reuse, recycle and refresh your face.