How Does Silk Retain Moisture in Your Skin Overnight
Silk's ability to retain moisture is nothing new, but here's the real question: How can a fabric keep your skin’s hydration levels balanced or intact, especially at night?
If you're intrigued and want to understand how it all works—the science behind it—you've come to the right place! You'll find all your answers here.
A Little Backstory About Silk
Silk comes from the silkworm's cocoon, which acts as a protective nest while the worms transition into adulthood. While there are many species of silkworms, the most common one used for silk production is the Bombyx mori.
The process of making it is quite lengthy and requires a lot of care, which is part of the reason why it is expensive. What sets silk apart is that it contains natural protein fibres, which is why your skin responds so well to it and feels so comfortable—almost like it’s "at home."
Silk fibres are made up of two main proteins: fibroin and sericin. Fibroin is the structural component of the silk, while sericin holds the fibres together.
How Your Skin Loses Moisture During Sleep
To understand how beneficial it is for your skin, it’s important to know why your skin loses moisture while you sleep. Is it because of your skin type, or is it just a normal process? Let’s find out!
Your skin goes through a natural process called Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), where water moves through the layers of your skin and evaporates into the air. While some moisture loss is normal, certain conditions—like weather, temperature, or even the type of fabric you sleep on—can cause you to lose more water than usual.
TEWL is usually higher at night, meaning your skin loses more moisture while you sleep. Cotton can make this worse by pulling even more moisture from your skin!
Silk, however, helps by creating a barrier that slows down evaporation. This is important because during deep sleep, your body is in recovery mode, and your skin works to repair itself and produce collagen. Proper hydration during this time helps your skin regenerate, repair damaged cells, and improve your skin's overall condition.
How Silk Prevents Moisture Loss in Your Skin at Night
Silk preserves moisture in your skin at night in three key ways:
1. Does not draw moisture away from the skin
Nightly moisture loss is a natural process, right?
Now, let’s create a picture. If you’ve ever used a silk material to wipe a wet surface, you’ll notice it doesn’t absorb much moisture compared to cotton—The difference is clear!
Cotton, which is commonly used for bedding, is very absorbent. While that’s great for things like towels or clothes in hot weather, it’s not ideal for pillowcases or nightwear because it increases your moisture loss during sleep.
Silk, on the other hand, helps keep your skin’s moisture levels intact, especially if you have applied serums, oils, or other skincare products before bed.
2. Its smooth surface reduces friction
It has an incredibly smooth surface, which reduces friction between your skin and pillowcase.
If you’re a restless sleeper, all that tossing and turning on cotton can leave your skin feeling irritated, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and even breakouts.
Reduced friction also means moisture retention because your skin gliding easily across your silk items enables the moisture content to remain as it is. A silk pillowcase is particularly beneficial for people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, as it’s much gentler on the skin.
3. Regulates temperature
Silk is a breathable fabric that allows for proper air circulation, helping to prevent overheating. When you sweat, it can lead to skin dehydration, as sweat evaporates and takes moisture with it.
However, it can wick away up to 30% of its moisture content without feeling damp.
This means that when you sweat, it absorbs the excess moisture and gradually releases it into the atmosphere, keeping you cool. Additionally, in cooler environments, it helps retain warmth and in this way, prevents your skin from drying out.