Are Silk Pillowcases Worth It? The Short Answer
Is a Silk Pillowcase Worth It for You?
Worth It If You:
- Experience hair tangling, frizz, or breakage overnight
- Want a smoother surface for sensitive or easily creased skin
- Prefer natural, breathable bedding
- Are prepared to follow basic silk-care instructions
- Want a pillowcase that can last when properly maintained
May Not Be Worth It If You:
- Expect medical or permanent anti-aging results
- Prefer bedding that can be washed with any detergent and dried on high heat
- Are purchasing only because a product is described as “silky”
- Are comparing genuine silk with low-cost polyester satin as though they are identical
Silk pillowcases can be worth it if you want to reduce friction on your hair and skin, retain more natural moisture, and sleep on a smooth, temperature-regulating surface. They may not be worth the premium if you expect them to cure acne, permanently prevent wrinkles, or demand no special care. The value depends on the silk's quality, how consistently you use it, and which benefits matter most to you.
If you're a savvy shopper, you likely consider the pros and cons before making any large purchase. And that goes double when you're in the market for something you'll use daily, like a pillowcase. But with all the information out there, researching silk bedding may feel overwhelming and leave you with more questions than answers.
Read on to hear what our experts have to say about common objections to buying a silk pillowcase (and why these concerns are easy to overcome with facts about silk).
Silk pillowcases can be worth it if you want to reduce friction on your hair and skin, retain more natural moisture, and sleep on a smooth, temperature-regulating surface. They may not be worth the premium if you expect them to cure acne, permanently prevent wrinkles, or demand no special care. The value depends on the silk's quality, how consistently you use it, and which benefits matter most to you. If you're a savvy shopper, you likely consider the pros and cons before making any large purchase. And that goes double when you're in the market for something you'll use daily, like a pillowcase. But with all the information out there, researching silk bedding may feel overwhelming and leave you with more questions than answers. Read on to hear what our experts have to say about common objections to buying a silk pillowcase (and why these concerns are easy to overcome with facts about silk ).
Silk Pillowcases are Expensive
Myth: Silk pillowcases are too expensive.
Fact: Cost is one of the main reasons people hesitate to buy a silk pillowcase. Compared to a regular cotton pillowcase, a pure silk pillowcase can be more costly. However, you can purchase a good-quality silk pillowcase from Mulberry Park Silks for under $40. Mulberry Park Silks sells a variety of silk pillowcases in different sizes, colors, and momme weights ranging from 19 to 30 momme. Even a lighter-weight pillowcase, such as 19 momme, delivers all the beauty sleep and wellness benefits silk is known for (including helping hair and skin retain moisture). And remember: sleeping on silk is an investment in your sleep, health, beauty, and well-being. The key is to get the best value for whatever silk pillowcases you buy.
Silk Pillowcases Are Too Delicate
Myth: Silk pillowcases are too fragile and delicate to be practical.
Fact: Some people may worry that silk pillowcases are delicate and easily damaged. While silk does require a little extra TLC, the Grade 6A silk fiber used in all Mulberry Park Silks products is designed to be sturdy and machine-washable. (Fun fact: silk fiber is frequently used in industrial and medical applications such as stitches.) Nevertheless, sharp objects such as jagged fingernails or burrs in the washing machine can damage your silk pillowcase; that is why we suggest protecting it in a mesh laundry bag . With a bit of caution, your silk pillowcase should last a long time.
Silk Is High-Maintenance
Myth: Silk is high maintenance and hard to take care of.
Fact: As mentioned above, silk pillowcases DO require a bit of extra care. But they are far from high maintenance. In fact, Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases can be easily washed at home in your machine (or hand washed if you choose). For machine washing, choose cold water and use a mild detergent made for silk, like Heritage Park Silk and Wool Delicates Detergent . Turn your pillowcase inside out and place it in a fine mesh laundry bag. Wash on a delicate or silk cycle in cool water. Hang your silk to dry or lay it flat indoors or outside away from direct sunlight. Learn more about caring for your silk pillowcase, including hand-washing care instructions, here . You can also smooth wrinkles out of your silk pillowcase by hand; however, if you choose to iron it, here is how to do it without causing damage . Dry cleaning silk sheets isn't required, but if you choose to do so, make sure the technician has experience with real silk bedding. With a bit of extra care, your silk pillowcase will last and keep providing the beauty and wellness benefits you deserve.
Silk is Too Slippery
Myth: Silk feels too slippery to be comfortable.
Fact: While your first night on a silk pillowcase may feel a bit different than a cotton one, we promise you will grow to love the smooth, sensuous feel in a few nights' time (or less). For thousands of years, silk has been prized for its soft, cool, and oh-so-luxurious touch. Even better? That smooth, low-friction surface helps tame tangles and bedhead, minimize split ends, frizz, and breakage, and prevent sleep wrinkles, fine lines, and sleep creases on delicate facial skin. That said, we do recommend using a pillowcase that fits your pillow to avoid extra slippage.
Silk and Sensitive Skin or Allergies
Myth: Silk can irritate skin.
Fact: A genuine mulberry silk pillowcase can be an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. Silk is a natural protein fiber often described as naturally hypoallergenic. Silk has a smooth surface that creates less friction against delicate facial skin than cotton. This can help reduce rubbing, friction-related irritation, and temporary sleep creases. For people with eczema, psoriasis, or acne-prone skin, silk's lower-friction surface may provide a gentler, more comfortable sleeping experience. In our dermatologist Q&A , Dr. Nadir Qazi discusses how sleeping on silk can help reduce friction and moisture loss, particularly for sensitive skin. Although silk is not a treatment for these conditions, its natural properties make it an appealing bedding choice. Our customers have noticed the difference, too. According to a Mulberry Park Silks customer survey , 70% reported skin improvements after switching to silk, including less dryness and smoother-looking skin. Additionally, 78% reported noticeable hair benefits, such as reduced frizz, tangling, and breakage. Measurable evidence supports these experiences: silk's lower-friction surface. In an independent study conducted by a leading textile testing laboratory, our 22 Momme mulberry silk pillowcase generated 34% less friction against hair than a premium cotton pillowcase. Testing included multiple hair types, from straight to curly and coily. While the study measured friction rather than clinical hair or skin outcomes, the results display a significant difference in how hair moves across these fabrics. At Mulberry Park Silks, we take an extra step to ensure the fabric that touches your skin is high quality. All our silk pillowcases are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified, meaning they have been independently tested for over 1,000 harmful substances. Learn more about OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification here.
A Satin Pillowcase is Just as Good As Silk
Myth: Satin and silk are essentially the same thing.
Fact: Satin and silk are two very different fabrics. Don't be fooled by the fact that satin has a smooth surface; that is where the similarity to real silk ends. Silk is a protein-based, natural fiber. Satin is a synthetic fabric that is man made from petroleum-based compounds. Only genuine silk delivers natural hydration to your hair and skin and protection from mold, mildew, dust, and other allergens. Furthermore, genuine silk is naturally temperature regulating, to keep you cool in summer, warm in the winter, and comfortable all year long. Unfortunately, the growing popularity of silk pillowcases means that many unscrupulous companies attempt to sell artificial satin or inferior silk/satin blends as genuine silk. Learn how to tell the difference between genuine silk and synthetic satin here .
Myth: One silk pillowcase company is just as good as another.
Shop Silk Pillowcases
Fact: There are tremendous differences among the many companies selling silk pillowcases. Where you purchase your silk absolutely matters! At Mulberry Park Silks , we are completely transparent about the quality and pricing of our silk. We are a U.S.-based company, with our warehouse and headquarters proudly located in Branford, CT. You can call our office and speak with us directly regarding any questions or concerns. We can make individualized recommendations when you're shopping for silk and will even send complimentary swatch samples of our silk for you to review at home before you purchase.
Mulberry Park Silks: The Best Silk Pillowcase You Can Purchase
View Silk Pillowcases View on Amazon
We are committed to selling the finest silk in the marketplace and delivering you, our client, the very best value in silk pillowcases, bedding, and accessories. We use the helpful acronym "CHARMS" to explain why our silk pillowcases are the finest in the marketplace:
Ch - Charmeuse weave: smooth on the outside with a matte finish on the reverse
A - Grade 6A silk is the highest quality: all of our products are 6A. Grade 6A silk has long, durable strands that are uniform in color. (Silk grades range from 1 to 6A, with 6A being the highest.)
R - Real 100 percent pure mulberry silk
M - Momme weight of 19, 22, and 30 for a range of prices (A higher momme weight means a denser, heavier silk fabric.)
S - Safe for people and the environment, as certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX ®.
Ready to choose? Compare Mulberry Park Silks’ 19, 22 and 30 momme pillowcases to find the right balance of weight, durability and price, or take our quick quiz to help narrow things down.
Find Your Perfect Silk Pillowcase
Answer a few quick questions about your hair, skin,
sleep preferences, and budget. We'll help you discover
the silk pillowcase that's right for you.
Find My Perfect Pillowcase →