Do Satin Pillowcases Make You Sweat?

Satin pillowcases are known for their luxurious look and feel. They are some of life’s simple pleasures to have in the bedroom. When in contact with the fabric, you will immediately notice how silky soft it is. So, satin pillowcases are not just about beauty, but they also help you in terms of daily beauty regimen.

Do satin pillowcases make you sweat?

No, satin pillowcases do not cause sweating because satin fabric has a great cooling effect. If the satin is made of silk, it will whisk moist air out of skin surface and allows heat to escape thus keeping you cool. Most synthetic satins will, however, make you sweat.

Satin can be made from natural fibers like silk. Such pillowcases will keep you cool. Heat escapes between the spaces between the fibers making polyester satin warm in the summer and cold in the winter. If a large percentage of the satin pillowcase fiber is made of silk, it will cause great cooling effects just like silk. These pillowcases can be enjoyed throughout the year because they are comfortable and durable.

On the contrary, satin can be made from synthetic fibers. These ones do not keep you cool. For instance, polyester satin will make you sweat because it maintains a humid skin environment.

Related: Do Silk Pillowcases Make You Sweat?

Which is better silk or satin pillowcases? 

Silk is better than satin pillowcases. Although silk pillowcases are way better in terms of reducing sweating and reducing skin breakouts, they are too expensive for many people. Besides, there are concerns that the labor-intensive process of producing silk contributes to child labor and raises issues about animal cruelty.

One needs to be careful about where the silk they buy comes from. Polyester satin, on the other hand, is softer, smoother, and shinier than silk. The satin fabric offers almost equivalent benefits to silk with an additional aspect of durability. 

My position: The final choice all comes down to what one prefers. If I had to make the same choice, I would go for a satin pillowcase because I know I can easily find new ones at an affordable price while still getting the same benefits as having silk. 

KinByHellen carried out her own experiment to find out which is better between silk and satin pillowcases. Check out her video “Satin vs. Silk Pillowcase” on YouTube on why she thinks silk is the best option for you. 

What satin pillowcase should you buy?

If you’re looking for a satin pillowcase, ensure that you get one that is partly silk rather than 100% polyester. Although this type of pillowcase will cost a bit more, it ensures that you experience the best cooling effect while sleeping. If you can get one that is 100% silk, it would be much better. For anyone on a tight budget, it is still a great idea to consider a polyester satin pillowcase since it will do the job just fine. It is an excellent, quality choice available almost everywhere unlike silk. 

Are satin pillowcases bad for your skin?

No, satin pillowcases are not bad for your skin. Satin is a great fabric for sensitive skin because it does not absorb moisture. Its cooling effect reduces the risk of developing breakouts.

However, for people who put thick products in their hair before going to sleep, the oils from the hair could spread over the pillow and eventually transfer to the bare skin across your face.  

Why are satin pillowcases good for hair?

Satin pillowcases provide substantial protection to hair while sleeping since they are soft and reduces moisture loss from the hair. While sleeping, it is common to move your head and hair can rub against the pillow more frequently. Satin pillowcases prevent frizzy hair that could occur when hair rubs against the fabric. It eliminates the damaging friction thereby ensuring that your hair remains intact and good-looking when you wake up in the morning. 

This fiber prevents hair from clumping out. If a person has undergone chemotherapy and is experience alopecia, they find many benefits from using a satin pillowcase rather than cotton other types of fabrics. 

Since satin does not absorb moisture, it prevents dumping of the pillowcase. Wet material can weaker hair strands. This problem is solved using a good quality satin pillowcase that regulates the temperature between the skin and the fabric by limiting how much moisture your hair can lose to the material. 

What is satin made of?

Satin is a weave, and therefore, it can be made using different materials. Originally, the majority of satin fabrics were made using silk. Others were made from polyester, nylon, or other types of chemical fibers.

Today, the cheap satin fabrics available in stores are mostly made from polyester and rayon. Because of the way satin is woven, it usually has a glossy appearance and smooth feel.

Is satin the same as silk?

No, satin is not always the same as silk. Although the most luxurious satins are made from 100% silk, most of the available satin fabrics in the market today are classified as synthetic fibers and tend not to be as easily breathable as natural silk.

However, the effect of satin and silk are always perceived as quite similar. 

Silk is a natural material that is obtained from silk-producing worms. It is more expensive than satin and takes some labor-intensive process to produce. Therefore, when referring to satin, it is not always the same thing as silk although you can find satin fabrics that are 100% silk.

What are the benefits of satin pillowcases?

Researchers have found that sating pillowcases prevent hair loss. When the hair dries up and becomes brittle, it is prone to breakage. Satin fiber prevents this breakage by ensuring that it regulates moisture loss from the hair thereby keeping it subtle. 

Satin also reduces facial folds and wrinkles. Since it is a soft fiber, it allows your face to glide smoothly against the pillowcase. This impact can reduce the rate of wrinkle formation on the face. Other fabrics often feel rough on the skin and can cause the formation of lines on the cheeks and forehead. 

The fiber provides a high level of protection to eyelashes and eyebrows. For those who value hair in these regions, satin pillowcases ensure that you can grow longer eyelashes and eyebrows. 

Do satin pillowcases cause acne?

Not all satin pillowcases cause acne. However, if it is made from absorbent materials such as polyester and cotton, it could trigger a breakout. The acne symptoms are mostly reported by individuals who are prone to using non-silk pillowcases.

Silk satin and silk fabrics do not cause acne. Although there may be numerous causes of acne in general, polyester satin can trap oil and bacteria leading to an onset of acne. 

Many articles claim that satin pillowcases cause breakouts. According to Dr. Bank, a director and founder of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, satin does not necessarily cause acne. As the doctor points out, the biggest problem is not the material. Instead, it is how one uses the pillowcase. If it is not changed regularly, the outcome is that there will be more dirt and sweat collected on it leading to inevitable breakouts.

How often should you wash satin pillowcases?

So, how often should one clean their satin pillowcase to prevent breakouts? Dermatologists recommend washing the pillowcase at least after every 7 days. To obtain better skin protection, washing it every two or three days is awesome although this high frequency of laundry could be bad for the longevity of your fabric. 

Washing these pillowcases should be as frequent as washing other types of bedding to ensure proper hygiene.

How long does satin pillowcase last?

When well taken care of, satin pillowcases can last for between 1 and 3 years easily. This is a pretty long time enough to change to a new pillowcase because dermatologists recommend buying new pillowcases after every 1-2 years. For silk pillowcases, they last only about 9-12 months long before you will need to replace them.

Does satin dry quickly?

Indeed satin made from polyester dries very quickly while those made from heavier fabrics such as silk could dry at a much slower speed. However, silk satin will still dry faster than that made from nylon or rayon. Nylon usually takes the longest time to dry in this list.

Are satin pillowcases washable?

You can wash a satin pillowcase using a machine because the fiber is strong and does not degrade easily on washing. Like many other luxurious pillowcase alternatives, satin should be washed at low temperatures below 40 degrees Celsius. 

If you’re not sure about anything, read the cleaning guide provided by the seller. However, a general rule of thumb is to stick to the following washing ideas.

ConditionExpert tip
1. DetergentChoose a gentle washing detergent
2. TemperatureWash at cool temperatures
3. Washing cycleKeep this to delicate washing cycle
4. Drying cycleAvoid using the dryer
5. Special treatmentThe recommended practice is to use hand-washing or dry cleaning
6. IroningUse low-medium heat to remove wrinkles
A table showing tips on how to wash satin pillowcases

Can satin go in the dryer?

It is not a recommended cleaning practice to put satin into the dryer. Hung them to dry or if for some reason you have to use a dryer, select low heat and always ensure that you remove the fabric when it is still slightly damp. Air drying is recommended for all satin pillowcases since a dryer tends to weaken the long fibers.

How do you get wrinkles out of satin?

Although satin fabric does not form wrinkles easily and thicker ones even wrinkle less, sometimes, they form when squeezed so much. To get wrinkles out of satin, turn the fabric inside out and use low-medium heat to iron them away. Remember to add a pressing cloth between the iron box and the fabric to reduce the risk of heat destruction. If you plan to use a clothes steamer, ensure that the nozzle is kept at least 5 inches away from the satin surface to prevent possible water spotting.