If you’ve spent any real time pondering the idea of a pillowcase - something we find ourselves doing far too often here at ES Best - you’d be mistaken for believing it was simply a means to protect the feather or down-filled vessel within.
On average, we spend around 26 years of our lives asleep - and seven years trying to doze off. That’s a staggering figure emphasising just how important it is to invest in the right bedding. For not only is the fabric where you lay your head a hygienic barrier to give its contents more time between washes, but it can also have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep, the condition of your skin and even the strength of your locks.
We are, of course, referring to the silk pillowcase for the latter two. This sumptuous fabric may just be the ultimate game-changer - its luxurious feel is just the start. Made from the natural fibres of the silkworm cocoon, it is impressively hypoallergenic, temperature regulating and boasts beauty benefits to boot.
Best silk pillowcases at a glance:
- Best for luxury: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase - £89, John Lewis
- Best for minimising frizz: John Lewis Organic Mulberry Silk Standard Pillowcase - £45, John Lewis
- Best for a hotel-like feel: The White Company Silk Pillowcase - £80, The White Company
- Best for skincare obsessives: ESPA Silk Pillowcase - £60, ESPA
- Best for allergies: M&S Pure Silk Pillowcase - £30, M&S
- Best for classic aesthetics: Gingerlily Silk Pillowcase - £59, Harrods
- Best for beauty benefits on a budget: Alaska Bear Mulberry Silk Pillowcase - £25.99, Amazon
- Best for reducing hair breakage: Drowsy Envelope Silk Pillow Case - £79, Drowsy
- Best for colour and size options: Lilysilk Pillowcase With Hidden Zipper - £45, Lilysilk
- Best for a silk alternative: Panda 100% Bamboo Bedding Set - £110, Panda
Are silk pillowcases cooling?
It could be Arctic conditions outside, minus degrees and record low temperatures but for those among us who prefer the cold side of the pillow, we’ll keep flipping it, tossing and turning until we find it. That need not be the case with thermo-regulating silk. The cellular structure of the material keeps it cool and comfortable when a heatwave hits, but should also stay at the optimal level during the winter. It’s the Goldilocks of the fabric world.
Are silk pillowcases good for the skin?
One of the most common materials you’ll find in pillowcases is cotton, which has many benefits but it’s not the best option for our complexions. This is because it’s absorbent, which means that our skin’s natural oils and the layers of our carefully curated PM skincare routines may just end up on your pillow, instead of your face. Silk, on the other hand, is made up of tightly woven smooth fibres that will help our complexions retain their moisture.
It’s also friction-free and may minimise the appearance of sleep-induced wrinkles as you toss and turn throughout the night. Lastly, it’s antimicrobial and so resistant to the likes of dust mites and bacteria that could cause irritation to those with sensitivities.
Do silk pillowcases help with acne?
While it’s unlikely that a silk pillowcase will be the answer to all your acne woes, it may reduce the likelihood of a flare-up. The softness of silk will cause less friction on the skin and thus lessen the chance of irritation. It’s a breathable fabric that is moisture and sweat-wicking, thus removing possible pore-clogging sebum but keeping those coveted spot-fighting ingredients working their magic on the pesky zits in question. Regular changing and washing of your pillowcase is essential if you’re blemish-prone.
Are silk pillowcases good for hair?
The friction-free benefits of a silk pillowcase extend to the locks too. Whether you have fine, curly, or frizz-prone hair, the lustrous fabric creates a smooth surface that means you’ll slide across it as you move throughout the night, reducing split ends, knotting and breakages. This may be just what you’re looking for to ensure smooth, tangle-free tresses - kiss bedhead goodbye.
Silk contains a protein known as sericin, which can also be found naturally in hair. This component keeps hair hydrated and thus counteracts it from becoming dry or brittle. Its non-absorbent properties also keep moisture where it belongs - on your lengths.
How to wash silk pillowcase
This varies from retailer to retailer but as a general rule to give longevity to your bedding, you should always turn your pillowcase inside out before placing it in the washing machine (if you’re given the go-ahead on the care instructions). Use a delicate wash, place in a mesh bag and keep the water cool.
You can also hand wash with a gentle detergent. Cool water is also preferred as it will keep the material soft and sumptuous. Don’t wring it out as this may damage the water-weakened silk fibres.
Some may be dry clean only but this isn’t ideal as your pillowcase requires weekly changing and the bills will quickly add up.
How we tested
We lay our heads on the market’s very best silk pillowcases to put them through their paces on quality, feel and to make sure they were easy to wash.
See our pick of the best silk pillowcases below
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Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase
Best for: luxury
Crafted from 100 per cent pure mulberry silk, this best-seller is dubbed as an anti-ageing, anti-sleep crease and anti-bed head pillowcase. The material is impressively lightweight and feels as decadent as it looks. While it’s hard to tell if the bedtime accessory has anti-ageing benefits, we did notice that our skin was more radiant with improved texture after a few weeks.
Likewise, hair didn’t lack moisture after just once sleeping against it. With a celebrity fan base including Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, it can be paired with the matching eye mask to enhance your beauty sleep even further. The pillowcase is available in an array of designs to suit your bedroom aesthetic.
Buy now £89.00, John Lewis
Cultiver Linen Bedding
A brand which oozes easy, breezy Aussie sophistication, Cultiver first launched 100 per cent pure linen bedding back in 2012. Now, with 16 gloriously earthy colours and patterns on offer, the linen collection is designed to layer together seamlessly whether you’d like to mix and match colourways or opt for a block colour aesthetic. All sheets on offer are crafted from 100 per cent pure linen woven from European flax that is OEKO-TEX certified. It’s also pre-washed with enzymes for an effortlessly worn yet ever-luxurious finish.
We’re particularly big fans of the Silk Linen Flip Pillowcases, which have 100 per cent Mulberry Silk on one side and pure linen on the other. For those who value the hair and skincare benefits of silk pillowcases but dislike the blight on your bedroom aesthetic, Cultiver has just answered your prayers.
Buy now £300.00, Cultiver
John Lewis Organic Mulberry Silk Standard Pillowcase
Best for: minimising frizz
Keep bedhead at bay with this affordable but luxurious John Lewis offering. Available in 14 shades that include white and natural hues, the 100 per cent Mulberry silk cover is perfect for those who are new to the pillowcase fabric. It feels impressively cool against the skin, making it ideal for summer, and does a good job of retaining the moisture of your hair. It’s also machine washable at 40oC.
Buy now £45.00, John Lewis
The White Company Silk Pillowcases
Best for: a hotel-like feel
Get that hotel-like luxe in the comfort of your own home by adding The White Company’s silk pillowcases to your sheet rotation. The sheet specialist offers not one but two iterations, the Audley Silk Oxford Pillowcase With Border and Silk Beauty Pillowcase For Hair & Skin.
For both iterations, the hypoallergenic fabric is ideal for those with sensitive skin or those suffering from rosacea to wake up without puffiness or redness. For the likes of us who sleep covered in lotions and potions, the silk pillowcases are less absorbent so the creams stay where they belong – on our faces.
The material also doesn’t tug on your scalp when you toss and turn during the night, so your hair will thank you for making the switch. It is also temperature regulating and has a sumptuous skin feel.
Buy now £80.00, The White Company
ESPA Silk Pillowcase
Best for: skincare obsessives
Rejuvenate your hair and skin with this pillowcase from luxury skin and wellness label ESPA. The brand specialises in products to help you create a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home and as such, this pillow is soft and sumptuous. Crafted with quality at the forefront, it is made from 22 Momme that is breathable so you’ll wake up refreshed.
It also does not conduct static electricity, thereby protecting hair and ensuring that any creams that you use on your face are absorbed into your skin instead of the pillow.
Buy now £60.00, ESPA
M&S Pure Silk Pillowcase
Best for: allergies
This pillowcase from M&S is available in white, grey, pink or mink to suit your interior design aesthetic, while also including all the skin and hair benefits associated with the sumptuous material.
The hypoallergenic pillowcase is crafted entirely of pure silk using sustainable practices. It is said to slow down the onset of fine lines and wrinkles and prevent split ends and hair breakages.
Buy now £30.00, M&S
Gingerlily Silk Pillowcase
Best for: classic aesthetics
Produced by Gingerlily, the purveyors of ultimate luxe silk bedding, this silk pillowcase presents in classic good taste with a Mulberry silk composition and minimal design. There’s the white pictured, a silver-grey and pink.
Buy now £59.00, Harrods
Alaska Bear Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Best for: beauty benefits on a budget
Another budget-friendly option, Alaska Bear’s pillowcase is carefully crafted from pure charmeuse silk to protect the face and hair from damage. The hypoallergenic cover is delicate against sensitive skin to ensure you aren’t disturbed by irritation. Aside from the multiple beauty benefits, it’s also a lovely addition to your bedroom décor and it comes in a rainbow array of colourways.
Buy now £25.99, Amazon
Drowsy Envelope Silk Pillow Case
Best for: reducing hair breakage
From the sleep experts behind the super soft sleep eye mask, Drowsy has expanded its offering to include pillowcases. Each is finely crafted from 22 Momme mulberry silk that reduces friction – so you can say goodbye to split ends and tangles and hello to great hair each and every day of the week.
There are also skincare benefits too, keeping your skin hydrated throughout the night and you’ll stay cool, calm and collected no matter the temperature outside as the fabric is thermo-regulating. The construction is crease-free.
Buy now £89.00, Drowsy
Lilysilk Pillowcase With Hidden Zipper
Best for: colour and size options
With fourteen colours and three sizes available, including a square option, the Lilysilk pillowcase has something for everyone. Lilysilk also offers a monogram service, creating truly bespoke bed luxury. Perfect as a wedding gift the newlyweds are sure to appreciate.
Buy now £45.00, Lilysilk
Panda 100% Bamboo Bedding Set (UK Single, Urban Grey)
Sleep like an angel in ethical bedding made from 100 per cent organic bamboo, one of the most sustainable materials on the planet.
With a thread count of 320, the super-breathable bamboo viscose is a great alterantive to silk. Much like the sumptuous material, it regulates temperature to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Comes in a choice of five neutral colours.
Buy now £110.00, Panda
