James also notes that silk materials directly influence the way hair looks and feels over time. “Silk is a natural protein fiber,” and its breathable, smooth, and slippery properties allow hair to glide rather than shrivel overnight, she explains. When silk becomes part of a regular sleep routine, “these qualities are reflected in your hair and become part of its personality,” supporting smoother texture, improved shine, and healthy-looking strands from root to tip, she adds.
Are silk pillows more effective than silk bonnets for protecting hair overnight, or do they serve different purposes depending on the hair type or current style?
“Silk pillows aren’t necessarily more practical than silk bonnets, but they complement each other like besties,” says James. For people with fine, straight, or limp hair, James explains that a silk pillowcase alone is often enough because it “allows your strands to flow freely throughout the night, while preventing frizz and retaining moisture.” In those cases, closing the hair under a bonnet can work against volume and movement, as “when a good or straight shape is confined to a bonnet, it tends to eliminate the body and movement of the hair.”
With a curlier texture, the strategy changes. James notes that “for high curl patterns, tying your ends at night is best,” as it helps maintain curl definition and prevents ends from splitting and creating frizz. This is where layering protection comes in handy. “For curly ones, I highly recommend doubling or tripling for extra protection,” he said, especially for anyone with a bonnet that tends to slip overnight. Her advice is to secure the curls with a silk scarf first, then add a bonnet, then sleep on a silk pillow as a backup. Because “silk is light and breathable,” explains James, it helps regulate temperature so “your scalp doesn’t overheat,” making the blend especially useful for people who sweat at night. In those cases, “both a silk bonnet and a silk pillow” can provide better protection than relying on just one layer.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always include various testers in our makeup verticals, but hair care products and tools are another story. Although certain products can be used for all different hair types, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often formulated with specific consumers in mind. Many are designed to address concerns (dandruff, breakage, dryness) or to work more effectively on a specific type of hair (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone, like, red hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls – right?
For our review of the best silk pillowcases, we enlisted the help of many editors, writers, contributors, dermatologists, and stylists—who spoke to the benefits of silk hair and leather pillowcases. Evaluators considered performance across four main categories: texture, experience, value, and motherhood (where applicable). To find out more about what’s involved in our reporting, see our full review process and how to page.
Our staff and inspectors
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You may be looking for a face cream to combat persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday skincare routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launch to hit the hair market. Whatever your wants or needs and concerns, Seduction you want to make sure you like whatever we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse group of writers and editors—in addition to the extensive list of external reviewers and industry experts we call on regularly—is critical to achieving that goal.
