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Why silk pillowcases are the ultimate sleep upgrade
There's something undeniably indulgent about a good night's rest. If you're looking to elevate your nightly routine, consider silk pillowcases your transformative upgrade—wrapping you in softness while also keeping your skin cool and your body at ease. Unlike cotton, which traps heat and absorbs moisture, silk naturally regulates temperature, helping you drift into a deeper, more restorative sleep.
The benefits extend well beyond comfort. Thanks to its smooth, frictionless surface, silk reduces tangles, frizz, and breakage while helping hair retain its natural moisture. The result: strands that look more radiant, youthful, and polished by morning. This especially makes a difference for curly and textured hair, which requires more care against friction and moisture loss overnight.
Your skin, too, reaps the rewards. Naturally hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin, silk minimises irritation while preventing the tugging and creasing that cotton pillowcases can cause. And because silk absorbs less moisture, your skincare stays where it belongs—on your face—so your toner and moisturiser can do its job in the night. You, thus, wake up with a hydrated, refreshed glow. More than simply bedding, a silk pillowcase is an everyday luxury that supports better sleep, healthier hair, and smoother skin. Consider it your ticket to a truly sumptuous bedtime experience—though it is safe to say that not all silk pillows are made equal. Here are some points of consideration when it comes to buying your first-ever silk pillowcase: What is 'momme weight'?
When shopping for pillowcases, it's important to check the momme weight. It measures the fabric's density, similar to thread count in cotton. A higher momme means thicker silk with a richer feel, while lower momme weights are lighter and less long-lasting. For pillowcases, 19-22 momme would be considered ideal. Mulberry silk vs. regular silk
If you've been perusing the internet for silk pillowcases already, you might have seen the term ' Mulberry silk '. Hailed as the most luxurious of silk variations, it is spun from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori silkworm, which feeds exclusively on nutrient-rich mulberry leaves; its fibers are the longest, strongest, and most uniform of all silk varieties. This purity gives mulberry silk its signature smoothness and durability, making it the material of choice for luxurious pillowcases, sheets, and accessories. Containing natural proteins and amino acids, it's not only gentle on skin and hair but also 100% real silk—softer, more refined, and more indulgent than synthetic or blended alternatives.
Below, Vogue Singapore's selection of silk pillowcases to make the search easier. Courtesy of Burr
1 / 4 Burr Pearl Ivory Pillowcase
Burr pillowcases are made with pure mulberry silk of the highest 6A grade in non-toxic dye, measured in 22 momme. Additionally, every product is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, Class I. This confirms that it's free from harmful substances and completely safe. Burr also offers embroidery of up to 10 characters on each pillowcase done in-house in Singapore.
Burrsilk Pearl Ivory Silk Pillowcase, $101, available at Burrsilk. Courtesy of Bells & Birds
2 / 4 Bells & Birds Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Bells & Birds is a local loungewear label, and they offer up to nine soft, pastel shades of their mulberry silk pillowcases. Each pillow is crafted from 100% natural, hypoallergenic silk enriched with sericin proteins to smooth skin and protect hair.
Bells & Birds Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $89, available at Bells & Birds Courtesy of Lilysilk
3 / 4 Lilysilk 22 Momme Terse Envelope Silk Pillowcase
Lilysilk's 22 Momme Terse Envelope Silk Pillowcase offers a luxurious sleep experience. Crafted from charmeuse silk, it is glossy, smooth, and soft to the touch, striking the perfect balance between softness and durability. The pillowcase also features a practical envelope closure, which not only keeps your pillow securely in place but is more durable than standard zipper or button closures, ensuring long-lasting use.
Lilysilk 22 Momme Terse Envelope Silk Pillowcase, $64, available at Lilysilk. Courtesy of Slip
4 / 4 Slip Sunshade Queen Zippered Pillowcase With Scalloped Edge
Slip mentions that their pillowcases are 'designed to keep products on your face and not your (pillow)case', citing that Slipsilk™ pillowcases were shown to absorb significantly less face cream than widely available cotton pillowcases. Laboratory tests also show that Slipsilk™ maintains its softness and lustre even after repeated washes, ensuring long-lasting luxury and performance.
Slip Sunshade Queen Zippered Pillowcase With Scalloped Edge, US$155, available at Slip.
