The Complete Guide to Mulberry Silk

Benefits for your skin and hair, what 22 Momme and Grade 6A mean, and how to choose and care for quality silk

Mulberry silk has been treasured for centuries for its softness, smoothness and beautiful natural lustre. But when it comes to sleeping on silk, its appeal goes well beyond how luxurious it feels.

For several hours every night, your skin and hair are in constant contact with your pillowcase. The surface beneath them matters.

A smooth mulberry silk pillowcase allows the skin and hair to glide more easily as you move during sleep. This creates a gentler overnight environment with less rubbing, pulling and friction than you experience against many conventional fabrics.

For your skin, this can mean a softer surface against the face and less tugging as you change sleeping positions. For your hair, it can mean fewer tangles, less friction and a smoother appearance when you wake.

And because all of this happens while you are already sleeping, changing your pillowcase may be one of the simplest additions you can make to your night-time routine.

But not all silk is the same.

Terms such as Mulberry Silk, Grade 6A, Momme and OEKO-TEX® can make choosing a silk pillowcase more complicated than it needs to be.

This guide explains what they mean, why silk quality matters, how silk compares with cotton, what the research tells us about sleeping on a smoother surface, and how to recognise and care for a quality silk pillowcase.

Why Sleep on Mulberry Silk?

One of the first things you notice about genuine silk is how beautifully smooth it feels.

That smoothness is particularly important when we think about a pillowcase.

During the night, we naturally change position. Our face moves against the pillow, our hair shifts beneath our head, and side sleepers may spend hours with one side of the face pressed against the fabric.

Silk provides a soft surface over which the skin and hair can move more freely.

It is a very simple idea: the less resistance between you and your pillowcase, the less unnecessary rubbing your skin and hair experience during the night.

For many people, this is where the real beauty of sleeping on silk begins.

Benefits of Mulberry Silk for Your Skin

A smoother surface with less friction

Skin is constantly interacting with the fabric beneath it as we sleep.

A smooth silk pillowcase creates less resistance as the face moves across the pillow, which can make it particularly appealing for mature, dry, delicate or sensitive-feeling skin.

Rather than repeatedly dragging against a textured surface, the face can glide more easily as you move.

This becomes increasingly relevant as our skin changes with age.

With time, skin naturally becomes thinner and can lose some of its elasticity, firmness and ability to retain moisture. Creating a gentler environment around the skin therefore becomes an increasingly valuable part of a thoughtful night-time routine.

A gentler approach to sleep creases

Most of us have experienced waking with a line pressed into our cheek.

These temporary marks are created when the skin is compressed or folded against the pillow during sleep.

Research into sleep-related facial lines has identified compression and shear forces as factors affecting facial skin when we sleep on our side or stomach.

Your pillowcase cannot change the pressure created by your sleeping position, but the surface beneath your face can influence how easily your skin moves across it.

A smooth silk surface helps reduce unnecessary friction as you reposition your face during the night, making it a thoughtful choice for anyone concerned about repeated pulling, folding and morning sleep creases.

A beautiful partner for your night-time skincare

Your pillowcase is the last thing your face touches after completing your evening skincare routine.

After applying a hydrating serum, moisturiser or facial oil, placing your face against a soft silk surface can feel like a natural continuation of that ritual.

Cotton is a highly absorbent fibre, which is one reason it works so well for towels.

Silk behaves differently.

Its smooth surface and different moisture-handling properties can make it feel less drying against the face, which is particularly appealing for people who spend time carefully layering hydrating skincare before bed.

It is not another product to add to your routine.

It is simply a more considered surface for your skin to rest against.

Benefits of Mulberry Silk for Your Hair

The same smoothness that makes silk appealing for the skin can also benefit the hair.

While we sleep, hair repeatedly moves across the pillow. With more textured fabrics, this movement can create friction, tangling and pulling between individual strands.

Silk allows hair to slide more freely.

Over time, reducing unnecessary friction may help hair feel smoother and appear less dishevelled when you wake.

This can be particularly helpful for:

• fine or fragile hair
• curly and textured hair
• longer hair
• colour-treated or chemically processed hair
• blow-dried or styled hair
• hair that tangles easily overnight

Silk will not change the underlying health or growth of your hair, but creating a smoother sleeping surface is a simple way to treat existing strands more gently.

It may also help preserve the appearance of a blow-dry or hairstyle for longer by reducing the amount of rubbing and tangling that occurs overnight.

Silk and Acne-Prone or Sensitive Skin

When skin is already sensitive, irritated or prone to breakouts, reducing unnecessary rubbing can be worthwhile.

Dermatology recognises that repeated friction, pressure, heat and rubbing can contribute to a form of breakout sometimes referred to as acne mechanica.

This is one reason a smooth sleeping surface can be appealing for acne-prone skin.

The other important factor is cleanliness.

Whatever fabric you sleep on, pillowcases collect natural skin oils, perspiration, hair products and skincare residue over time. Regular washing therefore remains an important part of maintaining a fresh sleeping environment.

Combining a clean pillowcase with the naturally smooth feel of silk creates a simple, gentle approach for skin that prefers as little unnecessary friction as possible.

Mulberry Silk vs Cotton

Cotton and silk are both natural fibres, but they behave very differently.

Cotton is practical, durable and highly absorbent. These qualities make it excellent for many everyday textiles.

Silk offers something different.

Its exceptionally smooth surface creates a softer, more fluid feel against the face and hair. Hair can move across it more easily, while the skin experiences less resistance as you change position during the night.

For anyone prioritising skin comfort, hair care and a luxurious sleep environment, silk can therefore be a particularly attractive choice for a pillowcase.

It is less about one fibre being universally better than another and more about choosing the properties you want from the fabric that spends hours against your face every night.

What Is Mulberry Silk?

Mulberry silk is produced by the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori, which is traditionally fed mulberry leaves.

The resulting silk is highly prized because the fibres can be remarkably fine, smooth and uniform.

A single silk cocoon contains a continuous filament that can extend for hundreds of metres. These long fibres contribute to silk's naturally smooth surface, strength and characteristic lustre.

When woven into a high-quality fabric, mulberry silk feels soft and fluid without the roughness associated with shorter or more irregular fibres.

This combination of softness, strength and smoothness is one of the reasons mulberry silk has remained one of the world's most valued natural textiles.

What Does Grade 6A Silk Mean?

You will often see premium mulberry silk described as Grade 6A.

Silk grading is used within the industry to assess characteristics such as fibre quality, cleanliness, uniformity and length.

Grade 6A is generally used to describe a high grade of mulberry silk made from long, fine and consistent fibres.

However, the grade alone does not tell you everything about a finished pillowcase.

The quality of the final fabric is also influenced by:

• the weight of the silk
• how the fabric has been woven
• dyeing and finishing
• stitching and construction
• the overall quality of manufacture

This is why it is useful to look at Grade 6A alongside another important measurement: Momme.

What Does Momme Mean?

When shopping for silk, you will often see numbers such as 16, 19, 22 or 25 Momme.

Momme — pronounced mom-ee — is a traditional measurement used to describe the weight and density of silk fabric.

It is somewhat similar to the way thread count is commonly discussed with cotton bedding, although the two measurements are not directly comparable.

Generally, a higher Momme silk contains more silk fibre within the fabric and feels more substantial.

Very lightweight silk can feel beautifully soft but may be more delicate, while heavier silk tends to offer greater substance and durability.

For an item such as a pillowcase that is slept on every night and washed regularly, finding the right balance between softness, weight and durability is particularly important.

Why 22 Momme Works So Well for Pillowcases

For a silk pillowcase, 22 Momme sits in a particularly attractive middle ground.

It is substantial enough to feel luxurious and durable while still retaining the fluid softness and smoothness people love about silk.

Lighter silk can be wonderfully delicate, while very heavy silk may be more than is necessary for everyday bedding.

At 22 Momme, the fabric has enough weight to withstand regular use while maintaining a beautifully smooth surface against the skin and hair.

This balance between luxury and practicality is why SilkyBare chose 22 Momme mulberry silk for our pillowcases.

Combined with Grade 6A mulberry silk, it creates a pillowcase designed not only to feel beautiful when it is new, but to be enjoyed night after night.

What Does OEKO-TEX® Mean?

Another term you may see when comparing silk pillowcases is OEKO-TEX®.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is an independent textile certification system that tests finished textiles and their components for a wide range of potentially harmful substances.

This is particularly relevant for something such as a pillowcase because the fabric remains in close contact with your face for hours at a time.

Certification provides an additional layer of reassurance when comparing textile products and is one of several markers worth considering alongside the quality and weight of the silk itself.

SilkyBare's mulberry silk pillowcases are OEKO-TEX® certified.

What Does the Research Tell Us About Silk, Friction and Sleep Creases?

Although a pillowcase may seem like a very simple part of your beauty routine, there is genuine science behind the importance of friction and facial compression.

Researchers studying sleep-related facial wrinkles have described how the face experiences compression, tension and shear forces when it is pressed against a pillow during side and stomach sleeping.

These forces differ from expression-related movement because they are created externally by contact between the face and the sleeping surface.

Researchers studying textiles and skin have also found that the friction between fabric and skin varies depending on the characteristics of the textile and the condition of the skin.

This helps explain why a smooth fabric can feel noticeably different against the face.

Research has also explored specialised silk textiles in people with sensitive and atopic skin, reinforcing the broader principle that the fabric sitting directly against our skin can influence comfort.

For everyday skincare, the practical message is beautifully simple:

Choose a sleeping surface that is smooth, clean and gentle against your face.

How to Recognise a Quality Silk Pillowcase

When silk pillowcases vary considerably in price, it can be difficult to know what you are actually comparing.

Rather than judging a pillowcase on the word silk alone, look at the complete specification.

100% Mulberry Silk

Check that the fabric is genuine silk rather than simply described as silky or silk-like.

Momme Weight

A reputable silk brand should tell you the Momme weight of its fabric. For pillowcases, approximately 19–25 Momme is commonly considered a premium range, with 22 Momme offering an excellent balance of softness and durability.

Silk Grade

Grade 6A is commonly associated with premium mulberry silk, although it should be considered alongside the other quality characteristics of the finished product.

Certification

Independent textile certification such as OEKO-TEX® gives you additional information about the finished fabric.

Construction

Look at the details that determine how the pillowcase will perform over time: even stitching, good seam construction and a secure closure.

A well-made silk pillowcase should feel considered from the fabric itself through to the final stitch.

How to Wash and Care for Mulberry Silk

Silk is delicate, but caring for it does not need to be difficult.

One of the easiest ways to help protect your silk pillowcase is to place it inside a mesh lingerie or delicates bag before washing.

This creates a protective barrier between the silk and items such as zips, hooks, Velcro and rougher fabrics that may be in the washing machine.

Choose a cool, gentle or delicate machine cycle and use a mild detergent suitable for delicate fabrics.

Avoid bleach and harsh stain-removing products, as these can damage delicate fibres.

After washing, reshape the pillowcase gently and allow it to air dry away from strong direct sunlight.

High temperatures are best avoided when caring for silk.

If ironing is required, use a low temperature suitable for silk.

A little extra care when washing can help preserve the beautiful smoothness, softness and appearance of your pillowcase for longer.

Mulberry Silk Pillowcase Buyer's Checklist

When comparing silk pillowcases, look beyond colour and price.

• 100% genuine mulberry silk
• Grade 6A silk
• Momme weight clearly stated
• Around 22 Momme for a balance of softness and durability
• OEKO-TEX® certification or comparable textile testing
• Smooth, high-quality finish
• Neat stitching and strong construction
• Secure envelope or concealed closure
• Clear washing and care instructions
• A reputable seller who clearly explains the silk specification

Understanding these details makes it much easier to compare pillowcases and recognise what you are paying for.

A high-quality mulberry silk pillowcase brings together the things that make silk so special: smoothness, softness, strength and a beautifully gentle feel against the skin and hair.

And because your pillowcase is something you use every single night, choosing a better sleeping surface is a small change that can become part of your daily self-care routine for years to come.

Rest • Restore • Glow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shop the SilkyBare Silk Collection

• 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase — Grade 6A, 22 Momme, OEKO-TEX® certified →
• Mulberry Silk Eye Mask — complete light-blocking, Grade 6A mulberry silk →
• Mulberry Silk and Skincare Gift Ritual Set — silk pillowcase, face oil & Gua Sha →
• Luxury Mulberry Silk Gift Set — pillowcase, eye mask, scrunchie & Gua Sha →

Enjoyed This Guide? You Might Also Like…

If you found this helpful, here are a few more reads from the SilkyBare Journal to continue your silk journey:

• Benefits of Sleeping on Silk for Skin & Hair — why the fabric you sleep on matters more than you might think.
• Not All Silk Is Created Equal — what to look for when buying a silk pillowcase.
• Mulberry Silk, Hydration & Why Skin Behaves Differently at Night — discover why your sleeping environment matters more than you think.
• Why Silk Feels Like a Second Skin — the science behind why silk feels so different against your face.