Sleeping On Silk Pillows

Ah. Silk pillowcases. To most people it sounds utterly extravagant to think of sleeping on a silk pillowcase when we're all so used to the traditional cotton. But they really are good for you and here's why. Estimates say that we spend a third of our lives in bed, so doesn’t it make sense that we should be getting more out of that time than just our daily beauty rest? The type of bedding you choose plays a big role in sleep quality, but you might not realize that it can also have beauty benefits. Maybe you’ve heard that silk pillowcases are a better choice than other materials but aren’t sure why? It’s time to overhaul your bed linen collection because there are many great reasons to be sleeping on silk.

Fight Bedhead

If you're like me and wake up with crinkly, tangled hair, it may be down to the fact that the movements you make in your sleep can really do a number on your mane. Silk however, reduces friction, thereby preserving your style and preventing a lot of repair work in the morning. According to experts, a silk pillowcase reduces friction by up to 43% when compared with standard cotton pillowcases. That means you’ll also see fewer split ends. If your hair stylist has ever recommended a silk pillowcase after a blowdry, this is why.

Help Prevent Signs of Aging

Silk is less absorbent than cotton, which means that you can preserve more of your anti-aging beauty products while you sleep. Cotton will soak up some of your lotions and potions, reducing how much is able to penetrate your skin. Silk, on the other hand, doesn’t absorb those creams so they have more of a chance to soak in and work their magic on your face. Always make sure you rub face and neck creams and lotions well in and allow them to penetrate to avoid excess transference to the pillow case. It is preferable to sleep on your back if you can to help with this.

Reduce Facial Creases

Yes, facial creases go away once you get up and start your day, but you can assume that they are there because your pillowcase is pulling on your skin while you sleep. As you age, your skin loses elasticity and is less able to bounce back. With time, you may find that sleeping on cotton pillowcases is doing enough pulling that you have wrinkles and fine lines that weren’t there before. Because silk creates less friction, this problem is not as evident. When your face glides along the silk, it doesn’t leave behind those creases either. This is also another good reason to try to sleep on your back.

Naturally Hypoallergenic

Unlike many kinds of material, silk is naturally hypoallergenic, which is great news if you suffer from allergies that worsen when you lie down. Silk has a natural resistance to dust mites, mold and fungus, helping you breathe easier when you’re sleeping. If you use a humidifier in your bedroom, this combined with a silk pillowcase is going to improve the quality of your sleep.

Less Chemical Exposure

Many materials are processed using chemicals that aren’t good for the air or your skin and hair. Most silk is created in a healthy setting where silkworms don’t have any predators. This reduces the amount of chemicals needed to create and process the silk. This means that when you choose silk pillowcases, you are reducing your own carbon footprint, helping improve the air quality in your bedroom and protecting your health at the same time.

Boosts Skin Moisture

Much like cotton pillowcases tend to soak up your facial products, they can also absorb some of the moisture from your skin. If you have very dry skin or are having trouble keeping it sufficiently moisturized, you will definitely see a difference if you make the switch to silk pillowcases. Silk won’t suck up all that moisture from your skin, leaving it hydrated, smooth and youthful every morning. This can save you money on pricey moisturizers too.

Affordable Choices

Silk might sound like a splurge, but you’d be surprised at how affordable silk pillowcases can be. They are durable so they’ll last for a while, which will save you money on replacing your pillowcases, but they aren’t as pricey as you might think to start with. If you don’t want to invest in a whole set of silk sheets, consider buying just a couple of pillowcases so you can reap all the benefits without having to spend more than you’re comfortable with. Hand wash them and they will last longer than if you throw them in the machine and dryer with other rougher fabrics.

Luxurious Feel and Cooling

If you’re going to spend a third of your life in your bed, don’t you want it to be a luxurious retreat? Silk is a luxury fabric and is also a great way to pamper yourself. It’s beautiful to look at and lovely to the touch. Nothing beats the smooth feel of silk on your skin when you lie down at night. You might find that you’re getting better sleep than ever before once you make the switch to silk. I also found that silk absorbs far less heat than cotton, so you know that feeling of turning the pillow over to get the cold side? That's permanent with a silk pillowcase, no need to flip the pillow!

Easy to Care For

Silk is surprisingly easy to take care of. Some kinds of silk require special care, but the average silk pillowcase can be machine washed and dried in your dryer. When it that’s easy to take care of a silk pillowcase, there really shouldn’t be anything keeping you from choosing them for your bed. When you buy, be sure that your choice doesn’t require dry cleaning and you shouldn’t have to put any more work into your pillowcases than you would with cotton. Of course, if you want to expand on the point made above about your carbon footprint and also give your silk pillowcase extra TLC, hand wash it with an eco-friendly detergent.

Silk pillowcases can be found online and instore at prices that fit any budget. Trust me, you'll thank me later!

(I bought this one from Amazon for a very affordable £12.88 but have a look around, there are a huge amount of options out there).