Silk is an all natural fabric made from the fibers created by silkworms when they spin their cocoons. The complex process of weaving these fibers into silk fabric hasn’t changed much in the thousands of years since its inception and is still done largely by hand - even in the modern technological era.
For over 4,000 years, silk has been a valuable commodity sought by cultures all around the world and relished by those in the upper echelons of society. Today, silk is much more readily accessible in clothing, home furnishings, bedding, and more, but is still considered a superior fabric - and for good reason. Given the ancient and complex way it is made, to the specific care it requires, silk truly is a fabric unlike any other.
Our Silks
Our brand new all-natural silk bedding combines traditional Japanese design with modern comfort. These silk fabrics are available across our entire line of Japanese Sleep System bedding and come in 4 beautiful colorways: Ink, Snow, Arctic, and Champagne.
When it comes to textiles, fabrics are often graded by their ‘thread count’, which is a measurement of the number of threads present in one square inch of fabric and is used as an indication of the quality and texture of a fabric. For the typical consumer, this measurement is recognizable in reference to bedsheets.
Silk bedding uses a similar measurement known as “momme”, which indicates the density and weight - and therefore quality - of a silk fabric. Our premium Japanese silk bedding boasts a silk momme of 22, meaning they are highly durable and dense.
Our silk fabrics are also specially designed to be fully washable, unlike most silk fabrics. Visit our silk care guide to learn more about how to care for your real silk bedding.
Silk Pillowcase Benefits
It’s a common misconception to think of a good night’s sleep as uneventful and motionless, but most people toss and turn regularly in their sleep - and all of that moving around causes friction. Friction is what creates unwanted hair frizz and slowly damages the sensitive skin on our faces, as they rub, slide, and squish against an abrasive pillowcase. Even if you stay relatively still during sleep, all of that time spent in one position can intensify facial lines on that side of your face while flattening your hair.
In general, silk absorbs less moisture and requires more moisture in order to feel damp than cotton. As a result, a real silk pillowcase won’t steal much-needed natural moisture and products you’ve added from your hair and skin during the night.
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Skin Soothing
One of the most well-known reasons for sleeping with a 100% silk pillowcase is how it can benefit and improve the health of your skin. Skincare is a complex subject that is highly subjective to the individual; what may work for some people may not work for others. Skin condition and health can also be impacted by dozens of internal and external factors, such as diet, age, genetics, underlying health issues, climate/ season, air pollution, and much more.
Switching to a silk pillowcase may not be a cure-all to every skin issue, but they can certainly aid in preventing, decreasing, and slowing down some common skin ailments. A silk bed cover, like our shikifuton covers or silk duvet cover (kakefuton cover), may offer similar relief for bodily skin ailments like psoriasis, dermatitis, or body acne.
Because silk is so soft and, well, silky, it prevents friction, meaning it is more forgiving on your skin. The delicate nature of genuine silk fabric causes it to conform with your facial contours, rather than forcing your skin to conform to it. As a result, a silk pillowcase can aid in the prevention of wrinkles and fine lines caused by sleep positions. For the same reasons, those who are susceptible to skin irritation, dryness, or itchiness may find that switching to silk pillow covers can result in a noticeable improvement in skin health.
The lightweight, breathable nature of silk pillows means that they can also be beneficial to those who are prone to acne and blemishes. Built-up sweat, dead skin cells, and oil in a rough fabric pillowcase are prime conditions for skin flare-ups. An anti-acne pillowcase should be breathable, washable, and soft - and our silk Japanese pillowcases are all three.
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Hair Healthy
The best pillow cases for your hair health are made of natural silk fabric. Just like skin, hair is highly unique to the individual. Similar to the aforementioned skin benefits, silk pillowcases help to reduce friction between your hair and the pillow during sleep. When we toss and turn on a rough pillowcase during the night, it can lead to unwanted frizz, static, fallout, and hair breakage - especially if your hair is predisposed for these issues. Health conditions, age, and other factors can also exacerbate these issues, as the hair becomes more brittle and susceptible to damage and fallout. Certain fabrics can also contribute by robbing your hair of its natural moisture, or hydrating products you use before bed. A silk pillowcase for hair offers a smoother sleep surface that can drastically decrease damage and dryness, giving you healthier, tamer hair in the morning.
- Thermal Regulator
Another popular reason to make the switch to a silk pillowcase is that they’re the best pillowcase for hot sleepers. Silk is naturally a thermal regulator, which means that it keeps you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer (no more flipping your pillow to the “cold side” in the middle of the night!) Combine a simple white silk pillowcase with our luxurious silk-filled pillow to amplify the comfort and breathability of your bed pillow.
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Hypoallergenic
Silk is also a common choice for those looking for hypoallergenic pillow cases. Thanks to its moisture-wicking properties, this natural fiber does not attract dust mites, dirt, and other allergens as easily as a cotton pillowcase does. Silk pillowcases are also more hygienic for the same reasons.
If you are highly sensitive to certain types of pillow fabrics and fillings, our silk buckwheat hull pillows may be right for you. Not only are they exceptionally comfortable and supportive, but the organic buckwheat hull filling is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and pest resistant.
