Here at Mulberry Park Silks, we often get asked how silk is different from cotton. We love these questions because we never tire of touting the benefits of silk. Of course, silk sheets and pillowcases feel absolutely amazing. Sleeping on silk also known to reduce sleep wrinkles, minimize bed head, and regulate body temperature. But there's quite a bit more to the story of silk and how it outperforms cotton.

How Are Silk and Cotton Different?

Cotton is a popular fabric for bed linens of all types. However, when compared to silk, there are some essential differences that give silk a distinct advantage. Silk fabric is gentle on hair and skin, which gently glide across pillowcases and sheets. In contrast, cotton can pull and tug on delicate hair and skin, which contributes to bed head and sleep wrinkles. Silk is a protein-based fiber and is naturally moisturizing; plant-based cotton is absorbent and can dry out hair and skin. Silk is moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating; when cotton gets wet, it stays that way. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and resistant to mold and mites. Finally, nothing on earth compares to the luxurious feeling of sleeping on silk sheets.

Silk is a Protein-Based Fiber

Silk's unique properties come from the structure of its fibers. Silk fibers are coated with a layer of a protein known as fibroin, which is a natural moisturizer; in fact, fibroin is often used to make hair and skin products. Additionally, fibroin is anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Silk fibers also have a hollow center which helps in the regulation of body temperature during cool and warm conditions.

Silk is Better for Hair than Cotton

Silk is a protein-based, natural moisturizer that acts as a conditioner for hair. Cotton, however, is known for being absorbent. In fact, cotton pillowcases can act as a reverse conditioner, especially on coarse, curly, or wiry hair. Think about all the time, effort, and money you spend to nourish and condition your hair, only to have it undone overnight by your cotton pillowcase. Along with acting as a natural moisturizer, silk is practically free of friction; this means hair gently glides across a silk surface. Cotton pillowcases can snag tender tresses, and leave you with tangles and bed-head. Silk is also a better choice for anyone experiencing hair loss; it won't dry out or damage fragile regrowth.

Silk is Gentler on Skin than Cotton

As we noted above, cotton is by nature very drying. It can undo the good work of even the priciest facial moisturizer. In contrast, silk is protein-based and can help your skin retain its natural moisture. Silk also reduces friction on delicate facial skin, which can minimize the occurrence of sleep creases and wrinkles. At the same time, silk is hypoallergenic and non-irritating, which means it's gentle on sensitive and even acne-prone skin.

Silk Regulates Body Temperature Better than Cotton

Their hollow center makes silk fibers far better at regulating body temperature than cotton. When you sweat, silk wicks away moisture and keeps you cool; when you're not, it insulates and maintains warmth. This is why silk sheets are great for staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When cotton sheets get damp, they absorb moisture and lose their ability to insulate.

This makes silk a wonderful option for anyone experiencing hot flashes or night sweats. Sweating in cotton sheets can be particularly uncomfortable, and leave you feeling chilled in the aftermath. Mary, the founder of Mulberry Park Silks, explains sheds light on the process, saying, "It has to do with silk's unique ability to wick away moisture without getting damp. When cotton sheets get damp, they can no longer absorb the sweat your body produces…and you get hot much faster."

Cotton shuts down the natural cooling process of your body. Silk, on the other hand, keeps you cool and -- by wicking away moisture -- dry. This helps your body to return more quickly to normal temperature. Mary adds, "Silk does things no other natural fiber can do. It really is remarkable and unique in these properties.

Silk Feels Great While Being Safe, Natural and Hypoallergenic

We say it all the time: nothing else feels like sleeping on silk, It's the very definition of indulgence and luxury. At the same time, silk is naturally non-irritating; resistant to mold and mites; and hypoallergenic. Also, as a protein-based fiber, silk does not burn in the same way as cotton; it gives out far less smoke and can even be self-extinguishing.

Mulberry Park Silks are Certified as Environmentally Friendly

Mulberry Park Silks uses only environmentally friendly dyes, and all products are The OekoTex® certified to be free of chemicals. The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was developed by European textile institutes committed to finding a way to reduce our environmental footprint. The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a global testing and accreditation program that successfully sets the standards for the screening of harmful substances in consumer textiles. Textiles can only be certified if all components meet the requirements submitted. All Mulberry Park Silks products are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified and have been tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants. This ensures that the silk products that you bring into your home are safe, natural and healthy.

The Differences Between Silk and Cotton

Frequently Asked Questions About Silk vs Cotton Bedding

What's included in a silk sheet set compared to a cotton sheet set?

A complete silk sheet set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and silk pillowcases, all made from pure mulberry silk for exceptional softness and comfort. Similarly, a cotton sheet set includes the same bed linen pieces. Pure silk bedding essentials in a silk sheet set provide superior comfort for sensitive skin, resistance to dust mites, and temperature regulation that cotton bed sheets cannot match. Many customers start with a silk pillowcase, then upgrade to a full silk bedding set once they experience the unmatched comfort and softness of mulberry silk bed linen compared to traditional cotton bed sheets.

Why is pure mulberry silk better for sensitive skin than cotton or satin?

Pure mulberry silk is ideal bedding essentials for sensitive skin because it's naturally hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and resistant to dust mites (properties that neither cotton bed sheets nor satin possess). A pillowcase or sheet set made from pure silk won't absorb your skin's natural moisture like cotton bed linen does, and unlike satin (which is synthetic), genuine mulberry silk provides authentic protein-based benefits. The exceptional softness and comfort of silk bedding protects sensitive skin from irritation. 

How does a silk sheet set compare to satin bed sheets?

A genuine silk sheet set made from pure mulberry silk is completely different from satin bed sheets. Silk is a natural protein-based fiber while satin is synthetic, petroleum-based fabric. Pure silk bedding offers authentic comfort, softness, breathability, and benefits for sensitive skin that satin cannot provide. Satin bed linen may look shiny like silk bedding, but it doesn't regulate temperature, resist dust mites, or moisturize hair and skin the way mulberry silk does. When shopping for silk bedding sets or bed sheets, always verify you're purchasing pure silk or pure mulberry silk, not satin; check product labels on sheet sets carefully to ensure you're getting genuine silk bedding essentials.

What other silk bedding essentials should I consider beyond a silk sheet set?

Beyond a basic silk sheet set (fitted sheet, flat sheet, and silk pillowcases), consider expanding your collection of pure mulberry silk bedding essentials for complete comfort and softness. Add silk bedding items like additional silk pillowcases in different colors, a silk duvet cover to complete your silk bedding sets, and accessories including silk headbands for daytime hair protection and silk lined winter beanies for cold weather comfort. These pure silk bed linen pieces work together to protect sensitive skin and hair while providing resistance to dust mites. Unlike cotton bed sheets or satin alternatives, a comprehensive collection of mulberry silk bedding including various silk sheet sets and accessories delivers unmatched luxury and benefits that extend beyond your bed to your entire lifestyle.