It’s no coincidence that the English language has a term beauty sleep. Sleep is not just about the recommended seven to nine hours of rest. There are many suggestions on how to gain the extra benefits of sleep, but one of the most talked about is the use of a silk pillowcase.
Did you know that depending on what material you sleep on at night, you could be harming your hair, skin and eyelashes? Silk pillowcases have become very popular in the last couple of years, they are favoured by the beauty and wellness industries and are considered as a product that can really do wonders for our body.
Prevention of wrinkles
You may have experienced the discomfort of sleep wrinkles: you get out of bed, go to the bathroom and look in the mirror to see the pattern of a wrinkled pillowcase etched on your cheek or forehead. Of course, these sleep wrinkles can fade with time, but it turns out that repeatedly squeezing your face while you sleep can turn into permanent wrinkles.
Sleeping on a rough cotton surface can irritate the skin and squeeze the face for hours, resulting in wrinkles. The smooth, flat surface of a silk pillowcase can help reduce pressure.
Correcting skin imperfections
One of the benefits of a silk pillowcase is that it reduces imperfections in the facial skin. If you have sensitive facial skin, acne, eczema or other signs of irritated skin, the smooth fabric can be especially helpful. Consider swapping your normal pillowcase for a silk one. The texture of rougher fabric pillowcases can cause a lot of irritation to the facial skin, opting for a silk pillowcase can bring great relief.
Thanks to the moisture-wicking properties of silk pillowcases, all night creams, masks and other facial treatments will stay where they belong – on your face. Studies have shown that after sleeping on a silk pillowcase, people noticed less irritation, less itching and less inflammation on their skin.
A clean surface for the face
There are relatively few surfaces that we lean our faces against, but pillowcases are one of them. Unfortunately, this means that all the dirt and bacteria that ends up on your pillow also comes into long-term contact with your skin. It is therefore important to change and wash them regularly.
Although you still need to wash your pillow regularly, a silk pillow has properties that help it stay clean between washes. It also absorbs less moisture than other fabrics, so it is less likely to harbour dust mites and bacteria. Who wouldn’t feel better knowing that their pillow provides an even cleaner and more hygienic atmosphere than before?
Makes hair shiny and smooth
The smooth texture of silk is useful in several ways – it is not only good for the skin, but also gentle on the hair. Instead of rubbing with a rough cloth at night, your hair is protected from too much friction as you move in your sleep, preventing split ends, tangles, frizz and even breakage.
A silk pillowcase will be especially useful for those whose hair has been bleached, coloured, chemically treated or otherwise damaged, it is important to rest your hair on a smooth surface to restore strength and reduce further breakage.
The perfect temperature
Forget always trying to find the right side of the pillow. With silk pillowcases, you don’t have to worry about them being too hot or too cold. Silk is a naturally temperature-regulating and breathable fabric that makes you feel just right, whatever the season.
Silk pillowcases can be an effective way to stay comfortable in bed. The moisture-wicking properties and natural, breathable fibres of this material will help you avoid heat during sleep and keep you cool and dry – both of which help to regulate your body temperature during sleep.
Luxurious feel
In addition to all the other benefits we’ve already mentioned, there’s one we haven’t: there’s simply no substitute for the rich, luxurious feeling of sleeping on silk.
Compared to a standard pillowcase, a silk pillowcase may seem like an investment. But if you’re looking for a small, easy change with a big impact, a silk pillowcase is the way to go. After all, a more luxurious and relaxing sleep can make your days and nights go smoother.
A silk nap can help improve your skin and hair, not to mention make bedtime that little bit more glamorous. Swapping cotton or flannel pillowcases for silk pillowcases can help reduce frizz and breakage and keep your skin smooth and moisturized. That’s not too bad for a few bucks!
Find more beauty and wellness tips in our articles Most popular clothing patterns – flowers, leopard and plaid and Tasty and healthy water recipes.