Are Silk Pillowcases Better Than Cotton?

Laying your head on a soft silk pillowcase is a luxurious way to slumber into a goodnight’s sleep. We can all agree that having quality sleep every night is the key to feeling rejuvenated and is integral to staying healthy. There are several opinions about which type of pillowcase is better, but it all boils down to personal preference.

Words about silk pillowcases spread around on various social media channels among notable personalities who propagate the benefits of using them. But, will a certain type of pillowcase be the secret to waking up with clearer skin and soft, shiny hair?

Let’s find out if silk pillowcases are better than cotton.

Cotton VS Silk

Material comparison (what is silk and what is cotton?)

Each type of fabric has its own unique properties which could be suitable for various usage or applications such as in clothing, curtains and beddings including pillowcases. When it comes to choosing a fabric for your pillowcase, the usual choices would be cotton and silk.

Silk and cotton are the two of the most widely used fabrics in the world. There are differences with both fabrics from price tag to fabric strength and even on health benefits. But how do they differ?

Silk Fabric

Considered the strongest protein fibre, mainly from Fibroin, silk has a shimmering appearance and a smooth texture, making it a luxurious fabric. Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres that is lightweight and has elasticity. It also has good moisture absorption and can dry quickly.
Common silk is produced from silkworms which feed mostly on mulberry leaves. The outer cocoon that protects the larvae is harvested and utilized for silk production. China is the biggest producer of silk, with about 70% of the global market.

Cotton Fabric

The cotton fibre is chemically organic and contains no artificial compounds. Cotton fabric is widely favoured for its highly absorbent, breathable properties and can be easily sourced.

It is estimated that 75 per cent of clothing products contain cotton or at least an amount of this fibre. As the world's most widely used fabric fibre, cotton can be manipulated by manufacturers in various products for various applications.

Which is better for hair and why?

The pillowcases on your pillows have direct contact with your hair. Resting your head on your pillow for about 8 hours a night would affect how your hair behaves the following morning. Although hair is mainly made of a tough protein called keratin, there are living cells on the hair bulb or root which require constant nourishment from the blood vessels. The structure of hair looks pretty simple, but it has complex processes to ensure healthy hair growth. Thus, choosing the right fabric for your pillowcases is significant for maintaining healthy hair.
Though cotton is a natural fibre, it absorbs moisture when sleeping. It is the main reason that cotton fabric is not ideal for hair. Using a cotton pillowcase will make your hair dry by drawing out moisture. It would also cause hair breakage as you move your head across the pillow resulting in hair fall.
On the other hand, sleeping on a silk pillowcase is beneficial to your hair. A silk pillowcase repels friction with a smooth fibre, allowing your hair to move and glide without restrictions. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase reduces snagging and tangling, which prevents hair damage and frizz.

Which is better for skin and why?

When it comes to having better skin, pillowcase choice matters. Over time, spending 7 to 8 hours of sleep on your pillowcase can affect your skin, especially the area that you routinely treat every day with cream, serum or moisturizer, which is your face. Thus, a silk pillowcase is better since it has a smoother surface that prevents friction and the ‘sleep creasing’ you can see on your face upon waking up.
Cotton, capable of absorbing more moisture, can affect the skin by making it dry. Aside from this, cotton has a courser texture which could harm the skin leaving it more prone to acne or breakouts. Therefore, a silk pillowcase is ideal since it keeps the skin hydrated with less friction, which prevents dry skin.

Which performs better in anti-bacteria and why?

Comparing the antibacterial property of cotton with silk, the latter has a natural antimicrobial component. Silk fibres have antibacterial properties on a micro level. It helps keep your silk pillowcase hygienic, deterring microbes' growth. On the contrary, cotton pillowcases tend to trap dirt and absorb moisture which could be an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that will cause skin irritations, including acne, redness and rashes. 

Which performs better for anti-aging and why?

Your choice of pillowcase has something to do with being youthful. If you are still using cotton pillowcases, then chances are you’ll wake up with skin marks and creases brought about by tugging through the friction produced by the cotton fabric against your skin. Cotton also tends to absorb moisture, preventing your skin from remaining hydrated while you sleep. However, sleeping on silk pillowcases will minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time due to its naturally smooth and soft surface. Silk will not remove moisture from your skin while keeping your skincare products undisturbed. 

Which is better for babies and why?

For babies, the type of pillowcase fabric is an important consideration when it comes to the baby’s health. Babies spend more time sleeping, and with their delicate skin, using the wrong type of pillowcase can lead to unpleasant health consequences. Cotton, the most popular choice, has excellent moisture absorption, but it will deplete moisture from a baby’s skin, making it prone to skin irritations and even infections. 

Pediatricians and dermatologists recommend silk pillowcases over cotton for their features that support the delicate baby’s skin. Silk has a smooth texture with natural antibacterial and antifungal properties excellent in keeping the skin healthy. The lower moisture absorption of silk fabric is also ideal for maintaining skin’s suppleness and hydration. 

Which is better for the elderly and why?

As a person ages, the skin matures, and its ability to repair itself is diminished over time. Older people have more delicate skin and are sensitive to external stimuli and factors. Using the best pillowcase for the elderly will lessen skin irritations while protecting the skin from moisture loss. Silk is exceptionally better when it comes to the elderly. With a smooth surface, friction is avoided as the matured skin goes in direct contact with silk fabric. Cotton might offer a cooling effect due to its high moisture absorption, but the drawback would compromise the elderly’s skin by losing moisture and causing irritations. 

Which is better for people with insomnia and why?

Many people have insomnia due to many factors, such as stress and poor sleep hygiene. You can have the best mattress and still can't afford a good night's rest. It could be the pillowcase you use since it affects your ability or inability to get restorative sleep. Nothing beats the luxury of laying your head on silk pillowcases when it comes to sleep. Silk pillowcases' smooth and friction-free surface can promote better sleep since it minimizes the tendency to toss and turn at night. As with cotton, it could be completely the opposite since cotton pillowcases attract friction and can also cause skin irritations. Aesthetically speaking, silk pillowcases are pleasing and nice to touch, ideal for restful nightly sleep. 

Which is better for regulating temperature and why?

Many thought that cotton pillowcases were better when it came to sleeping on a hot summer night. Little do they know that cotton may have a good ability to absorb moisture, but it also depletes you of proper skin hydration alongside other disadvantages. On the contrary, naturally smooth silk pillowcases have natural insulating and temperature regulating properties. The unique silk protein has a cellular structure that naturally adjusts to atmospheric conditions keeping you warm during cold winter nights and comfortably cooler during summer. 

Final Thought: Which is better cotton or silk pillowcases?

Overall, silk pillowcases are better for their numerous benefits and how they can promote better sleep. Silk fabric has excellent properties that benefit both skin and hair. Experts also recommend it as the best pillowcase for babies and even the elderly. However, the only downside is that silk pillowcases are pricier than cotton pillowcases. But good thing there are affordable silk pillowcases that you can buy which will provide you quality sleep every night. Remember, sleep is a vital process, and you deserve the very best!

Introducing Promeed 23mm silk pillowcases 

Silk pillowcases are one of the most popular choices for people who want a nice, soft, and comfortable pillow. They can be used for both a luxury feel and for health benefits.

Silk is an amazing fabric, and the weight of these pillowcases can make your hair stand up on end! Silk is also great for people who have sensitive skin, as it is hypoallergenic, which means it won't cause irritation or rashes.

Our best-selling pillowcase is the Promeed 23mm silk pillowcase, which is made of high-quality silk and has a special design to reduce friction and maximize comfort. It is the upgraded version of 22mm silk pillowcases and has more silk for comfort. This pillowcase can be used with any pillows and has a special laundry bag for machine washing. So, it is not a must that you hand wash.

The 23mm silk pillowcases are available in several different colors. You can choose from light gray, white or black, depending on the look that suits your room best.


23 mm 6A+ Silk Pillowcase With Zipper With Laundry Bag - promeedsilk
Choose 2 Pack To Save Extra Money With Expedited Shipping
1 PC2 PCS (10% OFF)
StandardQueenKing
ChampagneWhitePinkBaby BlueNavy BlueLight GreyPurpleGreenGreyBlackGoldDusk
$65.50$37.9942%OFF

SALE ENDS ONCE THE QTY HIT ZERO

240
-116
-114
-116
-56
-93
10
-4
-37
-25
0
0
-117
-62
-40
-56
-34
-44
9
0
-23
-17
0
3
-43
-26
-10
-17
-21
-33
15
-1
-8
-8
1
20
-161
-70
-44
-67
-53
-69
0
-3
-28
-16
0
0
-103
-47
-24
-30
-38
-37
1
0
-20
-14
0
2
-40
-19
-10
-14
-18
-20
27
0
-4
-11
0
16

TESTIMONIALS

It's a life-changing experience!

Explore Silk Bedding

Sunday,Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday
January,February,March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November,December
Not enough items available. Only [max] left.
Add to WishlistBrowse WishlistRemove Wishlist
Shopping cart

Your cart is empty.

Add Order NoteEdit Order Note
Estimate Shipping
Add A Coupon

Estimate Shipping

Add A Coupon

Coupon code will work on checkout page