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Yes, silk pillowcases are better for your skin and hair – here are 9 of the best

For better hair, skin, and sleep, you should try one of the best silk pillowcases, ranked and reviewed by our sleep expert

Some of the best silk pillowcases from Cultiver on a bed.
(Image credit: Cultiver)

The best silk pillowcase can clear your skin and smooth your hair. These are big claims, but they're clinically proven. A premium silk pillowcase could reduce friction between your face and your pillow to eliminate frizz and retain enough moisture to hydrate your skin overnight.  

Most silk pillowcases are made from Mulberry silk, which comes from the cocoons of silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves. Mulberry silk is strong, yet soft, and naturally hypoallergenic to suit sleepers with sensitive skin. The density and weight of silk is measured in momme: the higher the momme rating, the thicker and more luxurious the silk. As you're shopping for the best silk pillowcase, you should narrow the search to materials with a momme rating between 20 and 25: that's the optimal balance of quality and durability. 

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I know that the best pillow should look as good as it feels. I've sampled all sorts of pillowcase materials, from crisp cotton percale to sustainable Tencel, and I keep coming back to silk. To save you time and money, I've rounded up a few of my favorite silk pillowcases to suit every style of room and size of budget.  

Best silk pillowcases: ranked and reviewed 

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

You might expect a silk pillowcase to be seriously expensive, but most come in under $100. That's still a lot to spend on even the very best bedding, but I like to think of it as an investment for your skin, your hair, and your sleep. 

How we test silk pillowcases

Parachute Silk Pillowcases on a bed with gray bedding.

(Image credit: Parachute)

We put a lot of thought into how we test silk pillowcases. It's more than a matter of sleeping on the job. The best silk pillowcases claim to clear your skin, smooth your hair, and keep you cool at night. That's why we test silk pillowcases for several weeks, if not months, to monitor how our appearance improves with time and see how the silk withstands the wear and tear of regular use. To see how well they wash, we throw each silk pillowcase in the washing machine on a silk setting, then let it airdry. We consider the look and feel of each case against the cost to determine value for money.

Best silk pillowcase FAQs

Is it worth buying a silk pillowcase?

I've written an entire article answering the question: should you buy a silk pillowcase? If you don't have time to read the whole thing, here are the headlines.

If you want clearer skin and smoother hair, you should try a silk pillowcase. Silk has a low absorption rate, so it follows that a silk pillowcase could retain moisture and hydrate your skin while you sleep. Silk is also hypoallergenic, so it's suitable for sensitive sleepers, and naturally smooth to reduce friction against your skin and frizz in your hair. Silk isn't quite as durable as cotton or as breathable as linen, but it's the best bet for your beauty sleep.  

Where can I buy a silk pillowcase?

These days, you can pick up a silk pillowcase in most specialist sleep stores. For the highest quality silk, I recommend shopping at Parachute or Mayfairsilk. These brands use 25 momme Mulberry silk, which is some of the most luxurious on the market. Slipsilk offers the widest range of prints and patterns to blend with any bedroom decor, while Brooklinen offers the best value for money. Right now, you could get a 22 momme Mulberry silk pillowcase for just $50 and get a premium silk eye mask for another $15 in their Mulberry Silk Bundle

Final thoughts

The best silk pillowcase should help to smooth your hair and clear your skin, but it can't solve your sleep problems. For that, you need the best pillow. I'd encourage you to consider your sleep needs while you shop. Hot sleepers could narrow the search to the best cooling pillow, while vegan shoppers should consider the best down alternative pillow, instead.  

Once you've invested in one of the best silk pillowcases, it's important to take good care of it. It's worth learning how to wash a silk pillowcase properly, so that it looks and feels its best for longer.

Emilia Hitching
Sleep Editor

Emilia is our resident sleep writer. She spends her days tracking down the lowest prices on the best bedding and spends her nights testing it out from the comfort of her own home – it's a dream job. Her quest to learn how to sleep better has taken her all around the world, from mattress factories in Arizona to sleep retreats in Scandinavia. Before she joined Homes & Gardens, Emilia studied English at the University of Oxford. She also worked on the other side of the aisle, writing press releases for regional newspapers and crafting copy for Sky.