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The 10 Best Silk Pillowcases, Tested & Reviewed

 

What sweet dreams are made of.

A silk pillowcase is a multi-functional purchase. First off, they look really pretty — it’s obvious that they bring a touch of luxury to any bedroom. Yet, it’s their beauty benefits for both hair and skin that far outweigh the rest. “Silk pillowcases are universally beneficial all hair types and textures," says Jenna Spino, hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “Silk will help to maintain the moisture in the hair, leaving it more hydrated, shinier, and less frizzy.”

But, the market is flooded with options and it can be tricky to parse what’s worth the investment and what's too flimsy to fare long-term. From favorite bedding brands to the top Amazon picks, our team of editors, beauty experts, and product testers set out to find the best of the best. InStyle editors spent weeks testing each one, evaluating for the breathability level of the fabric, its skin- and hair-smoothing abilities, along with the variety of color options available, only the best, silkiest, dreamiest pillowcases earned a spot on our list that will completely rejuvenate your hair and skin come morning. 

Best Overall

Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• Slip’s pillowcases feel luxuriously soft and look sophisticatedly chic.

What We Don’t Love

• The fabric wrinkles easily.

Over the past several years, Slip has become a go-to among wellness experts for all things beauty sleep — from eye masks and hair scrunchies to silk pillowcases and beyond, the brand is dominating the market, and we must admit, our experiencing testing items from the brand lives up to the hype. The high price tag for a single queen-size pillowcase may feel shocking at first, but the brand’s proprietary silk blend (that took years to develop) has been proven to outperform its peers when it comes to reducing friction (goodbye frizz) and absorption (all those expensive face moisturizers will actually melt into your skin and not your pillowcase).

Not only did we wake up to softer, more manageable hair that allowed us to extend our blowouts another day or two, but our sensitive skin also appeared less red in the morning, likely from the lack of friction as we tossed and turned during the night. After a few weeks, we noticed that our consistently congested skin around our chin and jaw looked better, and our breakouts and bumpy whiteheads started to became less frequent, and now we rarely have a breakout in that spot at all. Although the fabric wrinkles easily, it feels soft and cooling to the touch, which adds to the luxury. 

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Queen, king | Colors: 16 

 

Best Budget

Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

What We Love

• It’s got all the skin and hair benefits of a silk pillowcase but without the high price tag. 

What We Don’t Love

• While satin looks just as nice as silk, it’s a synthetic material and doesn’t feel as luxe.

This budget-friendly pick from Kitsch gets the job done with a chic look that provides a restful sleep experience and smoother strands come morning, especially if you shower at night. After rinsing off the day before jumping into bed, the last thing we want to do is use a hair dryer or wait for it to air dry, but when we went to sleep with wet hair on this silk pillowcase, our curls were more defined, less frizzy, and much shinier than the nights we used a cotton pillowcase. Another unexpected perk? Its cool sensation felt amazing on our slightly sunburned skin after spending a summer day at the beach.  

If you’re prone to irritation from synthetic materials, take note that this satin blend is made from polyester and not true silk, rendering the price right, but the experience a tad less luxurious — though it still yields a soft overall feel. 

Material: 100% polyester satin | Size: Queen, king | Colors: 11

Best for Frizz

Tafts Pure Mulberry 6A Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• It comes in both “envelope” flap and zipper closure styles. 

What We Don’t Love

• The fabric is on the thin side, though it still feels high-quality. 

An excellent choice that comes in numerous hues and prints, this pillowcase will keep your hair frizz-free and leave you feeling refreshed each morning, particularly if you're prone to overdoing it with hair dryers and hot tools. Sleeping on this pillowcase really made a difference with our hair on those hot summer days when it seems like your hair poofs with frizz the moment you step outside. It helped keep our hair looking smooth and flyaway-free, allowing us to squeak one more day out of our blowout.

We also liked being able to choose one of two pillowcase closure styles — an envelope flap and a zipper closure — and though the weight of this silk fabric was thinner than others we tested, it was a great choice for summer.

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, queen, king | Colors: 22

 

Best Machine Washable

Fishers Finery Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• This pillowcase comes with a mesh bag for easy machine washing. 

What We Don’t Love

• If you use extra-fluffy pillows, the standard size may be a bit tight. 

A silk pillowcase with super easy care instructions? Count us in. In addition to coming with an included mesh bag that makes machine washing easy and risk-free, the Fishers Finery offering boasts a high quality natural silk fiber, breathable and cooling feel, and thoughtful envelope flap design that keeps your pillowcase aligned all night long — no matter your tossing and turning habits.

We already thought our sleep set-up was pretty great, but throwing this silk pillowcase into the mix really upped the ante — we found ourselves sinking right in and falling asleep within minutes from night one. It regulated our body temperature really well, too — even in the middle of a summer heat wave. We should note that the standard size fits most regular pillows, but if yours are extra fluffy, it's a good idea to size up.

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, queen, king | Colors: 11

Best Satin

Bedsure Satin Pillowcase

What We Love

• These pillowcases come in a set of 2 (and are under $20!). 

What We Don’t Love

• If you’re a rough sleeper, these pillowcases may not stay put through the night.

Satin offers a more affordable alternative to silk with many of the same hair smoothing and skin clearing benefits. This set from Bedsure seriously impressed us and we found ourselves loving it just as much as the silk options — sometimes even more. Given that the price point is under $20, and the fact they come in a set of two, it's a true value purchase that is worth far more than the pricetag.

Material: 100% polyester satin | Size: Standard, queen, king | Colors: 23

Best for Wrinkles

Celestial Silk Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• This super soft silk pillowcase made a notable difference in reducing one tester’s fine lines over time. 

What We Don’t Love

• If an arctic oasis is what you're after, our tester notes that this pillowcase didn’t stay cool all night. 

Silk pillowcases that help smooth hair and prevent breakage are a dime a dozen, but finding one that actually improves skin texture is a different story. That rare benefit requires extra softness and high-quality fibers, factors this Celestial Silk pillowcase provides in spades. We noticed a difference in our hair from the very first night we slept on it, and at the end of our 10-week test, not only did our hair look healthier overall, but our fine lines and crow's feet have improved too. Our formerly deep creases started to appear more shallow and subtle, which we are still genuinely jazzed about. With 25 fun colors and prints to choose from, it wasn't a challenge at all to find one that matched our bedroom aesthetic.

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, queen, king | Colors: 25

Best Color Choices

Adubor 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• The brand’s color offering is full of rich and sophisticated hues — with 22 options available.

What We Don’t Love

• This silk isn’t fully resistant to soaking up some of your favorite skincare products.

Let’s be real, silk pillowcases aren’t just functional for hair and skin health — they also happen to look pretty in your bedroom. We love this Adubor pick for the brand’s strong color offering. With 22 shade options, there’s something to compliment every decor scheme. (We’re partial to the Lilac Grey, Bean Green, and Taupe.)

Our fine hair gets frizzy fast, and our roots tend to feel heavy and greasy within a day of washing it, and we were definitely excited about the smoothing effects of this silk pillowcase, we were surprised that it helped regulate the oiliness, too. However at times, the fabric felt a bit too thin and moisture-absorbent for us (we run hot), so we're going to keep this one for winter nights only. As a bonus: The hidden zipper is a plus that gives the pillowcase a more refined look.

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, queen, king | Colors: 22

 

Best for Curly Hair

Hill House Home Sisi Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• Hill House offers unique prints that provide unparalleled elegance. 

What We Don’t Love

• The king-sized pillowcase was far too big for our king-sized pillows; however, the standard size is spot on.

Even compared to other pillowcases we tested in a similar price range, the Hill House Home Sisi stands out from the rest, thanks to its luxurious, buttery feel.

It's especially important for curly hair types to sleep on high-quality silk to lock in moisture and prevent breakage. And our curly hair is especially vulnerable due to years of highlighting and gloss treatments, but after three or four weeks, it seemed like our delicate curls weren't breaking off at the ends the way they used to with cotton or linen pillowcases. Even better, if you're into frilly prints and girly colors, there's no better brand for your sleep style than Hill House Home’s hand-crafted prints (although we do wish they had queen-size pillowcases and not just king sets).

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, king | Colors: 7

Best for Hot Sleepers

Parachute Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• This silk pillowcase is matte — which is a rarity for this fabric. 

What We Don’t Love

• This high-quality pillowcase only comes in white.

Parachute is one of our absolute favorite home and bedding brands. They prioritize organic materials using high-quality fibers and sustainable production practices. Their silk pillowcase is no different, making for a calming and cooling night’s sleep. It felt very breathable, which made us feel confident about putting our sensitive skin on top of the fabric. We woke up each morning feeling clean and light — we think the natural fibers prevented any sweat from registering on our skin or hair.

It's definitely on the more luxurious end of, but the superior quality is obvious when you feel it as well as when you look at it, making it well worth the investment. Plus, most silk pillowcases have a bright shine to them — we love that the Parachute one appears slightly matte, giving it a cooler and more modern edge, despite only being available in white.

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, king | Colors: White

Best for Thick Hair

Jocoku Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

What We Love

• Though natural silk is often thin and wrinkle-prone, these cases hold up well to the wear of thick hair. 

What We Don’t Love

• These cases can lose some luster and softness after a few washes. 

We love our thick curly hair, but it can be temperamental and unruly, too. We were a little skeptical that a silk pillowcase would do much for our coils, but we were thrilled to see how much tamer our hair looked each morning, even after the nights we didn't sleep well and knew we were rolling around on our pillowcase. Falling near the middle price point of all the pillowcases we tested, Jocoku offers a quality silk that feels exceedingly soft and cool to the touch, although we did notice some of the luster faded after several weeks and multiple washings.

Material: 100% mulberry silk | Size: Standard, queen, king | Colors: 8

What to Keep in Mind

• Material: When purchasing a silk pillowcase, it’s important to look for fabric that is 100% silk. Mulberry silk is the highest quality out there and products labeled “22 momme” or “25 momme” offer superior softness and durability — the number accounts for how much silk is present per square inch of material, meaning the higher the number, the better the quality. Some brands may try to market their bedding as silk, when it’s actually satin or a polyester blend — though satin and silk look similar, satin doesn’t provide the same caliber of skin and hair benefits. That said, satin is a good option for those shopping on a budget.
• Size: This may seem like a no-brainer, but know what size your pillows are before purchasing pillowcases. I’ve made the mistake of ordering too-small cases before and it’s a hassle. And, if you want to be extra precise, examine the exact measurements of the product against your personal pillow — “standard” sizes can be different across various countries and manufacturers, so it doesn’t hurt to double check. And no matter the size, don’t be alarmed if you have to buy two — most silk pillowcases are not sold in sets. 

Your Questions, Answered

How do you wash a silk pillowcase?

Product care for silk pillowcases can vary from brand to brand. These days, most are machine washable, though it's recommended to use a mesh laundry bag and wash on a delicate setting. Air drying will ensure the greatest life extension of the product, though machine drying can also be fine. Wrinkles are unavoidable with silk and will typically smooth out after a few days. Read the product care info for your specific pillowcase for best results. 

Are silk pillowcases good for skin?

Yes! According to board-certified plastic surgeon and adjunct professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Reid Maclellan, silk pillowcases are beneficial for skin because they don’t pull as much as other fabrics like cotton. “This prevents creasing of the skin and can help to minimize fine lines and wrinkles long-term,” he says. “And because silk is a less absorbable fabric, a silk pillowcase will not absorb as much product from the skin as other pillowcases might, leaving products on the face so they do their job overnight.”

Why are silk pillowcases better for hair?

Silk pillowcases benefit hair similarly to how they benefit skin, by reducing pulling. “Silk is smooth and soft, causing less friction and static on the hair. Friction from cotton or other fabrics disrupts the cuticle layer, leading to frizz, tangles, breakage, and dry strands,” says Spino. “With silk, the hair just slides on the pillowcase instead of creating tension which causes breakage and tangles.”

And, the benefits of silk aren’t just for frizz and curls. Straight strands will see reduced static when sleeping on silk too. “They also help prolong a blowout because silk encourages the outer layer of the hair cuticle to lay flat, maintaining your style and keeping the strands looking and feeling smooth,” adds Spino.

Are silk or satin pillowcases better?

They’re different. Silk is a naturally occurring, organic fiber, while satin is an artificial material, commonly made from polyester. Silk is definitely the more luxurious option — and for that reason, it’s often much more expensive. Satin is a great budget-friendly alternative that offers similar effects. But, if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation from synthetic fabrics, you’ll want to make the investment and spring for silk. 

Why Shop With Us

Linne Halpern is a freelance beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer. To write this story, she assisted InStyle editors with testing and interviewed two experts, Jenna Spino, a hair stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, as well as board-certified plastic surgeon and adjunct professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Reid Maclellan.