The phrase ‘beauty sleep’ exists for a reason. A good night’s rest can make you wake up with clearer and smoother skin - while silk bedding is here to make sure that’s exactly what you get.
Skincare enthusiasts embrace silk, and for good reason. Besides giving a luxurious touch, having a silk pillowcase also carries health and beauty benefits for your skin and hair.
Here are five reasons why dermatologists recommend sleeping on silk.
1. Silk is hypoallergenic and gentle
Silk has naturally antimicrobial properties and is resistant to several microorganisms that may cause allergic reactions to your skin. With its low absorbency, it also harbours less bacteria than other fabrics, creating a cleaner surface for your skin at night, reducing irritation and congestion of your pores. These hypoallergenic properties of silk of silk are particularly beneficial for those who sleep on their sides or stomach as it reduces the number of potential allergens that come into contact with your face.
Dermatologists also consider silk as being superior to traditional cotton alternatives because of the breathable and moisture wicking nature of the natural fibres allowing the skin to breathe and excess moisture to get away from the skin.
2. Helps prevent fine lines
The super-smooth texture of silk creates minimal friction against your skin and hair, subsequently allowing your face and hair to glide across the surface more efficiently, with reduced pulling or tugging of your skin and hair follicles.
This lack of friction can help you delay the signs of premature aging by reducing creases in your skin caused by the fabric of your pillow tugging against your skin when you sleep which can otherwise lead to the creation of wrinkles over time. It has similar benefits for your hair, reducing tangling and snagging and contributing to longer, healthier hair. Thanks to the reduced friction between your forehead area and the pillow, you may also find that a silk pillow helps keep your eyelashes and eyebrows intact.
3. Reduces skin irritation
Who would have known that one of the secrets to ‘clear and smooth’ skin could be as simple as the material of your pillowcase? Silk is incredibly gentle on your skin and has been found to be able to help reduce and prevent the growth of pimples and other skin conditions like acne.
It is important to remember that while silk is not a magic cure for all your existing skin problems, it is still an excellent choice if you have sensitive skin and are prone to allergic reactions.
4. Temperature regulating for better sleep
Silk is a naturally temperature regulating fabric, meaning that it can help to keep your body cool during summer and warm during winter. This makes it perfect for hot sleepers, with reduced overheating and a lessened chance of your skin sweating against the fabric while you sleep to keep you comfortable all night long.
Silk threads trap air in between them which creates an isolation effect, yet doesn’t conduct heat or static electricity, thus helping to maintain your optimal body temperature to ensure better sleep.
5. Keeps your skin hydrated
Silks tightly woven fibres and naturally low absorbency helps maintain your skins natural moisture levels while you sleep, reducing skin dryness by keeping moisture close to the skin. Further, the low absorbency of the fabric means that your pillow slip will absorb less of your facial products, meaning you get the most out of your nightly moisturiser. Dermatologists have suggested that sleeping on silk keeps your skin more hydrated during the night than sleeping on cotton - contributing to a fresh, radiant, and youthful complexion in the morning.