Is It Worth The Investment
Better rest, no sleep creases and potentially less acne? We dont see why not. By the looks of it, silk can offer a great sleeping experience just imagine gliding your face on such a smooth and shiny pillowcase.
Should you decide to purchase one, couple it with a good anti-acne skincare routine. It should keep you and your face well-rested the entire night.
Can Silk Pillowcases Prevent Acne
Well, not solely pillowcase can prevent acne instead, it can be a great help in preventing acne since it does not absorb much moisture just like your ordinary cotton pillowcases.
However, you should NOT expect that it would totally clear your skin because of that hence, you may commit doing daily skincare routine and used anti-acne products prescribed by your dermatologist to clear your skin from blemishes.
The Skin Microbiome & Inflammation
Our skin is the home of millions of bacteria, fungi and viruses that compose the microbiome and our physical barrier. If that microbiome is altered, our skin’s functions drop and skin diseases may occur. Good bacteria regulate our skin’s ph value and protect us form UV-radiation, pollution and bad bacteria. If it is well balanced, we benefit from a youthful and healthy look.
Our skin’s microbiome can be damaged by outside factors such as harsh treatments, touching it with dirty fingers, contact with dusty telephones, filthy make-up brushes or an unclean pillowcase. The latter is no small one since we ideally spend a third of our day on it. But which pillowcase may help avoid that bacterial paradise if we want to avoid washing it daily?
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Hisen Home Silk Pillowcases
- Not as antimicrobial as silver
- Not vegan
- Not everyone loves zipper closure
When it comes to protecting your hair from breakage, a silk pillow is the way to gobut silk has also been shown to have antibacterial properties making it a double threat for beauty sleep. This Hisen Home Silk Pillowcase is made from Mulberry Silk, a particular grade of silk made from domesticated silkworms that are fed exclusively mulberry leaves.
Interestingly enough, silk itself isnt antimicrobial but the process of separating and the silk fibers leaves a residue that is antibacterial.
All that means in practice is that your silk pillowcase will help prevent bacterial growth which is just what were looking for.
For those with hair that tends to tangle or break, like me, the slipperiness of silk is lovely for keeping your hair from going out of control overnight.
I like that you can get these pillowcases in sets of two, in three different sizes, and five different colors.
Cons:
- I don’t buy the anti-aging angle
- No choice of sizes
Copper, like silver and zinc, has antibacterial properties to prevent acne and this copper pillowcase also uses a satiny finish to help prevent hair breakage. The AlfredX Copper Pillowcase uses copper oxide fibers which release copper ions that kill bacteria and prevent them from colonizing your pillow and spreading to your face.
I like that you have a choice of colors but it would be nice if they released some more neutral colors.
How Are Silk Pillowcases Good For Acne
Silk is a natural fibre that does not clog pores making it healthy for the skin in general. Its not the end-all-be-all for acne-prevention but it can help in preventing it and relaxing facial skin all together. Think of it as an extra step to your skincare routine.
We know that silk is hypoallergenic, breathable, and moisture-wicking. On top of that, it also minimizes the appearance of sleep creases upon waking up that have been linked by research to premature wrinkle-formation. In fact, a study by the Department of Dermatology in Medical University found that a special type of silk textiles had positive results on back acne after wearing a silk shirt for six weeks. Although the silk fabric used for pillowcases is not exactly the same as these, we can infer from the study that silk is a better fabric than cotton when it comes to sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Moreover, silks hypoallergenic and sheen properties reduce friction between the face and pillowcase, lowering the chances of infection and skin irritation.
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What Are The Best Acne Pillowcases
- Can’t buy in pairs
- Colors are limited
Silvon was the first silver pillowcase I personally tried and the reason that I know these pillowcases really make a difference. Ive tried hundreds of acne treatments but switching to Silvon was the first thing that actually brought my acne under control.
According to an article in the scientific journal Antibiotic, silver has been used for hundreds of years as an antibacterial agent back to 1500 B.C.E. in China. The silver breaks through the cell walls of bacteria, prevents their normal functioning, and hampers DNA replication.
Despite the scientific basis, when I got a pair of these as a media sample I was skeptical but after about a week I started noticing that my skin was less red and my breakthrough zits were much smaller. A month into using the pillowcase, changing them about once a week, my skin was surprisingly happier than ever. Ive been using Silvon for years now and the difference has been incredible.
One of the neatest things I discovered is that on those nights when Im either too tired or sick to do my whole face care routine, there werent any consequences. Normally if Id skip one night Id be in for a small breakout but that hasnt been the case since switching. On the other hand, if I switch to a normal pillowcase, I can expect breakouts like clockwork.
Its not perfect and I still get some hormonal acne but I do find that its easier to control than before.
The Best Pillowcases For Acne: A Copper Satin Or Silk Pillowcase
Don’t be fooled by a silk-like, silky or satin pillowcase, that could be made of any fabric, such as polyester. Only a genuine silk pillowcase will ensure an organic, natural fibre. Read on in our article on how to spot the Difference: Satin vs Silk.
Research suggests that copper has antimicrobial and healing effects. But guess what? Organic silk naturally holds those properties, too. The less industrially processed silk is, the more we benefit from its properties. Moreover, organic silk temperature and moisture regulating. That means we sweat less in summer and stay cozy and warm in winter. It also keeps hair and skin moisturised as it won’t soak up our natural sebum . Silk will also soak up less of our precious hair- and skincare products and keeps them where they are supposed to work while we are deeply asleep.
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What Else Can I Do To Prevent Acne
I’m going to say something that we’re all sick of hearing by now.
Don’t touch your face.
That’s your best weapon in keeping dirt, bacteria, and oils off your face. When I have breakthrough zits I use an acne spot treatment to try to keep it from getting worse.
Some acne has a hormonal cause and that is harder to control and should be addressed with a doctor.
Say Goodbye To Tortuous Tangles
Brushing ones hair in the morning is a dreaded moment for everyone with long locks, especially after sleeping on rougher fibres. That is because friction does not only harm your hair, it also makes it tangle. However, of the greatest silk pillowcase benefits is that it prevents your locks from becoming knotted, leaving them smoother and easier to comb and style after you wake up. The simple fact that they can reduce the pain and frustration that you have to deal with during morning brushing is reason enough to think that silk pillowcases are worth it.
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How Often Should You Wash Your Pillowcases
According to board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Liv Kraemer, MD, PhD, and founder of Dr. Liv Skin Clinic, Its essential to swap out your pillowcases every two to four days . For this reason, I always recommend 100% cotton. Its affordable so you can have an extensive collection of pillowcases and, most importantly, its easy to wash. Cotton is an excellent material because you can wash it with regular laundry detergent and at a high temperature, ensuring you are eliminating bacteria.
They’re Softer And More Pleasant For The Skin
When you toss and turn at night, your face touches the surface of the pillow constantly. If the fabric is a little rough or incompatible with your skin type, your acne might get worse.
Also, some fabrics retain moisture, which means all the oils and sweat from your face stay on the pillowcase. It then all goes back on your face as you switch sides during the night.
Natural silk is one of the softest, most breathable fabrics in the world. It’s luxurious and pleasant to the touch, which means your skin will glide onto it. The less friction there is between your face and the pillowcase fabric, the better your skin will look and feel in the morning.
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Prevents Irritation And Friction
Irritation and redness can occur due to friction between your skin and your bedding material. Cotton, for example, is hard on your skin when you toss and turn. Your skin makes constant contact with it, so theres a lot of friction.
This can lead to acne and unwanted irritations. Silk is soft and smooth, so your skin simply glides on it. Theres little to no friction, which helps reduce the appearance of acne.
Your Pillowcase Might Be Causing Your Breakouts
After a tiring day at work, we can hardly wait to climb into our beds. A speedy nighttime beauty routine helps us hit the sheets in under 10 minutes, but we’ve recently run into a skincare issue that is slowing us down.
Waking up the next morning with inexplicable breakouts is forcing us to give our satin pillowcases the side-eye. If we’re being really good about washing our faces before bed, then these pillowcases must be to blame for our acne, right?
Pillowcases can house dirt and oil.
Like anything else that transfers dirt and oil to your skin, pillowcases can be the cause of acne mechanica, according to Dr. David E. Bank, director and founder of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery.
“Acne mechanica is any type of acne that is the result of material or objects touching your face. When your pillowcase isn’t laundered or changed regularly, a build-up of dirt and oil from the environment as well as your skin and hair touching the pillow is transferred back to your skin. This can clog pores and cause blemishes.”
It probably doesn’t matter what material your pillowcase is made of, but rather what’s lurking on it.
Beyond the actual material that your pillowcase may be made from, Clark warns us that there are also harsh chemicals used during the manufacturing process in order to bleach or color pillowcases. This doesn’t make for a heavenly slumber for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Not everyone’s skin is equally impacted by their pillows.
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Is A Silk Pillowcase Better For Our Skin
A silk pillowcases feels gentler on our skin and we might realise the difference once we have got used to silk and spend the first night back with the old friend cotton, which now will feels rougher than ever before. That exact friction may irritate sensitive and acne-prone skin during the night, cause more inflammation and irritation and worsen acne and wrinkles.
Silk is a densely woven fabric. Its smooth surface helps reduce friction and therefore puffiness and swelling. Silk’s dense structure makes it also hypo-allergenic, antifungal and antimicrobial: it repels dust, dust mites and bacteria. The lower the bacteria count on our pillowcase, the fewer breakouts provoked.
They Keep Skin More Hydrated
Silk is a naturally soft and breathable material, which is great for any skin type, but especially oily and acne-prone skin. Because it’s less absorbent than other fabrics, silk will help your skin be more hydrated and won’t absorb all the skincare products you use at night.
If you use skincare products before bed, a cotton pillowcase will absorb a lot of the product on your skin during the night. As silk is a less absorbent fabric, you won’t have this issue.
Acne can sometimes be a sign of dehydratedskin that produces excessive sebum to make up for the dehydration. This creates the perfect environment for acne and the cycle continues until the skin gets re-hydrated.
At the same time, your hair might also be causing acne if it gets in your face while you sleep. A silk pillowcase can also make your hair softer and healthier so you don’t have to use so many hair products.
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Better Quality Of Sleep
Sleeping on cool, smooth, shiny bedding gives us a luxurious feel, it makes us comfortable and helps us relax and unwind after a stressful day. Moreover, the temperature regulating quality of silk sheets keep us comfortable and less likely to wake up during the night feeling hot or chilly. That will lead to better sleep quality and waking up more refreshed and energised in the morning. Since lack of sleep has been linked to hair loss, this is super important for preserving your tresses.
Having the opportunity to feel pampered as we sleep in a cool and pleasant fabric is great enough on its own. But protecting our skin and hair at the same time seems like the perfect deal. Silk pillowcases are a luxurious, effortless, natural way to preserve our beauty and deal with dry hair.
Learn more about protecting your hair from damage:
So Which Pillowcases Should You Buy For Acne
I tested eight of the internets most popular pillowcases , in a range of fabrics, like cotton, silk, and satin. I tested them for over 700 hours, and put each pillowcase through a diligent washing and drying process to see exactly how difficult they are to clean. Ultimately, the best pillowcase for acne-prone skin will be the one that you are most likely to wash, dry, and change out frequently, so keep this in mind as you read. But, without further ado, here are eight of the best pillowcases for acne-prone skin.
Pro tip: I ordered these from best to worst.
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Silk Pillowcases That Help Can Prevent Facial Wrinkles While You Sleep
Most of us are familiar with the basic rules of skin care, like always washing your makeup off before bed, incorporating a retinol in your routine and staying diligent with SPF. One thing that is often overlooked is how you sleep and, more specifically, what you are sleeping on.
The fabric of your pillowcase plays a role in the premature formation of wrinkles and overall skin health.
Silk pillowcases are better for your skin, Dr. Michael Jacobs, medical technology director at Cortina and a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, previously told HuffPost. Theres less friction between your skin and the pillow, which reduces the negative effect that it can have on your skin.
Joie Tavernise, a medical esthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare, explained that because silk bedding is softer than cotton, it wont tug or pull at the skin as you move around during sleep and the skin remains flat as opposed to bunching and forming those sleep lines you get after a really good nap.
Silk also absorbs less moisture than cotton or microfiber, so it wont suck the hydration or night products from your skin overnight, Tavernise added.
Shop a list of 100% silk and natural silk alternative pillowcases below.
Are Silk Pillowcases Good For Sensitive Skin
Compared to rough cotton pillowcases, silk pillowcases are way gentler and softer on the skin for people with acne-prone or sensitive skin. Moreover, silk is known for being naturally hypoallergenic unless you are allergic to silk itself.
If you just imagine your skin is terrible breaking out every other day yet, you are still lying on a rough pillowcase.
The tendency is that it will cause more lesions that can open more and spread acne-causing bacteria all over your pillow.
On the other hand, if you lay on a silk pillowcase, there will be less rubbing, therefore, less irritation on your sensitive skin.
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Gentle Dry Your Silk Pillowcase
The best way to dry your silk pillowcase is to hang them on a drying rack on the shadiest area of your lawn, away from direct sunlight. Just like using hot water instead of cold water in washing silk, the heat of the sun might also ruin the quality of the fabric.
You may also use your household dryer just make sure you set it on the lowest heat. It is advisable if you remove the silk pillowcase on the dryer while it is still damp and then hang it to air dry completely.
Rinse With White Vinegar
Adding distilled white vinegar on the rinse cycle will help in removing any soap residue on the fabric. Thus, it can also help in eliminating musty smell trapped in your pillowcase.
- For handwashing: Add about one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar in the rinse water.
- For washer: Pour half to 1 cup of white vinegar to the dispenser or depends on the size of the washer.
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