Satin vs. Silk Pillowcases for Hair: What is the Distinction?

The closest factor most of us will get to sleeping on a cloud is with a satin or silk pillowcase. If one of the best reward you can provide somebody is a continuing cool facet of the pillow, properly, clearly, they have been referring to what material you need to be sleeping on, and satin and silk are likely to all the time be a cooler choice—each actually and figuratively.

So what is the distinction between satin and silk? One comes from worms, and the opposite does not? Positive, that is a quite… simplistic view on your entire, barely sophisticated affair. We requested pure hairstylist Bridgette Hill and trichologist Cheryl Bergamy to interrupt down the variations between silk and satin, and which one is greatest for you and your hair. Learn on for what they needed to say.

What Is Silk?

Bear in mind the factor in regards to the worms from earlier? That wasn’t precisely a joke: Silk is a pure protein fiber produced by a couple of dozen varieties of bugs around the globe. It was first developed in historic China round 8,500 years in the past and by 1100 B.C., Chinese language silk was present in Egypt.

Silk is an opulent, decadent material, and Hill believes we must always deal with our hair with the identical mindset: Hair fibers are our personal distinctive luxurious material, spun from our head. “Silk is useful to the hair as a result of it’s a breathable material permitting circulation and stopping the moisture from evening sweats from getting trapped on the root of the hair,” says Hill.” It additionally helps to reduce the friction between our hair fibers and cotton materials. The feel of the material helps to retain pure shine and freshly blown out and styled hair.”

Silk is hypoallergenic and fewer absorbent, stopping the trapping of oil or micro organism on the pillowcase, which advantages the pores and skin and complexion as properly. “Silk hair protectors like scarves or bonnets assist cut back the friction brought on by laying on a cotton pillow, which causes break up ends, knotting, frizz, tangles, and hair harm,” explains Bergamy. “Silk helps to maintain the moisture within the hair, whereas cotton pillows or scarves soak up pure oils leaving hair dry and brittle.”

What Is Satin?

You understand how a gown is just not a robe, however all robes are attire? Satin and silk are form of the identical method—satin is technically a kind of weaving, quite than a kind of material. At one cut-off date, satin was historically constituted of silk, however within the modern-day, it isn’t unusual to search out blended satin mixtures that embrace artificial fibers like polyester, rayon, and cotton.

Mixing satin with artificial materials may end up in materials that may be far more versatile and smoother than actual silk, which is a good profit to hair and scalp. “Satin is far more forgiving, because it strikes with the hair which reduces the friction between the hair fiber and the pillowcase or floor,” explains Hill. Satin additionally gives the identical advantages as silk: It’s hypoallergenic, much less absorbent, and breathable.

What is the Distinction?

The largest distinction between silk and satin is value: Silk is extra luxurious and pricier, whereas satin is cheaper and infrequently blended with different materials, which implies it may be a simple method to avoid wasting coin.

Hill additionally factors out that satin pillowcases are extra accessible and simpler to scrub as a result of they’re made with artificial supplies that may be thrown into the washer. Do not forget that silk is a pure fiber and satin is just not, and examine to be sure to’re truly getting the actual factor—you would be shocked. “Be leery of sateen, which is cotton with a unique weave,” says Hill. “Regardless that sateen can really feel clean and silky like silk or satin, it’s cotton, and won’t ship the identical advantages to scalp and hair as utilizing silk or satin will.”

The Ultimate Verdict

When it comes all the way down to it, whether or not satin or silk is healthier on your hair is set by how tough of a sleeper you’re. So long as it’s silk or satin, and you can also make it by means of the evening with it nonetheless in your head, bonnets rule. For individuals who are rowdy and rambunctious below the covers, pillowcases is perhaps a safer guess.

“My knowledgeable recommendation is [to] use what works greatest on your sleeping state of affairs and hair texture, kind, and size,” says Hill, explaining that she’s personally professional pillowcases due to the twin profit to the pores and skin on her face. Bergamy believes silk is healthier for all hair textures, however particularly as an added layer of safety for curly and textured hair.