The Best Silk Pillowcases, Tested and Approved by Glamour Editors

Clearer skin
As you shift position throughout the night, your skin rubs against your pillowcase, causing friction on your skin, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s dermatology department in New York City. “Friction can cause skin folding and contribute to low-grade inflammation and wrinkles. Silk is a soft, natural fiber that allows the skin to glide. Plus, it’s light and breathable to minimize the amount of sweat that builds up on the skin.” Basically less rubbing and beauty product absorption that you get from other fabrics like cotton can help if you have sensitive skin. Silk, derived from domesticated silkworms, might even make your beauty routine more effective because your products won’t rub off as easily.

Healthier hair
“Unlike cotton, silk absorbs less. This means silk helps you retain both the moisture and natural oils of the hair. This prevents hair dryness and promotes hydration and shine,” says Nicole Salame, MD, FAAD, a general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist. “Silk is also hypoallergenic, making it an excellent option for those with sensitive scalps or eczema. Its cooling effect can also reduce sweat, which can further cause scalp irritation and damage.” Silk pillowcases prevent bedhead by reducing friction on your hair as you sleep, “reducing split ends, frizz, breakage, and tangles,” Dr. Salame continues. (Every single one of our testers will tell you that if you’re looking for a pillowcase to fix frizzy hair, silk is the way to go—and a few noticed it helped prevent night sweats.)

Less buildup of allergens
The fiber is naturally hypoallergenic and prevents the buildup of dust mites, fungus, mold, and other allergens. While the effects of silk pillowcases on skin and hair are still underresearched, a few studies, like this 2019 report, have found promising results. Empirically, though, the material’s benefits are easy to see—just read the reviews for the silk pillowcases our team has tested and endorsed.

Although one small 2017 study found that silk had a “positive influence” on back acne, which suggests that it might be helpful for breakouts elsewhere, there isn’t enough evidence to prove that silk can help with acne. At this time, more research is necessary to draw any conclusions.

Momme count refers to the density of silk and indicates the quality of the material. (It’s pronounced either “mom” or “mom-may,” by the way.) Think of it like thread count—more threads mean extra durability, and often a higher cost. Most silk pillowcases run from 19 momme (soft, relatively affordable) to 25 momme (top-of-the-line, more expensive). You can go as low as 16 momme, but there are options above 20 momme in the sub-$30 range. For the highest-quality material, look for mulberry silk; the fibers are longer and more uniform, making the fabric smoother and longer-lasting.

Is 30 momme worth it? We don’t have anything that high on this list because, frankly, it’s hard to tell the difference when the count goes above 25. If you have especially sensitive skin, prefer extra-smooth material, or want to treat yourself to some of the highest-quality silk available, feel free to buy one. (Fishers Finery makes one that offers a great overall value.)

Silk is a fiber, while satin is a weave—a particularly smooth-surfaced weave. Silk can be woven into satin fabric; artificial fibers like polyester can also be woven into satin. However, the phrase satin pillowcase is most often used to denote products that are woven from some material other than silk.

Polyester satin, an ultrasmooth fabric that mimics silk satin, provides many of the same friction-reducing benefits for skin and for straight and curly hair, as confirmed by our in-house testing. Manmade materials are a cost-effective and more easily washable alternative to silk pillowcases at the more expensive end of the spectrum. Silk and artificial satin can cost about the same amount, depending on the brand. If you’d rather sleep on natural fibers or want the hypoallergenic benefits of silk, stick to the real thing.

“Washing or changing your pillowcase at least once a week ensures you are consistently removing bacteria, dirt, oil, hair products, skin-care products, dust, and other allergens that accumulate over the week,” Dr. Salame says. “If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, washing or changing your pillowcases every two to three days reduces the oils, bacteria, dust, and other particles that build up on the pillowcase and can be the first step to improving your skin. If you are someone who sweats overnight or uses extensive hair products, washing or changing your pillowcase every one to two days is also recommended.”

Wondering how to wash silk pillowcases? Just make sure to read the care instructions. Not all pillowcases can be thrown in the washing machine on a gentle cycle; some types of silk require hand-washing in cold water. Air-drying is best (and it’s fast), as dryers can cause damage to the material. You can steam your pillowcase to remove any wrinkles.

If you don’t mind a few unavoidable stains, silk pillowcases can last for years before they need to be replaced. Silk is a delicate but durable material; the higher the momme count you pick now, the denser and stronger your pillowcase will be. Our testers generally started to notice changes to their pillowcases around the six-month mark, but the fabric can last for much longer.

Proper care can extend the life of your silk pillowcase. Follow each brand’s care instructions thoroughly—even if that means hand-washing your pick—and always avoid the dryer, which can dull silk’s shine and affect its durability.

Unless you have a sensitivity to silk, there are no skin- or hair-related downsides to silk pillowcases. However, silk is harder to maintain than materials such as cotton or linen. To keep them from shrinking or losing their sheen, you should typically hand-wash and air-dry silk pillowcases. Some people also don’t like the slippery feel of silk, preferring the friction of typical cotton.

Shocker: Men can use any silk pillowcase! There’s no reason to gender these pillowcases, since anyone can want smoother skin, fewer breakouts, and less frizzy hair. However, if we had to nominate an option for men, it would be J Jimoo; it’s a no-nonsense pick with zero external branding and a reasonable price tag. Plus, one of our male testers likes that it’s a little less slippery than other options.

Sizes: Standard, king / Closure: Envelope / Material: 100% silk / Momme: Unlisted / Colors: 5 options / Care: Machine-wash cold; lay flat to dry

• What we liked: Seasonal colors available; durable silk; relatively wrinkle-free
• What could improve: Rougher feel than other options

Editor review: “I love the luxurious feel of a silk pillowcase, and Brooklinen’s are standouts in my robust bedding collection (its silk scrunchies are a staple in my morning and night routines as well),” says Audrey Lee, a commerce editor at Architectural Digest, who owns two other brands of silk pillowcases. “The material has a lovely sheen to it, and it feels incredibly gentle on my skin and hair. Available in both solid hues and charming patterns, these pillowcases still look great even after several washes (and run-ins with stains).”

Ultimately, though, this option didn’t make our top list because other testers, including Glamour’s Wolle doesn’t appreciate that the silk “feels a bit stiff” in comparison to other options—she prefers Hill House Home’s ultrasmooth sheen. She notes, however, that the payoff is “it’s mostly wrinkle-free.”

Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Closure: Zipper / Material: 100% silk / Momme: 22 momme / Colors: 24 options / Care: Hand-wash or machine-wash on a gentle cycle; lay flat to dry

• What we liked: Lots of colors; durable construction; high-quality silk
• What could improve: Wrinkles more easily than any option we tested; has a sharp zipper that tends to stick out

Editor review: Blissy’s pillowcase is a favorite among reviewers and Glamour staffers alike; four of our colleagues recommend it as a top-notch option for skin and hair. At 22 momme, it’s plenty soft but not overly expensive. “I’ve used my Blissy pillowcase for more than three years, and it’s withstood countless washes. While it did begin to tatter and lose its luster over time, it was still supersoft and cool to the touch,” Glamour’s Schwartz says.

Plenty of people wonder whether Blissy or Slip is better, and our staff is evenly divided. Both offer the same zipper closure, which can be more secure and less wrinkle-prone than envelope closures. Blissy, however, offers more than double the color options Slip does. We did find that Blissy wrinkles more easily, though. So if you care about the look of your bed, it’s best to hide it behind a decorative pillow or steam it after washing. The even bigger drawback, says Schwartz, is a sharp zipper, so if you do go with this option, make sure you tuck the pull in before heading off to bed.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Closure: Envelope / Material: 100% silk / Momme: 25 momme / Colors: 7 options / Care: Hand-wash or machine-wash on a gentle cycle; lay flat or tumble-dry on low

• What we liked: Oeko-Tex certified; luxuriously soft
• What could improve: Large external tag

Editor review: This mulberry silk pillowcase is one of the softest we’ve had the pleasure of sleeping on, and our testers say they’ve seen (albeit slight) skin improvements after longtime use. “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,” says Glamour contributor Khaliha Hawkins. “Yes, my head slips and slides on the pillow, but my face no longer feels dry or dehydrated when I wake up.” At $43 a pop, it’s in the middle of the pack pricewise, but it’s as well-made as more expensive picks.

“I’d recommend this product if you’re wanting to lock moisture in and protect your curls with a silk pillowcase at a more affordable price,” Glamour’s Folino says. “Not too different from the more expensive option I tested, so if results are what you’re after, it’s a great budget find.” The big drawback? There’s a large tag on the outer corner that can get annoying.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king / Closure: Zipper / Material: 100% silk / Momme: 22 momme / Colors: 10 options / Care: Hand-wash or machine-wash in lukewarm water on a gentle cycle; lay flat to dry

• What we liked: Concealed zipper; inexpensive
• What could improve: Sizing runs small

Editor review: This silk pillowcase is the current favorite of Glamour’s Calle. “The softness of this pillowcase makes me feel like a rich lady,” she says. “It’s been through many washes and hasn’t lost its velvety feel. And as someone who dreads laundry days, I appreciate the zipper on the side for faster bed-making.” We did, however, find sizing rather inconsistent, so be sure to size up if your pillow is a plusher version.

Sizes: Standard, king / Closure: Zipper / Material: 100% silk / Momme: 22 momme / Colors: 2 options / Care: Machine-wash on gentle; lay flat to dry

• What we liked: Affordable; tons of colors and patterns
• What could improve: Sizing didn’t seem quite right

This relative newcomer is great for fine hair, according to Glamour tester Stewart Savin, who has straight hair: “I’ve used cheap silk pillowcases in the past, and I can definitely tell a difference with FluffCo,” she says. “I’ve been sleeping on it for a little over a month, washing it once a week. The fabric is thicker than others I’ve tried, and I think that is helping minimize frizziness. The pillowcase itself is fairly wrinkled after each wash and is pretty large on my pillow, but those aren’t deal breakers for me.” It’s only available in two colors—white and silver—so it’s tougher to match to unique bedding than, say, Slip or J Jimoo. But its hair-soothing powers are worth the slight extra hurdle. Plus, it’s machine-washable.

Sizes: Queen, king / Closure: Envelope / Material: 100% silk / Momme: 22 momme / Colors: 10 options / Care: Hand-wash or machine-wash on a gentle cycle; lay flat to dry

• What we liked: Great colors; true mulberry silk; machine-washable
• What could improve: Very large interior tag; external logo

Editor review: Drowsy’s mulberry silk offers a nice, thick weight and vibrant colors. “My navy blue pillowcase still looks great after putting it through the washing machine over three months, which not every option can say. It’s also not too slippery, meaning I’m not constantly falling off of it during the night,” commerce editor Smith says. “I struggle with frequent zits and breakouts, and I noticed a real difference in my skin’s overall demeanor while testing this option. That’s not to say my pimples disappeared entirely, but they slowed down enough for me to notice a change. I don’t love the gigantic interior tag or the external logo, but these are nitpicks. It can wrinkle significantly, but a quick pass with a steamer returns the silk to almost new.” (Glamour special projects editor Ruhama Wolle echoes this sentiment, noting that while the silk is lightweight, it tends to wrinkle more easily than some other pillowcases.