When choosing silk sheet sets, you might be confused about the difference between satin and mulberry silk. The fact is this: mulberry silk and satin are two completely different materials.
The experts at ElleSilk can shed some light on the question of genuine silk vs. satin. We’ll also show you why you should never settle for anything less than 100% pure mulberry silk of the highest quality when buying a silk bed sheet. Let’s discuss some of the basic differences between genuine silk and satin.
1. Silk is a natural fiber.
Silk is a natural fiber, while satin is a type of weave made from man made polyester or nylon, which are chemical based. Man Made nylon and polyester satin material are derived from petroleum or oil. A satin sheet set is actually synthetic fiber; therefore, it is neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. As a natural fiber, genuine silk is biodegradable and not made with any dangerous chemicals.
2. Silk pillowcase helps hair and skin retain moisture.
Silk thread contains amino acids and a special protein called sericin. When you sleep on silk, your hair and skin is specially nourished by sericin. In fact, many high-end body lotions, skin-care, and hair treatment products are made with silk protein. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will give your hair and skin an overnight beauty boost.
3. Silk is naturally temperature regulating.
Silk absorbs moisture and stores heat, which regulates body temperature. When you sweat, silk wicks away moisture and keeps you cool; when you’re not, it keeps you warm. This is why luxurious silk bed sheets are great for keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a petroleum based man made material, satin lacks the benefits of natural breath ability and absorbency.
4. Silk is hypoallergenic.
100% mulberry silk may be the most naturally anti-allergy fabric on earth. Thanks to the special protein – sericin, silk naturally repels allergens, fungus, and dust mites and is the only natural bedding choice for those (including babies) with sensitive skin and allergies such as acne and eczema.
5. Silk is the definition of luxury.
Along with all its beauty and wellness benefits, nothing else feels luxury like genuine silk. For centuries, real silk has been renowned for its look, feel, and luxury benefits. A satin weave sheet set from nylon or synthetic material simply cannot compare to real silk.
Guide to Buying Real Silk
When it comes to buying mulberry silk sheet sets, you have to do some research to ensure you’re getting real silk. Normally, silk has been more expensive than satin for one reason: quality. However, real silk can still be affordable in recent years. At ElleSilk, we provide some useful tips to make sure you are getting the best quality silk sheet sets.
1. Buy only 100 percent mulberry silk.
This is absolutely the first thing to know. Some sellers label the products as “silk satin” or “satin silk”, definitely say “NO” to those! These sheets are made out of synthetic satin fibers or silk blends. Carefully read the label of any silk sheets you buy; it must be 100% silk or pure silk.
2. Buy Grade 6A silk bed sheets.
All silk fibers are graded according to both number and letter. Among all, grade 6A silk is the highest quality with the longest, and strongest fiber. All ElleSilk silk bed sheet sets are made with Grade 6A silk.
3. Consider the momme weight.
Silk is measured in momme weight, which is similar to thread count in cotton fabric. The higher the momme, the denser the silk weave will be. Higher momme weight silk also uses thicker and stronger silk fiber. A silk bed sheet in 19 momme count silk equates roughly to 400 thread count; a 22 momme silk sheet set equates to 600 thread count; a 25 momme silk sheet set equates to 750 thread count. ElleSilk carries silk bed linens in luxurious 22 and 25 momme weights only.
4. Buy silk that is environmentally friendly and safe.
Although silk is a natural fiber, it is important to ensure that it has been manufactured safely through the entire process of production. Be sure to buy silk that has been tested and certified by an independent agency. At ElleSilk, all of our products are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified. This means that they have been tested to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants.
5. Details matter.
All ElleSilk products are made with a charmeuse weave, which is super smooth with natural sheen on one side and with a matte finish on the reverse. This helps minimize hair breakage, frizz, and anti-bedhead. ElleSilk also offers swatches to allow you to see the fabric and color in person before you buy luxury silk sheet sets.