Chances are you don't think about your pillow as part

of your beauty routine, but you should. Alongside the lineup

of beauty rituals and skin care

products you rely on for better skin, switching to silk

pillowcases is a simple swap that may pay off for your hair

and skin, at least according to some beauty experts.


Silk pillowcases are not exactly cheap (typically over

$50) -- so to find out if they're worth forking over the

extra cash for, I talked to experts to discuss the potential

beauty benefits, including a dermatologist, hair stylists and

a beauty expert who founded a skin care brand. Keep reading

below to find out if silk pillowcases could help your hair

and skin.


What makes it a silk pillowcase?  


Most



pillowcases are made from cotton or microfiber, and

come included in a set of sheets. You can also buy silk

or satin pillowcases, both of which have a smoother texture

than cotton and microfiber and are meant to help give you

better hair or skin.


Silk pillowcases are made from, well, silk, a natural

protein fiber from silk worms that's soft and breathable,

meaning it allows air to pass through. Silk is more expensive

than cotton and other kinds of fibers, which is why silk

pillowcases are likewise more expensive than others.


Satin pillowcases are cheaper than silk because satin can

be made from a variety of different fibers woven in a certain

way to give the "shiny" satin feel and effect,

according to manufacturer Lily Silk. Satin is typically

made from polyester and has a similar smooth texture to silk,

but is generally less breathable.


Benefits of silk pillowcases for hair


Most of us wake up with crazy hair in the morning, which

can be a bummer if you spent a lot of time styling your hair

the night before. That's because as you move around in

your sleep, your hair rubs against your pillowcase,

causing friction that can lead to tangles and even breakage.

Silk pillowcases can help preserve your style and keep your

hair smoother than traditional cotton

pillowshells, according to hairstylists, because

they put less friction on your hair. 


"Silk pillowcases reduce friction and are not as

absorbent of moisture, therefore they can reduce frizziness

and help you maintain moisture [in your hair] throughout the

night," says Joseph Maine, celebrity hair stylist and

co-founder of Trademark Beauty. 


All different hair types that can benefit from silk

pillowcases, but people with fine, curly or blonde hair may

find it especially helpful, according to Shelly Aguirre,

stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "Blonde hair tends

to be more fragile, so the silk will help prevent more

damage. Also, curly hair tends to get frizzy with the

friction of cotton, so the silk will help the hair

'glide' instead," Aguirre says.


If you have oily hair, a silk pillowcase may not be the

best choice, since a cotton pillowcase will absorb oil

better, according to Aguirre. Silk pillowcases will be more

beneficial if you have dry hair, or are experiencing

breakage.


10 REASONS TO OWN A SILK PILLOWCASE


Keep your face healthy. Your face has more contact

with your duvet covers than any other fabric. So, if you

want to keep your face looking refreshed, your choice in

pillowcase is very important. You can learn more about

how silk pillowcases help keep your face looking

refreshed, healthy and glowing below. 


Help your skin retain moisture. Silk helps keep

moisture close to your skin and will help your skin stay more

hydrated than many fabrics on the market. Sleeping on silk is

great option for helping your skin maintain its natural

moisture. Save money on expensive moisturizing creams by

retaining more moisture in your face to begin with, by

sleeping on silk pillowcases.  


educe your chemical exposure. We constantly come

into contact with chemicals, but you can reduce that chemical

exposure during your night’s sleep. Silk is produced from

domesticated silk worms that are bred and raised in

captivity. They have no predators to defend against and are

pampered throughout their life, helping to produce a fine

silk fiber with little chemical exposure. In contrast, many

fabrics on the marketplace, are produced from chemically

intensive crops that require pesticides, herbicides and other

chemical treatments before making it to your bed sheets. So

when it comes to luxury bedding, this is one of those

cases where less really is more.


It's naturally hypoallergenic. Some of silk’s

hypoallergenic properties include a natural resistance to

dust mites, fungus and mold, in addition to many other

allergens.


Silk can be beneficial for your skin and

hair. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help your skin

stay healthy and smooth and can help reduce

the appearance of facial wrinkles. If you’re only

going to invest in one piece of silk bedding to start with,

the silk pillowcase provides a lot of benefit for the cost.


It's a true luxury experience. Sometimes we

treat ourselves to a massage, a relaxing day at the beach or

a quiet evening in the bathtub. Whatever your escape, laying

your head to rest at night on a silk pillowcase is

the perfect way to end your day. There is no better feeling

then the soft, smooth and luxurious feel of silk against your

skin when you go to bed at night. It is truly like having a

massage every night.


Reduce bed head and split ends. Are you tired of

waking up in the morning and having hair that looks like you

just stuck your finger in a socket? Sleeping on luxury silk

pillowcases will help keep that bed head under control. The

natural properties of silk, including its smooth surface, can

help reduce friction on your hair which often causes damage,

like spilt ends. For your hair, it truly does pay to sleep on

a silk pillowcase.