woman asleep on white bedding

Your skincare products might not be the reason your skin isn't giving what it should—your pillowcase could be a hidden culprit, which might sound absurd, but hear us out.

Skin types differ, and while sleeping on silk can benefit most, some are more suited to specific skin types.

Tailoring your pillowcase to your skin type can significantly improve your skin's health.

But the question is, how do you choose the perfect pillowcase for your skin?

Here, you'll get all your answers!

How to Identify Your Skin Type

identify your skin type

You can’t tailor your pillowcase to your skin if you don’t know your skin type. So, let’s do a quick rundown of how to identify your skin, whether it’s oily, dry, sensitive, or a combination type.

  • First, cleanse your face and gently pat it dry with a clean towel. Immediately after, notice how your skin feels: normal skin will feel comfortable and look even, oily skin will appear shiny, and dry skin will feel tight or rough. Combination skin will be oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) but dry on the cheeks. Sensitive skin may itch, burn, or show redness.
  • Wait for about 30 minutes and check your skin again. Normal skin stays balanced, dry skin feels tighter or may show flakes, oily skin becomes greasy, and combination skin shows both oily and dry areas.

You should note that skin type can change over time due to a variety of reasons, such as hormonal fluctuations from pregnancy, menstruation, and the like. Weather conditions can also influence skin changes—skin could get oilier during humid conditions and drier during cold weather.

What you eat can let down or improve the quality of your skin health, and the kind of skincare products you invest in can alter your skin type—if you are over-cleansing, it could make your skin drier than normal, and if you are applying too many moisturising products, it could make your skin oilier than it normally is.

How to Decide on the Best Pillowcase for Your Skin

Now that you know your skin type, let’s talk about how to customise your pillowcase to suit your skin. While we’re on the topic of customisation, feel free to check out our pillowcases—we offer a wide range of patterns and colours that you’ll love, so take a look!

SENSITIVE SKIN

sensitive skin

If your skin is easily irritated, it's important to choose an ivory silk pillowcase that’s free from dyes and chemicals. Look for labels that confirm it's made from natural silk without dye.

Dermatologists recommend silk because it’s gentle on the skin and won’t cause redness or irritation.

See our post on the best care for sensitive skin!

Made from 100% Grade A, Long Strand Mulberry Silk, they help reduce irritation and are less likely to trap bacteria, helping to prevent breakouts and flare-ups.

DRY SKIN

dry skin

Dry-skinned individuals have a constant need to stay moisturised and retain as much moisture as possible. The best pillowcase for you would be one with a higher momme weight.

Momme weight measures the silk's density: the higher the momme the thicker the silk and the better it feels and lasts.

Good silk has a momme weight of 19 and 22, with 25 being the highest. So, it’s best to go as high as possible when making a silk pillowcase purchase, as this will translate to higher moisture retention and benefit your skin significantly!

OILY SKIN

woman with oily skin

If you have oily skin, the keyword to look out for is breathability. You need a pillowcase that allows for better airflow to prevent your pores from being clogged.

Before you make that purchase, check the product description for details on breathability, and pay attention to the momme's weight.

A momme weight between 19 and the mid-20s not only indicates the quality of the silk but also signals that it is breathable. Also, Mulberry silk is breathable, so see if it’s mentioned on the label. The weave pattern is also important—choose a charmeuse weave, as it allows for good air circulation.

COMBINATION SKIN

With combination skin type, mulberry silk is necessary, there's no need to fret so much about the momme weight; a medium momme weight or somewhere in between would serve, but be particular about the weaving technique, ensure its charmeuse weave for good breathability.

ACNE-PRONE SKIN

acne on skin

For acne-prone skin, you could look out for antimicrobial silk bedding. These are pillowcases that have been treated to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and mites, making them perfect for acne-prone skin by helping to prevent the buildup of bacteria that could cause breakouts and other skin infections.

They are also suited for sensitive skin as they do not provide a safe harbour for triggers.

THE BOTTOM LINE

So, if you don’t know where to start, you can begin by checking out our collection!

Michelle Fletcher Smith