As a beauty editor, I'm privy to a lot of gimmicky beauty things.
Not naming names, but I'm looking at you, pore suction devices and TikTok skincare 'hacks'.
So when something that sounds gimmicky actually turns out to be worth the hype, I like to talk about it.
Exhibit A: My TED Talk on at-home LED skin devices.
In this instance, I'm talking about silk accessories.
Specifically, a silk pillowcase, silk eye mask, silk hair accessories, and even silk face masks.
Silk pillowcases and beauty accessories aren't new.
According to Britannica, the origin of silk production and weaving began in China sometime before the middle of the 3rd millennium B.C.
However, thanks to brands like Shh Silk and celebrities (i.e. The Kardashians, who else?), it feels like you're missing out if you're not sleeping covered in silk.
You might've heard about the alleged benefits of silk pillowcases and hair accessories in reducing frizz, promoting healthy skin and aiding a better night's sleep.
But is sleeping on a silk pillowcase *really* better for your hair and skin... or is it all a marketing ploy?
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about silk pillowcase benefits.
Plus, we'll share the best silk pillowcase and silk accessories beauty editors reckon are worth investing in.
First thing's first: Silk pillowcases just feel really bloody luxurious.
But silk pillowcase benefits also range from:
Reducing hair frizz and breakage, preventing skin creases, stopping your skin care and skin hydration from being absorbed by your pillowcase, and helping to regulate temperature while you snooze.
You can learn more about silk accessories in this interview with Shhh Silk founder Olivia Carr on the Bite-Sized Beauty podcast below.
There's not a lot of hard evidence to support the hair, skin and sleep benefits.
But hairstylists, trichologists (hair doctors) and dermal therapists often recommend silk pillowcases and hair accessories because the natural protein fibres are hypoallergenic, don't absorb moisture and reduce friction between the material and your skin and hair.
"Cotton absorbs moisture, while silk retains it, so when you lie on a silk or satin pillowcase, the oils from your strands are maintained rather than soaked up, leaving your hair nourished rather than dry," celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin told Cosmopolitan.
"This is especially beneficial for hair types that are prone to frizz, such as coarse hair types or girls who have wiry curls."
Learn more about silk hair accessories in our curly hair YouTube video below.
Certified trichologist Bridgette Hill adds, "The breathable fabric allows circulation and prevents the moisture from night sweats from getting trapped at the root of the hair."
"It also helps to minimise the friction between our hair fibres and cotton fabrics. The texture of the fabric helps to retain natural shine and freshly blown out and styled hair."
What about silk for skin, you ask?
As specialist dermatologist Dr Adam Sheridan told The Sydney Morning Herald, a silk pillowcase for skin can help promote fewer wrinkles long-term around the mouth and eyes.
It can also support treatment for skin conditions like acne, rosacea and dermatitis, in conjunction with professional advice, tailored skin care and lifestyle changes.
Same goes for a silk face mask... which might just be the most relevant product we didn't know we needed.
As for silk sleep mask benefits, sure, they may help protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
But mostly, they're a bougie (and better for your skin) way to block out light for a decent night's sleep.
Alright, so do you need a silk pillowcase?
And silk accessories like silk hair ties, silk sleep masks, silk face masks and silk hair bonnets/caps?
My honest answer... they're not must-have products if your budget doesn't allow.
But they are very nice-to-haves, and Adore Beauty editors can vouch for the difference they make to hair, skin and sleep.
For example, Senior Editor Amy is known for her super shiny hair.
She's been sleeping on a silk pillowcase and with a silk eye mask AND silk hair bonnet for years to minimise frizz from tossing and turning.
A bunch of Adore staffers also wear a reusable (and very chic) Shhh Silk Face Mask Black to reduce skin irritation and mask-ne.
Want to know which silk accessories are right for you? Done!
Here are five beauty editor-approved silk pillowcases, masks and hair accessories.
4.5 of 11 reviews
Want to make your smooth blow dry last longer? A silk hair wrap is a game-changer. Made from 100% pure mulberry silk, the hair wrap helps to protect hair against breakage and split ends caused by friction, preserves styles overnight, and prevents frizz. It takes some getting used to, but silk hair caps are especially great for those with curly, coily, coarse or frizzy hair. They come in a bunch of colours, too.
4.7 of 122 reviews
Also made from 100% mulberry silk, this pillowcase not only helps to reduce face creases, it also helps to minimise hair breakage and frizziness. It has a zip closure (the BEST part), and comfortably fits standard queen and king size pillows. The silk feels lovely and cool on the skin, which is handy in summer. My advice is to choose a silk pillowcase in a darker colour as they look new for longer.
4.4 of 21 reviews
These bougie hair ties effortlessly glide onto hair to secure it in place, eliminating snapping, kinks and damage while still looking stylish and feeling comfortable. With a 100% pure mulberry silk exterior and carefully selected super-strength elastic interior, these bands will keep hair of all types securely held without pulling, tugging or breaking.
4.5 of 68 reviews
Forget uncomfortable sleep masks that leave you with creases in the morning. These 100% Pure Mulberry Silk sleep masks block out even the brightest light to promote uninterrupted sleep. The design is not just cute - it has a flexible, stretchy band to fit all heads. It's also washing machine-safe. Simply run a warm iron over the top of the mask to help it regain its beautiful shape.
Finally, nothing says covid-safe like a silk face mask. The reusable masks are chic AF, but more importantly, they're made with three layers of 100% Mulberry silk and a cotton inner to get the job done. Wearing a bougie silk face mask can help prevent dryness, rashes or mask acne. But honestly, if you're wearing a face mask every day, your face deserves silk, no?
Finally, I'll leave you with a few tips on how to wash a silk pillowcase, and how to wash a silk eye mask.
Most silk accessories are machine-washable, so you don't need to wash them by hand if you don't have the time.
But it's important to change your pillowcases frequently - and your silk face mask after each use - so you can hand wash using silk washing liquid or any wool/delicate liquid.
Otherwise, wash silk accessories on a delicate cycle with the same liquid, but in a delicates wash bag.
Fold out into shape and leave to dry in direct sunlight and a well-ventilated space.
Optional last step, give your silk a once-over with a warm iron and voila! Good as new.
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