A silk pillow case is one of the simplest changes you can make to your bedroom, and one of the most talked about. It won't replace your skincare routine or treat a skin condition, but smooth silk is gentler on your hair and skin than cotton, and it is comfortable to sleep on all year round. Our silk pillow cases, silk eye masks and silk bedding are made from 100% Mulberry silk. Here is what silk does well, what it can't do, and how to choose the right pieces for your bed.
Why Sleep on Silk Pillow Cases
The main difference is friction. Cotton has a slightly textured surface, so as you turn in your sleep it catches on hair and drags across your face. Silk satin is smooth, so hair glides over it instead of snagging. That means fewer tangles, less frizz and a tidier start to the morning, which is why dermatologists often recommend a silk pillow case for hair. It is worth knowing that this advice rests on expert opinion and silk's smooth surface rather than on clinical trials.
Your skin benefits from the same smoothness, with less tugging against the pillow through the night. Silk also breathes well, so a silk pillow case stays comfortable on warm summer nights.
What Silk Can't Do
You will see silk sold as anti ageing, as a treatment for eczema or as a cure for allergies. We don't make those claims. When a UK trial tested silk clothing on children with moderate to severe eczema, it found no added benefit over standard treatment. If you have a skin condition, asthma or allergies, keep following your doctor's advice and think of silk as a comfortable addition, not a treatment.
Choosing Your Silk Pillow Case
Check the fibre first. Satin describes a weave, not a fibre, and a lot of satin bedding on the market is polyester. Ours is 100% Mulberry silk woven with a satin finish, so you get the sheen of satin with the feel of natural silk.
Then look at the weight. Silk is weighed in momme (mm), and the higher the number, the denser the fabric. Our silk pillow cases are 19mm Mulberry silk satin, a good weight for something you sleep on every night. Choose the fit and closure that suits your bed:
- Silk pillow case with zip. Fits a standard 45 x 70 cm pillow and closes fully, so the pillow stays inside. Available in 17 colours.
- Envelope silk pillow case. Fits a standard 45 x 70 cm pillow, with a flap instead of a zip and silk satin on both sides.
- King size silk pillow case. Measures 50 x 90 cm, for pillows a standard case won't cover, with an envelope closure.
Silk Eye Masks for Deeper Rest
Silk masks bring the same smooth surface to the delicate skin around your eyes, and they help block out light so you can sleep through early mornings, afternoon naps or long flights. Our silk eye mask is 19mm Mulberry silk satin with an adjustable strap that sits comfortably without pressing on your eyes, and it comes in 20 colours.
If you would rather nothing touched your eyes at all, our 3D contoured silk eye mask has a padded, shaped frame that lifts the silk away from your eyes, so there is no pressure on your lashes and your eyes can move freely while you sleep.
Build a Silk Bedding Set
Once you have slept on a silk pillow case, the next step is often the rest of the bed. Our queen silk duvet cover (230 x 200 cm, with a button or zip closure) and queen silk flat sheet (250 x 275 cm) are both 100% Mulberry silk, so together with your pillow cases they make a full silk bedding set. Silk bedding stays comfortable through a South African summer and still works over a warm duvet in winter.
To protect your hair further, tie it up overnight with a silk scrunchie. Hair slides over the silk instead of catching, and it leaves fewer dents than an elastic.
A Silk Gift That Gets Used
A silk pillow case and a matching silk eye mask make a thoughtful gift, for a birthday, a new home or someone who travels often. Choose a shade from the same colour family, such as Champagne, Ivory or Navy, and the pair look like they belong together.
For The Love Of Silk | Sleep on Silk
Browse our silk bedding collection for the duvet cover and flat sheet, and pair them with silk pillow cases in your choice of colour. If you would rather sew your own, our silk fabric is available by the metre.
