Best Silk Pillowcases in Canada: Benefits, Brands, and Buying Guide

8 min read

Why Silk Pillowcases?

Silk pillowcases have become one of the most recommended sleep accessories by dermatologists and hair stylists. The reason is simple: silk creates less friction than cotton, and friction is what causes hair breakage and skin creasing overnight.

Benefits for Hair

Cotton pillowcases grip hair fibres and create friction as you move during sleep. This pulls on hair, causes tangles, and can break delicate strands. Silk's smooth surface allows hair to glide across the pillow without catching. This is especially beneficial for:

• Curly or textured hair that tangles easily
• Chemically treated or coloured hair that is more fragile
• Fine hair prone to breakage
• Blowouts or styled hair you want to preserve overnight

Benefits for Skin

Silk is less absorbent than cotton. A cotton pillowcase absorbs moisture from your skin and any nighttime skincare products you apply. Silk lets your skin retain more of its natural moisture and more of your skincare products. Silk also creates fewer compression lines on the face during sleep, which over time can reduce the formation of sleep wrinkles.

Temperature Regulation

Silk is a natural temperature regulator. It feels cool to the touch in warm weather and retains warmth in cold weather. This makes silk pillowcases comfortable year-round, unlike some synthetic alternatives that can feel clammy in humidity.

Silk vs. Satin: What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion. Silk and satin are not the same thing.

Silk is a natural fibre produced by silkworms. It is a material.

Satin is a type of weave pattern. Satin can be made from silk, but it is more commonly made from polyester or nylon. When you see "satin pillowcase" at a lower price point, it is almost always polyester satin, not silk satin.

If budget is a concern, polyester satin is a reasonable alternative that provides some of the hair friction benefits of silk at a fraction of the cost. However, satin does not breathe as well as silk and can feel warm in the summer.

What to Look For When Buying a Silk Pillowcase

Momme Weight

Momme (pronounced "mummy") is the unit of measurement for silk weight and density. It is similar to thread count for cotton, but more meaningful. Higher momme means thicker, more durable silk.

For most people, 22 momme is the sweet spot. It is thick enough to be durable and opaque, soft enough to feel luxurious, and priced reasonably compared to 25 momme options.

Silk Grade

Silk is graded from A to C (sometimes with numbers). Grade 6A is the highest quality, with the longest, most uniform fibres. This produces the smoothest, most lustrous fabric. Lower grades use shorter fibres and may feel rougher. Most reputable brands use Grade 6A mulberry silk.

Closure Type

• Envelope closure: The most common. A flap tucks over the pillow opening. Simple but the pillow can slip out
• Hidden zipper: More secure. Keeps the pillow fully enclosed. Preferred for a cleaner look and fit
• Ties or buttons: Less common. Can be fiddly but keep the pillow in place

Colour and Dye

High-quality silk pillowcases use non-toxic dyes that are OEKO-TEX certified (tested for harmful substances). Undyed or naturally coloured silk (ivory, champagne) avoids dye concerns entirely. Darker colours may transfer slightly when new, so wash before first use.

Best Silk Pillowcases in Canada

Our Picks

Best overall: Fishers Finery 25 momme. Premium weight, hidden zipper, excellent durability, and priced well below luxury competitors like Slip.

Best Canadian brand: Aashi Beauty. Made in Canada, 22 momme Grade 6A mulberry silk, reasonable pricing, and available in multiple colours.

Best value: Quince 22 momme. Direct-to-consumer pricing makes this 6A mulberry pillowcase remarkably affordable at $30 to $40 CAD.

Best Canadian retailer: Silk and Snow. Known primarily for mattresses and pillows, their silk pillowcase is a natural extension of their sleep product line. Good quality at $70 CAD.

How to Wash and Care for Silk Pillowcases

Silk is a natural fibre that requires a bit more care than cotton, but modern silk pillowcases are easier to maintain than you might think.

Washing

• Best method: Hand wash in cool water (below 30 degrees C) with a gentle, pH-neutral detergent or silk-specific wash
• Machine wash option: Place in a mesh laundry bag, use cold water, delicate cycle, and mild detergent. This works fine for most quality silk pillowcases
• Never use: Bleach, fabric softener, or hot water. These damage silk fibres and strip the natural proteins that give silk its smoothness
• Frequency: Wash every 1 to 2 weeks, or more often if you use heavy skincare products at night

Drying

• Best method: Air dry flat on a clean towel, away from direct sunlight. UV light can fade and weaken silk
• Machine dryer: Use the lowest heat setting or air-dry setting only. High heat permanently damages silk fibres
• Never wring: Gently press out excess water with a towel. Wringing can stretch and distort the fabric

Ironing

If your silk pillowcase wrinkles after washing, iron on the lowest heat setting while the fabric is still slightly damp. Use the "silk" setting if your iron has one, and iron on the reverse side to avoid shine marks.

Shop: Pillows at Mattress Miracle