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Chances are you don't think about your pillow as part of your beauty routine, but you should. Alongside the lineup of beauty rituals and skin care products you rely on for better skin, switching to silk pillowcases is a simple swap that may pay off for your hair and skin, at least according to some beauty experts.

Silk pillowcases are not exactly cheap (typically over $50) -- so to find out if they're worth forking over the extra cash for, I talked to experts to discuss the potential beauty benefits, including a dermatologist, hair stylists and a beauty expert who founded a skin care brand. Keep reading below to find out if silk pillowcases could help your hair and skin.



What makes it a silk pillowcase?
Most pillowcases are made from cotton or microfiber, and come included in a set of sheets. You can also buy silk or satin pillowcases, both of which have a smoother texture than cotton and microfiber and are meant to help give you better hair or skin.

Silk pillowcases are made from, well, silk, a natural protein fiber from silk worms that's soft and breathable, meaning it allows air to pass through. Silk is more expensive than cotton and other kinds of fibers, which is why silk pillowcases are likewise more expensive than others.

Satin pillowcases are cheaper than silk because satin can be made from a variety of different fibers woven in a certain way to give the "shiny" satin feel and effect, according to manufacturer Lily Silk. Satin is typically made from polyester and has a similar smooth texture to silk, but is generally less breathable.

Benefits of silk pillowcases for hair
Most of us wake up with crazy hair in the morning, which can be a bummer if you spent a lot of time styling your hair the night before. That's because as you move around in your sleep, your hair rubs against your pillowcase, causing friction that can lead to tangles and even breakage. Silk pillowcases can help preserve your style and keep your hair smoother than traditional cotton pillowshells, according to hairstylists, because they put less friction on your hair.



"Silk pillowcases reduce friction and are not as absorbent of moisture, therefore they can reduce frizziness and help you maintain moisture [in your hair] throughout the night," says Joseph Maine, celebrity hair stylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty.

All different hair types that can benefit from silk pillowcases, but people with fine, curly or blonde hair may find it especially helpful, according to Shelly Aguirre, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "Blonde hair tends to be more fragile, so the silk will help prevent more damage. Also, curly hair tends to get frizzy with the friction of cotton, so the silk will help the hair 'glide' instead," Aguirre says.

If you have oily hair, a silk pillowcase may not be the best choice, since a cotton pillowcase will absorb oil better, according to Aguirre. Silk pillowcases will be more beneficial if you have dry hair, or are experiencing breakage.



10 REASONS TO OWN A SILK PILLOWCASE
Keep your face healthy. Your face has more contact with your duvet covers than any other fabric. So, if you want to keep your face looking refreshed, your choice in pillowcase is very important. You can learn more about how silk pillowcases help keep your face looking refreshed, healthy and glowing below.

Help your skin retain moisture. Silk helps keep moisture close to your skin and will help your skin stay more hydrated than many fabrics on the market. Sleeping on silk is great option for helping your skin maintain its natural moisture. Save money on expensive moisturizing creams by retaining more moisture in your face to begin with, by sleeping on silk pillowcases.

educe your chemical exposure. We constantly come into contact with chemicals, but you can reduce that chemical exposure during your night’s sleep. Silk is produced from domesticated silk worms that are bred and raised in captivity. They have no predators to defend against and are pampered throughout their life, helping to produce a fine silk fiber with little chemical exposure. In contrast, many fabrics on the marketplace, are produced from chemically intensive crops that require pesticides, herbicides and other chemical treatments before making it to your bed sheets. So when it comes to luxury bedding, this is one of those cases where less really is more.

It's naturally hypoallergenic. Some of silk’s hypoallergenic properties include a natural resistance to dust mites, fungus and mold, in addition to many other allergens.

Silk can be beneficial for your skin and hair. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help your skin stay healthy and smooth and can help reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. If you’re only going to invest in one piece of silk bedding to start with, the silk pillowcase provides a lot of benefit for the cost.

It's a true luxury experience. Sometimes we treat ourselves to a massage, a relaxing day at the beach or a quiet evening in the bathtub. Whatever your escape, laying your head to rest at night on a silk pillowcase is the perfect way to end your day. There is no better feeling then the soft, smooth and luxurious feel of silk against your skin when you go to bed at night. It is truly like having a massage every night.

Reduce bed head and split ends. Are you tired of waking up in the morning and having hair that looks like you just stuck your finger in a socket? Sleeping on luxury silk pillowcases will help keep that bed head under control. The natural properties of silk, including its smooth surface, can help reduce friction on your hair which often causes damage, like spilt ends. For your hair, it truly does pay to sleep on a silk pillowcase.