Whether you're trying to preserve your blowout, maintain your twist-out, or prevent fine lines, one of the easiest steps you can take is swapping out your cotton or polyester pillowcase for a silk alternative. And listen, I get it, upgrading to a silk pillowcase or a silk sheet set does seem a bit frivolous, but it's honestly something worth investing in (especially if you already drop a good chunk of your paycheck on skincare and hair products—hi, me). I promise you, there’s a silk pillowcase that (A) works with your budget and (B) fits right in with your lifestyle. Ahead, everything you need to know about silk pillowcases and, obvs, the best ones to shop right now.
Our top picks for the best silk pillowcases in 2022:
Now that you've got a sneak peek of what's ahead, here's everything you need to know:
What do silk pillowcases do?
Glad you asked—because silk pillowcases do a lot, actually. The biggest benefit of using a silk pillowcase is glide. Unlike the friction you get with cotton pillowcases, silk ones are nice and smooth against your skin and hair (even if you toss and turn all night). "Your skin can't slide against cotton like it can with silk, so cotton pillowcases can actually create fine lines and crepe-ing on your face due to constant traction and friction," says licensed aesthetician Brit Lanier. So when you switch to silk, you're basically giving your skin and hair a soft, silky canvas to sleep on. Even better, "sleeping on silk helps retain moisture in both your hair and skin," says Lanier, which means smoother skin, knot-free hair, and all-over hydration.
Are silk or satin pillowcases better?
It’s best to stick with 100 percent silk if you're trying to get the full skincare and hair benefits. That said, satin is generally a much more affordable option, so if you’re looking to save a few bucks, it's certainly not a bad option (especially compared to cotton). Pro tip: You can even start with a satin pillowcase to test out the texture and feel (they’re definitely a little weird at first if you’ve only ever slept on cotton) and invest in a silk pillowcase when you’re ready.
What is momme, and how much should be in your silk pillowcase?
The Japanese unit of weight measurement, momme (mm) is used to measure the density, and in turn, quality of silk fabrics. And if you've been shoppin' for silk pillowcases, you may have noticed that when the momme goes up, so does the $$$. The best way to understand momme is to think of it like thread count in sheets: Typically—though not always when it comes to bed sheets—the higher the thread count, the better the sheet. Well, it works pretty much the same for momme.
Silk pillows typically land somewhere between 15 to 30 momme, the majority landing somewhere around 19. If you're new to the silk pillowcase game and are looking to try one out, go with a pillowcase with 15 to 19 momme count. Wanting to splurge a little? A 22 momme and up is where it's at.
Are silk pillowcases really worth it?
IMO, they're def worth the splurge. Once I made the switch to sleeping on a silk pillowcase, I noticed my hair was less frizzy and tangled when I woke up, and my skin never had those weird pillow creases in the morning either. That said, not all silk pillowcases are created equal (or actually made of 100 percent silk 🙃), so to save you hours of combing through internet reviews, I did the hard work for you. Ahead, the 19 best silk pillowcases worth buying right TF now.