We Put These Popular Silk Pillowcases to the Sleep Test

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When we set out to find the best silk pillowcases on the market, we didn’t just sleep on the most popular brands' products; we also tapped the experts to explain why silk is the ideal material for pretty much all things bedding. Miami-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon says, “Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can offer several benefits for your skin and hair. Silk, a naturally smooth and soft material, reduces friction between your skin and the pillowcase, potentially reducing the formation of sleep lines and wrinkles.” Silk is also less absorbent than traditional cotton, so if you like to slather your skin and hair in oils, creams, and serums before climbing into bed for the night, you can rest assured that the products will sink into your skin and not into your pillowcase (for the most part).

As serious beauty sleepers, we decided to test out the most popular silk pillowcases. Before we get into it, we feel obligated to preface our list with this disclosure: We picked the pricier options, which was deliberate. “The best silk pillowcases are high thread count ones that are made of 100 percent silk, which tend to be pretty expensive,” says Denver-based board-certified surgeon Dr. Cory Bovenzi, MD. “Cheaper pillowcases are less likely to be hypoallergenic and may not be as smooth and gentle on facial skin.” If you're wondering why, it's because the cheaper ones are rarely 100 percent silk. They're often a mixture of cotton (sateen, most likely) and silk or satin. These are definitely more gentle on the skin than cotton, but not quite as gentle as pure silk.

If you're thinking about investing in a beautiful silk pillowcase and reaping all the potential benefits from it, see all the ones we tested ahead. We're spilling what we liked and didn't like about them, plus everything in between, so you can purchase the one most suited to your needs.

Silk Pillowcase

Silk pillowcases are often luxuries you don't think you need until you actually try one, and then you can never imagine going back to whatever you were sleeping on before. This was the case for House Beautiful's Performance Marketing Associate Rhea Park, who says, "This is my first time using a silk pillowcase and I absolutely loved it. It felt so smooth on my face, and really helped tame my frizzy hair, which was a lifesaver in the mornings." That's because silk generally causes significantly less friction than cotton or bamboo. "After first wash, although a little wrinkly, I noticed no shrinkage. It wrinkles a little after sleeping, but I can easily smooth it out with no issues." If you can't deal with the wrinkles, feel free to steam your pillowcases first thing in the morning. It will take about five minutes per pillowcase. Park adds, "I think I've definitely been converted to silk pillowcases and I'll be using this one for a while." Just in case you're still debating about getting this one from Tuft & Needle, the brand offers a 100-night sleep trial to make sure you're truly in love with your pick.

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: White and navy | Momme: 19

Organic Silk Pillowcase

"I'll admit that I was a little skeptical about whether or not silk pillowcases are worth the money—but honestly, I'm a convert," Commerce Editor Samantha Jones admits, after sleeping on her Clementine Sleepwear pillowcase for four months. She saw the difference in her skin and says, “I have seen a huge difference in my acne with this simple switch to silk. In the past, I almost always had at least a few breakouts around my mouth and chin at all times, but since switching to a silk pillowcase, those breakouts have significantly decreased. Plus, the silk fabric is noticeably cooler than my cotton and linen pillowcases, so I find it to be super comfortable in the summer."

When it comes to care and maintenance, Jones errs on the side of caution and skips the washing machine. "I usually handwash mine in the sink once a week with a little bit of hand soap, then let it hang dry before putting it back on my pillow. It definitely dries pretty wrinkly, so if you're adamant about having a super crisp-looking bed, you'll want to steam the pillowcase on low heat after washing."

Sizes: Standard | Colors: White, blue, pink, champagne, and rust | Momme: 22

Sleepeasy Silk Pillowcase

One of the hardest challenges we faced over the course of producing this article was attempting to convert our fellow editors to silk. "I've always been skeptical of the craze around silk pillowcases, I’m a cotton and percale devotee, but when Beauty Pie offered to let me test their version, I thought I’d see what the hype was about," says SEO Editor Kate McGregor. "After sleeping on this for a few weeks, I noticed that the pillowcase rarely wrinkled (I’m a classic tosser and turner), and no matter how much Aquaphor I put on my face before bed, the pillowcase proved to be nonabsorbent and my skincare never left a weird stain or mark." McGregor admits that she may not be fully converted yet though, because of one annoying thing that silk causes: static. "My hair seems to defy gravity when I wake up," she adds.

Sizes: Standard | Colors: White | Momme: 22

Washable Silk Good in Bed Pillowcase

"I washed this pillowcase according to the instructions: in cold water, then dried it on low with only a handful of other whites. It came out surprisingly wrinkled but very soft and without any static," Senior Editor Elyse Moody explains. As someone who owns a few options from other brands, Moody explains that this one came with a few details she could do without, including the envelop closure, which she admittedly doesn't like "fussing with." She also says that the material is on the thinner side, so you can see the pillow and its tag through the pillowcase.

"Overall, I like this pillowcase. I would recommend it for someone who is really into their skin-care routine because this doesn't absorb much. I also think it makes a really nice bridal party, bachelorette, housewarming, or off-to-college gift."

Sizes: Standard | Colors: White | Momme: Not listed

Pure Silk Pillowcase

As we mentioned, Moody is no stranger to the silk pillowcase game, so it should come as no surprise that she already owned one of the most famous brands on the market, Slip. "I've had a light gray Slip pillowcase for a couple of years now, so it has been through the laundry on a fairly regular basis." Though it's held up well, Moody says that it does get a bit staticky fresh out of the dryer. "The color hasn't faded, and it hasn’t shrunk, and I like that it feels extra cool in the summer," she adds.

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: Black, gray, silver, white, caramel, navy, pink, and pink paisley | Momme: 22

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

"I sleep on Cozy Earth's bamboo sheets, so I am used to bedding that's prone to wrinkles," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "I went ahead and steamed my Blissy pillowcase after washing it while I was steaming my sheets because I can't deal with wrinkles. After steaming it once post-wash, I never noticed wrinkles again—even after sleeping on it." Executive Editor Jess Teves is also a fan of this Blissy best-seller. "I washed this with my regular linen, and it came out of the dryer perfect. No shrinkage or pilling—I would say it almost felt silkier," she says.

Teves also says that it's great for anyone trying to protect their hair. "After using this pillow for several days, I noticed that my hair was not as frizzy in the back, a sign that the mulberry silk made a significant difference. I will never sleep on a cotton pillowcase again," Teves explains. "In fact, I'll probably bring this with me when I travel. It's just so much better for your skin and hair."

Sizes: Standard, queen, and king | Colors: Black, silver, white, blue, and pink | Momme: 22

Silk Pillow

Another editor whose main priority when selecting a pillowcase is protecting her hair? Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie, who says, "To protect my hair at night, I absolutely have to sleep either with a silk or satin bonnet, or a silk pillowcase. This 100 percent mulberry silk one from Cozy Earth is seriously so smooth. I couldn’t stop running my hands back and forth over it at night." And that's saying something, considering she has tested dozens of pillowcases in the last few months. "This was the kindest pillowcase against my cheek, and such a relief to fall onto at the end of the day."

As for the specifics, there are a few that McKenzie appreciates, including the envelope closure, which she describes as "an excellent touch, as it fits snugly even over my weirdly shaped ergonomic side-sleeper pillow." However, as much as she's enjoying her silk pillowcase, she admits that it's not without its cons. "After washing the pillowcase, it was very staticky at first and took some time to return to that silky smoothness. It does wrinkle easily with my tossing and turning at night, but you kind of sign up for that with a thinner material like silk."

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: Black, silver, white, olive, champagne, taupe, and wine | Momme: Not listed

Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

If the House Beautiful team has one silk pillowcase veteran, it's Deputy Managing Editor Olivia Hosken, who has slept on silk pillowcases since she was two years old. "On the spectrum of silk pillowcases, Frontgate’s mulberry silk has a shinier finish than a lustrous one, which holds up even after washing," Hosken shares. "The instructions say to handwash or delicate wash and line dry; I did neither of those things because I did not read them. It was fine!" While that's a relief, we always suggest reading the cleaning instructions, especially when dealing with an expensive and delicate material like silk. "I also liked the invisible zip closure because it ensures the pillowcase stays on while still looking seamless. Overall, this is a great option for people who love a satin pillowcase, but want the natural properties of mulberry silk."

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: Silver, white, ivory | Momme: Not listed

Silk Linen Flip Pillowcase

Hosken, the silk pillowcase collector, also has Cultiver's and loves it. "I've had a set of these pillowcases for several years now and they have held up beautifully with no special care in washing. I love that when I make the bed, I can flip these over to their linen sides so that pillows look cohesive (no shiny fabric popping amongst the linen and cotton sheets)," she says. She has a good point. Shiny silk can look a bit stark against matte sheets and duvets. "As you might expect from a linen-silk combo, these are more relaxed pillowcases but still elegant thanks to the invisible zip closure." This set is perfect if you prefer your bedding to feel styled while still reaping the benefits of sleeping on silk.

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: Slate, white, blush, and ivory | Momme: Not listed

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

"I tested Quince’s 100 percent mulberry silk pillowcase and my hair has definitely thanked me for it," Associate Editor Lauren Gruber says. "As far as first impressions go, the fabric felt somewhat thin, but for $40, I can’t complain. It has a glossy satin finish and the champagne color was the perfect warm neutral to complement my bedding." It's also easy to care for: Just throw it in with the rest of your laundry and dry it (on low, if possible). "The fabric didn’t shrink and felt softer after washing. However, it did wrinkle a bit, which I smoothed out with a steamer," she says.

If you're looking into a silk pillowcase for the sake of your beauty sleep, Gruber says that there are a few things to note before buying. "On my first night with Quince, I blew out my hair and applied my usual heavy moisturizing routine before going to bed. The pillowcase did soak up some skincare, but my hair still looked polished and shiny the morning after." She even goes so far as to say that after a few weeks of use, her blowouts retain their shape much better than when she slept on cotton or bamboo viscose pillowcases. "For this reason, I'm going to stick to using this pillowcase to maintain my hairstyling. Overall, this is a solid budget-friendly option that will leave your hair feeling smooth and help your blowouts last longer."

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: Ivory, silver, blush, navy, charcoal, black, terracotta, olive, pink, pale blue, and eucalyptus | Momme: 19

Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Another budget-friendly silk pillowcase we're obsessed with is Brooklinen's, which is under $60. We're pretty big fans of all Brooklinen bedding. "After receiving my silk pillowcase, I machine-washed it on a cold setting with mild detergent, per the care instructions. Afterwards, I let it air dry on a flat surface," Commerce Editor Nashia Baker says. "My first impression after washing and sleeping on the pillowcase was that it felt less silky-smooth as it did fresh out of the package. It was a bit stiffer to the touch and more wrinkly, but I did enjoy sleeping on it." That, sadly, is probably because she let it air dry versus putting it in the dryer on low for a few minutes. Yes, this goes against Brooklinen's instructions, but any time you air dry anything, it will feel a bit stiff at first. The more you use it, the softer it will get.

"Overall, it was soft to sleep on. I did notice that it retained some light stains from my nighttime skincare products. I will continue using it, as it felt gentler on my skin than a cotton pillowcase and more luxe than a satin variety," Baker continues.

Sizes: Standard and king | Colors: Ivory, blush, charcoal, celestial, starflower stripe, camel stripe, and ivory oyster | Momme: 22

Hush Silk Pillowcase

"Swapping from a cotton-linen blend to this Hush silk pillowcase has done wonders for my dry, frizzy 3C curls (though I’ll admit the drool stain I often wake up to find does nothing for my self-confidence)," Commerce Writer Sarah Maberry admits. "Though I'm a stickler for hand-washing my silk clothes, I’ll admit I toss this right in the washing machine with the rest of my bedding and towels." Here's the thing: Maberry says that this is highly comfortable to sleep on and offers clear benefits to her hair and skin, but may not look the prettiest on the bed. "It's almost always wrinkly, so I usually keep it hidden behind throw pillows during the day," she says. Most silk products tend to wrinkle, but that's just the name of the game when it comes to sleeping on fragile materials.

Sizes: Standard | Colors: Ivory, blush, charcoal, light gray, light blue, and beige | Momme: 22

What to Look for in a Silk Pillowcase

Because silk tends to fall on the more expensive end of the spectrum, we recommend doing a bit of research before buying one and are happy to point you in the right direction. Silk pillowcases may look similar to the naked eye, but there are several distinct factors that come into play when you're choosing one. Here are the categories to consider as you shop:

Material: This may seem like an obvious one, but not all options that are marketed as silk pillowcases are, indeed, silk. Make sure to read the fine print so that you don't accidentally end up with a silk blend, satin (which is actually polyester), or something else that looks like silk. Sadly, you can reap the benefits of silk only if you're working with 100 percent silk. Even if you're considering a silk-linen combination, make sure that the silk side is pure silk.

Momme: Think of momme like you would a thread count. Momme refers to how much silk fabric weighs. Higher momme count silk is heavier, denser, and tends to utilize thicker individual fibers than lower momme alternatives. Neither are bad, as long as they're both 100 percent silk, but lower momme silk tends to feel a bit thinner and more affordable. The highest momme is 30 and the lowest is six.

Care and Maintenance: Because silk is a generally delicate material, it often involves more specific care instructions than your cotton pillowcases. Some, you can simply toss in the machine and then in the dryer on low, but others require hand-washing and air-drying. Before you wash your silk pillowcase, check the laundering instructions so that you don't accidentally ruin your new purchase.

What Is the Best Type of Silk for Pillowcases?

Similar to cotton, there are a lot of varieties and types of silk, including mulberry, spider, muga, and eri. Dr. Chacon says, "Mulberry silk is considered the best type of silk for pillowcases. It is the highest quality silk available for purchase." It's not just that mulberry silk tends to be softer than other types, but mulberry is the most popular option for pillowcases because of how it's produced. "The silkworms are exclusively fed mulberry leaves, making the resulting silk the most refined, durable, and softest on the market. The high protein content of this silk also contributes to its hypoallergenic properties." So, while the other varieties of silk aren't necessarily bad, they're not quite as good as mulberry is for pillowcases.

What Are the Downsides of Silk Pillowcases?

As shopping editors who have tested hundreds of products, we can confirm that nothing is perfect. Anything that has tons of pros will also have a few cons. The question, though, is: Do the pros outweigh the cons? When it comes to silk pillowcases, the answer is generally yes. That said, we're well aware that even though the pros do outweigh the cons for us, we're not oblivious to the fact that there are a few not-so-great aspects of silk pillowcases. That's why we're being totally transparent about what's not amazing when it comes to silk pillowcases.

"Silk pillowcases are typically more expensive than their cotton or synthetic counterparts, and they require more careful maintenance," Dr. Chacon explains. "Silk is a delicate material and often needs to be hand-washed or cleaned using a gentle machine cycle and specific detergents." Before tossing your silk pillowcase in with the rest of your bed linens, be sure to read the tag to check the cleaning instructions. And there you have it! However, if the cons are not enough to deter you from making a purchase, we highly suggest adding the ones we tested, above, to cart.

Are Real Silk Pillowcases Worth It?

The general consensus from all of the editors we asked to test different silk pillowcases is yes, buying a real silk pillowcase is definitely worth it: no matter how much it may cost. Most of them say it's because silk pillowcases are cooling and protect their hair and skin, but there are a few additional benefits too. "Silk may also help maintain skin hydration, as it is less absorbent than other materials, thus retaining the skin's natural moisture," Dr. Chacon says. "It can be beneficial for your hair, reducing hair breakage and maintaining a healthy shine due to the same reduction in friction."

Protecting your face from unnecessary tugging and pulling doesn't just make your skin physically feel soft, there are longterm benefits too. According to Dr. Bovenzi: "The best way to decrease smile and frown lines is to decrease the amount of pulling on your skin while sleeping. Silk pillowcases are great for this purpose as they provide a smooth surface that decreases the friction on your facial skin."

Why Trust House Beautiful?

When we made it our mission to discover the best silk pillowcases out there, we started with the information: What makes a silk pillowcase worth buying? In order to answer that question, we didn't just consult the Internet, we asked clinical dermatologists too for their opinions. Miami-based Dr. Anna Chacon earned her medical degree from Brown University's eight-year Program in Liberal Medical Education before completing her dermatology residency at Los Angeles General Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. We also chatted with Denver-based Dr. Cory Bovenzi, who earned his medical degree from Philadelphia's Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson Hospital, and completed his fellowship at one of the world's most renowned medical centers, Emory University School of Medicine. Both doctors offered useful knowledge and tips when it comes to the skincare benefits silk pillowcases offer.

We didn't stop the search there, though. We enlisted more than 10 of our fellow editors to take home a silk pillowcase and sleep on it for a minimum of two weeks before offering their honest thoughts on the experience. They recorded every detail of their new goodies, from how the pillowcase held up in the wash, to how it fared with their skincare routine, to how it affected their hair. All the editors gave their pros and cons, too, for the products, so you have all the information you need to make an informed purchase.

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