How your pillowcase affects the health of your skin

Sleep is crucial to the health of your skin. While we sleep, our skin undergoes important processes like producing collagen, balancing moisture levels, repairing and regenerating skin cells, and increasing blood flow. 

But as you rest your head on the pillow at night, what is your face touching?

It may be an odd question, but it matters– especially when it comes to your skin. Your pillowcase and the health of your skin are directly linked.  

The case for sleeping on silk

Why silk pillowcases are best for skin health

Silk pillowcases have been gaining popularity in the beauty realms for a reason. Sleeping on silk has numerous benefits for skin and hair, including:

• Silk creates less friction, reducing “sleep wrinkles” and diminishing the look of fine lines
• Silk pillowcases are less absorbent, meaning they won’t dehydrate skin as much as other fabrics and are less likely to absorb skincare products
• Silk pillowcases hypoallergenic, reducing allergies, irritation and inflammation

Traditional cotton or polyester pillowcases create friction, causing sleep wrinkles. Does your skin feel dried out when you wake up? Traditional pillowcase fabrics absorb your skin’s natural moisture and any products you put on your face before bed. Even worse, the oils and products build up, creating a breeding ground for bacteria resulting in blemishes, dryness, irritation, and oily skin.

Pillowcase hygiene

Why it’s important to wash your pillowcase regularly

Pillowcases get dirty, but do you know how dirty? 

Your hair holds more dirt than any other part of your body. This means your pillowcase can be full of filth, oil, bacteria, and even dust mites after just a few nights. 

In fact, an Amerisleep study found that after just one week of not washing, pillowcases harboured up to 3 million CFU of bacteria per square inch. That’s 17,442 times more bacteria than a toilet seat! 

This bacteria throws off your skin’s microbiome, the good bacteria that helps protect it. This can result in:

• Clogged and larger-looking pores
• Skin irritation & inflammation
• Less elasticity in your skin
• Sagging skin
• Wrinkles appearing deeper

Washing your pillowcase regularly is a simple task that makes a big difference when it comes to skin health. Experts recommend changing it at least once a week, ideally every two to three days. For added protection against bacteria, use a pillow protector.  

Tip: Skip the fabric softeners and dryer sheets when washing your pillowcases. These products contain waxes and chemicals that can cause harmful buildup and skin irritation. They can also aggravate allergies and sensitivities. Opt for laundry alternatives like dryer balls instead!

Takeaway

It’s estimated that we spend about one third of our lives asleep. That’s a lot of pillow time! 

Your pillowcase directly affects the health of your skin. Simple changes like swapping to silk pillowcases and changing your pillowcase more frequently can have a big impact. For more beauty sleep tips, check out our Beauty Sleep Blog.

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Eileen Fauster of Essential Balance is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.