A Hairstylist Is Begging You To Try One of These Silk Pillowcases for the Sake of Your Hair Health
Most people spend about a third of their lives in bed, and the 6-8 hours your head is (ideally) on the pillow every night can make a major difference in the health of your hair. The wrong fabric can, at best, cause static and frizz and, at worst, lead to breakage—which is why pros recommend snoozing on a silk pillowcase for hair to give the term "beauty sleep" an entirely new meaning.
“Silk pillowcases are beneficial for hair because the smooth silk fabric helps to prevent tension on the hair that can lead to breakage,” explains Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites. Rivera explains that since they're naturally less abrasive, silk pillowcases are great at retaining the hair's natural oils, keeping strands softer and more hydrated for longer. “I also recommend using a silk pillowcase after getting chemical services such as hair color, highlights, and perms," she says. Her recommendations for the best silk pillowcases for hair, and more, below.
- Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites
- Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, family nurse practitioner certified in dermatology at Orentreich Medical Group
- Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Sofia Baig, hair-care expert and lead trichologist for Monpure
Best silk pillowcases for hair at a glance
- Best overall: Blissy Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ($75)
- Best for fine hair: Hyde Lane 16 Momme 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ($30)
- Best for natural/curly hair: Kitsch Satin Pillowcase ($19)
- Best for oily hair: Spasilk Satin Pillowcase ($6)
- Best for breakage: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase ($89)
- Best for shiny hair: Parachute Silk Pillowcase ($89)
- Best for skin and hair: Night Silk Plus Pillowcase ($50)
- Best mulberry silk pillowcase: Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ($40)
- Best vegan silk alternative: Eucalypso Pillowcase Set ($45)
- Best washable silk pillowcase: Lunya Washable Silk Pillowcase ($78)
- Best budget silk pillowcase: Zimasilk Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ($24)
Silk pillowcase benefits for hair
In addition to allowing hair to slip and slide sans frizz or breakage, silk pillowcases can also help with the following:
1. Helps maintain hairstyles while you sleep
"Bedhead" is the kiss of death for perfectly coiffed hair, but making the switch to silk can stave it off entirely. “Silk allows the hair to move easily over the pillowcase without friction, thereby keeping its style in place,” says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. The slippery fabric is also less absorbent than other options on the market, which means it will help you prevent dehydration in your hair. With a silk pillowcase, you'll never have to deal with going to sleep with glossy strands and waking up with dry, dull ones again.
2. Allows you to stave off washes
Because silk pillowcases keep hair healthy and intact, they can also help you stretch out your washes—and the damage-inducing heat styling that often comes with them. Pros recommend limiting your shampoo sessions to 2-3 times per week, and sleeping on silk will allow you to do just that, sans grease.
3. Makes overnight hair products work better
If you like to nourish your strands with a deep conditioner or moisturizing mask overnight, you should absolutely be sleeping on silk. “Silk tends to be less absorbent so the hair can retain product and moisture more efficiently,” says Rivera.
Shop the 12 best silk pillowcases for hair
Available sizes: Standard-King
“As a trichologist, I recommend using a silk pillowcase made from pure mulberry silk with a high momme weight—ideally 16-22 momme—for optimal hair health,” says Baig. “Mulberry silk’s smooth texture and natural proteins reduce friction, minimizing breakage, and damage. These pillowcases are gentle on hair, help maintain moisture levels, and reduce tangling during sleep, promoting healthier and smoother hair.”
This Blissy pillowcase ticks all of those boxes. It’s made of 22-momme, 100-percent Mulberry silk, is cool-to-the-touch, can be chucked in the wash for easy cleaning, and it comes in a ton of vibrant colors to match your bedding. What’s more, it has a whopping 15,000+ 5-star reviews, so you know it’s the real deal.
Colors: 44
Pros:
- Made from 22 momme mulberry silk
- Comes in a massive range of colors
- Offers cooling benefits
Cons:
- Expensive
Sizes: Standard, Queen
For those with fine hair, Baig recommends looking for a mulberry silk pillowcase made with lighter silk to reduce breakage on delicate strands. This one, made from 16 momme mulberry silk, fits the bill, and has earned nearly 2,000 five star reviews thanks to its ability to reduce hair breakage and how comfortable (and soft!) it is to sleep on.
Colors: 5
Pros:
- Made from light silk that’s suitable for fine hair
- Comes in five colors and two sizes
Cons:
- Must be hand washed or dry cleaned
Sizes: Standard/Queen, King
For those with curly or coily hair, Baig recommends using a pillowcase made from either silk charmeuse or satin weave to minimize tangles and frizz. This 600-thread count pick from Kitsch is made with an OEKO-TEX-certified satin weave (which means that it’s safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly) and designed to stay cool all night long.
Colors: 31
Pros:
- Prevents breakage in curly and coily hair textures
- Comes in dozens of fun colors and patterns
- Can be purchased at a discount as a two-pack ($18/each) or a four-pack ($16/each)
Cons:
- Satin weave may not work as well for more delicate hair types
Sizes: Queen, king
When you’ve got oily hair, satin’s absorbent properties are actually a good thing—which is why Baig says you should look for a matte, charmeuse fabric that will absorb excess grease and oil. And though this pick is far more affordable than the others on this list by a long shot, don’t let the low price point fool you: It’s got more than 5,000 five-star reviews.
Colors: 14
Pros:
- Highly absorbent to keep hair oils at bay
- Affordable
- Comes in 14 colors
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Not as soft as real silk alternatives
Available sizes: Queen/Standard-King
Quince knows how to deliver luxury at an accessible price point, and the brand’s 100-percent mulberry silk pillowcase is no exception. Touting over 600 reviews, it does everything we want our silk pillowcases to do—minimize bedhead, smooth and protect skin, and reduce friction—for less than $50 bucks. It features a no-fuss zipper closure and comes in a range of fun and neutral colors, too. For the real deal, you can’t beat it.
Colors: 7
Pros
- Made from mulberry silk
- Multiple color options to choose from
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not as many colors as other brands
Available sizes: Queen-King
Rivera recommends Slip’s Pure Silk Pillowcases, which she says are a must for combating friction that can cause breakage and bedhead. Made using a high-grade, 22-momme mulberry silk, the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase boasts a luxurious, smooth texture that glides effortlessly against strands instead of pulling and tangling throughout the night. This means less breakage and smoother hair in the morning.
Colors: 9
Pros:
- Made with pure silk
- Tons of color choices
- Designed specifically with “beauty sleep” (AKA hair and skin health) in mind
Cons:
- Expensive
Available sizes: Standard-King
If you want to wake up to shinier hair, this Parachute Silk Pillowcase is the ticket. Made of 25-momme mulberry silk—the highest quality on the market—Parachute’s silk pillowcase has an especially soft and smooth texture that feels amazing on skin and brings out the best in your mane. It comes in a classic white that goes with any bedscape. Plus the silk fibers stay cool, which means you won’t have to worry about overheating or sweating throughout the night.
Colors: 2
Pros:
- Made from the highest quality mulberry silk
- Incredibly soft
- Offers cooling benefits
Cons:
- Only comes in two colors
Available sizes: Standard-King
For folks looking for a vegan alternative to silk, these Eucalypso pillowcases feel just as soft on skin and hair. Made of 100 percent tencel lyocell (which is sustainably sourced from eucalyptus bark and touts hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties), they’re great for sensitive or acne-prone skin. The cherry on top? They come in a set of two, and are available in a range of muted and modern shades.
Colors: 7
Pros:
- Made from vegan, eucalyptus-derived silk
- Hypoallergenic and antibacterial
- Offers cooling and moisture balancing benefits
Cons:
- May not be as soft as real silk alternatives
Available sizes: Standard-King
One side of this Night Silk Plus Pillowcase is made of mulberry silk—which, as we’ve learned, helps skin retain nourishment for a softer, smoother feel—and the other side is made of rayon, which promises to wick away moisture and bring balance to oily and combination skin. So basically, this 2-in-1 pillowcase gives you the freedom to flip or flop depending on your skin’s needs. Pretty cool right?
Colors: 3
Pros:
- Made from mulberry silk
- One side made from rayon so you get the feel of two pillowcases for the price of one
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Expensive
Available sizes: Queen
Lunya is known for its washable silk fabric that somehow maintains its velvety softness after countless washes—and the brand’s Washable Silk Pillowcase is no different. On top of all the aforementioned skin and hair benefits, Lunya silk positively screams luxury. And the best part is, that fancy feeling doesn’t wear off with time, unlike other silk pillowcases out there. Getting it clean is simple: toss it in your laundry machine on a cold, delicate cycle, then tumble dry it on low heat.
Color: 1
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Lasts forever, won’t deterioriate no matter how many times it goes through the spin cycle
Cons:
- Only comes in one color
Silk pillowcase benefits for skin
In addition to being good for your hair, silk pillowcases can help reduce the friction between your pillow and your skin, too. This means fewer sheet marks, less skin irritation, and (maybe) even fewer fine lines and wrinkles over time.
“Silk pillowcases are touted to be hypoallergenic, meaning they are less likely to irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction,” explains Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, a family nurse practitioner who specializes in dermatology at Orentreich Medical Group in New York City. “If you have eczema or psoriasis, a silk pillowcase can possibly help your skin feel better.”
Silk pillowcases also help diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time, and can combat acne and blemishes (though Dr. LoGergo notes that the acne benefits are purely anecdotal.)
Silk vs. satin pillowcases
The biggest difference between silk and satin pillowcases is that silk is a natural fiber, while satin is a woven fabric. Because of this, silk is usually softer to the touch, and more expensive. However, experts say that satin does offer similar hair benefits, with some caveats.
"Satin pillowcases, made from polyester or polyester-silk blends, offer a smooth texture that reduces hair friction like silk but lack its natural benefits," says Sofia Baig, a trichologist with haircare brand Monpure. Rivera agrees, saying both silk and satin are good for your hair, but silk’s superior lack of absorbency makes it particularly suited for those who are more prone to breakage, or (as mentioned) who like to sleep in hair products overnight. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, “Satin is also a good choice as a standard pillowcase because it’s gentle on the hair and, like silk, it helps prevent tension, and reduce frizz and tangles that can lead to breakage," she adds. It's also more absorbent than silk, making it particularly good for oily hair.
If you are willing to shell out for the real thing, Baig recommends opting for a pillowcase made from mulberry silk. "Mulberry silk is a natural fiber and is prized for its luxurious feel, hypoallergenic properties, and moisture retention," she says. "Mulberry silk pillowcases are breathable and prevent hair breakage and tangles with their smooth surface." Between its quality, natural advantages, and luscious feel, it's a top choice for haircare.
How to choose a silk pillowcase
Look at the momme weight
Just like thread count is key when shopping for bedsheets, you’ll want to consider the momme—the measuring unit for the weight and quality of silk—of your silk pillowcase before you buy. Generally, you'll want to shop for pillowcases with a 16-25-momme. Go any lower, and you’ll likely find that the pillowcase feels thinner and is more likely to tear after a couple of uses.
Always check the care instructions
Even though silk pillowcases harbor less bacteria than traditional cotton, they’ll still need to be regularly washed, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into as far as maintenance is concerned. Most (but not all) silk pillowcases are machine washable on a delicate setting, but you should check the care instructions before buying to know exactly what it’ll take to maintain your silk pillowcase’s softness.
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