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By Jake Smith and Andrea Navarro
Chances are a night of particularly deep sleep has wreaked havoc on your hair or skin at some point—but the best silk pillowcases are here to help you avoid that outcome. Silk’s texture prevents hair breakage and static caused by friction, and it can also help prevent wrinkles and breakouts. (Plus it’s just plain luxurious to sleep against silk.) Throw in a pair of silk pajamas, and you’re in for the best beauty sleep of your life.
They also happen to make great self-care gifts, whether you’re shopping for gifts for teens who are obsessed with skin care or a gift for the wife who has declared bedhead the bane of her existence. But before you pick one, here’s everything you need to know about silk, according to beauty experts and Glamour’s obsessive testers.
As you shift throughout the night, your skin rubs against your pillowcase, causing friction on your skin, explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s dermatology department in New York City. “Friction can cause skin folding and contribute to low-grade inflammation and wrinkles. Silk is a soft, natural fiber that allows the skin to glide. Plus, it’s light and breathable to minimize the amount of sweat that builds up on the skin.”
Silk, derived from domesticated silkworms, might even make your beauty routine more effective because your products won’t rub off as easily, says celebrity facialist and La Mer global skin care adviser Georgia Louise.
Silk pillowcases prevent bedhead by reducing friction on your hair as you sleep, making it less likely to get twisted and tangled during the night. (Every single one of our testers will tell you that if you’re looking for a pillowcase to fix frizzy hair, silk is the way to go.)
The fiber is naturally hypoallergenic and prevents the buildup of dust mites, fungus, mold, and other allergens. While the effects of silk pillowcases on skin and hair are still under-researched, a few studies, like this 2019 report, have found promising results. Empirically, though, the material’s benefits are easy to see—just read the reviews for the silk pillowcases our team has tested and endorsed.
Satin, a silk-like fabric that’s most often woven from plastic, provides many of the same friction-reducing benefits for skin and for straight and curly hair, as confirmed by our in-house testing. The manmade material is a cost-effective alternative to the silk pillowcases at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but depending on the brand, silk and satin can cost about the same amount. If you’d rather stick to natural fibers or want the hypoallergenic benefits of silk, stick to the real thing.
Momme count refers to the density of silk and indicates the quality of the material. Think of it like thread count—more threads mean extra durability. Most silk pillowcases run from 19 momme (soft, relatively affordable) to 25 momme (top of the line, more expensive). You can go as low as 16 momme, but there are options above 20 momme in the sub-$30 range. For the highest-quality material, look for mulberry silk; the fibers are longer and more uniform, making the fabric smoother and longer-lasting.
“Silk pillowcases should be washed weekly to remove sweat and oil that may have transferred from your face to the pillowcase,” Dr. Zeichner recommends. Just make sure to read the care instructions. Not all pillowcases can be thrown in the washing machine on a gentle cycle; some types of silk require hand-washing in cold water. Air-drying is best, as dryers can cause damage to the material. You can steam your pillowcase to remove any wrinkles.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Editor review: This mulberry silk pick might just be the ideal pillowcase. The material is soft, of course, but it has a nice weight that feels luxurious and helps resist abrasion from sleeping and washing. The brand also offers 19- and 30-momme silk pillowcases at lower and higher price points, respectively, but this 25-momme option is a perfect introduction to the brand. “After using this 25-momme pure mulberry silk pillowcase, I get why people invest in more luxurious fabrics,” says Glamour contributor Lindsay Schallon. “Not only does sleeping on this feel like the equivalent of staying the night at a fancy hotel, but waking up in the morning is significantly better because I hardly have to touch my hair. The fact that my skin looks and feels more revitalized is just the cherry on top.”
Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Colors: 13 options / Closure: Envelope / Momme: 25 momme
Pros: Relatively inexpensive, durable, lots of color options Cons: Shrinks unless you line-dry it
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Editor review: Perhaps the most well-known silk pillowcase on the market, Slip’s mulberry silk offering is available in a ton of colors. From the well-made construction to the shiny finish and pretty shades, Slip is at the front of the pack in terms of design. But it also gets rave reviews from multiple Glamour editors (and Dr. Zeichner) for helping with hair and skin—and even our resident beauty pro swears by it. “My Slip silk pillowcase has saved my skin and hair—I never wake up with red, aggravated skin anymore, and my blow-dries actually last for days,” says Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay, who even travels with it. “As for the case itself, it’s so, so soft and silky, and it feels cool and lightweight on my skin. I wash it on cold and dry on mild, and I’ve never had a problem with it getting wrinkly or losing structure.” (The brand also makes sleep masks and scrunchies to help fight fine lines and spit ends, FYI.)
Sizes: Queen, king / Colors: 12 options / Closure: Zipper / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Lots of color options, cooling feel, great frizz-fighter Cons: Might fray quickly if machine-washed
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Editor review: Blissy’s pillowcase is a favorite among reviewers and Glamour staffers alike; four of our colleagues recommend it as a top-notch option for skin and hair. At 22 momme, it’s plenty soft but not overly expensive. “I’ve used my Blissy pillowcase for over three years, and it’s withstood countless washes and wears beautifully,” raves Brie Schwartz, Glamour’s commerce director. “It’s luxuriously soft and cool to the touch (perfect for hot sleepers), but it does wrinkle easily, as you can see from the photo, so if you care about the look of your bed, it’s best to hide it behind a decorative pillow or steam it after washing.” The big drawback, she says, is a sharp zipper, so make sure you tuck the pull in before heading off to bed.
Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Colors: 12 options / Closure: Zipper / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Lots of colors, durable construction, high-quality silk Cons: Wrinkles easily, stains are visible
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Editor review: J Jimoo’s pillowcase is one of the top-selling products in Glamour’s gift guides—and despite its shockingly low price, this mulberry silk pillowcase holds its own against options that are triple or quadruple its price. “It’s cool to the touch and truly soft, even beating out more expensive options that I’ve tested,” Glamour commerce writer Jake Smith says. “I love that it’s a zipper closure to keep the material tight. There’s no external branding, which I prefer for my bed. My big issue is that it stains easily, but I think that might be silk in general. (Just don’t, like, wear a hair mask to bed.)” Because of the price, it’s stellar for gifting—hello, presents for teenage girls. Another bonus: It’s less slippery than other options, meaning you’re not as likely to slide around at night.
Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Colors: 21 options / Closure: Zipper / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Inexpensive, no external branding, not slippery Cons: Stains easily
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Editor review: This mulberry silk pillowcase is one of the softest we’ve had the pleasure of sleeping on, and our testers rave that it’s a total game changer for skin. “This 25-momme pillowcase really helps my skin. I can actually feel the difference between this and my cotton pillowcase, which soaks up my beauty products,” says Glamour contributor Khaliha Hawkins. “Yes, my head slips and slides on the pillow, but my face no longer feels dry or dehydrated when I wake up.” At $46 a pop, it’s in the middle of the pack pricewise, but it’s as well-made as the more expensive items on this list. The only drawback? There’s a large tag on the outer corner that can get annoying.
Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Colors: 12 options / Closure: Envelope / Momme: 25 momme
Pros: Oeko-Tex-certified, luxuriously soft Cons: Large external tag
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Editor review: Drowsy’s mulberry silk option comes in 10 rich colors that make any bedscape all the more inviting. “My navy blue pillowcase still looks great after putting it through the washing machine, which not every option can say,” commerce writer Smith says. “It’s also not too slippery, meaning I’m not constantly falling off of it during the night in the name of stopping skin creases and split ends. I don’t love the gigantic interior tag or the external logo, but these are nitpicks.” The brand is also a favorite among our editors; Drowsy took home best sleep mask at the 2023 Glamour Beauty & Wellness Awards.
Sizes: Queen, king / Colors: 10 options / Closure: Envelope / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Great colors, true mulberry silk, machine-washable Cons: External stitched logo
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Editor review: Lunya makes some of our favorite washable silk pajamas, so it’s only natural that the brand would also make a standout pillowcase. The velvety-smooth feel holds up after multiple washes. “It’s cooler and less wrinkle-prone than a ton of other options I’ve felt,” Smith says, “and I love that the only external branding is an unmarked piece of ribbon sewn to the envelope closure. It’s only available in white and in queen size, which isn’t a problem for me, but might not be ideal for people with smaller or larger beds.” Another quirk is that Lunya doesn’t actually list the momme, although the pillowcase is made entirely from silk.
Sizes: Queen / Colors: 1 option / Closure: Zipper / Momme: Unlisted
Pros: Lack of external branding, wrinkle-resistant finish Cons: Only available in queen size, no momme measure given
Editor review: New York–based brand Hill House Home makes some of the dreamiest clothes we’ve ever seen—its mommy-and-me outfits live in our heads rent-free—and its underrated bedding department is just as great. Beyond its seriously soft mulberry silk, this pillowcase stands apart from the competition with meticulous design: There’s contrast piping around the edges, and you can even add a monogram for an additional $15. “There’s a hidden zipper closure to make sure the pillow doesn’t slip out, which is a tiny but game changing detail if you’re used to pillow inserts sliding out of their envelope closures,” says Glamour contributor Talia Abbas. Better yet, the cute pattern will hide stains and wear.
Sizes: Standard, king / Colors: 5 options / Closure: Zipper / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Tons of colors and prints, piping on edges Cons: No queen size, should be hand-washed
Editor review: If you prefer an extra-silky feel, Branché’s slick, shiny pillowcase is your best bet. It’s one of the most expensive options on the market, but it backs up the price with high-quality material, a luxuriously sleek finish, and a variety of rich shades. “I tested it out with both wet and dry uncovered hair, and I woke up on both days with hair that looked barely touched,” says Glamour contributor Brionna Jimerson. “I also noticed that my slumber felt much cooler thanks to the silky-soft fabric.” It’s more wrinkle-prone than other pillowcases, but that high-shine look (and its skin- and hair-smoothing powers) are worth the extra steaming. There’s an external tag, but it’s tiny and hidden on the back side of the envelope enclosure.
Sizes: Queen, king, boudoir / Colors: 10 options / Closure: Envelope / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Super-soft material, cooling feel Cons: Wrinkles easily
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Editor review: This silk pillowcase, which has earned over 750 perfect reviews, is the current favorite of Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “The softness of this pillowcase makes me feel like a rich lady,” she says. “It’s been through many washes and hasn’t lost its velvety feel. And as someone who dreads laundry days, I appreciate the zipper on the side for faster bed making.” Reviewers note that the sizing is a little off, so be sure to size up if your pillow is a little larger than standard.
Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Colors: 10 options / Closure: Zipper / Momme: 22 momme
Pros: Concealed zipper, inexpensive Cons: Sizing runs small, only standard size and king size available
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Editor review: While this pillowcase is made from luxe polyester satin, not natural silk, it still deserves a spot on this list for its hair- and skin-smoothing powers. “I still can’t really tell the difference between Kitsch’s satin and actual silk, at least in terms of feel,” Smith says. “Since using it, I’ve started waking up with fewer blemishes and no bedhead or tangles. The biggest difference between this and more expensive options is that it isn’t as temperature-regulating or cool to the touch—not ideal if you need a cool feel for your best night’s sleep—but it’s also way less wrinkly each morning.”
Sizes: Queen, king, boudoir / Colors: 10 options / Closure: Zipper / Momme: N/A
Pros: Affordable, tons of colors and patterns Cons: Not machine-washable, not real silk
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