Silky Smooth Sleep: The 11 Best Silk Pillowcases

Let’s be honest. Beauty sleep isn’t always so beautiful. Yes, you wake up feeling rested and rejuvenated, but a deep sleep often comes with the cost—that being knotted hair, swollen eyelids, wrinkled skin, and sometimes even breakouts. 

So, what do you do about it? After all, you can’t just give up sleeping. 

Well, over the past few years, everyone—and we mean everyone—has been talking about the magical powers of silk pillowcases, with many influencers claiming that they prevent hair breakage, breakouts and early wrinkles. 

But can we trust them? 

In our experience, silk pillowcases are well worth the (relatively small) investment. However, not all silk pillowcases are created equal and the one you choose will have a huge impact on the benefits you get out of it. 

That being said, it’s hard to know whether you’ve landed on a winner unless you have something to compare it to or you know what you’re looking for. 

Which is where we come in, with our tried and tested list of the best silk pillowcases. 

Psst…they also make great gifts for women (and men).

Satin vs silk pillowcase 

Silk pillowcases are made from natural silk fibers, offering a softer, more luxurious feel with natural temperature-regulating and hypoallergenic properties. Satin pillowcases, on the other hand, are made from synthetic fibers like polyester. They are designed to mimic silk’s smoothness at a lower cost but they don’t have the same natural benefits and they aren’t as breathable or durable. We believe it’s always better (and more sustainable) to invest in real silk pillowcases.

The benefits of silk pillowcases

Silk pillowcases offer a range of benefits, primarily due to their smooth, frictionless surface. They are gentle on both skin and hair, reducing the likelihood of wrinkles and minimizing hair breakage, tangling, and frizz. This makes them particularly beneficial for those with delicate, curly, or prone-to-tangling hair types. 

The natural properties of silk also play a significant role; it’s hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, mold, and fungus, making it a great option for allergy sufferers. 

Additionally, silk is naturally temperature-regulating, creating a comfortable sleep environment. It’s also less absorbent than cotton, so it won’t strip skin and hair of their natural oils, helping to retain moisture and reduce dryness. 

What to look for in a silk pillowcase 

Silk pillowcases may be an ever-growing trend, but not all of them are worth the investment. Here’s what to look for to make sure yours is:

Silk type

When selecting a silk pillowcase, the type of silk is a crucial factor. Firstly, look for “100% pure silk” to ensure you’re getting a natural, high-quality product and not a blend or synthetic alternative.

The best silk pillowcase is usually made from Mulberry silk. Mulberry silk, renowned as the finest silk, is produced by silkworms that exclusively feed on mulberry tree leaves. This silk type stands out for its exceptional durability and supreme softness, making it perfect for frequently used items like pillowcases. Other types like Tussah or Habotai are also available but they aren’t quite as luxurious. 

Silk quality is categorized into A, B, and C grades, with A-grade silk being of the highest quality. This top-tier silk features long, naturally white fibers with a distinct luster. Within the A-grade category, silk quality ranges from 2A to 6A, with 6A being the most luxurious and costly to produce. 

Momme

Momme (mm) is a unit measuring silk’s weight and density, akin to thread count in cotton bed sheets. Higher momme indicates thicker, softer, more durable silk. For pillowcases, a momme weight of 19-25 is ideal. A 22-momme silk pillowcase strikes a good balance between durability and luxury, whereas 25-momme is the softest and most opulent. 

Care instructions

Silk pillowcases require specific care to maintain their quality. Check for care instructions before purchasing. Most high-quality silk pillowcases can be hand-washed or machine-washed in a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners as they can break down the silk fibers. Air drying is recommended, as high heat from dryers can damage silk. Some silk pillowcases are dry-clean only, so consider whether this fits your lifestyle.

Closure

Closure types can vary. Common options include envelope closures and hidden zippers. Envelope closures offer a seamless look and are easy to use but may allow the pillow to slip out occasionally. Hidden zippers keep the pillow securely in place but can sometimes catch hair or feel uncomfortable if not well constructed. 

Size

Make sure the pillowcase size matches your pillow. Sizes typically include Standard, Queen, and King, but dimensions can vary slightly by brand. It’s important to check the size specifications to ensure a snug fit for your pillow. Basically, you don’t want any creases or wrinkles.

The 11 best silk pillowcases

Parachute Home

It’s no secret that Parachute Home is one of our favorite bedding brands, so it should come as no surprise that we’re equally obsessed with the label’s silk pillowcases. 

Made from 100% Mulberry silk, it’s by far one of the softest and most luxurious pillowcases we’ve tried. Coming in Standard and King sizes, it fits our pillows perfectly without any creases or wrinkles, preventing the appearance of fine lines. And the brand’s shipping is certified carbon-neutral. 

Our only complaint about the Parachute pillowcase is that it makes it impossible to get out of bed in the mornings. 

Best for: Free-falling for luxury essentials. 

Brooklinen

If you’re one of our loyal readers, you’re likely already familiar with our Brooklinen favorites, one of which is the brand’s mulberry silk pillowcase. 

Made from 22 momme mulberry silk, the sumptuous slip is impossibly soft and smooth against your cheeks. As a failsafe gift for the entire family, it comes in a range of colorways, including a classic ivory, an elegant blush and playful pinstripes.

The Brooklinen mulberry silk pillowcase is also machine washable, although we found that it holds its smoothness better when hand-washed. 

Best for: The gift of sleep. 

Lilysilk

Listed amongst our best brands for women’s sleepwear, Lilysilk is our queen of high-end silk products, including ultra-luxurious silk pillowcases. 

Made from 25 momme charmeuse silk, the machine-washable silk pillowcase is one of the softest we’ve tried. It comes in Standard, Queen and King sizes, as well as nine muted colorways, including white, navy and coffee—all of which can be personalized with the brand’s monogramming option. 

The brand only uses organic silk that is oeko-tex certified, making the Lilysilk Terse Envelope Luxury Pillowcase one of the most sustainable choices. 

Best for: Making luxury organic. 

Eberjey

As one of the more expensive silk pillowcases we tried, we were skeptical about whether the Eberjey Inez pillowcase was worth the price tag. But as it is often the case with Eberjey, we were proven wrong. 

Made from 100% Mulberry silk, the pillowcase is impossibly soft and breathable. It maintained its softness over time, even when machine-washed. And it made a huge impact on our appearance after a deep sleep. 

Although the Eberjey Inez pillowcase is on the thinner side (only 16 momme), the brand only uses grade 6A silk, which is the highest quality you get. This makes it a great choice for hot sleepers. 

Best for: Staying cool, looking fresh. 

Slip

If you’re up to date on social media trends, you’ll know all about the Slip silk pillowcase. And as always, we were desperate to find out whether the cult-favorite sleep essential lived up to the hype. 

Needless to say, it really did. 

Made from 22 momme Mulberry silk, the pillowcase is moisture-wicking, temperature regulating and hypoallergenic. It fits like a glove, making it one of the best for early morning appearances. 

Morning after morning, we woke up without lines on our face. And after a visit to the hair salon, we were assured that the Slip silk pillowcase is just as impressive at preventing split ends. 

Best for: Slipping into beauty sleep. 

Fishers

After trying out the Fishers silk pillowcase for ourselves, we can see exactly why it’s racking up awards. 

Made from 25 momme Mulberry silk, the decadent slip has the uncanny ability to turn any bed into a five-star hotel that you never have to leave. Plus, its skincare and hair-protective properties are a much more affordable alternative to regular spa treatments. 

While the Fishers Mulberry pillowcase is advertised as machine washable, we did find that ours shrank slightly and would recommend hand washing whenever possible. 

Best for: Fishing for compliments the next morning. 

Frette

Looking for a slightly different but equally decadent gift for her? The Frette Silk Sham Set is the creme de la creme of luxury bedding. And while the opulence of the brand is reflected in its price tag, if you’re shopping for highly discerning individuals, they’ll immediately know the difference. 

Featuring two pillowcases, the sumptuous set is made in Italy from the highest grade silk. It comes in a gorgeous Frette gift box, echoing the affluence of the time-honored label. 

It’ll earn you major brownie points—trust us. 

Best for: The highly discerning individual with a feel for luxury. 

Avocado

If you’re looking for a silk pillowcase that is effortless to wash, this one by Avocado is the answer. The elevated essential comes with a protective wash bag, meaning that you can chuck it in the washing machine without compromising the softness and quality of the pillowcase. 

Care and maintenance aside, the Avocado silk pillowcase is also one of the most luxurious and sustainable options we tried. The silk used is high-quality Mulberry. It’s 22 momme and impossibly smooth. And it’s void of harmful chemicals and manufactured without waste. 

Best for: Sustainable softness.

Plushbeds

Known for its five-star hotel-worthy bedding and mattresses, Plushbeds’ silk pillowcase reflects the brand’s high-end reputation. 

Handmade from 22 momme Mulberry silk, the breathable slip keeps your skin hydrated throughout the night and prevents wrinkles. While the smoothness of the natural fiber protects your hair from frizz and split ends. 

The Plushbeds pillowcase also comes with a mesh wash bag, making it easy to machine wash and maintain. 

Best for: Pairing with room service. 

The Big Silk

The Big Silk pillowcase is another one of our go-to gifts, especially for busy women who struggle to make time for self-care. 

Anti-bedhead and anti-breakouts, the soft, hydrating pillowcase has a remarkable impact on our overall grooming and appearance. It is hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating, making it a great choice for sensitive sleepers. 

We also love that the Big Silk pillowcase comes in a fun pink box, so it feels like a thoughtful gift when it arrives on your doorstep. 

Best for: The gift of grooming without the hassle. 

Blissy

The Blissy pillowcase is another one we kept hearing about in discerning circles, so we were interested to find out what seemingly made it so special. 

For us, the biggest differentiating factor was how well it held up over time. Maintaining its smoothness over many washing cycles, the machine-washable pillowcase is pill-resistant and moisture-wicking. 

Made from 22 momme Mulberry silk, we also found it to be the perfect weight for all seasons—not too light or heavy. 

Best for: Blissful bedding. 

Frequently asked questions about silk pillowcases