Getting a good night’s sleep is one of life’s great pleasures, and relaxing after a hard days work often requires some comfy clothes to slip into. But which material do you choose? Satin or silk? This is a question that we’re are often asked, and unless you’re a textile aficionado, you won’t be able to state the differences off the top of your head. Luckily, we’re about to put the two materials to the test to discover which comes out on top. You don’t want to miss this.
What is Silk?
Silk is a natural fibre that typically comes from a specific species of insect. A silkworm, or Bombyx mori, creates this fibre when it makes its cocoon, and it’s usually harvested in two forms. In most cases, the silk is harvested by boiling the cocoon. This, unfortunately, kills the silkworm, which has led to the rise of Peace Silk that is taken after the silkworm exits its cocoon. Ultimately though, silk is prized for its texture and usage. It has been in use since ancient China, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
What is Satin?
Satin is very different from silk, in that it’s not actually a natural material. Satin describes how the material is woven, not what it is made of. For example, you could have a satin sheet that is woven with silk. If that’s not confusing, then we don’t know what is. You can even get satin that is a mixture of several different materials, such as polyester and cotton, which adds more confusion to the pot.
In essence, the weaving technique results in a material with a glossy top side and a dull underside. It’s easy to tell satin apart from silk once you notice this, as silk tends to be glossy throughout, whereas satin has a noticeably different feel.
Benefits of Silk
Where do we begin? Silk is the most hypoallergenic of all fabrics, meaning it is very unlikely to cause irritation or symptoms of allergy. As silk is so soft, it also has benefits for your hair and skin. Dermatologists even recommend sleeping on silk pillowcases, as they aren’t as abrasive on the skin due to the reduction of friction. This also encourages a healthy glow and reduces split ends that are common with traditional cotton pillowcases. Phew!
You may think silk is fragile, but that’s actually a common misconception. Surprisingly, it can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture, without feeling physically damp. It also has the same tensile strength as steel wool, which is used for cleaning and polishing surfaces!
That’s not all either, as silk is incredibly breathable, keeping you cool on the warm summer nights and warm during winter. In fact, the “hugging effect” of silk helps to regulate body temperature, keeping heat in when it’s cool. It’s also repellent to dust mites, moths and other insects, which is great for those that suffer from asthma or allergies.
Benefits of Satin
Silk is expensive to create due to the natural process in which it is created. Satin, on the other hand, is man-made. This means that you can usually purchase a similar satin product for cheaper, though it won’t have the same properties as silk. Many people won’t be able to tell the difference by looking at it, but it’s immediately apparent to the touch.
Satin does have some slight similarities with silk, as it also supports healthy skin and hair. This is due to the smooth surface that satin provides, which aims to mimic the hypoallergenic qualities of silk. If you’re on a budget, it’s a nice alternative, but it doesn’t compare to the real thing.
Disadvantages of Satin
While satin tries to mimic silk as best it can, nothing beats the real thing. Satin is fairly delicate, so dry cleaning is recommended as opposed to hand washing. (Whereas silk from Jasmine Silk is machine washable!) Extra care should be taken when handling satin too, as it can shrink and stretch quite easily. While it can be made with silk, it is not pure silk. At first glance, satin may give a similar impression, but it requires a lot of upkeep and doesn’t perform as well.
Satin doesn’t have any hypoallergenic properties either, so it may look silky and smooth, but it won’t be as soft to the touch. It may also still irritate the skin for this reason. If you’re thinking of purchasing satin, you’ll need to look into what it’s made from to make sure that you don’t have any adverse reactions to the materials used during the production process.
Which Should You Choose?
At Jasmine Silk, we provide luxury silk products for prices that don’t break the bank. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at our silk pillowcases, silk bedding or silk nightwear. We also offer silk clothing that’s extremely friendly to your skin. Our team would only recommend satin if you want the luxury image, without the benefits that true silk offers.
