The 7 Best Silk Pillowcases to Lay Your Head on at Night

Corrie
by Corrie

By Corrie Pelc


We all know how important sleep is to our overall health. And when it comes to the health of your skin and hair, catching z’s on a silk pillowcase might be your best bet.


Not only are silk pillowcases enjoyable to sleep on thanks to their soft-to-the-touch feel, but they pose a few health and beauty perks that are worth noting. Keep reading to learn about potential silk pillowcase benefits and which silk pillowcases are the best ones to buy for yourself.

two silk pillowcases in different shades of pink / Photo via Shutterstock

Top Picks

Silk Pillowcase Benefits

While they are more expensive than standard cotton pillowcases, research has shown silk pillowcases offer some benefits that make their higher price worth it for some:


Less Irritating to Skin

Clinical studies have shown that silk pillowcases can help minimize acne flare-ups. Because the material is smoother and gentler than cotton, there's less irritation to the skin on your face. Additionally, silk absorbs less of your face's natural oils. So when you sleep on your side or stomach, there are fewer bacteria or other nasties up against your face all night.


Less Friction on Hair

Similar benefits can be applied to your hair. Because there is less friction when you move around while sleeping on a silk pillowcase, frizz and damage like breakage are avoided on hair strands. And because silk pillowcases do not absorb moisture, any moisture in your hair stays in your hair.


Hypoallergenic

Silk is an organic protein fiber, making it naturally hypoallergenic and able to repel not only bacteria from your skin, but also bed bugs, fungus, and other creepy things you don't want in your bed.

Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Silk Pillowcase

We used the following test factors to determine our list of the best silk pillowcases:

  • Sizes: What pillow sizes does this silk pillowcase come in?
  • Colors: What colors is the silk pillowcase available in?
  • Momme Count: All of the silk pillowcases on our list are made from Mulberry silk. Similar to thread count with cotton sheets and pillowcases, the amount of silk threads in a silk pillowcase is measured by "momme," a Japanese word used to determine the weight of real silk. The higher the momme amount, the better quality the silk. For example, raw silk is generally between 35 to 40 momme, while charmeuse — which is what is usually used in pillowcases — is between 12 to 30 momme.
  • Care: Is this silk pillowcase machine washable?


Convinced a silk pillowcase is the right pick for you? Then let’s now take a look at the best silk pillowcases on the market today.

Best Overall Silk Pillowcase: Fishers Finery 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Sizes: Standard, queen, king Colors: 11 Momme Count: 25 mm Care: Dry clean or hand wash suggested; can be machine washed on gentle cycle; lay flat to dry

With over 6,000 reviews and 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, there's no denying why the Fishers Finery 100-percent Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is our top pick for the best overall silk pillowcase. Available in standard, queen, and king sizes, this pillowcase is made from 100-percent Mulberry silk with a 25 momme count. Choose from 11 colors, from standard natural white and taupe to more jewel-like tones such as deep lavender, burgundy, and dark green. Because this pillowcase is made from such high-quality silk, it can help prevent facial wrinkles, stop "bed head," and help regulate sleep temperature. The Fishers Finery 100-percent Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is machine washable on the gentle cycle, but dry cleaning or hand washing is preferred.

Pros

  • Made from 100-percent Mulberry silk with a 25 momme count
  • Available in three sizes and 11 colors
  • Can be machine washed on the gentle cycle

Cons

  • Manufacturer suggests hand washing or dry clean for best performance

Best Value Silk Pillowcase: ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Sizes: Toddler, throw, standard, queen, king, body Colors: 34 colors and 2 prints Momme Count: 9 mm Care: Hand wash or machine wash on delicate cycle; line dry

It is possible to buy a 100-percent Mulberry silk pillowcase on a budget thanks to ZIMASILK’s Silk Pillowcase. This highly-rated pillowcase has almost 33,500 ratings and 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Choose from a wide range of sizes that start with toddler and go all the way up to body pillow size. And there are a staggering 34 solid colors and two fun prints to choose from, guaranteeing you’ll find something to match your sheets. This pillowcase is made from a 19 momme count Mulberry silk, which offers excellent health benefits for skin and hair. The natural silk is also highly breathable and soft, and completely hypoallergenic. The ZIMASILK 100-percent Mulberry Silk Pillowcase can be easily hand washed or machine washed on the delicate cycle, and then dried on a line to keep it looking great for many years.

Pros

  • All sizes under $30
  • Available in 34 colors and two prints
  • Can be hand washed or machine washed on a delicate cycle

Cons

  • Lower momme count than our overall top pick

Best Luxury Silk Pillowcase: Slip Silk Queen Pillowcase

Sizes: Queen, king Colors: 10 colors and 3 prints Momme Count: 22 mm Care: Machine washable

If your budget allows for it, the Slip Silk Queen Pillowcase is our top choice for the best luxury silk pillowcase. This 22 momme count silk pillowcase comes in both queen and king sizes. Choose from 10 neutral and metallic colors, from standard white and black to rose gold and charcoal, as well as three prints — feathers, black and white marble, and pink marble. In lab testing, this particular silk pillowcase has been shown to reduce friction by 43 percent, which eliminates hair frizz and damage, as well as calms facial skin irritations. The Slip Silk Queen Pillowcase is completely machine washable, making it easy to keep clean, and it is the winner of over 40 prestigious beauty awards.

Pros

  • Available in queen and king sizes
  • Comes in 10 colors and three prints
  • Laboratory testing shows it helps eliminate hair and skin friction by 43 percent

Cons

  • Expensive

Best Silk Pillowcase for Hair: Hairfinity Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Sizes: Standard Colors: Black Momme Count: Not specified, but charmeuse is between 12 and 30 mm Care: Machine wash on delicate cycle or hand wash; line dry only

If you're tired of waking up to a mound of frizz and bed head every morning, then you'll want to pay attention to the Hairfinity Mulberry Silk Pillowcase. This pillowcase is made from 100-percent Mulberry silk charmeuse and it contains 18 naturally-occurring amino acids known to help make hair strong, shiny, and full. So every time you sleep, you're helping to repair and strengthen your hair. The pillowcase's design eliminates friction for less breakage, does not absorb moisture from hair, and helps smooth down the hair cuticle to reduce frizz. The Hairfinity Mulberry Silk Pillowcase can be machine washed on the delicate cycle or hand washed and should be line dried only.

Pros

  • Made from 100-percent Mulberry silk charmeuse
  • Contains 18 natural amino acids to make hair strong and shiny
  • Can be machine washed on delicate cycle or hand washed

Cons

  • Only available in one size and one color

Best Silk Pillowcase for Skin: ALASKA BEAR Silk Pillowcase

Sizes: Toddler, standard, queen, king, California king, European, body Colors: 28 colors and 12 prints Momme Count: 19 mm Care: Hand wash and air dry

Sleepers concerned about wrinkles, acne, or other facial skin irritation as they sleep: Consider adding the ALASKA BEAR Silk Pillowcase to your sleeping regimen. This silk pillowcase is made from pure Mulberry silk in a 19 momme count fabric. It comes in a variety of sizes, including toddler, standard queen, king, California king, body, and European. And it is available in 28 colors and 12 fun prints, ranging from Van Gogh's "Starry Night" to cute sleep-related sayings like "The Snuggle is Real." The pillowcase features a concealed zipper to ensure it does not move throughout the night, so you don't have to worry about friction on your face. To keep your ALASKA BEAR Silk Pillowcase in perfect shape, the manufacturer suggests hand washing in cold water and air drying. And each pillowcase comes with a real silk scrunchie for your hair.

Pros

  • Available in seven sizes
  • Choose from 28 colors and 12 prints
  • Concealed zipper helps stop pillowcase from moving during the night

Cons

  • Has to be hand washed and air dried

Best Patterned Silk Pillowcase: SLPBABY Silk Pillowcase

Sizes: Standard, king, queen Colors: 11 colors and 23 prints Momme Count: 19 mm Care: Hand wash preferably; can machine wash on gentle cycle; line dry

For those who prefer patterns over solid colors, the SLPBABY Silk Pillowcase is the best choice for a silk pillowcase. This pillowcase comes in three sizes — standard, queen, and king — and offers 11 solid colors and 23 prints. Prints range from classic designs like small florals and leopard to super-bright large florals, butterflies, and geometric prints. All pillowcases are made from 100-percent Grade 6a Mulberry silk (composed of the longest silk fibers available) with a 19 momme count. For best performance, hand washing is preferred for the SLPBABY Silk Pillowcase, however, it can be machine washed on the gentle cycle.

Pros

  • Made from 100-percent Grade 6a Mulberry silk
  • Comes in 11 solid colors and 23 prints
  • Available in three sizes

Cons

  • Print options may not be suitable for all bedrooms

Best Silk Alternative Pillowcase: Kitsch 100% Satin Pillowcase

Sizes: Standard/queen, king Colors: 4 solid colors and 4 prints Momme Count: N/A Care: Hand Wash

If you prefer a vegan alternative to real silk, may we suggest the Kitsch Satin Pillowcase? Available in both standard/queen and king sizes, this silk alternative pillowcase is made from 100-percent satin polyester that offers the same softness and health benefits for skin and hair that real silk offers. This vegan pillowcase helps reduce hair frizz, prevents wrinkles from forming and delicate eyelashes from breaking, and it also stays cool all night long. And the Kitsch 100-percent Satin Pillowcase comes in four solid neutral colors and four neutral prints, including a small dot print, leopard, black and white marble, and neutral-colored sunset tie-dye.

Pros

  • Made from 100-percent satin polyester as a vegan alternative to silk
  • Comes in two sizes
  • Available in four solid colors and four prints

Cons

  • Hand wash only

Do you have a silk pillowcase that brings you sweet dreams? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Comments
Join the conversation
Next