Like smoother skin and shinier hair, while you sleep? We know that a good night’s ‘beauty sleep’ can make us feel rejuvenated and even support immunity, but could a silk pillowcase possibly be the secret to waking up with great skin and frizz-free tresses?
You may ask if it really matters what you sleep on every night. Well, all those many hours of sleep add up to around 26 years. That's a long time spent pressing the delicate skin on your face into a cotton pillowcase. Those of us in the Hyoumankind team who have switched to silk are sold on its benefits for our skin and hair (especially those of us prone to frizz).
And it's not just us singing its praises. Sleeping on silk is recommended by dermatologists, allergy specialists, plastic surgeons, hair stylists and facialists. The smooth, luxurious texture of silk helps protect the delicate skin on your face, prevent sleep wrinkles forming and promote healthy-looking hair.
It’s the smooth texture of silk that seems to prevent sleep wrinkles, as it doesn’t drag and catch at skin in the way cotton does. The lustrous texture of silk may be better for your skin if you’re living with acne or skin irritations too. Friction from cotton on acne-prone skin can inflame pimples even more. Silk creates a gentler, cleaner surface for resting your cheek than rough cotton or synthetic fibres that don’t breathe.
Recorded allergies to silk are very rare, even for people with eczema or asthma. For example, silk-filled duvets are often recommended to people with asthma and allergies, as the fibre is naturally hypoallergenic, as well as being resistant to dust mites and dander. Silk strands don’t trap dust mites like cotton does, or encourage the damp, dusty environments that they breed in. So sleeping on a silk pillowcase may help keep the puffiness and redness caused by some allergies at bay.
Cotton also soaks up the natural oils and bacteria on your face and hair, causing grime to accumulate on your pillowcase each night. Silk pillowcases absorb less moisture and dirt. This means they could be a better option than cotton for people with either dry skin or acne – or a combination of both. Particularly good news if you sleep on your side or stomach.
Another benefit of silk pillowcases is that they’re mild on your mane. Silk’s slippable surface prevents snarls and mitigates damage. It may even prolong a sleek and shiny blowout. And if you’re prone to dry hair, a silk cover won’t rob it of precious moisture.
When buying silk pillowcases online, be sure to double-check the product description, and if you’re unsure, ask. Some companies may use terms like ‘satin’ or ‘silk-like’ to come up in your online search, but they’re not actually real silk, or natural fibres at all. These products are likely to be polyester or other synthetic fibres instead.
Silk is made by spinning the strands of the cocoon of the Bombyx mori moth, which feeds on mulberry leaves. Our Go Silk Pillowcase is 100% silk – which also has natural thermal properties – making it cosy in the winter and cool in the summer. The pillowcase is designed specifically for the Go Pillow, made in New Zealand and features elegant and long-lasting French seaming.
Why does silk make the best pillowcase? It may be because the fabric is made by animals, and its amino acids are therefore more friendly to human skin than plant sources. The results, as the experts tell us, are less frizz and fewer tangles in our hair, and smoother skin, meaning a faster morning routine and a face that stays looking youthful for longer. And who wouldn’t love that?
To recap – the beauty benefits of sleeping on silk:
- Less irritation or friction on skin
- Helps skin retain moisture
- A smoothing effect on hair
- Hypoallergenic for sensitive skin and resistant to dust mites
- Natural thermal regulating properties prevent overheating in summer
