Beauty rest is essential to good skin, but let’s see how pillowcases help with wrinkles and acne. I used to only pay attention to thread count, cotton-types, weaves, and silk when trying to find bedding and now there’s even more to consider! As I go through life I hear clients and friends discussing night sweats from things like menopause and drinking certain types of wine. In addition to that there are wrinkles and acne issues to think about. So, let’s look into how pillowcases help with wrinkles and acne.

There’s a nice selection of companies coming up with ways to solve our challenges. From wicking fibers and metallic fabrics to layered cases, we can certainly iron out the pillowcase options.

Pillowcase Made of Silver

Did you know that there is a pillowcase made of silver? I wonder what the tooth fairy would say about a silver pillowcase? My first thought is that she probably wouldn’t feel the need to leave money. 

A pillowcase woven with silver coated thread is a good option for people who are prone to breakouts. This is because silver naturally kills bacteria and other microorganisms. Typically, when you sleep, the pillow surface that touches your skin becomes warm and damp from perspiration. That can create a breeding ground for bacteria. A pillowcase threaded with silver fibers can inhibit the growth of bacteria, leaving a cleaner place for you to rest your head at night. 

The antibacterial benefits of silver is well known in the medical and athletic apparel community. Silver can be used to coat wounds and slow the growth of infectious bacteria for improved healing time. Companies such as Adidas and Patagonia offer clothing containing silver-coated fibers that prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Using silver threads can even make a garment more eco-friendly; with less bacteria growth, you will need to wash it less frequently and the lifespan will be much longer. 

This technology has even been used to develop face masks that can destroy virus particles within 2 hours. Note, that this technology does not kill the virus fast enough to prevent you from inhaling it. You can read more about wearing masks and cleaning them and how to deal with “maskne” in my previous posts.

Bamboo Pillowcase

This material can offer a high level of softness and silky smooth textures, all while remaining vegan. A bamboo pillowcase can also absorb water, helping to stay dry during warm nights.  All of this sounds good, but then I learned that the process of making it into a soft fabric can be detrimental to the environment. I found one type that is eco-friendly, called “bamboo linen”, but it is rare and incredibly laborious to process, so I’m going to say boo to bamboo.

Satin Pillowcase

When shopping for pillowcases, consider choosing ones that have a satin texture. Satins can be made from silk, nylon, or polyester. Satins offer a low friction surface that glides over your skin. This is important because your skin will not stretch from rubbing against the pillow. For the most part, satin pillowcases do not absorb moisture. This can be a benefit or drawback, depending on your skin type. For example, if you suffer from dry skin and want to retain as much moisture as possible, satin is a good choice. On the other hand, if you tend to sweat at night, this can create an uncomfortable experience. I found a crescent-shaped pillow with a satin pillowcase that looked interesting. You can rest your head on it, yet your cheek is suspended in the cut-out part of the crescent.

Microfiber Pillowcase

Using microfiber for fabrics has been gaining momentum. These are very fine synthetic yarns spun together and used for more things than I can mention. I use microfiber cleaning cloths around my home and have found that they collect dirt and dust well. So when Circadia, a professional skin care brand, came out with 22,000 microfilament pillowcases, I snapped them up immediately and have been using them for years. Since Circadia is a pro-brand, estheticians are only allowed to sell them. If you ever want me to place a special order for you just send me a note. 

Similar to silk, microfiber pillowcases do not tug on your skin or hair when you move around in your sleep. This gentle material can protect your skin from fine lines and wrinkles. 

After researching all of these options I decided to purchase a microfiber pillowcase with silver coated threads in an effort to get the best of both worlds. If I end up looking younger, I’ll be sure to let you know!

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Your Guide to Good Skin

Photo Credits go to @jessbaileydesigns and @womanizer