Despite Dr. Toral’s caveat on a lack of long-term studies or evidence, the overarching answer is that silk and satin pillowcases do contain benefits for your hair and skin. And the reasoning is pretty simple.
“You may notice less frizz or tangling once you make the switch, especially with curly or textured hair. Those with more brittle or fragile hair may benefit too. It’s possible to experience less friction and skin irritation with a smoother pillowcase,” she says, while noting that the benefits are subtle and are “unlikely to reverse or prevent true deeper wrinkles due to collagen loss.”
The TL;DR? Switching from a cotton to a silk/satin pillowcase isn’t going to reverse the aging process. However, if you do have acne-prone skin, there is a benefit to these smoother pillow materials.
“Acne tends to be caused by a combination of excess oils, bacteria, and hormonal triggers, so the pillowcase fabric is less likely to be a contributing factor,” she continues.
