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Blissy
The internet is full of anti-aging, skin-clearing, "facelift-in-a-jar" claims. So many, in fact, that it can be difficult to decipher which are actually worth the money—because, real talk: most products don't quite live up to their "miracle" or "holy grail" reputation.
We can't just blindly trust the TikTok buzz, which is why we went straight to the source on the topic of satin and silk pillowcases. We tapped Dermatologist and Prose partner Dr. Toral to give us the lowdown on whether the luxe bedding upgrade can actually help your hair and skin—and which one is better.
"There are no robust clinical trials to support this. Rather, it is anecdotal experience," she tells E!. "We do know that smoother fabrics tend to be better for hair and skin health overall, but we do not have high-quality or long-term studies to support this."
With that caveat in mind, let's unpack the pros and cons—and whether you should add one to your own online cart before Sleep Week is over.
Do You Need a Silk or Satin Pillowcase?
Despite Dr. Toral's caveat on a lack of long-term studies or evidence, the overarching answer is that silk and satin pillowcases do contain benefits for your hair and skin. And the reasoning is pretty simple.
"You may notice less frizz or tangling once you make the switch, especially with curly or textured hair. Those with more brittle or fragile hair may benefit too. It’s possible to experience less friction and skin irritation with a smoother pillowcase," she says, while noting that the benefits are subtle and are "unlikely to reverse or prevent true deeper wrinkles due to collagen loss."
The TL;DR? Switching from a cotton to a silk/satin pillowcase isn't going to reverse the aging process. However, if you do have acne-prone skin, there is a benefit to these smoother pillow materials.
"Acne tends to be caused by a combination of excess oils, bacteria, and hormonal triggers, so the pillowcase fabric is less likely to be a contributing factor," she continues.
Which One Is Better: A Satin or Silk Pillowcase?
Dr. Toral says the difference is "modest" but still worth considering. "Polyester satin is still low in terms of causing friction. However, it is less breathable compared to silk, which ultimately makes silk more comfortable on the skin," she says.
"I think low friction is the primary benefit of using a silk or satin pillowcase compared to other fabrics with a rougher texture, [and] silk is my preferred fabric due to its breathability and softness. However, satin provides a more affordable option with similar benefits for those who want to stick to a lower price point."
Feeling convinced? Keep scrolling for satin/silk pillowcases worth adding to cart.
Kitsch Satin Pillowcase
Shoppers raved over Kitsch's Satin Pillowcase. One customer said, "It just adds a little touch of luxury to something so simple," while another added that it gives them "peace of mind knowing that [their] hair isn't getting damaged how it was with [their] old pillowcases."
Bedsure Satin Pillowcase
This buttery-soft, silk-like satin on this pillowcase feels so smooth on the skin and has an envelope closure that keeps your pillows perfectly positioned without sliding around. Plus, shoppers swear they've "noticed less frizz and breakage" in their hair and their skin, "doesn’t feel as creased or irritated in the morning like it sometimes does with cotton pillowcases." Especially impressive given the $6 price tag.
ZIMASILK 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillow Cases
If you wanna go the luxury route without overspending, this 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is the way to go. The $23 price tag is unbeatable, and shoppers said they've "been sleeping noticeably better since switching to it."
SUNDAYSILKS 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Albeit a little pricier, this 100% silk pillowcase is a game-changer for your skin, hair, and, well, sleep too—imagine the cold side of the pillow...all night! Reviewers gushed that "it's to die for" and they noticed "a big difference" in their hair after just one sleep.
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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