The domestication of silk originated in ancient China over 4,000 years ago and soon became a treasured and high-value commodity to trade. The luxurious fabric quickly spread across the world via the Silk Road and became a global symbol of wealth and status.
It was thought to have been introduced to the UK towards the late Middle Ages. As a luxury material that was difficult to produce, it was primarily reserved for royalty and wealthy elites who could afford the premium fabric for clothes, accessories and bed linen.

To this day, Mulberry silk, renowned for its softness, strength and lustrous sheen, continues to be a luxurious fabric choice, particularly for bed sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers.

Silk is frequently used for clothing and accessories but the silky and supple fabric is also perfect for bed linen. When woven, the fabric is particularly suited to pillowcases due to its structure which feels soft and gentle against skin and hair so helps maintain its health. One of the many benefits of silk pillowcases is that they are smooth and breathable to sleep on.

Silk is soft and gentle, as well as naturally hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin. Some of the potential benefits of a silk pillowcase are that it helps to prevent wrinkles, reduce fine lines, and support skin in maintaining its moisture levels.

Silk pillowcases have been popular in the beauty space recently due to being marketed as having multiple hair care benefits, but how exactly are silk pillowcases good for hair? Silk is soft, smooth and has less friction than other fabrics, making it a popular choice for those with textured, curly or dry hair. As well as helping to prevent breakage as you move in your sleep, silk can also help to keep your hair feeling smooth.

Silk’s ultra-soft fibres may help retain moisture by being gentle against the skin, making silk pillowcases a great option for those with dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin. Silk is also less absorbent than a fabric like cotton, so one silk pillowcase benefit is that it may help to support skin moisture levels overnight, as it won’t draw out moisturising skincare products as readily as other fabrics.

Some people believe that silk can minimise or prevent wrinkles. Though there is no significant evidence for this, silk’s soft texture and natural sheen can reduce the amount of friction on the skin, which could be a cause of morning creases from certain sleep positions. This may help to minimise premature skin creases over time.

Silk’s beautifully soft fabric may help to reduce irritation for sensitive skin. Another silk pillowcase benefit is that it’s naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, which may be beneficial for those with eczema, allergies or other skin sensitivities. A pure-silk pillowcase also helps retains moisture while being gentle against delicate skin, which may help to support the skin’s health.

The naturally smooth and sumptuous texture of silk is softer than some other fabrics, making it gentler on your hair follicles as you change positions during sleep. Silk’s natural softness and surface sheen feel delicate against your hair, which may help to prevent additional frizz or breakage overnight.

Another of the renowned silk pillowcase benefits is that it could help to support hair hydration, making it a wonderful option for those with dry and damaged hair. Similar to its skincare benefits, silk’s low absorbency won’t draw moisture and natural oils away from hair as readily as a fabric like cotton will, which may help to prevent dryness.

Silk pillowcases are regularly used as a way of protecting hairstyles overnight. The smooth texture of silk can cradle your hair more gently as you sleep, which may reduce the need for frequent touch-ups.

Pillowcases crafted from pure silk are a popular fabric choice for temperature regulation. Cool to the touch even in summer, it’s great for sleeping in warmer climates and months. It’s also exceptionally breathable and can be naturally insulating when it gets chilly.

Naturally hypoallergenic, silk can be a good option for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Learn more about how to care for your silk bed linen the right way.

Although it's known for its gentle feel and exquisite lustre, silk is amazingly durable. Its fine fibres make it supple and soft to the touch, making it ideal for high-quality bed linen and luxurious sleep accessories. By following the care guidance on the label it can be a long-lasting addition to your bed for many years to come.

Silk is lightweight, breathable and sumptuously soft, and is known to help regulate body temperature which can support restful sleep. It can help you feel warm in winter and cool in summer. Its sleek smoothness adds to its superior feel and can aid in restful sleep, year-round.

Our Pure-Silk Pillow Cases can be machine washed on a delicate cycle, using a mild, non-biological and bleach-free detergent and gently air-dried flat. Be sure to avoid the tumble dryer as silk can be easily damaged. Creases fall out of silk quite easily if dried flat. If needed, an iron can be used on a low setting while the item is still damp. Store in a dry, cool environment, avoiding sunlight to keep silk at its best.

Silk’s luxuriously soft texture and temperature-regulating properties make it a timeless choice for bed linen. The delicate fabric is meticulously crafted to provide a restful night's sleep, as well as having potential benefits for hair and skin health. Silk pillowcases provide unrivalled softness and comfort to settle down onto after the end of a long day. Explore our silk bed linen collections to give your bedding a refresh.

Some popular silk pillowcase benefits include its soft, smooth and low absorbency finish, which is thought to help retain hair and skin moisture. Silk offers natural temperature control, helping to aid restful sleep. Naturally hypoallergenic, it’s gentle on delicate skin and could make a difference to allergy sufferers.

You should ideally aim to wash your silk pillowcases after a week of use, to keep them fresh and clean. Be sure always to follow the care label carefully and use a gentle, bleach-free, detergent designed for use with pure silk. Our silk pillowcases can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle.

You may notice your hair feeling smoother after just one night, compared to sleeping on other fabrics, but this will vary from person to person. Overall: are silk pillowcases good for hair and skin? While we can’t guarantee it, silk’s superior softness may help prevent facial sleep creases, and its low friction surface could help prevent hair damage and breakage as you move during the night. What we can be sure of is that silk is luxuriously soft and its cool finish is sensational to sleep on.