Increasing numbers of people are switching to silk pillowcases to help improve skin conditions, reduce sleep creases, keep skin hydrated and wrinkles at bay and to protect against acne –we look at if they are worth the hype.
There have been many articles in the national press and beauty and health magazines featuring the benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase, and it is a solution often recommended by skin experts.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that sleeping on silk is better for your skin than cotton – and while there's no decisive evidence to support the switch, Mulberry silk does have certain properties that mean it's the right choice for people with sensitive skin. Mulberry’s silk's smooth surface can limit friction and prevent sleep creases, and that reduces strain on the skin and reducing the appearance of lines.
We chatted with a skin expert to find out if sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help prevent breakouts and improve the skin.
"A silk pillowcase is a good choice for a person with sensitive skin as silk is much gentler and softer on the skin than a cotton pillowcase," says Dr Caro Beggin, a skin specialist who works in the UK and South Africa. "Cotton pillowcases actually draw off moisture from your skin and hair. So that means products on your face or in your hair when you go to bed is transferred to your pillowcase. It’s almost certain that those substances will then transfer to your face while you sleep – mainly if you sleep on your front or your side - and that could cause irritation dryness or even inflammation and breakouts."
I'm Bernadette O'Farrell, and I'm the founder of Knüg. Here's my story: At the age of 24, my daughter got her first big job. She also had acne, which knocked her self-confidence and made her incredibly anxious about meeting new people. After trying all sorts of things, a friend suggested that she try using a silk pillowcase. At that point, we were both willing to try anything, so we bought one, and a few weeks later, she called me, thrilled, to say that her skin had really cleared up. The difference in her skin was amazing, and she's used silk pillowcases ever since.
I started to investigate the benefits and see if there was any science behind all this. How could a silk pillowcase clear her acne when all the lotions and potions had not worked? I discovered that silk is a natural fibre that does not clog pores – making it healthy for the skin in general. Moreover, silk's hypoallergenic and sheen properties reduce friction between the face and pillowcase, lowering the chances of infection and skin irritations. There are also claims that silk is antibacterial.
As Dr Beggin says, while there's no precise science, there are several reasons why silk could be better for your skin in the long term. It's softer and kinder to sleep on, so your skin doesn't get creased in the same way as it does with cotton. The fact that it doesn't draw moisture away from your skin is also conducive to better skin health and a better night's sleep – which in itself is excellent for younger-looking skin and helps older skin too.
That's why we stock a range of silk pillowcases at Knüg. Take a look at our silk pillowslips they are made from the purest, highest grade, long fibre 22momme Mulberry Silk. We take the utmost care in producing our silk pillowcases, which are made to exacting standards and without the use of chemicals or harmful toxic dyes.
We know from our own experience and from customer feedback that once you've tried a silk pillowcase, you'll never look back – why not join the increasing number of people who are being kinder to their skin?
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