A silk pillowcase sounds comically opulent, but these pillowcases are more than just a luxury homeware upgrade, perfect for the best pillows you have. They can offer a whole host of beauty benefits, too.
Skin expert Dr Ahmed El Muntasar explains that silk pillowcases can “help retain moisture in the skin, preventing it from drying out overnight. They also reduce friction, which can minimise skin irritation and help prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles”.
It’s not just skin, either. Scalp health expert Deborah Maguire says silk can improve the condition of our hair, too: “Unlike cotton, silk creates significantly less friction against the hair shaft during sleep, which helps reduce breakage, frizz and split ends”. This can be particularly beneficial for those with textured or curly hair, or those with hair extensions or chemically treated hair.
These days, you can buy a silk pillowcase for as little as £30, and it could reduce your skin and haircare expenditure, as well. Maguire says, “Traditional pillowcases can absorb oils and products from the hair. By contrast, silk is less absorbent.” That means less wasted formula, better product penetration and a cleaner pillowcase. Your hair will also “retain essential hydration and smoothness overnight”, adds Maguire.
With so much on the market, it can be hard to find a good silk pillowcase that lives up to its price tag. When shopping for the best silk pillowcases, you’ll need to know about momme, a measure of the density and weight of silk. Dr Muntasar explains that 18 momme is usually “lighter, not as tough or as durable – it’s likely to break and wear a little bit quicker”. On the other hand, “22 momme is denser, silkier and more resistant to friction”.
It’s a lot to bear in mind, and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you can end up with an expensive pillowcase that doesn’t even work. That’s why I tested all the market leaders to find the very best.
Read more: Best mattresses, tried and tested
The best silk pillowcases for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Blissy 100 per cent mulberry silk pillowcase: £59, Blissy.com
- Best budget buy – Dorma rose silk pillowcase: £30, Dunelm.com
- Best for style – Liberty exclusive, Coco & Wolf Betsy silk pillowcases, set of two: £189, Libertylondon.com
- Best for hair – Drowsy silk pillowcase, midnight blue: £40, Drowsysleepco.com
How I tested
Over three months, I tested a range of silk pillowcases across various price points. To keep things fair, I brushed my hair each night before bed and inspected the state of its shine, knots, and breakage come morning. As for my skin, this was a little trickier. Most of the pillowcases left no immediate marker of improvement or worsening on my skin, so I paid more attention to the feel of the fabrics against my cheek, including any noticeable sticking or roughness.
I hand-washed and air-dried each pillowcase after use to compare their post-wash appearances, noting the state of creasing, any mussing of the silk (which presents as little fluffy balls on the surface of the fabric), and any shrinkage.
Read more: Best silk bedding sets
