AD – GIFTED | You’ve probably heard of “beauty sleep” before and yes, it’s real! When I trained as a Beauty Specialist, one of the first things I learned was that our skin and body repair themselves while we sleep. So, how can choosing a Mulberry silk pillowcase help us to take best advantage of this natural repair process known as beauty sleep?
When our bodies have nothing else to focus on, they regenerate, carry out hormonal and metabolic updates, and reset our systems for when we wake up. Beauty editors and dermatologists are always waxing lyrical about the many beauty and health benefits of sleeping on a slip silk pillowcase, and when Calidad Home* offered me the chance to try it for myself, I jumped at the opportunity.
What exactly is silk?
Silk is one of the strongest, most durable natural fibres known to man. Silk from moth caterpillars was first developed for textile use in ancient China and was originally reserved for the Emperors for their own use and gifts to others. In spite of its delicate appearance, silk is relatively robust and its smooth surface resists dirt and odours well.
Fun fact: silk is the strongest natural fibre (think spiders’ webs) and, surprisingly, easily competes with steel yarn in tensile strength. Although silk has been considered as a luxurious textile since 3630 BC, it also serves as a biomedical material for suture in surgeries today.
Calidad Home’s Mulberry silk pillowcase
As you may know, thread count is how cotton quality is judged, the higher the better. Well, momme count is how you measure the quality of silk. Calidad Home uses 22 momme Mulberry silk for their pillowcases, giving you all the durability and luxury you will ever need. And because silk can be a slippery customer, each silk pillowcase comes with a hidden zipper for a better fit for UK standard 50cm x 75cm pillows. They’re available in available in five colours and my Ivory case fits my pillow perfectly 🙂
But if you’re put off buying a silk pillowcase because you think it needs to be washed by hand, then don’t be. Calidad Home’s silk pillowcases can be machine washed on normal 30° wash setting, along with your other delicates.
See the latest pricing for Mulberry silk pillowcases on Amazon.*
And then…
Treat yourself to This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Talk Duo today.*
Benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase
#01 Body temperature
We sleep best at cooler temperatures (15.5-20° C) and keeping cool can actually help you fall asleep more quickly as well. Silk is a natural heat regulator with a chameleon-like ability to be both cool in summer and warm in winter. Plus, it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in perspiration without feeling damp. So ideal for wicking away the effects of hot night-time flushes and summer nights. I usually suffer from a sweaty neck at night (I have long hair) but this has not been a problem for the last couple of weeks.
#02 Anti-allergy
Because of its natural protein structure, silk is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to external elements that cause skin irritations and allergies, such as dust mites and pollutants. So a Mulberry silk pillowcase can therefore help relieve symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, acne, and sensitive skin since silk doesn’t pick up as much pore-clogging bacteria as cotton. Fortunately, I don’t suffer from skin allergies, but I can see how this would be a blessing for those that do.
#03 Skincare
I’ve always paid great attention to my night-time skincare routine, to give my skin the best chance of recovery overnight. However, sleeping on a cotton pillowcase can make the skin drag and cause that rumpled “slept in” look. And while those lines will fade fairly quickly, over time they will translate into wrinkles. Silk is much gentler and allows the skin to gently slide over it without pulling, so no more morning pillow face, yay!
Another anti-aging benefit of sleeping on silk is that, unlike cotton which leaches moisture, silk naturally contains amino acids that are easily absorbed into the skin to help it preserve moisture and prevent dehydration. And when oily skin (like mine) becomes dehydrated, it over produces oil like mad to compensate. However, my skin has been looking softer and smoother over the last two weeks, as well as less oily, and I believe this has to be down to my new anti aging silk pillowcase.
#04 Haircare
There’s a very good reason that silk amino acids are used in formulating shampoos and conditioners (as well as moisturisers and body lotions). It’s because they create a protective barrier and preserve moisture. Plus, silk fibres are also similar in structure to your hair.
Tying my hair back loosely at bedtime only goes so far towards stopping it becoming tangled though. Waking up with curly, frizzy, bed head dry hair has been a way of life for me for years. Until recently. And this is because silk allows your hair to glide over the pillow when you’re asleep, rather than catching and rubbing as cotton does. I’ve been waking up to frizz-free hair for the first time since I was a child and I can’t begin to explain how happy that makes me.
#05 Self-care – treat yourself
Coco Chanel was a huge fan of silk and once opined, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” I can’t think of any other fabric that has the sensual slip and glide, and soft feel of silk. Sleeping on the best silk pillowcase ever (not that I’m biased at all) for only a couple of weeks has been an absolute delight and I’m so sad that I didn’t try this sooner.
Mulberry silk pillowcase – worth it?
So beauty sleep is not a myth. A huge thank you to Calidad Home for my Mulberry silk pillowcase* which is now a permanent bedtime fixture. Because although I can’t afford or aspire to a celebrity lifestyle, I’m not averse to taking a few tips from NASA or Kourtney Kardashian where my beauty sleep and health are concerned. I mean, come on, who doesn’t want an effortlessly easy and cost-effective way to sleep better, be healthier, and wake up with clearer skin and frizz-free hair?
Have you ever tried sleeping on a Mulberry silk pillowcase before? What are your favourite beauty sleep tips?
* Silk Pillowcase kindly gifted but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links (please see my Disclaimer).
wonderful tips you shared, i loved it and definitely follow the steps.
Thank you, I’m so glad they were helpful 🙂
I LOVE silk bedding! My sister used to have it and I was always so jealous. A silk pillow case would be a dream xx
I’m not sure about silk sheets but my pillowcase is definitely a game-changer! xx
Don’t think I have ever owned a silk pillowcase but you might have convinced me to get one! Considering all the great benefits I mean! My skin needs some rest and so does my hair
Oh, I don’t think you’d regret the purchase at all, I so wish I’d invested in one years ago, haha! x
I’d definitely been interested in looking into silk pillowcases because my allergies are SO bad in the Spring and Summer, I can’t even describe it! Plus my boyfriend and I sleep in a pretty small room so it can definitely get a bit hot in the night so this would definitely help with that too. Great post, as always! <3
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
They sound ideal for you then, I’m going to be very interested to see what a difference mine makes to me in summer, our house gets soooooo hot. Thank you, Jenny, that’s very kind 🙂 xx
I’ve always wanted to try out silk pillows before but I’ve always wondered if they were just a gimmick and if they really work but this sounds great! I definitely want in on this celebrity lifestyle! Going to be checking out these silk pillows!
You’re like me, I was sceptical too but no, they really do work! I think you need to make sure you get a good quality one though, that will last 🙂 x
Omg, I got a silk pillowcase for my birthday (October) and it’s literally the best thing ever. If I’m traveling, I always pack my pillowcase.
Demi | http://demibang.com/
Oooh, I hadn’t thought about taking mine travelling, that’s a really good idea, thank you!
I love how informative and education your posts are, I always learn something when I’m visiting your blog! I’ve only ever had a silk pillowcase a couple of times, both of which were in hotels. I have hypoallergenic pillow cases anyway but I had no idea that silk ones are naturally hypoallergenic, that’s such an appeal! You’ve completely sold it to me, now I want to invest in one for when we move!
Hels xx
Ah, thank you so much, Hels, that’s a lovely thing to say! This is the first time I’ve tried a silk pillowcase and I’m trying to persuade my husband to try one too, he suffers from asthma and has a slight pet allergy (we have three cats) – watch this space! xx
I love silky things but haven’t tried a silk pillowcase before. I am quite intrigued by this, and the obvious benefits it has to offer. I bet it feels amazing against your skin!
I always dab a bit of lavender essential oil on my pillow for a good sleep.
Thanks for sharing this, I think I will be investing in a silk pillow now!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
It feels soooooo lovely against your skin, haha, total luxury! And that’s a great tip about lavender oil, I’ll have to try this as well, thank you 🙂
Wow that is a lot about silk that I never knew before. I never thought about getting a silk pillowcase before but your points about body temperature (I get a sweaty neck too, it’s not nice!), anti allergy and hair care have done enough to convince me. I’ll have to invest in a silk pillowcase to see if it works for me too! Great post Lisa, thanks for sharing x
Aw, yay, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed – let me know what you think if you do invest in one, we can compare notes! x
They sound amazing! I love the idea of a hidden zipper on a pilowcase, that’s such a good idea. I’ve heard a lot about sleeping on silk for your skin and I’ve always wondered how true that was. BUT, I’ve never heard of it reducing hair frizz before. My curly, frizzy hair gets very little looking after and I think I need one of these in my life now x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Honestly, it’s been a complete game changer where my hair’s concerned, I’m kicking myself for not investing before now. I really don’t think you’d be disappointed, and it would definitely help with dry skin too 🙂 x
Hi Lisa, I had no idea about the many good reasons to use a silk pillow case. I was especially interested in the anti-allergy benefits as I have a pretty severe allergy to dust. I’ve been having a pretty difficult time sleeping well lately, so thanks so much for the inspiration to try another remedy that may help!
Joan Senio
My Best Friend Adeline
https://kindness-compassion-and-coaching.com
TBH, I wasn’t aware of the hypoallergenic aspect either, Joan, but that’s why I want to persuade my husband to try one too, I think it might really help him. Fingers crossed it will help you! 🙂
I absolutely swear by the benefits of silk pillowcases so I’m so glad to hear that you’ve gotten on really well with this one! They’re so luxurious to sleep on aren’t they? I wash mine normally by shoving it in a delicates bag but don’t tend to put it on 30- oops! Thanks for recommending that!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
I had it in the back of my mind that you used them too so I’m glad you confirmed that! Yes, I’m a definite convert, they just feel so gorgeous to sleep on, I swear I’ve slept better in the last couple of weeks than I have for ages! xx
I just love silk. I have heard a lot about using silk pillows, and have been wanting to do that for the longest time. You have actually given me so many reasons to get one. As always really loved reading this post Lisa. 🙂
Via http://glossnglitters.com
Yay, I hope you do treat yourself – and let me know what you think if you do! Thank you for your lovely comment xx
I really need to get a silk pillowcase. They sounds so good.
Jennifer
You do, you do, they really are!
I’ve never owned a silk pillowcase but it sounds like it has so many benefits. I suffer from allergies along with very sensitive skin so this could be a great idea for me.
I was amazed at all the benefits. I’d heard about it helping frizzy hair but the hypoallergenic aspect was news to me, as was the smoother skin aspect. It sounds ideal for you then, Kim!
OK you’ve 100000% convinced me that I need a silk pillow case. I need better skin and I need it now!! It’s going right to the top of my Christmas list!
Rosie
That’s brilliant, Rosie, I promise you, you won’t regret it!
This sounds like a game-changer! Adding it to my birthday wish list, because why not treating ourselves? I always wake up with frizzy hair no matter the season and it’s always a struggle detangling them. It sounds like a great option for summer nights too, thank you for sharing x
Honestly, it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made, it’s been just brilliant for my hair! x
Ok, you’ve convinced me! I’ve debated getting a silk pillowcase for years just for the hair and skin benefits. But, I never thought about the body temperature piece- and I am always hot! Thanks for sharing and having this info!
Yay, that’s great to hear – I’m certain you won’t regret it, it’s a great investment in self-care as well as all the skin, hair, and sleep benefits!
Love my silk pillowcase! the benefits of silk are life-changing! Would love to see you review the Barenaturals touch silk pillowcase, they are an amazing UK silk pillowcase brand!
Indeed they are – and Bare Naturals do look like a wonderful UK brand too, such a great ethos!