As a skincare expert I know that In the world of beauty and self-care, even the smallest details to your daily routine can make a surprising positive difference to your skin and hair.
One detail, that is often overlooked by clients, is the pillowcase. The average person in the UK sleeps around 2,190 hours per year, so thats many hours that our skin and hair is in contact with our pillowcase.
While I am known to my skincare clients for shouting from the roof tops that silk pillowcases have so many skin benefits, I have found that most people still use cotton pillowcases.
In this blog I will tell you in depth about the importance of sleeping on a silk pillowcase and how they really benefit your hair, skin and wellbeing.
What is Silk?
Silk is a premium fabric made from the fibres produced by the silkworm. Known for its ultra-soft, smooth texture and natural sheen, Silk feels gentle and luxurious against the skin.
The term "100% Silk" signifies that the fabric contains only silk fibres, without any blending with other materials.
Why should I use a silk pillowcase?
Silk pillowcases offer so many benefits for both skin and hair. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog I am a skincare expert and tell all my skincare clients to use a silk pillowcase at night and here are the reasons why.
The characteristic of Silk vs Cotton
Low absorbency
Unlike cotton, silk absorbs significantly less moisture, which helps retain your skin's hydration and prevents dryness and irritation overnight. So your lovely evening moisturiser stays on your skin rather then being pulled out of your skin by the cotton fibres in your pillowcase you are laying on.
Smoother texture
Silk’s smooth texture crucially reduces rubbing and friction, which helps minimise sleep creases and wrinkles on your delicate facial skin.
Hypoallergenic
Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, resisting dust mites and allergens, making it ideal for sensitive skin types like rosacea and eczema or acne-prone and also people that suffer from hay fever and other allergies helping with your overall wellbeing.
Temperature Regulating
Silk is highly breathable and excellent at regulating temperature, keeping you cool in summer so perfect for peri-menopausal or menopausal women that often wake in the night warm and sweaty from hormones. Silk will also keep you warm in winter. Leaving you with a more comfortable sleep.
Hygroscopic
Hygroscopic, means it absorbs and releases moisture efficiently to maintain skin comfort. Making silk so much more comfortable than other pillowcase materials.
Resilience
Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres, Look out for Mulberry silk as this silk is more durable and long-lasting when cared for properly.
Environmentally friendly
Silk is biodegradable and produced with minimal chemical use, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice.
Why is silk better for my hair?
Silk pillowcases offer so many benefits for your hair in the same way as it benefits your skin. Silk prevents hair dryness because of it's low absorbency, silk will not dehydrate your hair by drawer out your hair's moisture like cotton does.
Because of silks smoother texture it reduces rubbing and friction on your hair which prevents hair breakage, frizz, spilt ends, hair tangling and knots.
Thinning hair and hair loss
Silk is perfect for people that have hair loss or thinning hair either from, stress, illness, medication, hair damage or hormones.
Because of less friction on your hair when using a silk pillowcase this means it really helps to keep curly hair smooth and detangled, no more waking up with bed hair.
Also as I mentioned above because silk is hygroscopic and is also temperature regulating it means it keeps your head and hair at a comfortable temperature in the summer and winter. So no more waking up with wet hair around the hairline or base of your head from sweat. Also sleeping on silk helps to reduces waking up to headaches and migraines from dehydration.
A silk pillowcase will leave your hair smoother, shinier and tangle free allowing you to style your hair much easier and your style will last much longer, making daily hair washing a thing of the past.
How to look after your silk pillowcases
Before washing your silk pillow cases always read the washing instructions on the label, as different brands have different instructions. Some brands of silk pillowcases will say hand wash only and some brands do allow you to machine wash on a delicate setting.
If you are washing them in a washing machine then a great tip is to pop your pillowcases into a delicates wash bag to protect them further.
Then once washed hang them up to dry which doesn't take too long at all.
Why are silk pillowcase expensive?
For those seeking to improve their skin and hair health in their sleep routine, the silk pillowcase is a worthwhile investment although a bit expensive. Silk is a bit pricey because it is a premium fabric and always search for 100% silk pillowcases, mix fabrics just aren't as effective.
Myself and clients really notice a reduction in sleep lines, better skin hydration, and healthier, less frizzy hair after just a few nights after moving over to sleeping on a silk pillowcase. I believe it really is a great skincare decision to invest in a premium high quality pillowcase that will last.
I wouldn't sleep on anything else but silk for the amazing skin and hair benefits.
Silk pillowcase brands
While there are many silk companies on the market, I highly recommend Slip as their silk pillowcases really stand out for its durability, comfort, and clinically supported benefits.
Slip also has a celebrity following like Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts and is also talked about by dermatologists, and beauty enthusiasts alike.
During my research online the brand Slip kept popping up and this really sparked my interest. I have tried many different brands over the years in the skincare industry, so I decided to purchase some Slip pillowcases recently and I was very impressed with they brand and packaging and the very high quality 100% Mulberry silk pillowcases.
Slip offer a large range of colours and patterned pillowcases, hair bands and eye masks all made with the highest quality silk. What I also really love is that Slip cases have a hidden zip closure and lovely piping.
I am very pleased with my Slip pillowcases and my personal opinion is that Slip Silk Pillowcase offers a blend of luxury, functionality, and proven beauty benefits. Its high-quality mulberry silk fabric are one of the best on the market.
Although it comes at a premium price, the durability and effectiveness of the product I feel justify the cost for those prioritising skin and hair care.
Proper care will ensure the your pillowcases remains as a long-lasting addition to your home skincare routine.
Overall, Slip provides an elegant and effective upgrade to your bedtime routine.
Tip
When travelling I take my silk pillowcases with me as I still want to get the benefits of sleeping on silk while my skin and hair is enduring, sun, sea, salt and chorine on my holiday.
So my tip is to purchase a lovely bright colour rather than white for two reasons, 1. that the hotel house keeping will not mistake it for the hotel's pillowcase and 2. it will help you notice it and not leave it behind and forget to pack it before travelling home.
Where to buy?
I bought mine direct from Slip but if your less fussed about colours, Healf have some really good deals and you can get an extra 10% off with this link.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog on the benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase, I hope you have found it informative and inspires you to purchase a Silk Pillowcase and start to see your own amazing skin and hair improvements.
If you have any questions or comments please leave a message below.