I'm always looking for ways to make my life a little more luxurious, so silk pillowcases are a staple on my bed. I have frizzy, curly-wavy hair and acne, so I savor the smooth touch of my favorite silk pillowcase every night and love waking up with defined curl structure and glowing skin. Silk is notoriously soft and durable, with a shiny look and slick feel. It's a natural animal product, made with the cocoon of silk worms, and is measured in mommes, which refers to the weight of the silk and indicates quality and density. Needless to say, I'm a fanatic for the best silk pillowcases.
I tested a dozen silk pillowcases and talked to Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified dermatologist in NYC and an assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of the book "Skin Rules" and Katrina Walker, sewing professional and textile expert, to make my top picks. The best silk pillowcase overall is the Lilysilk 22-Momme Silk Pillowcase. It's a thick, soft option with impressive durability at a reasonable price point. I also recommend Slip's Silk Pillowcase, the coolest pillowcase I tried that also left my skin and hair shining in the morning.
Our top picks for best silk pillowcases
Best overall: Lilysilk 22 Momme Silk Pillowcase- See at Amazon
Best budget: Quince Mulberry Silk Pillowcase- See at Quince
Best for skin and hair: Slip Silk Pillowcase- See at Amazon
Best organic: Clementine Organic Silk Pillowcase- See at Clementine
Best mulberry: Fisher's Finery 30 Momme Mulberry Silk Pillowcase- See at Amazon
Best overall
Lilysilk’s 22 Momme Silk Pillowcase is made with beautifully soft, thick organic silk and an envelope closure. It comes in eight colors.
What we like
What we don't like
This silk pillowcase checks all my boxes. When I think of the ideal silk pillowcase, I think of luxuriously soft yet durable fabric, a cooling touch, and a soothing feel on the skin. Lilysilk's 22 Momme Silk Pillowcase checks all of those boxes. Made with Oeko-Tex and GOTS-certified organic materials, this pillowcase performed very well in all our tests, from comfort to cooling.
The silk is noticeably thick and luxe. I loved the way it felt against my skin and hair. It's incredibly comfortable to sleep on, and I found myself gravitating toward it when I wasn't actively testing another product. Even now, after the testing period is over, you can find the Lilysilk pillowcase on my bed.
It's cool and durable. To test durability, I scratched the pillowcase with my fingernails 50 times to simulate pet scratching or an earring catching in your pillowcase, I noticed no loose threads or pilling. It also performed well in cooling tests, only increasing in temperature by about 2.2 degrees after lying on it for two minutes. Subjectively, I never once woke up feeling overheated when using this pillowcase.
It wrinkles easily, even when washed by hand. I noticed that the pillowcase wrinkles easily, especially immediately after removing it from its packaging and washing. The washing process is more tedious than that of other pillowcases in our guide. While some silk pillowcases can be machine washed on delicate, the Lilysilk pillowcase is hand-wash only. That said, it held up well to handwashing. All saliva stains (gross, I know) were completely gone after hand washing.
Choose your favorite color. Lilysilk's silk pillowcase comes in standard, queen, and king sizes. You choose from eight colors, from a classic black to a sunny butter yellow.
Best budget
Quince's silk pillowcase is gentle on hair and skin. It's one of the most affordable pure silk pillowcases you can find.
What we like
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It's hard to find a pure silk pillowcase on a budget. Silk is a pricey material, making finding a budget silk pillowcase difficult. Many companies remedy the expense by blending silk with a cheaper material, like cotton, or using silk on only one side of the pillowcase. But our budget pick, the Quince Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, is the best affordable pure silk pillowcase we tested.
It's affordable, yet still luxurious. Our previous budget pick was the Bedsure Silk Pillowcase. Usually retailing for under $30, we've noticed significant stock issues, with only a single color available on Amazon. At $45, the Quince silk pillowcase is more expensive than our previous pick, but we stand behind its quality for the price. It's still one of the cheapest silk pillowcases you can find that maintains a high standard of quality.
I love the thick, durable silk. The material is thick and strong, and the durability tests revealed only minor loose threads. The feel isn't as smooth as other picks on our list, but the thickness of the silk rivals options double the price. Plus, the pillow stays in place during the night, with no annoying shifting.
It got hot during testing, but I slept cool. Quince's pillowcase got quite hot during my cooling tests, getting up to 77 degrees after two minutes. That said, it did an excellent job at dissipating the heat, lowering back down to 72 degrees once I got up. Subjectively, I never overheated while using this pillowcase.
It's machine washable. Quince recommends handwashing this pillowcase for maximum durability, but you can also machine wash it on cold in the gentle cycle, just like our favorite Quince washable silk dress. It comes in nine colors, ranging from a classic white to an earthy terracotta.
Best for skin and hair
Slip’s Silk Pillowcase is smooth on the skin and hair, preventing frizziness and irritation. We also love its range of bright colors and fun designs.
What we like
What we don't like
Slip's pillowcase smoothed my frizzy hair and dry skin. My skin and hair are temperamental. I have dry, sensitive skin that's prone to acne and wavy-curly hair that loves to frizz no matter the time of year. Like many other people on their curly hair journey, I've heard silk combats bedhead for smoother hair. After testing almost a dozen silk pillowcases, I found that Slip's Silk Pillowcase is the best for skin and hair.
It helped maintain my curl structure. I usually sleep with a satin bonnet to protect my hair, so I was nervous to sleep without one while testing silk pillowcases. Usually, sleeping on a cotton pillowcase completely ruins my curl structure and leaves my hair frizzy and poofy the next day. With Slip's pillowcase, though, my curls looked soft and bouncy, even without a satin bonnet.
My skin felt soft and smooth after waking up. I saw benefits in my skin, too. I noticed a considerable reduction in my skin's redness and didn't have as many breakouts. My skin felt plump and moisturized — a far cry from the tight, dry skin I usually have after waking up on a cotton pillowcase.
The smooth, cool texture makes it the best silk pillowcase for hot sleepers. The benefits for skin and hair come from the pillowcase's unbelievably smooth texture. This pillowcase was, by far, the softest and smoothest silk pillowcase I tried. There was little friction between my head and the pillow. Plus, it performed the best in our heat dissipation tests, only increasing in temperature by two degrees, making it the best cooling silk pillowcase.
It's pricey to buy and maintain. The quality comes at a high price tag, though. A queen-size pillowcase will cost you $105. It's also cumbersome to wash since Slip recommends a specific pH-neutral detergent to clean it.
I'm in love with the bright colors and fun designs. Slip's silk pillowcases, which are sold in queen and king sizes, are also available with an envelope enclosure. Slip consistently releases limited-edition colors and patterns—I especially love the scalloped edge and vibrant pink and red stripes on this pillowcase.
Best organic
Clementine’s Organic Silk Pillowcase is one of the few GOTS-certified silk pillowcases on the market.
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Crafting organic silk is complicated. The process for silk to be considered organic differs from that of other materials since silk is made from the cocoons of silkworms. To be considered organic, all fibers must be made using sustainable practices and be chemical and GMO-free. For silk, the silkworms must only eat organic plant matter, and the cocoons must be boiled and washed.
Clementine's silk pillowcase is a hidden gem. Because of these requirements, organic silk is difficult to find, so I was excited to try Clementine's Organic 22-momme Silk Pillowcase. I can attest that it's something special. Not only did I sleep easy knowing that the pillowcase was GOTS-certified organic, but I loved this pillowcase's feel. It had the thickest silk of all the pillowcases I tested. It was also ridiculously soft, with a feel similar to a bamboo sheet.
It's perfectly giftable. The envelope enclosure did have a habit of slipping off at night, but it was a quick fix in the morning. Even the packaging is perfect — your pillowcase comes in a cotton cover in a thick, magnetic cardboard box. It'd make an ideal gift for the eco-conscious friend. It comes in seven colors, including a luxe gold, and queen and king sizes.
It's delicate and expensive. As expected for the quality and certification, this is an expensive pillowcase. You can also only return your pillowcase if unused within 30 days, so it's more of a risk if you decide you don't like it. I also noticed torn threads in the stitching and pillow during abrasion testing; it sustained the most damage of all the pillowcases I tested. You'll have to be extra careful when using this pillowcase and keep it away from pets and their claws.
Best mulberry
At 30 mommes, this is one of the heaviest silk pillowcases on the market. It also comes with a mesh washing bag for easy care.
What we like
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Mulberry is the most luxurious type of silk. In my interview with Walker, she said that mulberry silk is produced by a certain type of moth caterpillar. "'Mulberry silk' refers to silk produced by the Bombyx mori silk moth, a domesticated insect. The Bombyx mori silk moth caterpillar only eats the leaves of the mulberry tree," Walker said. "As a result, the cocoons it spins are pure white." While many picks in our guide are made of mulberry silk, Fisher's Finery takes the cake for best mulberry silk pillowcase.
It's the highest weighted silk I tested. At 30 mommes, it's rare to find such high-weighted silk. I tried the 25 momme and 30-momme silk pillowcases from Fisher's Finery, and I could immediately tell a difference between the two pillowcases. The 30-momme pillowcase is thick and substantial. While it wasn't the softest pillowcase I tested, it performed well in the cooling tests, so it's a good choice for hot sleepers.
The pillowcase shifts at night. I did notice that this envelope-style pillowcase moved around on the pillow a lot. I had to readjust it each morning to fit properly on my pillow. It also slipped around the bed — I frequently woke up with it on the floor after shifting around at night.
Care is easy, but I noticed pilling and torn threads. This pillowcase is easy to care for, especially since Fisher's Finery provides a mesh delicates bag with each silk pillowcase (which came in handy as I washed the other pillowcases, too). That said, there was noticeable pilling and torn threads after washing, so you'll want to be extra careful when caring for this pillowcase.
Choose from neutral colors and subtle stripes. Fisher's Finery offers 30-day returns for unused silk pillowcases. They are sold in standard, queen, and king sizes and are available in packs of two and singles. It comes in eight neutral colors, including striped designs.
What else we tested
Besides our top picks, these are the other silk pillowcases we tested:
- Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase: We love Brooklinen's 365-day return policy, but this pillowcase was thinner and scratchier than others we tested.
Parachute Silk Pillowcase: Parachute's silk pillowcase had a crinkly texture that got worse after washing. It also didn't fit my pillow well.
What to look for
- Material: Silk is measured in mommes, which refers to the number of silk fibers in your pillowcase. You can find silk ranging from 19 to 30 mommes, with higher momme counts meaning a more durable and luxurious pillowcase. Mulberry silk is the golden standard and highest quality silk.
- Closure style: There are two main closure styles: envelope and zippered. Envelope enclosures have an interior pocket that hugs the edge of the pillow, while the outer flap covers the pocket for a seamless look. Zippered closures have a zipper on the edge of the pillowcase and keep the pillow stay secures in the pillowcase. Closure style comes down to personal preference, depending on the look, adjustability, and fit you prefer. Most brands sell silk pillowcases in both closure styles.
- Durability: Silk pillowcases are an investment, so you'll want one that will last for years. Higher mommes mean a heavier silk, so they're usually more durable.
- Care: Silk is notoriously difficult to care for. It's a strong yet delicate material, so care instructions for silk pillowcases can be complicated. Many silk pillowcases are hand-wash only, but others are machine-washable on a delicate setting. Also, pay particular attention to the recommended detergent, since some silk pillowcases require special silk or pH-neutral detergent. All silk pillowcases should be air dried, and be careful to keep them away from the sun, which can hurt the gentle silk fibers in your pillowcase.
- Color/Pattern selection: In this guide, we've tried to include picks with a range of classic, neutral colors and fun, bright styles. Choose the design that blends seamlessly into your bedroom, or pick a vibrant pattern for a standout piece.
Price: Silk pillowcases run the range of prices. If you don't want a 100% silk pillowcase, you can also find cheaper options in a silk blend or with one-sided silk.
How we tested
Effect on hair and skin: To test the impact on hair and skin, I slept on each silk pillowcase with my hair down for seven nights while continuing my usual hair and skincare routines. Then, I noted the look and feel of my hair and skin, focusing specifically on issues like frizz and acne.
Cooling: To test cooling, I first measured the temperature of each pillowcase on my Brooklinen Down Pillow before lying down. Then, I lay my face on the pillow for two minutes. After the two-minute period, I measured again. Finally, I measured the last temperature two minutes after lying down to determine how the pillowcase dissipates heat. I also noted if I overheated in my sleep during the testing period.
Durability: I tested durability by scratching each silk pillowcase with my fingernails 50 times in two places: once in the middle of the pillow and once near a seam. This test was meant to replicate accidentally scratching your pillowcase, pet nails, or snagging an earring on the fabric. My partner, who has stubble, slept with each silk pillowcase for seven nights to check for noticeable damage from abrasion. I also looked for torn threads and pilling after washing.
Care: I followed the care instructions for each silk pillowcase. After washing and drying, I also checked how well any stains were removed from the pillowcase.
Silk pillowcase FAQs
What's the difference between silk and satin pillowcases?
Silk is a natural product made from silkworm cocoons, while satin is a weave that can be made from any material. Silk is more expensive than satin, since creating and harvesting silk is difficult. Both satin and silk pillowcases are good for hair and skin.
What is "momme," and why does it matter?
A momme is the unit of silk weight, so a fabric with a larger momme count has more silk fibers in the fabric, according to Walker. Momme" (pronounced "mummy") is a historic unit of weight measurement. The abbreviation is "mm" which should not be confused with millimeter, which is a measurement of thickness or length — when you see "mm" in reference to silk it is a measurement of weight," she said. "Although we now have much more common units of measurement for weight, momme is still used in the silk trade."
"Silk is sold by weight and always has been sold this way," Walker said. "When comparing fabrics of the same weave structure (silk charmeuse, a crepe-back satin, for instance), the heavier momme indicates a thicker yarn and generally a higher quality fabric."
Is mulberry silk better than other types of silk?
As Walker indicated, mulberry silk is manufactured by feeding mulberry leaves to Bombyx mori silk moth caterpillars. "Other breeds of silk-producing moths' caterpillars eat a wider variety of leaves, which permanently color the silk," Walker said. "You are what you eat!"
So, generally, yes: Mulberry silk is better than other types of silk. "'Mulberry silk' is arguably of higher quality than many other types of silk due to its consistent fiber diameter and its ease of dyeing into vibrant colors," Walker said.
How do I clean a silk pillowcase?
Walker recommends handwashing a silk pillowcase and air drying it, even if it's technically machine washable. "To ensure the longest life for your silk pillowcase, it is recommended to hand wash it with mild soap or detergent, roll in a towel to remove the excess water, and lay flat to dry. A light rinse in a liquid fabric softener can help preserve the softness," she said. Be gentle with the silk when washing, as it is weaker when wet. Dry cleaning is also an excellent option."
Do silk pillowcases help with frizz and wrinkles?
According to Dr. Jaliman, silk pillowcases help with both skin texture and wrinkles. "Silk reduces friction on the skin, so it helps prevent sleep lines and wrinkles," she said. "Silk absorbs less moisture than, for example, cotton, so it's better for keeping your products on the skin and not absorbing them into the pillowcase."
Silk pillowcases also combat hair frizz. "Since silk is very smooth, it reduces friction and prevents frizziness of the hair," Jaliman said. "It also helps to maintain a hairstyle longer because of less friction on the hair."
How long do silk pillowcases last?
A quality silk pillowcase can last for years. To increase its longevity, be sure to follow the care label's instructions.
"A silk pillowcase's lifespan is determined by the thickness of the fabric and quality of construction combined with laundering habits and the person using the pillow," Walker said. "Someone with stubble facial hair will wear out a silk pillowcase faster due to abrasion over time. Putting a silk pillowcase in a washing machine and dryer will also eventually abrade the pillow. But even with this mistreatment, a good quality pillowcase can likely last a few years."
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