Best Pillowcases for Curly Hair

The best pillowcases for curly hair are made from silk, which glides against your curls instead of roughing them up, so you wake with less frizz, fewer tangles and more defined curls. As silk specialists with over 20 years’ experience, we’ve seen how much difference the right pillowcase makes to curly, wavy and coily hair, whether you are a type 2A wave or a 4C coil.

If you have curly hair, you’ll know the feeling: however good your routine, one night’s sleep can undo it, leaving kinks, frizz, dryness and tangles by morning. In this guide we explain why a silk pillowcase for curly hair is the best choice, how it reduces frizz, how silk compares with satin and cotton, and how to choose the right one for waves, curls, coils and natural hair.

Table of contents

1. What is the best pillowcase for curly hair?
2. Silk vs satin vs cotton for curly hair
3. Reasons to use a silk pillowcase for your curly hair
4. How to choose the best pillowcase for curly hair
5. Silk pillowcase recommendations for curly hair
6. Frequently asked questions

What is the best pillowcase for curly hair?

The best pillowcase for curly hair is a silk pillowcase. Curly hair tends to be thicker or more coarse, which makes it more prone to frizz, split ends and breakage from heat and friction. According to the Sleep Foundation, the average person’s body temperature can fluctuate between 37 and 39 degrees celsius during sleep, so if your hair is left loose it is subjected to constant heat all night. A silk pillowcase for curly hair reduces friction and is naturally temperature regulating, so the heat your body generates is less likely to damage your hair. Silk is also a natural protein fibre and is naturally hypoallergenic, making it kind to sensitive scalps as well as curls. Browse our silk pillowcases to feel the difference for yourself.

Silk vs satin vs cotton for curly hair

If you are weighing up a silk or satin pillowcase for curly hair, or wondering whether to stick with cotton, here is how the three materials compare. Cotton is the most common pillowcase material, but it is absorbent and rough on curls: it draws out your hair’s natural oils and the friction roughs up the cuticle, which is what leaves curls dry and frizzy by morning. Satin is a smooth weave, usually made from polyester, that mimics the feel of silk at a lower price, so it reduces friction better than cotton and is an affordable, low-maintenance starting point. Silk is a natural protein fibre rather than a weave, and it combines the lowest friction with moisture retention, temperature regulation and durability, which is why silk is the best material for curly hair. The honest trade-off is that silk costs more and needs gentler washing, but for curls it does the most to protect moisture and definition.

Reasons to use a silk pillowcase for your curly hair

From helping your hair retain moisture to providing a soft, gentle surface, there are many reasons to switch to a silk pillowcase for your curly hair. By choosing the right pillowcase, you could leave the days of breakage, tangles and frizz behind.

Helps to retain moisture

The most common pillowcase material is cotton which, although comfortable and often more affordable, can wreak havoc on curly hair. More absorbent than silk, cotton pillowcases quietly draw the natural oils out of your hair and leave it feeling dry. Moisture matters for curly hair because it helps retain curl definition and keeps your curl pattern consistent. Silk is non-absorbent, so it helps your hair retain its moisture and stay hydrated for longer, locking in your natural oils. Switching to silk means your curls look healthier and more hydrated, and any overnight conditioning products or oils stay in your hair rather than transferring to your pillow.

Reduces frizz

Frizz is largely a friction and moisture problem, and it starts with the structure of curly hair itself. Curly and coily hair is naturally drier than straight hair because the bends in the hair shaft make it harder for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down the strand. Add the friction and static of a rough cotton pillowcase as you move in your sleep, and the cuticle lifts, moisture escapes, and you wake to frizz, split ends and the dreaded bed head. Silk’s naturally smooth surface reduces both friction and static, so whether your hair is wet or dry it glides over the pillow rather than catching, keeping the cuticle smooth and your curls defined.

Easy to wash

If you are worried about keeping a silk pillowcase clean, our experts at Gingerlily can reassure you it is more straightforward than you might think. Our silk pillowcases simply need a gentle detergent and a low, cool wash cycle, then line drying, avoiding the tumble dryer, which can strip silk of its beneficial properties. For the full method, read our step-by-step guide on how to wash and care for your silk pillowcase.

Soft, comfortable and kind to curls

Silk is made from fine fibres closely woven into an effortlessly soft material, so even when you toss and turn your hair glides across the surface rather than being pulled and tugged. This is also why silk helps preserve your curls: it will not drag your hair in different directions through the night, so your curls hold their shape and stay in place for longer, reducing flyaways and kinks. The bonus is a shorter curl refresh in the morning, which means a little more time in bed and a little less time rescuing your hair.

How to choose the best silk pillowcase for curly hair

If you've decided on silk, a few details separate a good silk pillowcase from a great one. Use these tips to choose the best silk pillowcase for curly hair.

• Look for pure mulberry silk. Long-strand mulberry silk is the smoothest and most durable type, which is what makes it so gentle on curls. Lower grades use shorter, spun fibres that feel rougher and wear out faster, so look for a high grade such as 6A.
• Check the momme. Momme measures the weight and density of silk. A higher momme, around 19 to 25, means a denser, more durable pillowcase that glides better and lasts longer, where very low momme silk can feel thin.
• Choose a natural, OEKO-TEX certified silk. OEKO-TEX certification confirms the silk is tested for harmful substances, which matters if you have a sensitive scalp.
• Think about size and closure. A standard housewife shape suits most pillows, while an Oxford style adds a border, and an envelope closure keeps the pillow tucked in neatly overnight.
• Pick a colour you will love. Silk pillowcases come in a range of colours, so you can match your bedroom while caring for your curls.

Silk pillowcase recommendations for curly hair

Now you know why silk is the best choice and how to pick one, here are our picks of the best pillowcases for curly hair, all in pure silk. Each is crafted from the finest long-strand mulberry silk, available in a range of calming colours, and pairs beautifully with our coordinating silk bedding.

How to protect curly hair overnight

A silk pillowcase does most of the work, but pairing it with a simple night-time routine keeps your curls defined for longer between wash days.

• Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream before bed. Silk won’t soak it up the way cotton does, so your hair stays hydrated through the night.
• Loosely “pineapple” your hair. Gather it into a high, loose bun on top of your head, or plait it, to stop curls being crushed as you sleep.
• Try plopping for tighter curls. Wrapping longer or coilier hair in a silk scarf or wrap adds extra protection on top of your pillowcase.
• Refresh, don’t restyle, in the morning. Revive your curls with a little water or curl refresher rather than starting from scratch.

Shop silk pillowcases for your curly hair at Gingerlily

Ready to wake up to smoother, more defined curls? Explore our pick of the best pillowcases for curly hair, and find a silk pillowcase that blends seamlessly with your interiors while helping you achieve healthy, glowing hair, from our full range of mulberry silk pillowcases at Gingerlily. 

Frequently asked questions

Are silk pillowcases good for curly hair?

Yes. Silk pillowcases are one of the best choices for curly hair because they reduce the friction and static that cause frizz, help your hair retain its natural oils and moisture, and are gentle enough to preserve your curl pattern overnight. They are also naturally hypoallergenic.

Is silk or satin better for curly hair?

Both reduce friction far better than cotton, but silk has the edge. Satin is an affordable, low-maintenance option that mimics the feel of silk, while silk is a natural protein fibre that also retains moisture, regulates temperature and lasts longer, so a silk pillowcase for curly hair protects curls best over time.

Do silk pillowcases really reduce frizz?

Yes. Frizz is driven by friction, static and moisture loss. Silk’s smooth surface lets hair glide rather than catch, reduces static, and does not absorb your hair’s natural oils, so curls stay smoother and more defined than they do on cotton.

How do you wash a silk pillowcase?

Wash silk on a gentle, cool cycle with a mild detergent, then line dry away from direct heat and avoid the tumble dryer. Our full guide on how to wash a silk pillowcase walks through each step.

Which curl types suit a silk pillowcase?

All of them. From type 2A waves through to 4C coils, every curl pattern benefits from less friction and better moisture retention, which is why silk suits wavy, curly, coily and natural hair alike.

Related reading

• Silk Pillowcase vs Satin Pillowcase
• Gingerlily’s Complete Guide to Mulberry Silk
• How Silk Pillowcases Benefit Hair and Skin
• How to Wash a Silk Pillowcase