Blog

11 Best Silk Pillowcases for Smoother Hair & Skin, Tested by Glamour Editors 2023 | Glamour

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 ever again. Silk’s texture prevents hair breakage and static caused by friction, and it can also help prevent wrinkles and breakouts. Throw in a white-noise machine, a weighted blanket, and some luxurious bed sheets, and you’re in for the best beauty sleep of your life. Silk Pillowslip

11 Best Silk Pillowcases for Smoother Hair & Skin, Tested by Glamour Editors 2023 | Glamour

Silk, derived from domesticated silkworms, is widely agreed to be less likely to contribute to fine lines than rougher materials like cotton. Plus, silk pillowcases might even make your beauty routine more effective: “They keep your products from escaping from your skin, so you can really ensure they are penetrating,” says celebrity facialist and La Mer global skin care adviser Georgia Louise. Perhaps most importantly, silk lessens the chances of breakage from moving around while you sleep, making for smoother, healthier hair.

The material is naturally hypoallergenic and prevents the buildup of dust mites, fungus, mold, and other allergens. Silk pillowcases also tend to be great at temperature regulating, which means less flipping your pillow to the cool side. While the effects of silk pillowcases on skin and hair are still under-researched, a few studies (like a 2019 article) have found promising results. Empirically, though, the material’s benefits are easy to see—just read the reviews for any silk pillowcase.

Ready to switch to a truly luxurious pillowcase? Here’s everything you need to know about picking one, plus a guide to our very favorite options that Glamour editors have tested extensively.

Our editors have slept on tons of silk pillowcases to evaluate differences in their design and materials, and these are the ones we (and countless reviewers) swear by. All of these picks are at least 19 momme and scored top marks in comfort, durability, and reducing hair flyaways as well as skin creases.

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.

Best on Amazon: J Jimoo Natural Silk Pillowcase

Despite its shocking value, this mulberry silk pillowcase holds its own against options that are triple or quadruple its price. In our testing, we found it to be gentle on skin and hair, with a medium weight that’s cool to the touch. It’s less slippery than other options, meaning you’re not as likely to slide around at night. A hidden zipper closure keeps it firmly in place and helps minimize the wrinkles that naturally occur in silk—a nice touch at this price point.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king Colors: 14 options Closure: Zipper Momme: 22 momme

What our tester said: J Jimoo’s pillowcase is one of the top-selling products in Glamour’s gift guides, so I had to try it for myself. Like any other silk option, it’s great for skin and hair—but I’m most impressed by how luxe it is for the price. It’s cool to the touch and truly soft, even beating out more expensive options that I’ve tested. There’s no external branding, which I prefer for my bed. It stains easily—there’s no way around that when you’re working with silk—but it’s impressively wrinkle-resistant after washing. (Just don’t, like, wear a hair mask to bed.) Overall, it’s a winner. Keep buying it, Glamour readers! —Jake Smith, Glamour commerce writer

Pros: Inexpensive, no external branding, not slippery

Cons: Shouldn’t be machine-dried, stains easily

Best Overall: Fishers Finery 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase 

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. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the material or you’re just getting started, it’s bound to impress.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king Colors: 11 options Closure: Envelope Momme: 25 momme

What our tester said: I’ve never been that girl who puts much thought into her bedding. Well into my 30s, I’m still buying the same sets from Urban Outfitters that I did when I was in college. No shade, I genuinely love its sheets—but after using this 25-momme pure mulberry silk pillowcase, I get why people invest in more luxurious fabrics. 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. —Lindsay Schallon, Glamour contributor

Pros: Relatively inexpensive, durable, lots of color options Cons: Shrinks unless you line-dry it

Most Popular: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase

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, 22-momme construction to the shiny finish and pretty shades, Slip is at the front of the pack in terms of design. But it also received rave reviews from editors for being one of the best in the bunch for helping with hair and skin (our resident beauty pro swears by it). The brand also makes scrunchies and sleep masks, should you want to never be without frizzy hair-fighting accessories. Although you can machine-wash your pillowcase, the brand, reviewers, and Glamour testers agree: Hand-wash for the best results.

Sizes: Queen, king Colors: 12 options Closure: Zipper Momme: 22 momme

What our tester said: 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. (Before, my hair got super-frizzy overnight). 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. I love it so much I even got the travel pillow. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour associate beauty editor

Pros: Lots of color options, cooling feel, great frizz-fighter

Cons: Might fray quickly if machine-washed

Save when you shop for the best silk pillowcases with these Nordstrom promo codes.

Best Splurge: Branché Silk Charmeuse Pillowcase

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, superior finishing, and a variety of rich shades. There’s an external tag, but it’s tiny and hidden on the back side of the envelope enclosure. It also holds up well with hand-washing; you don’t have to worry about a wrinkly appearance.

Sizes: Queen, king, boudoir Colors: 10 options Closure: Envelope Momme: 22 momme

What our tester said: I tested it out with both wet and dry uncovered hair, and I woke up on both days with hair that looked barely touched. I also noticed that my slumber felt much cooler thanks to the silky-soft fabric. —Brionna Jimerson, contributor

Pros: Super-soft material, cooling feel

Best Value: Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Quince specializes in well-made basics at low prices, and its mulberry silk pillowcases, which are $40, don’t disappoint. The material is on the thin side, with a 22-momme count, but it’s still supersoft on skin and hair. Even after washing, it doesn’t wrinkle or pucker much—just make sure you let it air-dry instead of throwing it in the machine.

Sizes: Queen, king Colors: 7 options Closure: Zipper Momme: 22 momme

What our tester said: I tend to get bedhead when my hair is naturally curly, but this 22-momme silk pillowcase keeps everything in one place, tangle- and crease-free as I sleep. With its $40 price point, it’s great value for the money (and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the brand has a 365-day return window). —Andrea Navarro, commerce writer

Pros: Relatively affordable, wide return window, no external branding

Best Colors: Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Brooklinen’s 100% mulberry silk case feels luxuriously smooth to the touch, and it’s just as cooling throughout the night. There’s no need to hand-wash this one—it’s well-made enough to withstand the machine on cold. Its best feature, though, is its wide range of gorgeous colors and patterns, ranging from sage to blush to a celestial design.

Sizes: Standard, king Colors: 7 options Closure: Envelope Momme: 22 momme

What our tester said: The Brooklinen silk pillowcase is the one that won my husband over, finally convincing him to accept silk pillowcases as a part of our life. The best part is how cool and crisp it stays all night. It’s super breathable and has survived every wash on cold. —D.S.

Pros: Durable design, great colors, cooling feel

Cons: Loses some softness after repeated washing

Best Patterned: Hill House Home Sisi Silk Pillowcase

Beyond its seriously soft mulberry silk, this pillowcase stands apart from the competition with meticulous attention to detail. There’s a hidden zip closure and contrast piping around the edges, and you can even add a monogram for an additional $15. The pattern not only adds some much-needed visual texture to your bedscape, but it also hides stains and wear. Just make sure you hand-wash, per the brand’s instructions.

Sizes: Standard, king Colors: 8 options Closure: Zipper Momme: 22 momme

What our tester said: New York–based brand Hill House Home makes some of the dreamiest bedding in a variety of colors and prints, and I picked up this pretty king-size silk pillowcase when it went on sale. (The brand also has a standard size, just no queen size.) 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. —Talia Abbas, senior commerce editor

Pros: Tons of colors, luxuriously soft, piping on edges

Cons: No queen size, should be hand-washed

Best 22-Momme: Blissy Silk Pillowcase

If you’re looking for a top-notch 22-momme option, the Blissy pillowcase really delivers (and according to many of our testers, it’s one of the best out there, though you can certainly find other top-notch affordable options). It’s super durable and handmade from pure mulberry silk—and thousands of reviews sing its praises, too, but it does wrinkle (and stay wrinkled) if that’s a deal breaker.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king Colors: 12 options Closure: Zipper Momme: 22 momme

Review: I’ve used my Blissy pillowcase for over two years, and it’s withstood countless washes and wears beautifully. It’s luxuriously soft and cool to the touch (perfect for hot sleepers), but it does wrinkle easily, so if you care about the look of your bed, it’s best to hide it behind a decorative pillow (even though they come in pretty shades). Pro tip: Be sure to fully wash your face before bed. Mine has a mascara stain that won’t come out, but thanks to the extreme comfort, I’m willing to overlook it. The one demerit is that the zippers are quite sharp, so be sure to tuck them in to avoid rolling over them in your sleep. Ouch! —Brie Schwartz, commerce director of Glamour and Teen Vogue

Pros: Lots of color options, durable construction

Save when you shop for the best silk pillowcases with these Nordstrom promo codes.

Best 25-Momme: MYK Silk Luxury Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

At 25 momme, 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. The fabric feels substantial and has a sheen that makes it look even more expensive than it is. 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: 10 options Closure: Envelope Momme: 25 momme

What our tester said: 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. Yes, my head slips and slides on the pillow, but my face no longer feels dry or dehydrated when I wake up. It’s perfect! —Khaliha Hawkins, contributor

Best Satin: Bedsure Satin Pillowcase (2-Pack)

If you’re vegan or looking for the feel of silk without the price tag, satin is a great alternative. This two-pack of polyester satin pillowcases clocks in at just $10, and it dupes many of the benefits of silk. Better yet, you can actually wash and dry these pillowcases without destroying them or fighting off wrinkles—they just aren’t as cooling as the real thing.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king, long king Colors: 28 options Closure: Envelope Momme: N/A

What our tester said: I style my hair every morning, which means I’ll take all the prep help I can get. Ever since I started sleeping with this pillowcase, I—no joke—have not woken up with bed head. I’ve been able to straighten and curl my hair faster, without swatting away frizz or flyaways. As much as I love my linen bedding set, I can’t go back to sleeping on anything other than this pillowcase. —Shanna Shipin, contributing editor

Pros: Wide array of sizes and colors, budget-friendly, machine-washable

Best for Sensitive Skin: Parachute Silk Pillowcase

Parachute’s matte silk option is just as smoothing as other options here, but with an added bonus: It’s Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning it’s been rigorously tested for potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics that might irritate skin. The fabric feels substantial and soft, but not overly slippery.

Sizes: Standard, king Colors: 2 options Closure: Envelope Momme: 25 momme

What our tester said: Once you’ve tried a silk pillowcase, there’s truly no going back. The high-quality 25 momme of this one is impossibly soft and stays cool throughout the night, but the best part is how gentle it is on my skin and hair. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour senior beauty editor

Pros: Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified, matte look

11 Best Silk Pillowcases for Smoother Hair & Skin, Tested by Glamour Editors 2023 | Glamour

Microfiber Pillowcase © 2023 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices