Best Silk Pillowcase for Hair, Skin and Acne – 2023 Update

Japan produces some of the world’s finest silk. It is also the first country to study silkworms and the qualities of the fibre using scientific ethology. Silkworms are caterpillars of a moth called Bombyx mori.

One cocoon comprises of two elements: fibroin which is the fibre itself and makes up most of the cocoon, and Sericin which is the gum holding the fibre together. A cocoon produces around a thousand feet of filament. One yard of the material requires three-thousand cocoons.

Breeding silkworms for production is called Sericulture. Sericulture is an ancient cultivation practise that has not changed through the ages. Science has tried to imitate the qualities of the fibre in the manufacture of polyester and nylon.

As yet, science has not bee able to imitate the same molecular structure of liquid secreted by silkworms before solidifying into strands stronger than the equivalent steel. For this reason, the wondrous natural fibre created by thousands of tiny caterpillars, is still a fine choice when choosing fabrics.

Silk is less binding to the wearer. For this reason, it makes perfect bedding material due to elasticity. Fibres can stretch to around one-fifth of the initial length and then return to the original size.

It means bed sheets will consistently look attractive on the bed due to the absence of bunching and sagging after a night’s sleep. On top of that, the fabric has increased resistance to wrinkling.

Because it’s a protein, it is a non-conductor of heat, unlike synthetic fibres.

One “imitator” is rayon. So called a ’semi-synthetic’ fibre because it is chiefly made from wood pulp. The pulp is then chemically converted into a soluble substance. Rayon fibres are easily dyed and highly absorbent making them cool to wear in humid climates.

Rayon does not insulate body heat as well as the real thing. It is also described as having a slimy feel to the material. The qualities of silk is suitable for bedding over a wide range of climates from tropical heat to winter chill.

In nature, predators are numerous such as birds, other insects, and bacteria to name a few. Silkworms are vulnerable when awaiting metamorphosis to moths. Evolving over thousands of years, this combination of fibres and the gum sericin, provide an effective defence against predators.

In modern life with the use of synthetics, chemicals, and food additives, allergies have risen significantly in the last fifty years. Sufferers are well award of the problem of dust mites, mold, fungus, and pesticides. Silk has a natural defence against such allergens and yet processing cocoons into the strands consists of nothing more than water and steam.

Fabrics such as cotton and rayon are frequently sold with small bags of chemicals such as silica gel, activated alumina, or anhydrous calcium sulfate. These chemicals help absorb moisture, deter mold growth, and stop pests such as silverfish.

It needs no chemical interference for defence as the fibre is a natural hypoallergenic.

Silk is a natural absorber of moisture. Depending on the type, the fibre on average can absorb eleven percent of its weight in moisture. Absorbency also permits dyes and patterns to be easily printed giving lasting vibrancy.

Due to a lustrous finish, sheets will not attract dirt and stains as easily as other fabrics. Gentle washing with mild soap is all it takes to look after the best silk sheets. The one exception is washing with chlorine bleaches such as sodium hypochlorite that will deteriorate the material.

Charmeuse Silk is named after the satin weave whereby the wrap threads cross four or more of the backing threads.

A characteristic of this type of weave is the smooth satin finish on one side while the back has a dull feel to the fabric. The material drapes well but charmeuse can cling against the body. A good choice for lingerie and the lining of men’s jackets, handkerchiefs, ties and boxer shorts.

Charmeuse has many lookalikes such as polyester. But like most synthetics, the polyester is not as wearable, lacking the breathable, moisture absorption of pure silk.

It’s lightweight and suitable for pillow cases and sheets. It is made from farm worms that are cultivated purely for silk production. It’s main advantage is that it causes least hair damage – you can see our guide on sleeping with long hair here.

Habotai is a Japanese word meaning ‘feather two layers’. It is a shimmering material once used for making kimonos.

It is often found as an ivory color. Today the traditional Japanese plain weave is done in China.

Mostly utilized for t-shirts and lampshades, Hobotai is the cheapest type to buy and is generally less durable than other types.

Dupioni has been produced by generations of Ansari people in India. The material supplies wedding dresses in that country. It is a tight-woven yardage with two or more entangled cocoons in the weft.

It is heavier and thicker than other types and rather coarse, not ideal for bed linen. The technique of using differing colored threads throughout the warp and weft gives an iridescent effect.

It’s popular for bridal formal wear, upholstery and curtain drapery, but must be protected with underlining as the material degrades in sunlight.

Tussar silk is unique. Silkworms are tended by tribal Indians in the Malda district of West Bengal. The industry in Bhagalpur has about thirty-thousand handloom weavers in a century old industry.

In recent years, fashion designers are increasingly discovering Tussar silk for their designs. The bespoke garments are exported to Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the United States.

Also known as Kosa it is made from wild silk worms in forest trees known as Terminalia (terminal) and the Shala Tree. Tussar is valued because of the natural deep gold color.

It is regarded as a forest product and said to have more texture than mulberry. It is less durable than other types however due to shorter fibres.

Mulberry silk is by far the most popular bedding sheet material – it’s the type of silk that most of the best silk sheets and best silk comforters are made of.

First cultivation of Mulberry was by peoples of the Indus Valley Civilization who took wild silkworms to start the first sericulture. China is the largest producer of the Mulberry followed by India.

The cocoons are dun colored and live exclusively on leaves of the white Mulberry tree. Today, Mulberry silkworms, Bombyx mori, are bread indoors.

In bygone eras, silk was the elite possession of the rich. It was considered an appropriate gift for the Emperor. Mulberry silk is renowned for it shine and softness. Robes and gowns were noted for the richness in pattern and color. Apart from the sensuous feel of a luxurious fabric, it is exceptional for bedding because of knowing health benefits. The hypoallergenic properties are the reason why the best silk pillowcases are made using Mulberry.

Pure silk stops cold air from sinking into the mattress material.

On hot nights when seeking relief from fans or air-conditioning, cool air circulating the body will not escape as it would through cotton or synthetic sheets, but rather stays for comfort.

Conversely, cold air as a result of moisture build-up in mattress material is transferring cooled air into the warmth of a body on a winter’s night when warmth is needed most. Mulberry sheets act as a natural barrier to heat-loss transfer.

It’s also the reason why the best silk pillowcases are praised, especially for people who are exptremely hot or cold sleepers.

Mulberry sheets also act as a natural deterrent. The ongoing debate as to why mattresses gain weight over time is one of intrigue.

Dead skin, colonies of dust mites, oil, and moisture build up in the average bedding.

Karen Mahoney from The International Sleep Product Association claims to have heard of mattresses doubling weight in just eight years.

Ohio State University found in a study that on average a mattress can hold up to ten million dust mites inside the materials. A natural deterrent to micro organisms makes for a sound night’s sleep.

Other factors ensuring a better rest on silk sheets is the elastic nature of the fibres. The facbric is less likely to bunch up. Bunching robs areas of body warmth. Flat sheeting distributes warmth evenly.

This combined with the knowledge that body heat is not uniform throughout the duration of a night’s sleep, especially evident in many women. What is a comfortable heat at the start of sleep will find many in a lather of sweat during the early hours before dawn.

Due to the high absorbency, excess moisture produced through overheating and sweat is wicked away from the body allowing a comfortable night.