“Silk pillowcases can help to keep the skin and hair hydrated overnight while you sleep, resulting in smoother-looking skin and hair upon waking up,” says Lian Mack, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. To find out which silk pillowcases are worth buying, we tested 21 best-selling options at home. We slept with each one in place of our usual pillowcases and evaluated them on softness, durability, fit, and more. We also took into consideration factors like the type of closure (zipper or envelope, for example) and size/color options. To learn more about the benefits of silk pillowcases and how to care for them, we spoke to three experts: Dr. Mack; Lindsey Boyd, co-founder of The Laundress; and Laurie Anne Brewer, associate curator of costume and textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. After two months of testing, the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase is our best overall pick thanks to its super soft finish, zippered closure, and wide range of color options. Keep reading to learn more about the best silk pillowcases we tested. Slip’s Pure Silk Pillowcase remained our favorite during the entire testing process. Made of 100 percent mulberry silk, this pillowcase earned a perfect score for its extremely soft and silky feel, which lasted even after washing. The fabric is so comfortable and high quality that one tester said they didn’t want to take their head off the pillow in the morning. It’s also very durable and long-lasting, showing no damage after being put in the washing machine. (It’s machine-washable on the delicate cycle, but the brand recommends avoiding the dryer.) The Slip Silk Pillowcase comes in 22 colors that can vary depending on where you shop, but options typically include neutrals, metallics, and deep hues. Since the pillowcase is only available in two sizes (queen and king), people with standard-size pillows should opt for the queen—just be prepared for a little extra fabric on the sides. Our tester found that the zipper closure helps make the excess material less noticeable, and it also prevents the pillow from sliding around too much throughout the night. Product Details:
Momme: 22Closure: Zipper or envelopeSizes: Queen and kingCare Instructions: Machine wash on delicate or hand wash; do not tumble dry
Not everyone can shell out nearly $100 for a single pillowcase, which is why we picked this option from Ravmix as the best budget-friendly silk pillowcase. Despite its much lower price, the Ravmix Mulberry Silk Pillowcase still performed exceptionally well in our tests. Our at-home testers were impressed with the softness of the fabric and were pleased with how well it fit their pillows. After sleeping with the Ravmix pillowcase, we think it’s almost as soft as other silk pillowcases that are more than double the price. During our testing, we also noticed that the brand does not provide any specific care instructions. So when it was time for the wash/dry test, we washed it in a mesh bag on a delicate cycle and then put it in the dryer on low heat for 20 minutes. It didn’t feel quite as soft as it did before we washed it, but we still think it’s a good choice for people who aren’t sure if they’d like sleeping on a silk pillowcase and want to test the waters before splurging on one. Bonus: It comes in 22 colors, which is more than any other silk pillowcase on this list. Product Details:
Momme: 21Closure: ZipperSizes: Standard, queen, and kingCare Instructions: Not listed
Many aspects of Hill House Home’s silk pillowcase impressed our testers, but the top two were its luxuriously soft finish and simple contrast piping. The elegant design makes it look high-end (almost like something you’d find in a nice hotel room), especially considering that most of the other silk pillowcases we tested were either solid colors or bold patterns. After sleeping on the silk pillowcase, our tester noticed that their hair didn’t look frizzy in the morning despite not washing it the night before. The Sisi Silk Pillowcase didn’t show any signs of wear after washing on delicate and air drying. Even after a wash cycle, this silk pillowcase was extremely soft to the touch. In fact, it was comparable to our best overall pick in terms of softness. Another thoughtful feature is that it comes packaged in a silk pouch (rather than plastic bags and secondary cardboard boxes like some of the other pillowcases we tested). Even though we love the design, we wish this silk pillowcase came in a wider variety of colors. Product Details:
Momme: 22Closure: ZipperSizes: Standard and kingCare Instructions: Machine wash on delicate; do not tumble dry
At 25mm, this Fishers Finery silk pillowcase is one of the heaviest we tested, with a thick and durable, yet still very soft, feel. Our testers loved the way this pillowcase felt on their skin and looked on their bed, and they even noted that their hair looked less frizzy than usual in the morning. Plus, the pillowcase (which has a side envelope closure) fit our tester’s pillow perfectly since it comes in separate standard and queen sizes. One thing to keep in mind is that this pillowcase has a matte finish, so it’s not noticeably shiny like some of the other options we tested. It does have a blouse-like appearance, which makes it seem more expensive than it really is. It’s also important to mention that the brand recommends dry cleaning, hand washing, and air drying its silk pillowcases. You can still put them in the washer and dryer, but you should use a mesh bag and set the machine on delicate, air-only, and low-heat cycles. All things considered, we still think the Fishers Finery silk pillowcase is overall a great value because it’s the perfect balance of price and quality. Product Details:
Momme: 25Closure: EnvelopeSizes: Standard, queen, and kingCare Instructions: Dry clean or hand wash preferred (or machine wash on delicate in a mesh bag); lay flat to dry
Even though Brooklinen is best known for its linen and cotton sheets, the brand’s silk pillowcase was a top performer in our at-home tests. Right out of the package, it felt soft and silky to the touch, but thicker and less delicate than many of the other pillowcases we tried. Our testers absolutely loved the Celestial Blue pattern, which features a pretty constellation design, but it’s also available in different colors and limited edition patterns if you’re looking for something else. Brooklinen recommends hand washing its silk pillowcase, but you can also throw it in the washer on delicate and lay it flat to dry (which is what we did during our testing). Even though the site doesn’t list the momme, the brand confirmed that it’s made with 22-momme silk. The only downside we found was that this silk pillowcase doesn’t have a zippered closure. The side-envelope closure is easy to get your pillow in and out of, but our pillow moved around a bit every night so we had to adjust it in the morning. Product Details:
Momme: 22Closure: EnvelopeSizes: Standard and kingCare Instructions: Hand wash with cold water (preferred) or machine wash on delicate; lay flat to dry
If you feel like treating yourself (or a loved one) to a high-quality silk pillowcase, then Blissy’s Dream Set is definitely worth splurging on. The four-piece set comes with a silk pillowcase, two scrunchies (one thin and one thick), and a sleep mask. Each piece is made with 22-momme mulberry silk, which is OEKO-TEX certified and machine-washable. After sleeping on the silk pillowcase, our testers described it as extremely soft and silky. In fact, it was one of the highest-scoring pillowcases we tested in terms of quality and softness. Our at-home tester also said that this zippered silk pillowcase fit like it was custom-made, which was a nice change compared to some pillowcases that had excessive amounts of fabric. The brand’s suggested care instructions are a bit different than most: Machine wash on delicate and tumble dry on low for 20 minutes, then air dry the rest of the way. We followed those guidelines and found that the silk pillowcase remained just as luxuriously soft after the wash and dry cycle. The silk set only comes in six colors, which is quite limited, but the neutral and pastel hues are bound to match most bedroom styles. Product Details:
Momme: 22Closure: ZipperSizes: Standard, queen, and kingCare Instructions: Machine wash on delicate; dry on low for 20 minutes and then air dry
Our Testing Process
To come up with these recommendations, our at-home testers evaluated 21 silk pillowcases over the course of two months. First, they took note of any initial thoughts on how each pillowcase looked and felt right out of the package, evaluating things like fit (was there any excess fabric, or was it tough to get on?) and softness (did it feel smooth to the touch or scratchy and uncomfortable?). They also considered factors like closure type and size/color options. After that, they slept with each pillowcase for a full night. Our testers recorded their feedback on what it felt like to sleep on it. In the morning, they noted whether the pillowcase shifted or stayed in place throughout the night and if they saw a visible difference in their hair or skin. To test the durability of these silk pillowcases, we ran each one through a wash and dry cycle according to the brand’s instructions. Then, we took note of any post-wash damage, like pilling, shrinkage, ripped seams, and changes in fabric softness. Finally, we considered performance and price when deciding the overall value of each silk pillowcase.
How to Shop for Silk Pillowcases
Silk Type
By far, the most common type of silk is mulberry silk, which comes from silkworms that feed on leaves from mulberry plants. It’s usually what people are referring to when they talk about silk as a material. All of the silk pillowcases on our list are made with mulberry silk, but non-mulberry silks can come from other types of silkworms, spiders, and mussels. “[Silk] is a wonderfully strong fiber, but sometimes has the reputation of being delicate or hard to care for,” Brewer says. “More often than not this is actually due to the weave—satin can snag, showing pulls across its lustrous surface.” It’s important to remember that satin refers to the weave, while mulberry silk is a type of fiber. There are some satin pillowcases (made with polyester) on the market that feel almost as soft and smooth as mulberry silk. Even though they can feel quite similar, satin pillowcases aren’t the same as silk pillowcases. Brewer describes silk as “coveted” because it’s one of the strongest natural fibers—and it’s even stronger than cotton. “It is also a hypoallergenic fiber, and with proper care can resist odors well,” she adds.
Momme
When shopping for silk pillowcases, you’ll often see a term called “momme.” The number essentially indicates the weight of the silk. “Momme is the measurement system combining grams per meter and thread counts to identify different qualities (grades) of silk fabric,” says Brewer. Lower numbers mean the fabric is finer and lighter, while higher numbers mean the fabric contains more silk, so it’s thicker and heavier.
Closure
You’ll find a bunch of different closure types on pillowcases. Pillowcases with zipper closures performed the best in our tests (by far), because they prevent your pillow from accidentally sliding out while you’re sleeping. Envelope or flap closures are the next best option because they still keep your pillow pretty secure. Pillowcases with open ends on one side often moved around a lot throughout the night, but that’s something that might not bother some people.
Care Instructions
Even though silk is typically known for being difficult to care for, many brands advertise their silk products as “washable” nowadays. Most of the silk pillowcases on this list are machine washable on delicate cycles. Some are even safe to put in the dryer on very low heat, but it’s generally recommended to let silk air dry. (More tips on how to wash silk pillowcases below.)
More Silk Pillowcases to Consider
Quince Mulberry Silk Pillowcase:This pillowcase from Quince is made with super soft silk that felt nice against our skin, but our testers thought that the sizing was way off. The queen/standard size pillowcase had a lot of excess fabric, and it was hard to fit a standard pillow through the zipper opening. Night Clean Silk Pillowcase: This silk pillowcase wasn’t nearly as soft as the others we tested, and it felt a bit “stiff” after being washed. But since it’s made with untreated silk fibers, this pillowcase could be a good choice for anyone who prioritizes clean, all-natural materials. Bedsure Satin Pillowcase Set: These Bedsure pillowcases aren’t actually made with silk fibers, but our testers found that the satin finish of the polyester material was barely distinguishable from the real thing. It’s not the same as a real silk pillowcase, but its soft and smooth feel makes it a good alternative for people who are on a tight budget.
Questions You Might Ask
Do silk pillowcases have anti-aging benefits?
The anti-aging benefits alone might be the reason you’re interested in a silk pillowcase. They’re often believed to be good for skin and hair for a variety of reasons. Using a silk pillowcase—because of its extremely smooth surface—can reduce the creases that often appear on your face after sleeping on your side. But according to Dr. Mack, sleeping on your back is the best way to avoid sleep creases. “Silk is less porous and does not pull water from the skin in the way that a cotton or linen pillowcase will,” she says. This means that silk won’t steal as much moisture (or expensive serums) as other materials. “Moreover, it is a smoother, slicker surface [that reduces] friction of the skin and hair. These intrinsic properties help to minimize the appearance of etched-in lines on the face and frizzy hair in the morning.” But it’s important to note that a silk pillowcase can’t provide certain anti-aging benefits (like increased collagen production) in the way that retinoids and other skincare ingredients can, adds Dr. Mack.
What’s the best way to wash a silk pillowcase?
Silk is extremely strong when it’s dry, but it gets much weaker when it’s wet. So to make sure that your silk pillowcase stays in good shape, it’s important that you’re extra gentle when washing your bedding. “Since silk is a very sensitive fabric, it can only be machine washed if the cycle is truly delicate, using cold water, low agitation, and a shorter cycle (i.e. less time submerged in water),” says Boyd. “We’ve machine-washed many silk items here at The Laundress with great results, however, we always recommend using mesh bags to provide an extra layer of protection in the wash.” But to be extra safe, you can’t go wrong with simply washing your delicate items by hand. Boyd recommends making sure you don’t let silk soak for more than 30 minutes and avoid wringing the fabric. “Once your wash cycle or hand soak is finished, always air dry silk pieces,” says Boyd, who notes that the heat of a dryer can “burn the delicate silk fibers.” But it’s also worth noting that some brands say it’s safe to put their silk pillowcases in the dryer, so always make sure you double-check the care instructions for your specific pillowcase. “To reduce drying time, roll up items in a clean, dry towel after washing and lightly press out excess water. Laying items flat or over a hanging rack to dry will help to avoid creasing.”
How do you prevent stains on silk pillowcases?
One downside to silk pillowcases is that they can stain pretty easily from things like drool and body and skincare oils. According to Boyd, the secret to making sure these stains don’t set is by pretreating them as soon as possible. “For drool marks, try simply blotting with a damp cloth in the morning to prevent a stain from forming,” she says. “For tougher marks, we recommend treating silks with gentle, efficacious stain-specific removers for best results.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Amina Lake Abdelrahman, a commerce editor for Real Simple with four years of experience writing about home products. To come up with this list, we tested 21 silk pillowcases at home for two months. We narrowed down the options by considering factors like fabric softness, durability, quality, and more. For expert insight, Amina interviewed Lindsey Boyd, co-founder of The Laundress; Lian Mack, M.D., board-certified dermatologist; and Laurie Anne Brewer, associate curator of costume and textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.
