17 best silk pillowcases to keep your hair and skin healthy while you kip

The best silk pillowcases promise to serve up beauty sleep in abundance by definition. Sure, your night creams, serums and hair masks might go a long way towards healthy locks and a glowing complexion, but according to dermatologists, silk pillowcases of the highest quality offer a multitude of benefits to your skin and hair that your bog-standard cotton pillowcase just doesn’t.

Find everything you need to know below, or skip straight to the best silk pillowcases to shop.

What are the benefits of using a silk pillowcase?

With a lower price point at most retailers, cotton pillow covers are the best option for most sleepers, but since cotton has a high absorption rate and a rougher surface (even when the thread count is high), they can cause hair breakage or hair loss, reduce the efficacy of your skincare products and induce a speedier onset of fine lines and wrinkles.

On the contrary, by causing less friction and allowing for free movement, silk pillowcases prevent the ruffling of your hair while you sleep (goodbye knots and kinks) – as well as the tugging of your skin thanks to a smooth surface and gentler fabrication.

Silk pillowcases are also less absorbent, meaning they won’t absorb too many of the scalp’s natural oils (which is great for those with greasy hair), and they won’t pull the hydration out of your skincare products overnight. Your face oils and moisturisers will actually have a chance to penetrate the skin’s barrier and do their job as a result.

If that wasn’t enough, natural silk, which is derived from silkworms, is hypoallergenic. Silk pillowcases prevent mould, dust mites and fungus from building up. They are also temperature regulating, which means you won’t find yourself flipping your pillow every 30 seconds to reach the “cold side”. Sold? You bet.

Oh, and yes. Many of the same silk benefits are true when it comes to silk pyjamas, silk scrunchies, silk bedding and silk hair wraps, too.

Best duvet covers: 25 linen, cotton and easycare bedding sets, for all seasons and interiors schemes

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What is the best type of silk pillowcase?

1. Best silk pillowcase overall: Silk Linen Flip Standard Size Pillowcase, from £45, Cultiver
2. Best silk pillow case, runner-up: Organic Silk Stripe Standard Pillowcase, £55, John Lewis
3. Best affordable silk pillowcases: Pure Silk Pillowcase M&S, £29.50, Marks and Spencer
4. Best Mulberry silk pillowcase: Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, WAS £72 NOW £57, Mayfair Silk
5. Best silk pillow case for curly hair: Slip Queen Pillowcase, £89, Selfridges
6. Best silk pillowcases for skin: Silk Works London Standard Silk Pillowcase, £65, Wolf & Badger

The FAQs of silk pillowcases:

• QUESTION: Silk or satin pillowcases: Which is better for your hair? ANSWER: Silk.
• QUESTION: Do silk pillowcases really work? ANSWER: Yes!
• QUESTION: How should you wash a silk pillowcase? ANSWER: Hand washing in cold water is always advised so the dyes don't run and the material isn't compromised, but many of the best silk pillowcases below can be machine washed (just check the care instructions).
• QUESTION: Which momme silk is best? ANSWER: The higher the better (i.e. 19 momme and above), but 11-16 momme is still considered good.

After more bedding content? Shop the best pillows – including the best cooling pillows – best mattresses, and the best weighted blankets to reduce anxiety. For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.