How Sleeping on Silk Leads to Smoother Hair, Younger-Looking Skin, and More Restful Nights
If you’ve been tossing and turning recently, you’re not alone — 2020 wasn’t exactly the year of restful sleep. Some reached for meditation apps or calming essential oils, but it may have been the people hopping on the silk sheet bandwagon that got ahead of the sleep struggle in the most effortless (and luxurious) way.
Silk has been having a huge moment in recent years, and the silk bedding market is particularly booming. Most silk-obsessed folks have noticed a substantial difference in both the quality of their sleep and their post-slumber appearance. But like most fabrics, not all silk is created equal, and choosing the best silk pillowcases and sleep accessories with the highest quality fabric is an important factor in reaping all its potential sleep-inducing benefits.
That’s why many silk-lovers are flocking to Blissy. Their products have garnered a cult-like following (check out the 24,000 overwhelmingly positive customer reviews on their site), and for good reason: their pillowcases, dreamy sleep masks, and cute hair accessories are made with 100% pure mulberry silk, the highest quality silk available for purchase. We decided to talk to some of the people who left reviews on the site to get more information on their experiences — did silk really make such a difference? Turns out, it did.
What Real People Are Saying About Sleeping on Silk
Danielle, an avid lover of all Blissy products, got her first set of silk pillowcases after her best friend, Valetta, told her that the silk would help her look more refreshed in the morning. “Valetta has gorgeous skin and hair,” says Danielle, “and I was amazed by how I woke up the next day with zero creases on my face after sleeping on my silk pillowcase.”
When she was younger, Danielle, age 49, would wake up with those classic pillow “lines” on her face, but they would disappear in a minute or two after she got out of bed. “Nowadays, when I get lines on my face, it takes an hour or more for them to disappear.” Since Danielle switched to Blissy pillowcases, early morning creases are no longer an issue.
“I am a woman of a certain age, and although I am pro-age, I feel I am entitled to age gracefully” — Edie, 62.
Edie, age 61, also can’t get over how great she looks after a night’s sleep on her silk pillowcase. “I am a woman of a certain age, and although I am pro-age, I feel I am entitled to age gracefully,” says Edie. “Since I started using Blissy silk pillowcases, I find settling to sleep more comfortable and my sleeps are more restful — plus, I don’t wake up looking or feeling my age. Mission accomplished!”
The Science Behind the Results
The reviewers’ results make sense when you understand the science behind skin aging and how your skin reacts to different materials: First of all, we know that the way you sleep can affect the quality of your skin and might be associated with early wrinkling. “As we sleep, frictional forces between our faces and the pillowcases can impact our skin,” explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Rubbing and folding of the skin can lead to inflammation and may contribute to early wrinkling and dark spots.”
According to Dr. Zeichner, the best pillowcases to sleep on when it comes to the skin are soft natural fibers that will not disrupt the skin barrier. “Silk is light and breathable, which prevents build-up of sweat and minimizes exposure to humidity on the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Silk is even softer than cotton and is ideal to sleep on.”
Not only can sleeping on a silk pillowcase potentially help minimize stretching and pulling of the skin, but it can also help to prevent breakouts. “The biggest difference I saw after using my Blissy pillowcase was how it helped me with my breakouts and my tangled hair,” explains Arpa, age 34. “I have always dealt with both and have tried almost every remedy. Ever since I have been using silk pillowcases, I have cut down on the majority of the products I would use on my face and hair. I just don’t need them anymore.”
Skinny Scrunchies in Rose Gold
Don’t Forget the Silk Accessories
Blissy also makes silk hair scrunchies, which come in a variety of sizes and colors, that prevent any creasing from happening when you put your hair up in a ponytail or bun — a bonus you won’t get from traditional elastic hair bands.
Another huge benefit of swapping cotton out for silk is how lightweight it feels on your eyes when wearing a silk eye mask. “Blissy sleep masks truly feel like cloud pillows on my face,” says Arpa. She used to use a plain cotton version, but she found that she woke up with itchy, irritated skin — and don’t even get her started on the icky oil buildup she’d see on the mask after just a few uses.
Why Silk Can Improve Your Sleep
Another reason to sleep on silk? You may get better quality Zzs. Studies have found that temperature has a huge impact on your sleep quality. When you are optimizing the sleep bedding environment, you always want to ensure that the materials you choose will optimize for thermal regulation, according to Mollie McGlocklin, founder of Sleep is a Skill. “We want you to err on the side of creating a cooler sleep environment without, of course, being uncomfortably cold,” explains McGlocklin. “Silk acts as a natural thermal regulator, making it cooler in the summer and warm in the winter.”
The reason that silk is able to “feel cool” is what’s known as the phenomenon of heat transfer. “Heat transfer speaks to a material’s ability to either trap heat (foam beds tend to be a good example of this) or transfers it away,” says McGlocklin. “Silk has a favorable heat transfer rating, thanks to its breathable nature and ability to absorb sweat away from your body throughout the night.” Plus, silk can also be less irritating to those with skin sensitivity, so folks are able to fall asleep and stay asleep easier.
“As an older person, I was always waking up with hot flashes during the night,” explains Terrie, age 62. “My [silk] pillowcases are wonderfully cool.”
With a vast range of colors (18 shades, to be exact), and the high-quality feel of the silk fabric, Terrie can’t imagine going back to her plain cotton pillowcase. “It’s the 100% Pure Mulberry Silk used in the Blissy products that really makes a difference,” she says. “I have used silk pillowcases before, but did not have the same results — these are made of a very luxurious silk.”
Adrian Marius Posadaru
