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.
Composition: Slipsilk
Momme: 22
Colors available: 20
Care: Machine-washable
+ Scientifically designed
+ Non-toxic dyes
- May not suit all sleepers
Developed by scientists and recommended by dermatologists, the Slip Silk Pillowcase earns my sleep editor seal of approval. It's clinically proven to visibly improve the smoothness and brightness of your skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines. If you've ever wondered whether silk pillowcases can stop breakouts, the answer at Slip Silk is a resounding 'yes'.
Composition: 100% Pure Mulberry Silk
Momme: 22
Colors: 7
Care: Machine-washable
+ Naturally cooling
+ Wide range of colors and prints
- Limited size range
Brooklinen is one of the best places to buy bedding, and it's the perfect place to pick up a silk pillowcase without breaking the bank. Made from 100% pure Mulberry silk, this pillowcase is naturally cooling and hypoallergenic, ideal for hot sleepers and shoppers with sensitive skin. Get it in classic white, blush pink, or subtle prints and patterns in a Standard or King size.
Composition: 100% Mulberry silk
Momme: Not listed
Colors: 7
Care: Machine-washable
+ Treated with aloe vera
+ Sandwashed for softness
- On the more expensive side
This is one of the smoothest silk pillowcases I've ever sampled. Designed to reduce friction and retain moisture, the Cozy Earth Silk Pillowcase detangled my hair and plumped up my skin, with visible differences in just a few days. Retailing for around $130, the Cozy Earth Silk Pillowcase is one of the more expensive options on this list, but it's regularly discounted in the bedding sales.
Composition: 100% mulberry silk and 100% European flax
Momme: Not listed
Colors: 4
Care: Machine-washable
+ Versatile design
+ Bundle savings
- Limited size range
I like to pair this pillowcase with the best linen sheets and style it linen side up for aesthetics, then flip for silk as I head to bed. The Cultiver Silk Linen Flip is the sort of pillowcase that would be perfect for your guest bedroom. It's suitable for hot and cool sleepers, those who like a little texture in their bedding, as well as those who prefer a smoother surface.
Composition: 100% pure Mulberry silk
Momme: 25
Colors available: 2
Care: Machine-washable
+ Thermo-regulating
+ Highest quality silk
- Limited color range
The Parachute Silk Pillowcase is made from 25 momme Mulberry silk, which is some of the highest quality silk on the market. The higher the momme count, the higher the concentration of silk threads, and the denser and more durable the silk. This pillowcase should feel thick and luxurious between your fingers and beneath your head. That premium feel is one of the best reasons to buy a silk pillowcase.
Composition: 100% pure Mulberry silk
Momme: 25
Colors: 27
Care: Machine-washable
+ Wide range of prints and patterns
+ Highest quality silk
- A little high-maintenance
If you're keen to experiment with color, you should shop with Mayfairsilk. Their silk pillowcases come in any number of patterns, from botanical scenes to animal print. I like the Coral Fans Pure Silk Pillowcase best: the white background could complement any color palette, but the bright fans add interest. Just don't forget to wash your Pure Silk Pillowcase on a special silk setting. I forgot and threw mine in with a cotton wash, and it's never felt the same.
Composition: 100% Mulberry silk
Momme: 22
Colors: 1
Care: Machine-washable
+ Consistently cool
+ Incredibly durable
- Only comes in white
If you're a hot sleeper, like I am, then you might feel hesitant to try a silk pillowcase. After all, silk is designed to retain moisture, and the last thing you want is to wake up in a pool of your own sweat. That's where Lagoon's Performance Cooling Pillowcase really shines. Naturally thermoregulating and incredibly lightweight, this silk pillowcase dissipates heat to stop you from sweating in the first place.
Composition: 100% Mulberry silk
Momme: 22
Colors: 3
Care: Machine-washable
+ Attractive sheen
+ Envelope closure
- Limited color and size range
The Company Essentials Silk Pillowcase is handcrafted from 100% Mulberry silk and finished with an envelope closure for neatness. This pillowcase comes in classic white, sleek silver, and blush pink to complement any bedroom color palette, though the sizing is a little limiting: you can only shop it in Standard.
Composition: 100% polyester satin
Mommes: N/A
Colors available: 36
Care: Machine-washable
+ Highly affordable
+ Vegan-friendly
+ Not as soft as silk
To get the luxe look of silk for less, you need the Bedsure Solid Satin Pillowcase. Sure, the polyester satin isn't quite as soft as real silk, but it makes a great vegan alternative and it sells for a fraction of the price. It's worth knowing that the Bedsure Solid Satin Pillowcase boasts more than 200,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, with happy customers praising the thermoregulation and instant improvement to their hair and skin.
How we test silk pillowcases
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.
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