Few things are as soul-crushing as going to bed with a fresh blowout only to wake up with a rumpled mess of frizz. Chances are a night of particularly deep sleep has wreaked havoc on your hair at least once before, but the best silk pillowcases can help you avoid crazy bedhead in the future.

Aside from keeping your hairstyle intact, the smooth texture prevents hair breakage caused by friction (something that can happen with regular cotton pillowcases). What’s more—sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help prevent wrinkles, so bringing them into your bedroom could have a positive impact on your hair and skin, and who doesn’t want that?

Why should you use a silk pillowcase?

Derived from domesticated silkworms, silk pillowcases are naturally hypoallergenic, so they prevent build-up of dust mites, fungus, mold, and other allergens. Silk pillowcases also tend to be good heat regulators, which means no flipping your pillow over to the cold side every 20 minutes. But the main draw to silk pillowcases is the potential hair and skin benefits.

As mentioned above, delicate silk won’t cause fine lines that rougher materials, like cotton, are believed to contribute to, and they can actually help make your skin care products more effective. “They keep your products from escaping from your skin, so you can really ensure they are penetrating,” says celebrity facialist and La Mer global skin care adviser Georgia Louise. Last (and perhaps most importantly), they lessen the amount of breakage you get from moving around on your pillow while you sleep, making for smoother, healthier hair.

What’s momme, and how much of it do I want in my silk pillowcase?

Momme refers to the density of the silk and indicates the quality of the material. Think of it like thread count—where more threads mean extra durability, making for a more luxurious experience. A 12 to 19 momme count is perfectly fine, while 25 is top of the line. A 25 momme variety is going to be significantly more dense than 22 or 19 momme—and far more expensive. If it’s your first time buying a silk pillowcase, one with momme in the teens will get the job done. Really looking for a splurge? Pick an option that’s at least 22 momme and made with mulberry silk, which is basically the equivalent of Egyptian cotton. The fibers are longer and more uniform, so the fabric is smoother and will hold up through more washes.

What are the best silk pillowcases?

Great, we’ve convinced you. There are plenty of silk pillowcases out there, and we’ve tried many of them. In an effort to upgrade your beauty sleep, we asked our editors to test the best silk pillowcases out there and report back with their favorites. Read on to find out which brands made the cut.

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