Sleep

Skincare-Obsessed Women Swear By This One Tweak to Their Sleep Routine

It makes a major difference.

By Caitlin Clark

I wouldn’t call myself a Poosh stan but I dabble in the occasional Instagram post from the Kourtney Kardashian-founded wellness brand. It’s a true visual hodgepodge of aspiration, inspiration, punny hashtags (#pooshtheboundaries), and the occasional tidbit from Mrs. Barker herself. Of that final category, one quick word of wisdom truly struck me: if traveling anywhere for more than a night, Kourtney insists on bringing her best silk pillowcases. Luxe sleep on a relative dime? Sign me up.

I, a proud owner of both a silk and satin pillow cover, have this in common with Kourtney. It seems like absolute diva behavior, but once you’ve discovered the benefits of this game-changing sleep product (for hair and skin—wrinkles especially) and felt the difference (percale can’t compare), you’ll never want to sleep on anything else.

Featured image by Claire Huntsberger.

woman in bed with dog best silk pillowcases
Image by Michelle Nash

Why sleep on a silk pillowcase?

Aside from the cool luxurious touch of silk against your cheek, silk pillowcases are said to help reduce frizz, protect hair cuticles, reduce breakouts, and prevent facial creases.

It’s all about friction. Silk’s smooth nature reduces the rubbing back and forth of the skin, eyelashes, and hair, so your blowout is protected for longer. And because silk absorbs less moisture than cotton, skincare products stay put on your face—you’ll also reduce the potential for breakouts.

Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, so it’s an excellent fabric option for those with sensitive skin.

woman making bed best silk pillowcases
Image by Dagny Piasecki

Silk vs. Satin Pillowcases

While satin offers many of the benefits of silk (it’s breathable, hypoallergenic, and less absorbent than cotton), the major difference is in how they’re made. Silk is a fiber naturally produced by silkworms (a process developed in ancient China). Satin, technically, is a type of weaving made from synthetic fibers like polyester, rayon, and cotton.

Satin’s synthetic nature makes it more affordable (while still offering similar benefits) and not quite as delicate as silk. It’s a solid budget-friendly alternative.

Truth be told, I regularly swap my silk and satin pillowcases around, and—though the silk option is definitely silkier—I rarely notice much of a difference.

Image by Kristen Kilpatrick

The Best Silk Pillowcases of 2023

With the good word very much out on the beauty benefits of silk, your options are vast and solid. Still, we’ve narrowed it down to the 10 best silk pillowcases you can buy now based on reviews, a mix of mulberry (the “Egyptian cotton” of the silk pillow world), and the all-important momme count, which reflects the density of the silk. (For reference, the average momme silk count is 19.)

The Best Silk Pillowcase Splurge

Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eWhen we mentioned Kourtney Kardashian’s silk pillow obsession, this is the one we’re talking about. And with a momme count of 22, a beautiful blend of mulberry silk, and many a dermatologist’s seal of approval, the price may just be worth it. u003c/pu003e

Another Solid Splurge

Blissy 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eThe Blissy obsession is real—and well worth the hype. The 22-momme count, handmade beauties all come with Oeko-Tex, eco-friendly, and non-toxic certifications. u003c/pu003e

The Amazon Review Star

Fishers Finery 25mm 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eA staggering amount of five-star Amazon reviews matches a staggering momme count: 25. Bonus points for offering Fishers Finery’s undyed option, which makes this silk pillowcase even better for sensitive skin. u003c/pu003e

The Best Affordable Silk Pillowcase

LILYSILK Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eThis 19 momme silk option gets away with its competitive price point thanks to a high-quality cotton underside. A best-of-both-worlds sleep scenario. u003c/pu003e

Another Great Affordable Option

ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eAnother Amazon review star, ZIMASILK’s 19 momme count has been called out as u003ca href=u0022https://nymag.com/strategist/article/affordable-silk-pillowcase-parachute-slip-dupe.htmlu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ea dupeu003c/au003e for Parachute’s far pricier option. u003c/pu003e

The Best Silk Pillowcase for Curly Hair

TAFTS 22mm 100% Pure Mulberry 6A Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eWith a high 22 momme count (especially for its price point), this luxurious pillow earns rave reviews from the curly-headed crowd for reducing frizz. u003c/pu003e

The Best Silk Pillow Pattern Options

Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eThe buttery soft, Oeko-Tex-certified favorite comes in a variety of limited-edition patterns, including the perennial u0022celestialu0022 option. u003c/pu003e

A Great High-Quality Silk Pillowcase

Parachute Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eIf you’re already on the Parachute train (a great place to be, in my opinion), their feel-good bedding acumen extends to their silk pillowcase offering, made with a whopping 25 momme Mulberry silk. u003c/pu003e

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

u003cpu003eQuince’s much-loved pure mulberry silk pillowcase is a perfect example of the brand’s affordable but high-quality (the momme count is 22) ethos. u003c/pu003e

The Best Satin Option

Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

u003cpu003eKitsch’s rabidly reviewed pillow offers many of the same benefits as silk for a fraction of the price—and in a much livelier color range. u003c/pu003e

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