A silk pillowcase sounds comically opulent, but these pillowcases are more than just a luxury homeware upgrade. 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.
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.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Smith is a beauty expert across hair and skin, with several articles covering the best shampoos and conditioners and best moisturisers for oily skin. She has also written about sleep products for other publishers. In her years in the industry, she’s spoken to dermatologists and trichologists to glean expert insights. Her reviews are based on real-world testing, and she will only recommend products she believes are worth your money.
The best silk pillowcases for 2025 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: £151.20, Libertylondon.com
- Best for hair – Drowsy silk pillowcase, midnight blue: £63, Drowsysleepco.com
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Blissy 100 per cent mulberry silk pillowcase
Best: Overall
Quantity: One
Quality: 22 momme 6A grade mulberry silk
Size tested: 50.8cm x 66cm
Sizes available: Standard, queen, king, youth, toddler
Why we love it
- Whopping choice of 93 patterns and colours
- Maintains softness after washing
- Relatively crease-free after washing
- Machine washable
- Keeps hair tangle-free
This pillowcase impressed me from the start. It arrived wrapped in tissue, inside a zebra-print box that matched the fabric, and featured a neat zip closure along with subtle embroidered branding. Even before I put it on a pillow, the 22-momme silk felt decadently smooth and had a weighty, luxurious texture that more than justifies the price tag. The Blissy pillowcase is machine washable, provided you use a mesh laundry bag and a 30C delicate cycle.
I can confidently say the silk benefited my hair, too. By morning, my hair was noticeably less matted. While I still had a few tangles in the finer strands on top, the usual trouble spots remained smooth and easy to comb. After several nights, I also noticed a definite increase in shine, even after heat styling. When it comes to my skin, however, it’s hard to pinpoint whether improvements in my complexion were due to the pillowcase or my skincare routine.
Buy now £59.00, Blissy.com
Dorma rose silk pillowcase
Best: Budget buy
Quantity: One
Quality: 100 per cent silk (momme not disclosed)
Size tested: 48cm x 74cm
Sizes available: One
Why we love it
- Choice of four colours
- Lovely luxurious sheen
Take note
- Creases after washing
- Not as smooth as others on test
If you're on a budget, Dorma's silk pillowcase is an impressive entry-level option. I found this pillowcase to be similar in quality to John Lewis’s 19-momme option, despite Dorma’s version being £15 cheaper. The only noticeable difference was a slight unevenness in the Dorma silk weave.
After sleeping on heat-styled curls, I woke up to find them mostly intact, just a little tousled. It’s a solid result for this price point, and a definite upgrade from my usual cotton pillowcase. As for my skin, I experienced a bit more sticking and friction than with higher-end silks, but nothing that disrupted sleep or caused irritation. Just bear in mind that it creases a lot after the wash,
Buy now £30.00, Dunelm.com
Slip pure silk zippered pillowcase
Best: Luxury pair
Quantity: Two
Quality: 100 per cent grade 6A long-fibre mulberry silk, 22 momme
Size tested: 76cm x 51cm
Sizes available: King, euro (square)
Why we love it
- Handwashes beautifully without creasing
- High-quality sheen
- Maintains heat-styled curls overnight
Take note
- 76cm x 51cm size is a little long on standard UK pillowcases
- Incredibly expensive
This Australian brand’s silk offering spans scrunchies, protective hair turbans and, of course, pillowcases. I tested the queen pillowcase duo, which saves £10 on the price of buying the pillowcases individually. With its 22-momme weight, the silk is noticeably high quality and remains indulgently heavy and slippery even after hand washing. It’s also machine-washable on a cold, delicate cycle (just skip the fabric softener).
As for the feel and performance, Slip’s pillowcase kept my heat-styled curls intact overnight, even after brushing them before bed. Much like the other silk pillowcases I tested, I didn’t notice any major differences to my skin with this one (I think such results will prove more long-term), but I did enjoy the cooling, soft feel of the fabric on my skin. The branded embroidery was a nice, premium touch.
This set was by far the most hotel-like experience of the lot, but there’s no getting away from that price tag. If you want exceptional silk pillowcases, these should be first on the list, but £200 is a lot to spend on clear skin.
Buy now £199.00, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Soak and Sleep ivory pure mulberry silk standard Oxford pillowcase pair
Best: For couples
Quantity: Two
Quality: 100 per cent pure 19 momme mulberry silk
Size tested: 50cm x 75cm
Sizes available: Standard, superking
Why we love it
- Doesn’t crush much after extended use
- Feels comforting against skin
- Can be tumble dried
Take note
- Oxford trim flops if stacked one pillow in front of the another (versus one on top of the other)
One of the few options which can be tumble-dried, this pair is ideal for busy lifestyles and offers temperature regulation for warmer months. Despite my nightly tossing and turning, I noticed minimal creasing, so there’s no need to iron these pillowcases before guests arrive.
The fabric feels luxurious, but if you’re particular about bedroom aesthetics, be aware that the Oxford trim lacks structure when propped upright. That said, I got around this by stacking the pillows flat-side down, as shown. That’s a minor quibble, however. These are excellent silk pillowcases, and you can get a set of two for cheaper than some single silk pillowcases.
Buy now £80.00, Soakandsleep.com
Drowsy silk pillowcase, midnight blue
Best: For smooth hair
Quantity: One
Quality: 100 per cent 22-momme, 6A grade mulberry silk
Size tested: 50cm x 70cm
Sizes available: One
Why we love it
- Helps lock-in skincare overnight
- Reduces hair frizz
Take note
- Expensive
Best known for its mulberry silk sleep masks, Drowsy also makes luxurious silk pillowcases. Available in 11 colourways, the pillowcases are crafted from 22-momme mulberry silk for a smooth, soft finish. The design features a simple envelope closure, which makes changing your sheets quick and easy, while it’s also machine washable without ruining the quality. Plus, the high-quality fabric doesn’t need ironing.
After applying my skincare at night, the pillowcase felt featherlight on my skin and helped it to retain its moisture, unlike the friction caused by linen or cotton cases. On hot summer nights, the cooling properties of silk felt particularly pleasing, but it’s the benefits to my hair that most impressed me. My hair is naturally frizzy and knotty, so I usually wake up to find my hair looks like Hagrid’s, but Drowsy’s pillowcase tames flyaways and prevents tangles thanks to its friction-free finish. I woke up with smooth, soft hair, just like when I went to sleep. Yes, this pillowcase doesn’t come cheap, but if you have the money, you’ll love the benefits.
Buy now £63.00, Drowsysleepco.com
LilySilk 25 momme Oxford envelope luxury pillowcase, set of two
Best: For quality
Quantity: Two
Quality: 25 momme organic silk charmeuse, 750 thread count
Size tested: 50cm x 75cm
Sizes available: Standard, square, king
Why we love it
- Supremely soft and silky
- Reduces friction
- Cooling on skin
Take note
- Doesn't quite fit standard pillows
The high 25 momme silk density was obvious as soon as I unpacked these pillowcases. The fabric felt heavy compared to some alternatives, draping smoothly over the pillow's inner. The material felt cool and smooth to the touch, though I found the texture became a little mussed after washing this set.
They sleep cool, perfect for the summer. It’s a little objective, but I think these were the best-looking pillows I tested. I thought the envelope closure could have overlapped a little more, as it left a small gap on my pillows, but as for the overall style and quality, I’d pick these again in a heartbeat.
Buy now £126.00, Lilysilk.com
Beauty Pie sleepeasy luxury mulberry silk pillowcase
Best: Creaseless
Quantity: One
Quality: 100 per cent natural 22 momme mulberry silk
Size tested: 51.5cm x 77cm
Sizes available: One
Why we love it
- Crease-free after air drying
- Piped edging gives a luxe finish
- Heat-styled curls were maintained overnight
- Machine washable
Take note
- A slightly more crepe-like texture
- Only one colour available
If you have a Beauty Pie subscription, the £34 member price for this silk pillowcase is a no-brainer. Even at the non-member price, it’s still a solid choice. Made from heavyweight 22-momme silk with refined piping, it feels a cut above many other options. It’s machine washable on a cold cycle and can be line-dried – unlike the John Lewis option – and dries crease-free with a smooth finish.
While testing, I went to bed with freshly styled curls and woke up to find no kinks or flatness. The curls had relaxed into waves, but their shape remained largely intact.
One notable difference with this pillowcase is the texture. Unlike others with a glossy, mirror-like finish, this one has a slightly feathered feel – still ultra-soft, but subtly matte. I actually appreciated this, as it prevented my face, with skincare applied, from sticking to the surface. Just bear in mind that it costs £85 for non-members, so it’s fairly expensive.
Buy now £85.00, Beautypie.com
John Lewis organic mulberry silk standard pillowcase
Best: For hot sleepers
Quantity: One
Quality: 19 momme organic mulberry silk
Size tested: 50cm x 75cm
Sizes available: One
Why we love it
- Machine washable at 40C
- Mid-range price and good, all-round functionality
Take note
- Stitching around envelope closure is a little shabby
- Stiffer than higher 22-25 momme silks
If you're new to silk for hair or skincare, John Lewis's pillowcase is a great starting point. Sitting comfortably between high-end and budget options, it’s made from 100 per cent organic mulberry silk – albeit at a relatively light 19 momme weight – and is hardy enough for machine washing.
Like other silk pillowcases I tested, this one helped reduce hair matting and knots caused by friction. The pillowcase also looked elegant, with a subtle luxe sheen. While soft on my skin, it tended to cling to freshly applied skincare, which was something I found more common with the lighter silk weights. The silk's naturally non-absorbent qualities helped my skin to retain moisture overnight, though, which, in the long term, can minimise dehydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines. I didn’t notice any significant anti-ageing benefits during testing, but the breathable weave offered a cooler, more comfortable sleep during warmer nights.
There’s a small discrepancy between the packaging and online care instructions: the packaging suggests it’s tumble dryer-safe (using the industry symbol for low heat), while the website advises against it. The machine wash guidelines are also a bit fussy, recommending silk-specific detergent, no fabric softener and no drying in sunlight, so you can’t throw it in with your regular laundry. I chose to handwash mine for consistency across all tests, and it dried well, with a few soft creases akin to the relaxed, ‘lived-in’ look of linen.
Buy now £45.00, Johnlewis.com
Only Curls silk pillowcase
Best: Anti-frizz
Quantity: One
Quality: 100 per cent 19-momme mulberry silk
Size tested: 50cm x 75cm
Sizes available: One
Why we love it
- Dries relatively crease-free
- Machine washable
- Prevents tangles and mussing
Take note
- Make-up stains
- Crepe-like texture
This pillowcase uses a lower-weight silk than pricier options and comes in a simple, fuss-free design: standard size, envelope closure and subtle embroidered branding. While it lacks the high-gloss sheen of premium options and has a slightly organza-like feel, it performs well. I woke up with noticeably fewer tangles and less frizz.
Like Beauty Pie's crepe-textured silk, I appreciated the soft finish. The only issue is that it absorbs makeup like a sponge, so if you fall asleep with your makeup on, you might wake to find it covered in foundation. To be fair, sleeping in makeup cancels out the skincare perks of silk anyway, but it’s worth knowing.
Buy now £40.00, Onlycurls.com
Liberty exclusive, Coco & Wolf Betsy silk pillowcases, set of two
Best: Stylish set
Quantity: Two
Quality: 16 momme silk
Size tested: 50cm x 70cm
Sizes available: Oxford pair, single standard, single king
Why we love it
- Liberty pattern
- Come as a pair
- Hair was less tangled come morning
Take note
- A little stiff to the touch
- On the smaller side of standard
- Expensive
The Betsy print pillowcases – complete with ditsy florals in pinks, yellows and blues – are wonderfully summery. Sold here as a set of two, the pillowcases make excellent base pillows as part of a quad or, for single beds, they’re a perfect pair for stacking.
At a lower density of 16 momme (compared with others in this guide), the feel of the silk was a tad stiffer than I’d have liked, given the premium price point, though the pillowcases hand washed beautifully without creasing and, come morning, I found my hair, while still messy, was significantly easier to comb through.
Buy now £151.20, Libertylondon.com
The verdict: Silk pillowcases
While Slip and Drowsy were both effective and indulgent silk pillowcase options, it was Blissy’s offering that landed the top spot. With lots of colours to choose from and a smooth, high-quality and crease-free make-up, there was no denying the value for money here. For an affordable price, Dorma’s silk pillowcase proved an excellent entry-level choice, while Beauty Pie’s was a dream to wash with no creasing and zero need for ironing. Bring on the soft strands and beautiful skin.
Want more recommendations? Read IndyBest’s review of the best night creams
