Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase Review: Why I Never Fell for Satin Dupes
Silk vs. satin pillowcases: why 22 momme mulberry silk is better for acne-prone skin and hair, and the one I buy in every color
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Quick verdict: The silk pillowcase I’d buy over any satin dupe. It’s 22 momme mulberry silk, so it stays cool and breathable on acne-prone skin and smooth on hair.
Best for: Acne-prone skin, hair that frizzes or tangles overnight, and an easy luxury gift. It comes beautifully boxed.
Skip it if: You don’t have acne-prone skin, or only want something smooth for your hair on a budget. Satin costs far less, but most satin is polyester and doesn’t breathe like silk.
Good to know: Wash it with a silk or delicate detergent and hang it to dry so it lasts. Slip makes it in dozens of colors, several sizes and zipper or envelope closures.
Price: $120 for a queen with a zipper.
I personally feel very validated that I never fell for the satin dupes of silk pillowcases. Satin versions are everywhere, and they're a fraction of the price, so I understand the appeal. But when it comes to something my face and hair touch for eight hours a night, I've always gone for the real thing. The Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase earned a spot in my 50 Best of Beauty Awards as my Best Beauty Pillowcase, and here's why.
If you're not as deep in beauty product controversy as I am, here's the tea. Satin isn't a fiber. It's a type of weave, and most satin pillowcases are made from polyester. It looks and feels similar to silk at first touch, but it doesn't act the same.
Satin isn't as breathable as natural silk, so it can trap heat and moisture against your skin overnight. A warm, damp pillowcase is exactly what you don't want if you're acne-prone, because it creates a friendlier environment for breakout-causing bacteria. Pure silk is a natural protein fiber that breathes and helps regulate temperature, so it stays cool and smooth. Both are gentle on hair, but only silk gives you that plus breathability.
Slip's silk, called Slipsilk™, is 100% pure mulberry silk at 22 momme. Momme (mm) measures the weight and density of silk, a little like thread count for cotton.
Contrary to what you might expect, a higher momme doesn't automatically mean better. More silk usually means a higher price, and there are plenty of luxury brands selling higher-momme pillowcases. But 22 momme is the sweet spot. It balances softness, breathability and durability, so it feels buttery against your skin, stays cool through the night and holds up wash after wash (though I recommend using a silk/delicate fabric detergent and hang drying for longevity).
One of my favorite things about Slip is how many options there are. They offer an endless range of colors and patterns, zipper or envelope closures, and several sizes, so there's one for every bedroom and every taste. I own quite a few, but the one I've linked is the classic pink.
Their packaging is also top-notch. Each pillowcase comes beautifully boxed, which makes it an easy, elegant gift for birthdays, bridesmaids or anyone who loves beauty.
If you've been debating whether a silk pillowcase is worth the upgrade, or whether a cheaper satin dupe will do the same job, this is your sign to go for real silk. The Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase is breathable, gentle on skin and hair, made to last, and pretty enough to leave out on display. It's one of those small luxuries that makes every night feel a little more special.
P.S. I also love their silk hair scrunchies! They're gentle on hair and don't leave a dent, so they're perfect for a loose ponytail or grwm bun.
