There are thousands of skin and hair products on the market that claim to work magic while you are fast asleep at night. These nighttime routine products apparently tend to work doubly well when you are in your rest mode, making your skin or probably your hair look beautiful in the morning. But while these moisturisers, serums, or even masks tend to claim to do so, there is another completely unrelated product that has been gaining recognition for the very same reason: silk pillowcases.?
Many beauty influencers and even experts have been claiming that silk pillowcases or integrating silk material into your bedding can do wonders for the skin and hair. But does it actually work? There are several benefits it can have for your skin:
It has been noted by many that the hair is less frizzy and tangles less when one uses silk in their bedding. As per a story on sleepfoundation.org, the silk material does not let the hair get tangled. Whereas when it comes to cotton material, it ends up tangling the hair due to the friction created overnight. This can also result in hair breakage. It is also quite beneficial for people who have heavier, curly, or wavy hair. That is why many people can be seen wearing silk bonnets or hair wraps to protect their hair from friction and breakage. A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that sleeping on silk resulted in less friction and reduced mechanical damage to hair compared to cotton.
Silk is known for its ability to retain moisture. Sleeping on silk may help keep the skin better hydrated than sleeping on cotton, which can be particularly beneficial for people with dry or sensitive skin. The skin is able to retain moisture much more, and the skincare products used can work much better. A study in the Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology, and Management suggested that silk fabrics have good water absorption properties.?
Silk has natural temperature-regulating properties. It can help keep you cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. Maintaining a comfortable sleeping temperature is important for overall skin health. Besides, it is a boon during hot weather as it provides a cooling effect for those who naturally have a warm body temperature. A study in the Journal of Thermal Biology found that silk has good thermal regulation compared to other fabrics.
Silk is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and other allergens. This can be beneficial for individuals with allergies or sensitive skin. A study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that using allergen-impermeable covers, such as those made from silk, can help reduce exposure to allergens. However, many experts, such as the sleep science coach at sleepfoundation.org, say that not all can benefit from it as it still collects allergens and isn't 100% free of them. It is also recommended by the expert to use a pillow protector to help keep dust mites at bay.?
The points above do highlight that it can lead to anti-ageing. Fine lines and wrinkles are created due to?old age and the dryness of the skin. When the silk helps retain moisture, it can mean that there will obviously be fewer fine lines. Less friction can also mean there are more anti-ageing elements involved. However, it alone can't help one achieve this. Using better skin care products and internal factors can also help achieve anti-ageing benefits.?
All of these points do indicate that silk really is helpful in some way or another. But obviously, if one thinks that it will solve all of their hair and?skin?problems, then it will be a wrong claim. But yes, given the above pointers, it does help with a lot of different aspects and surely is a better investment. If one really needs to absorb the best benefits, it is recommended to go for mulberry silk, which is like the Egyptian cotton of silks. It is a little pricey, but it would feel like magic when you went to sleep on it.? ?