The Difference Between Satin vs. Silk Pillowcases

Despite their social standing, people all over the world agree on one thing: A good dose of beauty sleep.

Ain’t that, right? Of course, we all have that one all-nighter thing for our sensitive skin we cannot sleep without when speaking about drowsing off. A fancy bedcover, a blanket, your favorite pajamas, a couple of pillows; whatever that is, it says a lot about how effective your bedroom is at catching z’s.

Bed sheets and blankets, for instance, can cause pressure stimulation and activates your parasympathetic nervous system, thus increasing your serotonin levels which supports a better night’s sleep.

Pillows are just as important as they keep your head aligned with the neck and the backbone during sleep, or else you may wake up during the night, causing sleep loss. That said, even your pillowcases can highly contribute to how you get the beauty sleep you want.

Choosing the exact pillowcase is a must-do than you might possibly think for the quality of your sleep and skin. It always comes down to the type of material it is made from.

When it comes to ensuring your beauty sleep is a success, both satin and silk pillowcases are better options over cotton, sateen, or microfiber. Of all the materials woven into pillowcases, these two are the most well-known.

They might seem identical on the surface, but never judge a pillow by its cover. Now, the questions that are yet to be answered are, which is better:  a silk or satin pillowcase? How do they differ? Let’s get deep into each.

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Sateen Isn’t Satin pillowcases

There is no problem with silk or satin, but with sateen, a lot! It may seem like there is a similarity between the words, but sateen and satin are not the same. While both share the same weave structure, sateen is mostly woven using cotton. On the contrary, satin is usually produced with a blend of silk and synthetic fiber.

Sateen is a garden variety in the world of bed linens, known to give a smooth, sophisticated feel without the high-thread-count-cotton price tag. As a result, sateen retains the quick-drying properties of cotton.

Although this is great for hair towels, this is a big no-no when put into pillowcase form, especially for thick, curly hair. A cotton pillowcase + eight hours of sleep = frizzy, tangled hair. Two words. Avoid Sateen.

Silk As In Silkworm’s Silk

It was Ancient China that began to domesticate silkworms to produce – as you might have guessed – silk. What is new is that it started thousand years ago by weaving threads together and was used as a material to make everything from clothes and screens to banners. Given time and with improved silk-working know-how, trade routes sprouted and spread throughout the globe over the years.

Silk is a natural protein fiber that is harvested from a few dozen insects around the world. Despite the variety of nature’s silk producers, however, only silkworm silk is culled for textiles. Ever since it was first woven, silk has been highly associated with luxury and royalty.

To this day, real silk is deemed a high-end material for the expertise it takes to work with and its exceptionally smooth feel. Silk is non-allergenic and non-absorbent, fending off the trapping of oil and bacteria on the pillowcase.

Moreover, the smooth surface of silk pillowcases also helps lessen the friction between the hair fibers, thus resulting in less hair breakage. It also retains the natural shine and moisture, hence the smoother hair.

Best Silk Fabric Type

Thanks to beauty enthusiasts have discovered the beautiful effects, on skin and hair, of sleeping on the types best silk pillowcases. But the five-star reviews do not just stop there. There are also different silk fabrics, of which the highest quality is given to the pure mulberry silk pillowcase.

A pure mulberry silk pillowcase is extracted from silkworms that eat from the leaves of mulberry trees. The fabrics created from these are the most durable and smoothest of all silk fabrics. You’ll surely spend hours on the bed every time you get a touch of your silk pillowcase.

Now Do Satin Pillowcases

Silk vs Satin, now we are at it again! Pillowcases that look glossy on the surface and have the sheen of silk – but are not silk – are known as satin. Unlike silk, satin is not some kind of material woven into fabric; it is the weaving itself.

Often treated as a sort of “fast-food silk”, satin is produced from other materials, most of which are synthetic and are not a natural fiber. However, it will still feel soft to the touch and can even feel smooth like silk. Synthetic satin has a much lower price point than pure silk since the former is manufactured with lesser effort and below cost than the latter.

Satin Versus Silk Pillowcases: Shared Boon

What makes these two materials a cut above the rest is that they offer far more benefits in pillowcases than those of their counterpart. Among these, they share a few commonalities.

• Less Absorbent. Unlike cotton, satin and silk pillowcases do not slurp all the water from your hair (which is why no silk or satin hair towels are seen on the market). Silk and Satin are good at maintaining far more hair moisture than any other fabrics available on the market.

• Less Friction. Since silk and satin are smooth materials, they are gentle and less likely to damage your hair when you toss and turn across your satin and silk pillowcases.

• Less Nasties. Compared to cotton, silk and satin do not soak up oils or products that you do not want swathing your hair or cause pimple breakout to your most jeweled face. This means cleaner hair and clearer skin.

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Satin Versus Silk Pillowcase: The Pros and Cons

When it pertains to the condition of your skin and hair, you shouldn’t accept less. So, if you’re unsure whether a satin or silk pillowcase would be better for storing your pillow, you might want to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each material before making your decision. Even if they all have their benefits, your choice should always be based on what you personally prefer.

• Cost. Because of manufacturing costs and significantly cheaper materials used,  satin pillowcases are often at a lower price point when compared to their silk counterparts.
• Care. Another edge of the satin pillowcase is its cleanability – simple machine wash like you normally would on cotton or jersey. Contrarily, silk pillowcases need more special care when it comes to washing.
• Skin Care. From the laying off of wrinkles and fine lines to leaving your oily hair feeling silky smooth, silk has always been first-rate when it comes to beautifying properties. On the other hand, satin cannot boast resembling benefits.
• Regulating Temperature. Both have natural cooling properties. However, silk is much better at adapting to your body’s temperature to create the optimum sleeping environment. Satin is also more likely to stain and smell like sweat as it will absorb moisture which is unlikely with silk.

Satin Versus Silk Pillowcase: The Verdict

Ultimately, whether a silk or satin pillowcase is better for your pillow is highly dependent on how rough of a sleeper you are. For those who greatly value hair care and health, it is no doubt who the winner is between satin versus silk. Both satin and silk pillowcases, however, proffer cool, comfortable sleep that regular cotton or jersey cannot provide.

If you are looking for a pillowcase that will aid your hair and skin, silk is your best choice, on the account that your budget can stretch to it. Otherwise, a satin pillowcase is a considerable option if you cannot justify the price of a silk one, as it still offers better skin care and hair care benefits than a cotton pillowcase.

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