In 2021, I dyed my brown hair white, and unsurprisingly, it was never the same. While I don’t regret dying my hair, I do miss how naturally healthy it used to be, and I regret not taking better care of it when it was dyed. Even though the bleach was 99% out of my hair, I was left with side effects like frizziness and dullness, while my scalp remained as sensitive, dandruff-prone and prone to becoming oily as usual.

In my search healthier hairI spent more time researching my hair type and what it takes to keep that type healthy. I found that I have 2a/2b waves and curls. But when I follow a wavy hair routine, my hair gets tangled overnight and needs to be brushed the next morning. Since I have thin hair, the curls fall in and out when I brush them, creating an aura of curls on my head. The other problem? I’m low-maintenance, so at this point, I’ve reached my effort limit.

From time to time, in search of a simple solution, I always see this advice: Use a silk pillow. Almost every Reddit thread, YouTube video and article I’ve seen promotes the wonders of silk for hair and skin. I was skeptical but decided to give it a try. Cozy Earth sent me this 100% mulberry silk pillowcase (now on sale for $82) to try.

Before using a silk pillowcase

I have been using 100% cotton pillowcases for the past few years. While I wouldn’t say they provide the most luxurious experience, they get the job done. However, I wake up every day with frizzy, frizzy hair and fabric lines on my face. This was compounded by the fact that I was a hot sleeper, which added to the mess – especially since my cotton pillowcases wouldn’t cool.

Following wavy hair routines, post-shower, I use leave-in conditioner or wave spray to detangle my hair, highlighting my curls. I try not to use too much product because my hair is thin and tends to look oily. After that, it will dry and look presentable. But then, I go to sleep and wake up to this…

This hair is tangled to the point where it needs brushing (my fingers don’t work). I was left with a poof of frizz with no obvious curls or waves in sight. It happens so often that I stop doing my post-shower wavy hair routine because my bed head is strong enough to make the whole effort feel futile.

Silk pillowcases reduce friction and do not absorb much moisture, which helps preserve hairstyles, maintain hair hydration and prevent tangles and breakage. Because of the gentle texture, it’s also said to be great for sensitive, acne-prone skin — though it’s not a one-stop miracle cure. With this information in mind, I switched out my cotton pillowcase for a silk one.

After using a silk pillowcase

Laying my head on the pillowcase, I immediately felt the difference. The lack of friction makes it easy for me to glide my skin and hair across the case, while the fabric has a more cooling effect than cotton (perfect for hot sleepers like me). Now, for the real test: sleep with a silk pillow.

I love sleeping with this fabric. It feels cooler and more luxurious than my cotton pillowcases. Plus, no texture lines were left on my skin. As for my hair, I do my post-shower wavy routine, go to bed and wake up like this…

While my hair became messier overnight, it wasn’t as frizzy and frizzy as it used to be. I can still see more defined waves and less curls. Usually, when I wake up, my hair looks like it’s angry, but this time it looks like it’s messed up. It’s easier to comb with my fingers, which means less hairbrush is needed and, as a result, my frizz poof is reduced. My hair also feels softer to the touch and more hydrated.

Since silk pillowcases can be more expensive than cotton, I secretly hoped that this experiment would not work. But based on these results, I think silk pillowcases are worth it — especially if you’re willing to take care of them to extend their life.

These are Cozy Earth’s care instructions for its silk pillowcase: “Machine washable, cold iron, DO NOT WIND, mild detergent OR HAND WASH delicately.” I have seen other brands recommend treating your silk product step by step by hand washing first or using a gentle cycle in the washing machine with the item in a separate mesh laundry bag for dangerous.

Again, I do very little maintenance: I use a washing machine with a mild detergent. The model in my apartment building doesn’t have a gentle cycle, so I put the pillow in a protective mesh bag before washing it. Then, I let it dry with no issues.

The verdict

If you’re tired of bed head, sleep hot or hate waking up with fabric lines on your skin – and you’ve got money to spare or a birthday wish list – I think a silk pillowcase is worth it this. Generally, I believe that any product that improves your sleep is worth it if you are willing to take care of it properly.

If you’re looking to save and still reap the benefits of a silky pillowcase, CNET’s favorite budget silk pillowcase for only $10. As for the non-aggressive bedhead, that’s priceless.