April 23, 2021 5 min read

Even if you have been investing in high-end skincare products for getting smoother, radiant skin or long healthy locks but still you have not been seeing a drastic result. It’s time to change the material of your pillowcases. No amount of beauty sleep or products can help if you don’t have the right type of fabric for your pillowcases.

Silk and even satin pillowcases are trending nowadays for a reason. They possess such beauty and health properties that help with your frizzy hair and dull skin. Are you still wondering what makes satin or silk pillowcases stand out among the others? Keep reading!

What is Silk?

Silk is a natural protein that is produced by a variety of insects like silkworms and it requires a lot of labor and their top-notch skills to extract, spin, and weave into real silk. As it is a naturally made animal protein fiber therefore it is quite skin-friendly. Each silk fiber is constructed from three to five of these silk filaments which are spun together to produce fabric in different types of weights. This is one of the most luxurious types of fabric.

Silk

What is Satin?

Satin is not quite different from silk in its properties and glossy, sleek look. However, its production mainly makes it different from silk. Satin is a type of weaving that is now made from different kinds of synthetic fibers like rayon, polyester, and cotton although it used to be manufactured from silk in the old days.

Satin

Let’s do a short recap, silk is a natural fiber and it is mostly labor-intensive while satin is a synthetic type of weaving and it is capital-intensive. 

Silk vs. Satin Pillowcase for Hair – Which is better for your hair?

If you are wondering whether a silk or satin pillowcase will be ideal for your skin and hair along with your high-end bohemian bedding. You need to consider a few differences:

Production

Plenty of labor put their hard work, time, and effort to harvest the silk produced from silkworms that are later spun and weaved into fine quality silk fabrics. Whereas satin is produced in the factories by the use of synthetic materials and they are manufactured in generous quantities as plastic and recycled material is readily available in abundance as compared to silk.

Softness and Beauty Benefits

If you’re unsure of the difference between silk and satin pillowcases particularly relating to softness, there’s a slight difference. Satin is quite slippery against the skin and you can feel the texture a bit while silk is incredibly soft with a flattering sheen and it glides against your skin without feeling its texture.

In the context of beauty, if you think cotton pillowcases for your boho pillows are doing good to your skin and hair like your cotton clothes, sorry to break it to you but you’re wrong. As cotton has moisture-wicking properties so it causes a lot of friction which in return makes your hair prone to breakage and causes your skin to develop fine lines and wrinkles. So, whether a satin or silk pillowcase for hair and skin is ideal? Let’s have a look:

Keeps Hair Shiny and Frizz-Free

As both satin and silk are soft to the touch, therefore, they prevent static electricity when you toss and turn during your deep night’s sleep and they help smooth out frizzy hair and give a beautiful shine to them.

Protects Brows and Lashes

Both silk and satin pillowcases don’t allow your brows and lashes to harshly rub against them as they don’t have a coarse texture. The soft and smooth texture simply glides over your face, therefore, keeps your eyelashes and brows luscious and healthy.

Keeps Your Skin Tone Even

Unlike cotton pillowcases, sleeping on silk and satin pillowcases allows your skin to breathe and they don’t wick away moisture from your skin. This in return minimizes pores, reduces irritation and redness to keep your skin looking supple and even-toned.

Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines

With the addition of silk and satin pillowcases to your beauty routine, your skin will move without friction, thanks to the soft surface, that will help you to wake up in the morning without lines on your face caused by the pillow in the short-term and in the long-term, you will be keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

Temperature Regulation

As opposed to satin, silk is a natural fiber therefore it’s a very good thermal insulator, which means it maintains the temperature according to the weather. In winters, it will keep you warmer while in summers it will keep you cooler. This in return supports healthy skin. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic as well so it will prevent irritation and allergic reactions to your skin.

Price

If you’re wondering which is better silk or satin pillowcases according to price, it depends on what you prioritize. As the process of harvesting and producing silk is very complex and labor-intensive and the supply is limited, therefore, it’s very expensive. Whereas, mulberry silk is the most expensive and highest quality of silk.

As polyester is easy to produce and the supply is not limited, therefore, satin pillowcases are not relatively expensive.  

Silk vs. Satin Pillowcase: What fabric is right for you?

Advantages of Silk over Satin

Although choosing between silk and satin may be slightly difficult for you but the following advantages may help you make the right decision:

  • Breathable – It will help your head and hair remain cool and dry.
  • Hypoallergenic – Prevents irritation, rashes, and allergic reactions.
  • Organic – Ideal for people with extra-sensitive skin.
  • Might help with your complexion – Can help to get rid of acne and minimize pores.

Advantages of Satin over Silk

If your budget doesn’t allow for silk, don’t fret! Satin has almost the same properties with additional benefits:

  • Less expensive than silk.
  • You can easily find satin pillowcases as the supply is not limited.
  • It’s easier to clean and maintain because you don’t have to take extra precautions.
  • If you like a silkier feel of fabric then your best bet would be satin pillowcases.

Some Useful Tips on How to Identify the Real Silk

There are so many scammers out there that claim to sell real silk (which is actually blended) and you need to ensure that you don’t waste your money on such scams. Here are some tips to help you identify the real one:

  • Hand Touch – Real silk is extra soft to the touch and it has a waxy feeling. You can also rub it against your fingers and if it warms up you know it’s real and if it doesn’t, it’s fake.  
  • The Ring Test – You should try to pull the silk through a ring. If it smoothly glides through it and doesn’t bunch up then you know it’s real.
  • The Burn Test – You can take the corner of the silk pillowcase or tug a few threads and burn it. It should smell like burning hair and produce brittle ash. Also, it should stop burning when the fame is removed. This can tell you if it’s real or not.

Final Thoughts

Although silk and satin fabric are slightly different in terms of functionality to each other, the above-mentioned factors can also help you narrow down your choice to match your taste and preference. As there are many scammers out there so beware to do one of the tests mentioned above before purchasing real silk to ensure you’re not mis-sold.