Aug 17, 20222 min read

Silk vs. Satin - What is the difference

Are you obsessed with taking care of your hair and skin? Well if you are, you may have invested in a silk or satin pillow, sleeping mask, hair tie & more, but what’s the difference between the two and which should you be using?

According to Merriam Webster, Silk is a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori larvae usually for cocoons. It is a natural protein fiber which can be woven into textiles.

Satin is a smooth, glossy fabric, usually of silk, produced by a weave in which the threads of the warp are caught and looped by the weft only at certain intervals. It is a weave and it is not a natural fiber like silk is. It can be made with fabrics like nylon, rayon, and polyester.

The biggest difference between the two fabrics is the fact that silk is naturally made from silkworms and satin is made from other materials. Satin often comes with a glossy and matte side, while silk is overall glossy and much more strong. Satin is also lower in price as it is synthetically made.

So which should you use for your hair and skin? If you’re looking to save some money and not use any silkworm byproducts, I would opt for satin pillowcases and sleeping masks! But if you only want to use a natural and organic fiber, silk may be the option for you. Both materials have a similar result on your hair and skin including reducing hair frizz, better and clearer skin, and wrinkle prevention.