Do Beauty Pillows and Pillowcases Actually Work?

Patricia Wexler of Wexler Dermatology acknowledges that while there’s been no scientific studies showing the benefits of silk or satin sheets, “anyone who has used silk pillowcases knows your skin feels smooth in the morning. You wake up with fresher-looking hair and skin, and you get a better night’s sleep.” Since lack of sleep can lead to wrinkle-causing stress, it makes sense that using the pillowcase you find most comfortable is good for the skin. Wexler says she’s used Calvin Klein sateen sheets for years and loves how they leave her skin feeling cooler and more moisturized than standard cotton. “Cotton can draw in moisture away from the face, so if you think of someone putting nighttime moisturizer on the face, cotton will absorb that moisture and can dry the face out or be irritating to the skin,” she says.

If you want to give silk pillowcases a shot for your hair and skin, but don’t want to spend a lot, these are a more affordable option that are also 100 percent silk — with a cotton underside to prevent slipping — and hypoallergenic. Lawson says pillowcases made with hypoallergenic materials are “more gentle on the skin and can prevent inflammation and skin reactions.”

Regardless of what pillowcase you use, experts stress cleaning it often to prevent blemishes. “Change the case at least once a week and wash the actual pillow every 3 months,” says Lawson. Those with oily, acne-prone skin may need to change their pillowcases even more often.To avoid spending all your time doing laundry, the flip-over Déjà pillowcase allows for eight days of fresh surfaces. “A clean surface each night won’t expose your skin to dirt, oil, and bacteria buildup, which can make acne worse,” says New York City dermatologist Michele Green. Tzu agrees that “sleeping on a fresh pillowcase daily sounds like a good idea from a hygienic standpoint in general,” but Manhattan dermatologist Joyce Davis points out that there’s no substitute for washing your face and removing all of your makeup before bed.

Anti-acne pillowcases, with silver or copper threads woven in, theoretically work by using those metals’ natural antimicrobial properties to kill off the bacteria that causes acne. It’s the same reasoning behind athletic wear using silver to block odor, but dermatologists are torn on the issue. “I’m really not convinced that the copper or silver threaded pillows are any more antibacterial than a regular pillowcase washed more frequently,” says Tzu. “The scientist in me says, ‘Where’s the data?’” Doris Day of Day Dermatology & Aesthetics says these pillowcases are “theoretically great ideas,” but they aren’t subject to the same rigorous scientific testing as skin-care drugs or devices.

On the other hand, Wexler says that “anything that’s on your pillowcase gets on your skin. If you have antibacterial properties on your pillow, it’ll get on your skin.” As silver inhibits bacterial growth and is used to cauterize wounds, she says it’s possible pillows with silver could have the same effect on your skin. Since it’s also hypoallergenic, it probably won’t hurt to try out Skin Laundry’s SleepCycle silver pillow.

An all-natural alternative to silver-threaded pillows, these Japanese pillowcases contain charcoal for managing acne. “Charcoal-infused pillows are naturally antibacterial, which is also beneficial if you are acne-prone,” says Green.

If, like Tzu, you’re not sold on metallic ion-infused pillowcases, stick with a simple 100 percent cotton pillow and avoid synthetics. “I personally recommend people don’t use polyester if they’re acne-prone because it causes you to sweat more, and the heat stimulates oil production,” says Davis. As we learned researching cooling sheets for sweaty sleepers, percale cotton works best for preventing sweat because of its light, loose weave.

Tzu also likes cotton pillowcases, and especially white ones because “you get to see any dirt on the pillowcase when it’s white” — a reminder it’s time to wash or swap it out. Day also prefers white cotton that’s free of irritating dyes. And while cotton is often drying on wrinkle-prone skin, that same quality can be helpful for preventing pimples. Green says, “Cotton is best if you are acne-prone, as it will absorb moisture, reducing sebum buildup, which will minimize acne breakouts.”

While the jury’s still out on silk pillowcases’ long-term wrinkle-fighting power, there’s a consensus that it’s probably best to sleep on your back and keep your face off the pillow. “Sleeping on the side, you’re pushing the face forward and reinforcing the [wrinkle-causing] movements,” says Davis. If you aren’t already a back sleeper, a contoured pillow like this can help change your position habits. Since any oil or bacteria on your pillowcase can transfer to the skin, it makes sense that keeping the pillow off your face will help with acne as well.

This pillow also has a U-shaped section for comfortably sleeping on your back, but also has a side cutout for side sleepers to rest with minimal skin-to-pillow contact.

Since a firm pillow can be more abrasive against the skin, Wexler says the type of pillow you use is even more important than your pillowcase. She recommends pillows made with bamboo and foam because “they conform to your face, so they don’t crease or tug your face.” She also says that “bamboo contains certain vitamins and minerals that make it much healthier for your skin” than other types of pillows.

The detergent you use to wash your sheets and pillowcases can also affect your skin. Davis recommends a hypoallergenic detergent like Ivory Snow for babies, which is free of harsh chemicals that can leach out onto your skin. “I tell people to avoid fabric softeners,” she says, as they can contain chemicals and fragrances that can irritation the skin. Tzu also recommends washing your pillowcases weekly with hypoallergenic detergent. And while cold water is fine for washing your clothes, go with hot water for linens, as it will destroy more bacteria.

Another gentle detergent, Seventh Generation Free and Clear is Wexler’s pick for avoiding skin irritation. She also says that a detergent with stronger chemicals can prematurely wash away any of the beneficial properties of your pillowcases, whether that’s natural proteins in silk or silver ions in an acne-fighting pillow.