Cotton, a beloved natural fabric, often graces our classic tees and cozy pajamas. On the other hand, silk, woven from silkworm fibers, boasts a luxurious reputation. Like any dynamic duo, they each bring unique strengths and weaknesses, particularly in bedding. Keep reading to discover their best attributes.

Cotton 101

Cotton retains its throne as the world’s most utilized natural fiber, prized for its comfort, adaptability, and easy maintenance. Its hypoallergenic properties make it a top choice for individuals with allergies or sensitive skin, particularly in bed sheets. Despite the rise of flax linen, cotton still reigns supreme for its crisp, refreshing feel. Among its many virtues, the variety of cotton sheets stands out—whether it's high thread count, fine weave, sateen, or percale, there's something for every preference and budget. However, cotton falls short in breathability compared to its natural counterparts like linen and silk, and it tends to have a shorter lifespan.

Silk 101

Derived from silkworms, silk is renowned for its inherent softness and glossy texture. If you've experienced wearing a silk shirt, you understand its unparalleled lightness and comfort compared to cotton. This makes silk particularly suitable for various applications, such as creating garments that seem to float and adding a luxurious shimmer to nighttime attire. Additionally, silk provides a cool and moisture-wicking surface for resting your face during sleep. However, silk's slipperiness and higher cost make it less practical for bedding as a whole.

Nevertheless, incorporating silk pillowcases into your bedding ensemble allows you to enjoy its benefits, including...

It keeps skin smooth

Cotton's slight weight and texture inhibit skin from gliding smoothly across its surface, unlike silk. Research indicates that sleep wrinkles emerge when the face encounters surfaces that distort the skin, creating creases. Silk, being frictionless, prevents such creasing, thereby keeping your face smooth and aiding in the prevention of new wrinkles.

It calms bed hair

Similar to skin, hair on cotton can become entangled in its texture, resulting in morning frizz. The rough friction disrupts the hair's cuticles, leaving you with a less-than-ideal look upon waking up. In contrast, the smoothness of silk allows your hair to glide effortlessly with your movements, avoiding tangles and roughness. Say hello to salon-worthy bed hair with silk.

It keeps you cool

While natural fabrics generally offer superior breathability compared to synthetics, cotton holds its own in this regard. However, silk excels in regulating body temperature, maintaining a cooler feel than cotton. With its superior cooling properties, silk stands out as a top choice for optimal comfort.

It leaves skincare on your skin, where it should be

Cotton's thicker weave and higher absorption rate provide a weighty feel to bed sheets, akin to luxurious hotel linen. However, this absorbent nature poses a drawback for pillows, as it tends to draw skincare products away from the face, leading to wastage. Additionally, cotton is prone to retaining moisture, oil, dirt, sweat, and other debris, potentially causing breakouts and clogged pores. In contrast, silk boasts moisture-wicking properties and is naturally antibacterial, ensuring that beneficial oils stay on your face while whisking away impurities.

It simply lasts longer

While cotton boasts durability, it is susceptible to shrinking or changing shape over time, particularly in certain wash cycles. On the other hand, silk is renowned for its superior durability, thanks to its stronger fibers and overall longevity.

While cotton remains a beloved choice for various items, such as favorite tees, when it comes to pillowcases, silk emerges as the luxurious and beneficial option.