The 7 Best Silk Pillowcases to Buy in 2018

Take care of your hair and skin as you sleep

By Ayn-Monique Klahre

Updated 09/26/18

Caucasian woman sleeping in bed
Mike Kemp / Getty Images

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A natural fiber, silk has somewhat magical properties, which is why it's perfect for pillowcases. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, with resistance to bacteria, mold, and bugs. It's odorless, too, so it’s a great choice for someone with allergies or sensitive skin. The fabric wicks moisture to help with temperature regulation as well.

Silk even contains proteins that can benefit the hair and skin. And when the fabric is made using a satin weave, it creates a smooth (yes, silky) surface that won’t pull on hair or skin while you sleep, making the material a beauty expert favorite for pillowcases.

Unlike other bedding, where you may look at thread count as a measure of quality, the grade of silk fabric is gauged by the momme ( moe-mee, abbreviated mm) weight. Silk fabrics with a momme weight of 12 to 19 pounds are considered good quality for pillowcases. Less than 12 means it might not be durable enough for long-time use. From 19 to the low 20s is considered especially luxurious. Beyond that, the fabric would be too thick to be comfortable and is better suited for applications like upholstery. Naturally, higher momme also means a higher price.

There are also synthetic silks woven from polyester, which can offer some of the benefits of natural silk at a lower price. The gold standard silk weave is called charmeuse, which creates a smooth, polished surface. That weave can be done with real or synthetic silks.

We spend a third of our lives in bed, so investing in a product that will guarantee better skin and hair seems worth it! But since doing a bed-full of silk sheets can be quite expensive, using silk pillowcases alone is a good option. You get the benefits of sleeping on silk without the high price tag. When you're looking best silk pillowcases for your needs, we have a few picked out.

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  • 01 of 07

    Best Overall: Fishers Finery 100% Pure 25mm Silk Pillowcase

    For most people, the best silk pillowcase combines high-quality construction with an affordable price. The Fishers Finery pillowcase is made of 100 percent long-strand silk from mulberry-fed silkworms, the gold standard in the silk pillowcase world. It has a momme weight of 25, so it's ultra luxurious.

    The pillowcase has received the Good Housekeeping Seal from the company’s textile research labs, which test the material for durability and softness. It is available in 11 colors, including pale neutrals and rich jewel tones to match a variety of bedding, and in two pillowcase sizes.

    You will have to take care with this luxurious fabric, though. Plan to hand-wash or dry clean the pillowcase, and hang it to dry instead of putting it in the dryer.

  • 02 of 07

    Best Budget: Sweet Dreams Blissford Luxury Satin Pillowcase

    One easy way to save on a silk pillowcase is to choose one made from a synthetic silk, like polyester. When it’s done in a traditional satin weave, it will feel just as smooth as natural silk and offer many of the same benefits as well.

    A satin weave won’t pull at your face when you toss and turn, making it easier on your skin. It won’t tangle your hair, either, which will help you wake up without bedhead or kinks.

    The Blissford Luxury Satin Pillowcase from Sweet Dreams hits all these points. It is made of 100 percent polyester and has nearly 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon. It’s available in 24 fun colors and patterns, including animal prints and jewel tones. You can either match your sheets or let the pillow serve as an exciting contrast to your bedding.

  • 03 of 07

    Best for Hair: Slip Silk Pillowcase

    SLIP® SILK PILLOWCASE
    Courtesy of Pottery Barn

    Whether you’re looking to extend a pricey blowout, have naturally dry hair, or curly hair that tangles easily, a silk pillowcase can help you out. Since the weave is so smooth, it allows your hairs to glide over the pillow while you sleep, so they don’t get tangled up. Plus, silk doesn’t absorb moisture, so it won’t pull moisture from your hair as you sleep and make it look dry or frizzy.

    Made from 100 percent mulberry silk, the Slip Silk Pillowcase is an established favorite. It comes in seven soothing colors, allowing you to easily match it back to the sheets on your bed or choose a complementary color for a spa-like experience.

    The fabric for this silk pillowcase is OEKO-TEX, which is certified to be free of chemicals. It's healthy for you and the environment, too.

  • 04 of 07

    Best for Skin: Alaska Bear Natural Silk Pillowcase

    Silk pillowcases tout many benefits for the skin. The smooth fabric doesn't tug on the skin, so it won’t damage delicate areas as you’re sleeping and it can even soften creases.

    Since natural silk doesn't hold moisture, it won’t absorb your skin products while you’re sleeping, giving them a chance to work their magic. And it won’t absorb other oils or grime, either. Even if you go to bed with a full face of makeup, you don’t have to worry as much that it will get onto your pillowcase like it would with cotton.

    The Alaska Bear Natural Silk Pillowcase is perfect for keeping your skin beautiful. It is a top-rated pillowcase on Amazon, with more than 3,500 positive reviews.

    It’s available in over 25 colors, all created with natural dyes, and an undyed option as well. The fabric is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified. It’s available in seven sizes, including body pillows and squares, in addition to the standard, queen, and king sizes.

    Continue to 5 of 7 below.
  • 05 of 07

    Best for Active Sleepers: MYK 19mm Silk Pillowcase With Cotton Underside

    One problem with silk pillowcases: They’re so smooth they might just slide off the bed! If you’re an active sleeper who spends their night tossing and turning, it can be hard to keep a silk pillowcase on your bed. If you still want the benefits that a silk pillowcase offers, there is a solution.

    A pillowcase that’s silk on one side and cotton on the other, is the one for you. The MYK 19mm Silk Pillowcase is a great choice.

    Available in king, queen, standard, and toddler sizes, the top of this pillowcase is made from 100 percent 19mm mulberry silk and the bottom from cotton. The fabrics are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified to be chemical free. It’s available in 19 colors to match your existing sheets and blend in with your bedroom decor.

  • 06 of 07

    Best for Travel: Spasilk 100% Silk Pillowcase

    Once you get used to all the benefits of sleeping with a silk pillow, you may want to take it with you wherever you go! Whether you’re headed on a road trip, getting on a plane, or planning to camp (or maybe it’s, “glamp”), consider investing in a small silk pillowcase that you can carry along.

    Sometimes billed as toddler size, a travel size pillow is typically smaller than a standard pillow at just 14.5 inches by 19.5 inches. However, it’s still big enough to sleep on comfortably.

    The Spasilk pillowcase is a 100 percent silk pillow. It is hypoallergenic and breathable, though the toddler size is only available in white. That's okay because you don't need to match anything in your travels! With nearly 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon, you can rest assured that it's a great pick.

  • 07 of 07

    Best Patterned: SLPBaby Silk Pillowcase

    While many silk pillowcases come in soothing pastels, neutral colors, or pale shades of white and ivory, some people want a little more flair! If you want your silk pillowcase to act as much as an accent pillow as it does a bed pillow, look for a silk pillowcase with a bold pattern and color.

    The SLPBaby Silk Pillowcases are made of 100 percent 16 momme mulberry silk, a fabric with proven benefits for the hair and skin. The really fun part is the colors and patterns it comes in.

    Brilliant watercolor florals, dreamy damasks, and playful paisleys are just some of the 30 color options for this pillowcase. You will find a few solid colors, too. Choose one that matches your bed or provides a striking contrast. It's available in three sizes and has a hidden zipper closure for a finished look.