Best Silk Pillowcases – UK 2024

Are you interested in buying a silk pillowcase but aren’t sure what to look for?

Silk pillowcases are rising in popularity and more variations are hitting the market every day, meaning it can be difficult to know what to look for when buying one. Although they are typically more expensive than regular pillowcases, silk varieties offer many benefits from improving skin to regulating temperature.

In this article, we cover the ultimate buying guide for silk pillowcases, looking at how to care for a silk pillowcase, what to look for when purchasing, and whether it’s worth buying one.

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The Best Silk Pillowcases

Best Overall – LILYSILK 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Best Half Cotton – Jasmine Silk with Cotton Underside Pillowcase

Best Oxford Style – LILYSILK Oxford Silk Pillowcase

Best For Value – ALASKA BEAR 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Best For Luxury – ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

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Are silk pillowcases worth buying?

Silk pillowcases might seem like an unnecessary purchase; despite the many benefits they offer, they can also be expensive. However, if you are someone who cares about their health or their skin and hair or just wants to achieve a better night’s sleep, then buying a silk pillowcase is likely to be worth the money.

What to look for in a good silk pillowcase?

Size

The size of your silk pillowcase is an important consideration when looking to purchase. It’s vital you ensure your new pillowcase is the right size for your bed to stop it sliding around. Do some research beforehand to figure out the size of your bed and the pillowcase size that will fit it best.

Density

The density of silk products is measured using momme, a Japanese unit of measuring weight. Typically, silk pillowcases measure at around 19 momme, which is good place to start. If you want more luxury, try upwards of 22 momme for the highest quality. It’s also worth remembering that the higher the momme, the higher the price is likely to be. 

Material quality

The ideal material of the pillowcase you choose will be 100% silk. Higher quality pillowcases will be made from 100% mulberry silk, which is smoother and likely to last longer than other types. Avoid materials that blend silk with other fabrics like polyester or rayon, which do not necessarily offer the same benefits as pure silk.

An alternative to silk is satin; many stores offer satin pillowcases as a cheaper alternative to silk. Not only does it come in much cheaper than silk, but it also offers many of the benefits of silk on a smaller scale. A satin pillowcase can be a good introduction to help you get used to the feel and texture before you buy a silk pillowcase.

Price

Silk pillowcases range in price from around £20 to upwards of £100. The price you pay will depend on the brand you opt for, the material, and the quality. If you’re on a budget, it’s worth noting that you can get some of the benefits from imitation silk pillowcases for a cheaper price, but they are unlikely to feel as luxurious as silk.

Style

The style of silk pillowcase you choose is likely to depend on the style of your bedroom; fortunately, most stockists offer pillowcases in a variety of patterns and colours. If you already own specific styles or colours of bedding, you may want to purchase a few different colours and patterns to fit in with your other pieces.

Best Selections

Best Overall – LILYSILK 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Lilysilk is a company specialising in a wide range of silk products, from sleepwear to bedding. This 100% mulberry silk pillowcase is extremely well received being Amazon’s choice for silk pillowcases and having gained over 6,500 ratings on the site. Over 85% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’I have been using this pillowcase for over a month now and can honestly see a difference. I have very fine, thin hair and since using this pillowcase have seen a noticeable difference.’’ and ‘’I received this product as an unexpected gift. I have never slept on a silk pillowcase before – always cotton – but after this I will find it hard to go back!’’

Available in a range of colours, there is sure to be a style that suits you. The pillowcase is 100% silk on one half which is excellent for skin and hair benefits and the bottom half is 100% cotton. This helps prevent the pillowcase from sliding around on your bed and makes it much more affordable. The pillowcase comes with a 100% money back guarantee period of 30 days giving you plenty of time to see if it is right for you.

Best Half Cotton – Jasmine Silk with Cotton Underside Pillowcase

The Jasmine silk pillowcase features a cotton underside. This helps prevent the pillowcase from sliding away as you sleep and helps make it more affordable. It is generally well regarded on Amazon with over 6,000 ratings. Over 85% of which are 4 or 5 stars. A couple of highlights from customer reviews include ‘’So good I bought another one. My skin is definitely not so dry since using this.’’ and ‘’Update: 1 year later: It still in perfect condition. I think this surprised me so much as I wash in wash machine and have a dog in the bed. Definitely a good quality product.’’

This pillow has a super soft silk top that comes in a wide range of different coloured covers. The cotton side of the pillow is also high quality, 300 thread count cotton which also makes it very comfortable to sleep on. The pillowcase is fully hypoallergenic and also machine washable on a low setting, great for keeping it clean and hygienic!

Best Oxford Style – LILYSILK Oxford Silk Pillowcase

If you prefer to have oxford style pillowcases then this pillowcase is an excellent choice. Available in a range of different colours, it is a simple and stylish addition to your bedroom. Despite the oxford version of this pillowcase only having just over 400 ratings, it is very highly regarded. Over 90% of these ratings are 4 or 5 stars at the time of writing. Some highlights from customer reviews include ‘’Nice luxurious feel on the skin and hair. If it weren’t too expensive I would’ve bought an entire set of beddings for a super king bed!’’ and ‘’Comfortable pillow case with both sides silk which is a bonus in itself. Cool and fresh feel on summer nights.’’

This pillowcase is envelope style so it does not have a zipper that can get caught on things or damage the silk. It is priced slightly higher than some of the other options but comes with a risk free returns period for you to try it out. The silk used in this pillowcase is high quality at 19 momme and 100% mulberry silk is used. 

Best For Value – ALASKA BEAR 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

The ALASKA BEAR silk pillowcase is a high thread count pillowcase that is among Amazon’s best sellers. It is among Amazon’s best sellers list for pillowcases. It is also incredibly popular with customers, gaining over 19,000 ratings. Over 85% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’These silk pillow cases are of excellent quality. They wash well. The density of the fabric is better than other silk pillowcases I have purchased in the past. I shall be buying more.’’ and ‘’Have been using it for 2 weeks and find it is great quality. I love that my hair is not such a mess when I get up now. Am ordering another one in another colour now.’’

While not cheap, this pillowcase does have a 600 thread count, giving it an ultra soft high end feel. Available in a wide range of colours and sizes there is sure to be one that is ideal for you. The zipper is hidden and the interior edges stitched over giving an excellent all around look. This pillowcase is recommended to be hand washed in cold or lukewarm water to keep it performing at its best. 

Best For Luxury – ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

The Zimasilk 100% mulberry silk pillowcase is the ultimate in luxurious pillowcases. It is an ideal as a gift or a treat to yourself. On Amazon it is extremely well received with over 16,000 ratings. Around 90% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’No more wrinkled bed face in the morning. Hair seems to not get greasy so quickly. I hand wash, or put into a zip bag on 30 degrees. Simples.’’ and ‘’High quality fabric. 100% Mulberry silk. Feels lovely. Very good price. Couldn’t be better!’’

Available in a wide range of colours and sizes, there is sure to be a style that suits you. The pillowcase is silk on both sides and is made from 19 momme, 600 thread count mulberry silk. The silk used is 6A grade natural silk. This gives a super soft, luxurious feel and is great for hair and skin. It has a hidden zipper design which prevents it from catching or feeling it as you sleep. 

What is good about silk pillowcases?

Silk pillowcases are gradually rising in popularity, and it isn’t hard to see why when you consider the many benefits that come with replacing your regular pillowcase for a silk option. Silk pillowcases can improve many things from the quality of your sleep to the hydration of your hair. Let’s look in more detail at what is so good about silk pillowcases.

Silk is much kinder on your skin than other materials and is generally better at preventing wrinkles and fine lines from occurring. Regular pillow cases can be harsh on skin and the constant marks left on your face can become more permanent over time. Silk is softer and smoother, better for keeping those lines at bay for longer.

Alongside benefiting your skin, silk pillowcases are also great for your hair. The smoothness of silk makes it the ideal material for minimising friction against your hair, which can help to prevent frizz and breakage. Silk is also a good option for anyone seeking more hydration for their hair, as it is more moisturising than other materials.

Finally, silk pillowcases also make for a better sleep, with qualities like temperature regulation and better allergen control than many other materials. The nature of silk means it is better equipped to help you stay cool during warmer nights, and its ability to attract fewer allergens will help you to avoid allergic reactions. 

How to care for a silk pillowcase

Washing and drying

As they retain dirt and bacteria less than other materials, silk pillowcases don’t need to be washed as frequently as other pillowcases. However, they do still need to be kept clean, and it’s vital that you do it correctly.

If you are using a machine, wash your silk pillowcases on a gentle, cold cycle without bleach or fabric softener. If you can, wash them by hand in cold water with no other items and a very gentle laundry soap, preferably one formulated just for silk.

To dry your silk pillowcases, blot them with a white towel rather than wringing them out. They should not be put into the dryer, but instead should be hung away from sunlight and not on a wooden rack, as they can stain your silk.

Storage

Your silk pillowcases should be stored carefully to make sure they retain their beneficial properties. Keep them in a breathable bag out of the sunlight and consider storing them with something to keep moths away, like a lavender sachet or cedar ball.

The Verdict: Silk pillowcases

Whether you are someone who enjoys looking after the health of your skin and hair or just someone wanting better quality sleep, you will likely benefit from buying yourself a silk pillowcase. Here, we have looked at some of the things you might want to look for when buying one, how to properly care for it, and some of the benefits you can expect to enjoy.

Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API