9 best silk pillowcases for waking up to better hair and skin

Contrary to what you might think, your pillowcase is by no means the most basic item in your linen cupboard, especially not when you invest in a silk pillowcase. The pillowcase you use plays an important role in determining the condition of your hair and skin, and while your first thought may be thread count or price point, there is plenty more to pillowcases than meets the eye.

Celebrated for their skincare and haircare benefits, silk pillowcases have increased significantly in popularity over the last few years, leaving the standard pillow a long way behind by comparison.

At first, a silk pillowcase may appear like an unnecessary indulgence – especially if you have already invested in silk scrunchies, sleep masks or eye masks – but making the switch to a good quality, pure silk pillowcase is said to have great skincare benefits that exceed those offered by even the best pillows around.

Silk pillows provides a smooth surface for the skin overnight, resulting in less friction between your face and the pillow, thus reducing the sleep creases that creep in while we get our eight hours and ensuring those creams you’ve spent good money on aren’t just absorbing into your cotton pillowcase.

It's these features that make the material helpful for those looking for anti-ageing solutions or products for acne-prone or sensitive skin skin, and also for anyone hoping to reduce split ends, tangles, breakage or those struggling to keep their hair from frizzing overnight as it rubs against the pillowcase.

It's not hard to find a good silk pillowcase, especially now that many of our favourite bedding brands have released options that’ll give your bed (and skin) a much-needed refresh. From Slip to John Lewis & Partners, these are our favourite silk pillowcases right now.

Skip to: Are silk pillowcases worth it? | Why are silk pillowcases popular? | How do you wash a silk pillowcase? | What to consider before buying a silk pillow | GQ's edit of the best silk pillowcases for 2024…

Investing in a silk pillowcase is more than worth it, especially given that it'll last far longer than a single serum or moisturiser would. Sure, cotton pillowcases, tend to be more affordable, easy to machine wash and breathable, but the moisture-wicking, absorbent elements that make the material work so well for clothes, actually make it problematic for having against your face and hair overnight as it absorbs moisture and oils. Combine that with the friction against your skin and it can lead to more wrinkles, irritation, and even frizzier hair. For curly hair, in particular, this can be a challenge.

Silk by its nature, is a smooth surface and doesn't wick away moisture in the same way as cotton, making it better for reducing wrinkles, fine lines and dry skin. It’s also antibacterial, a benefit for acne-prone skin, and tends to stay cooler while you sleep helping with temperature regulating overnight. After just one week sleeping with one, our skin felt softer than it had in years and we still got a great night’s sleep.

You might think washing a silk pillowcase is more work than a standard pillowcase, but while the washing instructions will typically advise you to hand wash with cold water and an appropriate detergent to take care of the delicate nature of the silk fabric, many silk pillow case options can also be machine washed.

It is advised that you place your silk pillowcase within a laundry bag however, and you should always look to air drying rather than putting it anywhere near a tumble dryer.

You want to make sure the silk pillow you are buying is high-quality so make sure you are opting for those with a count of between 22 and 25 momme. You'll also want to make sure you buy the right size silk pillow for your bed. A standard size will work on a queen size bed for example, but perhaps not on a king size, so be sure to check the pillowcase size that is right for your setup. As a silk pillowcase can be put onto any pillow providing it is the right size, you don't need to worry about what kind of sleeper you are as to whether a silk pillowcase is right for you.

For more bedding content shop our guides to the best mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows and duvets.