Valeza Bakolli
Sleep is so important. Not only does it have a huge impact on our mental health, but it affects our physical health, too. That's why we are all about taking the necessary steps in order to get our full eight hours a night. Whether it's lighting a luxury scented candle or two, unwinding before bed with the best bath products or spritzing one of the best pillow sprays, we'll do whatever it takes. Which is why the best silk pillowcases have become the latest must-have product.
You see, believe it or not, there are some downsides to a deep sleep. That's right, we're talking about the effects it can have on our skin and hair. Tossing and turning throughout the night can cause flyaways, split ends and even blemishes. That's where the best silk pillowcases come in.
These clever pillowcases have become a must-have for the ultimate beauty sleep, so we've spoken to the experts to find out exactly how they can help. Not only that, but we've rounded up some of the best silk pillowcases that are worth adding to your basket.
If you're looking to invest in a silk pillowcase, we've rounded up our top picks - which we either own ourselves or are planning to buy ASAP. We're serious about testing our products here at MCUK, and looked at everything from the best overall option, to the most affordable and luxury silk pillowcases and which ones are designed to last you the longest. Time to put the 'beauty' in beauty sleep.
The best silk pillowcases
1. Slip Silk Pillowcase
Victoria Beckham is said to be a huge fan of this Slip silk pillowcase, which is crafted from long fibre mulberry silk with a 22 momme thickness. And if you really want to pull out all the stops, pair it with one of the best silk sleep masks (Slip do some of the best, in our opinion).
"The Slip pillowcases are famous for a reason. Made from 100% Mulberry silk, after testing it myself, I can confirm that you really will feel like you are sleeping on a cloud. This pillowcase is made from the brand's specially-commissioned slipsilk™, which has been developed over 10 years and is scientifically shown to reduce friction. It comes packaged in a beautiful box, which makes it a great gift option for a loved one (or yourself). It is truly so soft, and features with a chic 'Slip' logo on the bottom of the pillowcase. It has a standard opening, making it easy to get on and off, and after using one for a while, I don't think I'll ever go back to normal pillowcases again." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Contributor
"The Slip brand can do no wrong with their products; the silk scrunchies and eye masks are along the elite and their pillowcases are no exception. I was introduced to the brand by purchasing their eye mask which I wear every night so buying the pillowcase was naturally the next step. I was drawn to the variety of colours and prints, and the quality of the silk is high compared to others on the market." - Sophie Cookson, eCommerce Analyst
2. LilySilk 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
This silk pillowcase is great value for money, and comes in a range of different colours so you can choose one to suit your style. It also comes with a 100 night guarantee, meaning you can get a full refund if you don't see the results you desire. After trying it for ourselves, we'd purchase it again and again.
"I bought the Lilysilk pillowcase over 6 months ago during the Black Friday sale and it has maintained its structure and softness incredibly well. I don't even wake up with pillow wrinkles in the morning! I honestly feel like my sleep has improved since changing over to this pillowcase." - Sophie Cookson, eCommerce Analyst
3. Dorma Pearl Silk Pillowcase
Dorma's affordable, 100% silk pillowcases come in a plain pearly white colour, perfect for those of you with a more monochrome bedroom.
"Aside from the affordable price, this pillowcase comes in a standard size to fit most pillow shapes and has hypoallergenic properties. The only con is that the brand recommends hand washing this pillowcase in order to keep it looking as good as new for as long as possible." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Contributor
4. The White Company Audley Pure Silk Oxford Pillowcase
This pillowcase is part of The White Company's Pure Indulgence range, for that little bit of added luxury. After trying it ourselves, we can confirm that it is one of the most comfortable silk pillowcases we have ever slept on.
"This ultra-luxurious silk pillowcase is a total game-changer. It is made of 100% silk and has a smooth yet cool finish that feels sensational to sleep on. I have definitely noticed an improvement in my flyaway hairs when waking up and overall comfort when laying down on it. It is important to note that these pillowcases are sold on a single basis, so they need to be bought separately. Regardless, they are undoubtedly worth the investment and will see you through many restful nights." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer
5. Beauty Bay Satin Pillowcase
"Ok, so technically this isn't a silk pillowcase, but satin is a much more durable option. This pillowcase is crafted from soft, cruelty-free and vegan satin, so it's likely to last a lot longer than silk - especially if you like to wash your bedding a lot. Because it is not 100% silk, the beauty benefits might not be so great, but at such a good price, it's a great starting point into the world of silk bedding." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Contributor
6. ESPA Home Oxford Edge Silk Pillowcase
If you're looking for a great gift option, this ESPA one arrives in a beautiful gift box. It comes in ivory and dove grey shades - both of which add a touch of luxury to your bedroom. We're huge fans of the Oxford-style border, which gives it an extra elegant feel.
7. Marks and Spencer Pure Silk Pillowcase
"For such an affordable option, I'm super impressed with how soft this pillowcase is - and the fact that it's made from 100% silk! It comes in a few different colours to suit your bedding - including some darker shades, so if you're a fan of fake tanning or sometimes forget to remove your make-up before bed (we've all been there), this is a great one to go for." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
8. John Lewis The Ultimate Collection Silk Standard Pillowcase
"This silk pillowcase by John Lewis comes in a beautiful range of colours. It's among the best I've tried for reducing friction to my hair, due to the fact that it's made from the highest quality Mulberry silk for a super smooth feel." - Grace Lindsay, Beauty Contributor
9. Silk Works London Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
This Silk Works pillowcase might be more of an investment, but it is great for achieving smoother skin. It's super non-absorbent, meaning any night creams or serums you apply before bed will stay right where you want them.
"I definitely noticed a difference in my skin after using this pillowcase for a couple of weeks, and I don't think I will ever go back to a cotton one again." Grace Lindsay, Beauty Contributor
10. Blissy Black Standard Silk Pillowcase
"After seeing so many people rave about them online, I wanted to try the Blissy silk pillowcases to find out if they really live up to the hype (and warrant the £75 per piece price tag). These 100% Mulberry silk pillowcases promise to leave you with frizz-free hair, hydrated skin and a better night’s sleep - bold claims from a cult bedding brand. But from the moment I unfolded the buttery soft pillowcases from their neatly wrapped boxes, I realised Blissy’s ever-growing fan base might actually be onto something.
Incredibly soft to the touch, they make getting into bed feel instantly and undeniably luxurious. I have 2c/3a curls (and lots of them) which become rather unruly a day after washing, but there was a noticeable difference in how well they maintained their shape and bounce over several days. I also no longer suffer from stubborn pillow lines in the morning, and my skin does feel less dry first thing.
But for me, the best thing about the Blissy pillowcase is how cooling the fabric is. I tend to wiggle about a lot in my sleep and have been nicknamed ‘the human furnace’ - needless to say, the temperature-regulating properties of the organic silk have made a huge difference to my sleep (and clammy face).
It’s worth noting that they aren’t the most purse-friendly silk pillowcases out there, but they do genuinely deliver on what they promise. So if you’re looking to invest in quality silk pillowcases, I would definitely recommend Blissy." - Jadie Troy-Pryde, News Editor
11. Coco & Wolf Betsy Silk Satin Pillowcases Set of Two
"Coco & Wolf's silk pillowcases are perfect for those looking for an elegant yet quirky design pattern that will most definitely wake you up on the brighter side. Made of 100% silk satin, this ultra buttery pillowcase set comes with a pack of two that makes the investment all the more worthwhile." - Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer
12. Drowsy 100% pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
"I have always been rather dubious about silk pillowcases, however I am obsessed with the Drowsy eyemask (in fact, I don't sleep without it) so I decided to give the brand's pillowcase a go. I shouldn't have been such a cynic. Whilst I didn't see any improvement to my skin, I did notice that my hair was in better condition in the mornings. As someone who bleaches her hair and rarely trims her ends, I am the prime candidate for the soothing properties of a silk pillowcase. There was less static and my hair wasn't as flat. My one complaint is that silk sheets scream cliché bachelor pad and it doesn't really go with my bedroom aesthetic." - Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor
Apart from it being hypoallergenic, this pillowcase is 100% washable and comes with a luxury envelope closure. "I've owned this pillowcase for months, and it's definitely one of my favourites as it fits my pillow so well and looks as good as new after every wash." Grace Lindsay, Beauty Contributor
13. Curlsmith Satin Pillowcase
"While I might not have curly hair, my hair is quite wavy, fine and flyaway-prone. I found that using this pillowcase helped to tame my flyaways like a dream. It's thicker than some other silk pillowcases I've tried, meaning it's super durable and easy to machine wash. For the under-£20 price, I can't fault it." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
14. Soak & Sleep Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase Pair
If you're looking for a matching pair, we love this duck egg blue set by Soak & Sleep. These pillowcases are made from 100% Mulberry silk, meaning they are hypoallergenic.
15. Kitsch Satin Pillowcase
This satin pillowcase isn't just super affordable and highly rated, it also comes in a fun leopard print design - if you prefer to experiment with your prints and colours. It comes in a simple white and pink too, so neutral bedding lovers needn't despair.
What are the benefits of using a silk pillowcase?
Silk pillowcases are renowned for their beauty benefits, but what do they actually do?
We spoke to Chris Luckham, head of education at FOREO skincare, who said: "When it comes to pillowcase choices, only some are smooth enough to offer profound benefits for the skin and hair. Silk pillowcases are growing in popularity, boasting their ability to reduce irritation due to their soft and sleek texture."
"From a skincare perspective, this helps to reduce any friction between the pillowcase and your skin, therefore reducing dragging and inflammation - especially great for side sleepers. For those suffering with blemishes, silk pillowcases tend to absorb less moisture and oils compared to a regular cotton case, keeping it more hygienic."
This also means that even though you might be applying your best night cream before bed, you won't be seeing its full effects if using a cotton pillowcase, as it will be absorbing a lot of the product.
Not only do silk pillowcases benefit the skin, but they benefit the hair, too. As mentioned above, the soft and sleek texture reduces friction, which can in turn reduce breakage. It also means that you are less likely to wake up with that dreaded bedhead look. A win win if you ask us.
Are there any downsides to using a silk pillowcase?
Silk is a trickier fabric to handle when it comes to washing and caring for it. Brands like Slip recommend that you hand wash your pillowcases "with a gentle pH neutral liquid detergent".
That's obviously a downside as you can't just chuck it in with your normal bedding wash. However, the general rule of thumb when washing any silk pillowcase is to put your machine on a delicate setting, with cold water and ideally in a delicates care bag. These can be picked up cheaply from Amazon (and work well for your bras too).
Coloured silk pillowcases can also fade easily if in direct sunlight. So when you're drying them, it's better to do so inside rather than on a washing line outside. Also, if your bed faces a window, we'd recommend moving your silk pillowcase behind other cotton ones or tucking your duvet or blanket over the pillowcases to protect them.
Are silk pillowcases really worth it?
It's a resounding yes from us. Each of our testers noted that when using a silk pillowcase, they would wake up to hair that looked a lot less like a bale of hay and skin that was less creased. If you're able to find one that matches your existing bedlinen, we couldn't recommend them enough.
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