At first glance, silk pillowcases seem more indulgent than practical—but a closer look reveals just the opposite. Once a closely guarded celebrity secret, dermatologists have been touting the benefits of silk pillowcases for years. And it’s easy to see why. Not only are they recommended by hair stylists and Instagram influencers, they actually tend to deliver on their promise of providing beauty sleep. Some of the best silk pillowcases for hair use the finest quality mulberry silk to target beauty concerns, specifically related to skin and hair. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help reduce hair breakage caused by friction, and prevent wrinkles. Excessive movement on a less than luxurious pillowcase, like cotton or polyester, can wreak havoc on skin and hair. Which you may have already noticed after a night of deep sleep or a night spent tossing and turning. So, if you’re tired of waking up with dull, frizzy hair and lines across your face, it might be time to invest in a quality silk pillowcase. Luckily, we’ve consulted the experts and created a roundup of some of the best silk (and satin) pillowcases on the market to help upgrade your beauty sleep. Keep reading to see our top picks, how to choose the best silk pillowcase for you, more about why silk pillowcases are so beneficial, and how to care for your new sleep sidekick. Better beauty sleep awaits.
How we chose the best silk pillowcases
We consulted Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and the author of the book Skin Rules, the Good Housekeeping Institute, which tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, and reviewers who have shared some of their own insights.
Our top picks
1. Fishers Finery 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST OVERALL
2. Alaska Bear Natural Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST VALUE
3. Spasilk 100% Pure Silk Pillowcase
✔️ AMAZON’S CHOICE
4. Bedsure Satin Pillowcase
✔️ BEST SILK ALTERNATIVE
5. Ravmix 100% Pure Natural Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
✔️ MOST POPULAR
6. Celestial Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST LUXURY
7. Slipsilk Pure Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST FOR HAIR
Made from mulberry silk, this pillowcase helps to ward off wrinkles and prevent hair from tangling. Because silk fibers are less absorbent than cloth fibers, your skin is able to better retain the serums and creams you apply. “This pillowcase is so soft and silky. It remains cool to the touch all through the night, and I don’t wake up with huge tangled knots in the back of my head,” a Nordstrom reviewer wrote. Size: 20 x 30 in. (queen) or 20 x 36 in. (king).| Nordstrom rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Customer reviews: 900+
8. Zimasilk 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST FOR SKIN
9. J Jimoo Natural Slip Silk Pillowcase
This silk pillowcase is made with 100 percent mulberry silk and has a 600 thread count, making it ultra soft and breathable to the touch. The silk’s natural smoothness allows your hair and skin to glide onto the case while preventing static and friction. It also features a hidden zipper that keeps the pillow in place at night. “I purchased this pillowcase this week and just love, love love it!” said one reviewer. “So smooth, so cool, just perfect. I own many silk pillowcases, but this one is just heavenly to lie on.”
10. Yanibest 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
11. LuluSilk Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST BUDGET
12. Tafts Silk Pillowcase
13. SLPBABY Silk Pillowcase
✔️ BEST FOR PATTERNS Along with calming your hair and smoothing your skin, this pillowcase will brighten any room with its vibrant floral print. Several patterns are available, but if you’d prefer to stick to a solid color, the brand offers those as well. “I’ve washed mine several times already and it still looks fabulous,” said one reviewer. “I purchased this so my hair would be less frizzy and not in knots in the morning and it’s helped so much.”
14. OLESILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
15. Abudor 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
16. Leccod Silk Satin Pillowcase
17. LilySilk Silk Pillowcase
How to choose the best silk pillowcase
To choose the best silk pillowcases you’ll want to look for those made with mulberry silk, which is the highest quality silk you can find. Silk pillowcases are also measured in momme. One momme is equal to 3.75 grams. The higher the momme, the heavier the fabric. Pillowcases made of silk usually have 15 to 30 momme, but a good rule of thumb is to pick one with 19 momme or higher for the best quality.
How are silk pillowcases different from regular pillowcases?
Unlike cotton—which sucks moisture away from your skin, exaggerating wrinkles and fine lines—silk doesn’t absorb moisture at all, leaving you looking fresh-faced when you wake up in the morning, says Dr. Jaliman. Silk pillowcases also provide a smooth surface for your skin—a contrast to the cotton pillowcases that can tug at your face, scrunching the collagen and causing sleep lines to appear on your face, Dr. Jaliman says. Some experts also believe that because silk is entirely natural and comes from an animal, it’s more compatible with our skin than other fabrics. In addition to reducing wrinkles, sleeping on silk also fights frizz and bedhead. Unlike other pillowcases, which rub at your hair throughout the night, silk provides your strands a smooth, frictionless surface on which to glide.
How to care for silk pillowcases
If you’re worried that switching to silk will put a damper on your laundry routine, don’t be. Care is simple: Hand wash cold with mild detergent and line dry. Like the rest of your sheets, your pillowcase should be laundered at least once a week. The best silk pillowcases for hair and skin come in a range of prices—spend more for one that’ll last you years, or less if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit to sleeping on silk. Either way, smoother hair and fresher-looking skin await.
