If you’ve noticed all the attention that silk pillowcases are attracting from beauty bloggers and experts as well as on social media, you could be considering whether or not to try one for yourself. Do silk pillowcases make a difference, though? If so, in what way? Here are some of the silk pillowcase benefits reported by converts.

If you’re thinking about buying a silk pillowcase, the first thing you may well check is the price tag. With a good quality silk pillowcase costing around £40 or more, you could be forgiven for thinking that they are expensive. It is really, though?

We spend such a large proportion of our lives in bed. Silk is the best fabric to sleep on bar none. A decent silk pillowcase with a high momme count (22 for example) that is made with charmeuse weave fabric really does look utterly luxurious. There’s no material on earth that’s more gentle on your skin and hair, due in part to silk’s ultra smooth surface.

A silk pillowcase will last you for years. Far longer than one pot of high-end night cream or tube of anti-ageing serum that could cost the same – and will be gone in a matter of weeks. What else could you get for around £40 upwards that will last so long and have such a significant impact on your beauty sleep?

This is why you should be sleeping on a silk pillowcase. See some of the benefits below.

Many silk pillowcases on the market are machine washable, usually at 30 degrees, so there’s no wash it separately from the rest of your bed linen. Despite its delicate appearance, silk is a surprisingly robust fabric.

Silk is a hypoallergenic fabric, which makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin or dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It also resists dust mites and other allergens, so you can be confident of a restful night’s sleep.

Mulberry silk is a natural product from silkworms that are fed exclusively on mulberry leaves. These silkworms are kept in captivity, so they are protected from predators. This means that very little to no chemicals are used in the production of mulberry silk. By contrast, producing other fabrics such as cotton often involves the use of various chemical formulas such as pesticides and herbicides. Thus, sleeping on silk lowers your exposure to potential skin irritants.

The ultra smooth surface of fine silk results in less friction as you slumber. This means your hair suffers less friction damage, such as split ends, breakage and tangles. Silk pillowcases are particularly good for those with Afro-Caribbean hair, which requires special handling. Who wouldn’t want to wake up without ‘bed-head’, as well as spending less time and money on hair care?

Whether it’s the natural moisture levels present in your facial skin or a slathering of moisturiser, silk will help the skin to retain this moisture. Spend the night on silk, and you’ll soon be spending less cash on pricey facial ointments.

As your skin moves across the smooth surface of silk at night, it is far less disturbed than when sleeping on alternative fabrics. This results in less development of fine lines, wrinkles and pillow creases. Combined with the moisturising effect of pure silk, this can ensure a far more youthful, glowing complexion that radiates good health.

Health and beauty benefits aside, to sleep on silk pillowcase feels like a luxury. When you’re spending a third of your life in bed, why not spend a few pounds on making sure you have the best possible sleep, night after night?

So, do silk pillowcases make a difference? The only way to find out if it will benefit you is to try one for yourself. Why not? You know you’re worth it.