I Swapped My Cotton Pillowcase for Silk. This Is How It Helped My Bedhead
Bleaching my hair four years ago has left me struggling with frizzy and dry locks. I have tried everything from hydrating shampoos to those expensive repair treatments, but nothing has given me long-lasting results. While looking into what more I could do to combat the issue, many people recommended sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Before this, I was sleeping on a cotton pillowcase that left me with intense bedhead requiring just as intense brushing, which meant breakage and more frizz. Since I have 2a/2b waves and curls, it made following my wavy hair routine pretty much pointless.
Though I was skeptical, I decided to give a silk pillowcase a try. Cozy Earth sent me its 100% mulberry silk pillowcase (currently out of stock) and here’s what happened — complete with photo evidence.
Before the silk pillowcase
I’ve been using 100% cotton pillowcases for the past few years. While I wouldn’t say they’ve provided the most luxurious experience, they get the job done. However, I wake up every day with tangled, frizzy hair and fabric lines on my face. This is compounded by the fact that I’m a hot sleeper, which adds to the chaos – especially since my cotton pillowcases aren’t cooling.
Following wavy hair routines, post-shower, I would use a leave-in conditioner or wave spray to scrunch my hair, emphasizing my curls. I try not to use too much product since my hair is thin and quick to look oily. After that, it dries and looks presentable. But then, I go to bed and wake up with this…
This hair is tangled to the point where it requires brushing (combing through with my fingers won’t work). I’m left with a poof of frizz with no defined curls or waves in sight. This has happened so often that I’ve stopped performing my post-shower wavy hair routine since my bedhead is powerful enough to make the whole endeavor feel pointless.
Silk pillowcases reduce friction and don’t absorb as much moisture, which helps preserve hairstyles, maintain hair hydration and prevent tangles and breakage. Because of the gentle fabric, it is also said to be great for sensitive, acne-prone skin — though it is not a one-stop miracle cure. With this information in mind, I switched out my cotton pillowcase for a silk one.
After the silk pillowcase
Upon resting my head on the pillowcase, I immediately felt a difference. The lack of friction made it easier for me to glide my skin and hair across the case, while the fabric has more of a cooling effect than cotton (perfect for hot sleepers like me). Now, for the real test: sleeping with the silk pillowcase.
I loved sleeping with this fabric. It felt much cooler and more luxurious than my cotton pillowcases. Plus, there were no residual fabric lines on my skin. As for my hair, I performed my post-shower wavy routine, went to bed and woke up like this…
While my hair still became messier overnight, it wasn’t nearly as tangled and frizzy as it typically is. I could still make out more pronounced waves and slight curls. Usually, when I wake up, my hair looks like it’s mad at me, but this time, it just looked perturbed. It was easier to comb out with my fingers, meaning that the hairbrush was only slightly necessary and, as a result, my frizz poof was reduced. My hair also felt softer to the touch and more hydrated.
Cozy Earth’s pillowcase is made from 100% mulberry silk and treated with aloe vera.
Since silk pillowcases can be more expensive than cotton ones, I secretly hoped this experiment wouldn’t work. But based on these results, I think silk pillowcases are worth it — especially if you’re prepared to take care of them to prolong their lifespan.
These are Cozy Earth’s care instructions for its silk pillowcase: “Machine washable, cool iron, DO NOT DRY, mild detergent OR HAND WASH delicately.” I’ve seen other brands recommend treating your silk product gently at every step by prioritizing hand washing or using the washing machine’s gentle cycle with the item in a separate mesh laundry bag for delicates.
Again, I’m low-maintenance: I used the washing machine with a mild detergent. My apartment building’s model doesn’t have a gentle cycle, so I placed the pillowcase in a protective mesh bag before washing it. Then, I let it air dry flat and had no issues.
Do I recommend a silk pillowcase?
If you’re tired of bedhead, sleep hot or hate waking up with fabric lines on your skin — and you have the cash to spare or a birthday wishlist — I think a silk pillowcase is worth it. Generally, I believe any product that can improve your sleep is worth it if you’re willing to take care of it properly.
If you’re looking to save and still reap the benefits of a silky pillowcase, CNET’s favorite budget silk pillowcase is just $10. As for no more aggressive bedhead, that is priceless.
Before washing your silk pillowcase for the first time, check if the brand has specific washing and drying instructions. Typically, you can spot-clean or machine-wash your silk pillowcase with cold water on a gentle cycle (without spin). It’s best to avoid harsh fabric softeners and bleach and use mild detergents instead. You can air-dry your pillowcase or use the dryer on a low setting.
Turning your pillowcase inside out and putting it inside a mesh laundry bag can help protect it during the wash and dry process.
Silk pillowcases have the potential to help with acne-prone skin. Thanks to their smooth, tightly woven material, they can reduce friction and irritation and prevent the build-up of bacteria and excess oil production. Silk doesn’t absorb as much moisture from the skin as materials like cotton, which helps keep the skin hydrated. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating.
Like the rest of your bedding, regularly washing your silk pillowcase is essential to remove oil and dirt buildup. However, it also depends on your skin. Generally, once a week is sufficient, but twice a week may be better if you have excessively oily skin. To extend the life of your silk pillowcase, opt for hand washing or spot-cleaning with a mild detergent and letting it hang dry.
Silk pillowcases have some potential downsides. The primary one is the higher cost, as silk is considered a luxury material. Another is the special care requirements. Because silk is delicate, it might get damaged more easily than other materials like cotton, and not everyone loves silk’s cool, slippery feel. Finally, there may be ethical concerns, as producing real silk involves silkworms.