13 of the best silk bedding sets to protect your skin and hair while you sleep in 2023
The weather is all over the shop, and that means the best silk bedding sets creeping to the front of our minds as we head to the homewares checkout. Struggling to maintain the perfect temperature while sleeping? Being too hot or cold stopping you from getting some shut-eye? That's where silk bedding comes in.
We've been ramping and raving about the benefits of silk pillowcases for a while now, but switching your duvet covers (and even duvets, if you're feeling really fancy) to the luxe fabric too feels like a bit of a no brainer.
What are the benefits of silk bedding? | Are silk sheets worth it? | Is silk comfortable to sleep on? | What is the best type of silk for bedding? | Our picks
Best silk bedding sets, at a glance:
- Best overall - Audley Pure Silk Duvet Cover, £600, The White Company
- Best silk duvet - Summer Silk Covered Silk Duvet, £305, LilySilk
- Best value for money silk bedding - Indulgent pure mulberry silk bedding, from £60, Soak & Sleep
- Highest quality silk bedding - Zebra 100% Silk Duvet Cover, £710, Wolf & Badger
What are the benefits of silk bedding?
Silk is highly breathable - particularly if you opt for pure silk bedding - with thermal control properties that'll keep you from being chilly in the winter and overheating in the summer. You no longer have to switch to the ‘cold side’ of the pillow every few minutes, nor keep one leg out of the covers to even the temperature - silk bedding works together with your body to regulate the heat. What's more, the proteins in silk bedding are effectively absorbent and help to liberate you, your mattress topper and your mattress of moisture (read: sweat). Where cotton and other materials can sometimes trap heat and sweat, silk naturally releases it.
And it's not just an ability to keep you the perfect temperature that silk bedding sheets boasts. Silk bed sheets actually pose a whole plethora of advantages to your skin and hair, too. Need proof? By nature, silk contains sericin that works hard to prevent the accumulation of melanin on your skin, helping you avoid pigmentation. Silk also absorbs less moisture (plus dirt and oil) than cotton, which means it's a hygienic choice for acne sufferers. By the same token, it won't absorb your skincare products, so they'll actually stay on your face overnight and get to work as they should.
Elsewhere, the soft and smooth nature of silk enables your skin and hair to ‘glide’ across the surface, avoiding friction and eliminating wrinkles, pulled hair and bed head. It's no wonder every beauty guru around is jumping on the bandwagon and adding a silk bedding set to their boudoir.
Are silk sheets worth it?
When you compare silk to more common fabrics for bedding, such as cotton or polyester, silk bedding comes out on top. While cotton has to go through a process to be deemed hypoallergenic, silk is naturally so. Cotton is great at absorbing moisture, but it tends to hold it instead of emitting it like silk, which naturally synchronises with the heat of your body.
The price of a silk bedding set is usually the main turn-off factor for people, but the benefits do seem to outweigh the cons. And there are some more affordable options. This four-piece silk bedding set from Amazon won’t break the bank, nor will this silk-filled duvet from John Lewis. If you do have a little more money to spend, we recommend The White Company’s Audley range, or Lily Silk for an extensive range of 100% Mulberry silk bedding in a whole array of colours to suit your interior style. They've got everything from classic white silk bedding to mood-boosting pink silk bedding.
Personally, I can’t think of anything better than sliding into silky sheets after a warm shower or bath (especially with freshly smooth legs).
Is silk comfortable to sleep on?
If you think about sleeping on more affordable 100-200 thread count sheets vs 500 count Egyptian cotton bedding, you'd notice a significantly softer feel on your skin each night. When it comes to silk pillows, flat sheets and silk duvet cover sets, you'll notice another upgrade still. Of course, you can even split up silk sheets into different qualities - be it pure mulberry silk and, on the flip side ‘silk effect’ satin or sateen sheets - but, generally speaking, silk eyemasks, bedspreads and bedding across the board feel cooling on the skin and glide smoothly across you and your nightwear as you sleep. Dreamy.
What is the best type of silk for bedding?
In a dream world, the best type of silk for bedding would be of the mulberry silk variety in the highest grade, A. The grading refers to the cleanliness, evenness and strand length of the silk, with grade 6A (among the already prestigious A category) being the most premium. Grade 6A mulberry silk should have a glossy, ivory silk finish and appears as such because the silkworms used to create the silk are fed a diet of mulberry leaves alone.
After you've got your silk type - mulberry - and grading - A - you can then begin to think about the momme which, in layman's terms, is the concentration of weight in the fabric. The higher the momme, the heavier the feel of the silk so, naturally, this means that higher momme silks will create more of a weighted blanket feel during your night's sleep. And, well, who wouldn't want that?
After more sleep content? Let’s start with the basics: head this way for the best bed frames to transform your bedroom, and in this direction for mattresses for your best night’s sleep yet. Next up: over here for mattress toppers, weighted blankets, mattress protectors and body pillows. Finish things off with the best duvet covers, blankets, linen bedding and a good old pillow spray to send you off to the Land of Nod. Oh, and we've also found silk pyjamas, silk pillowcases, silk face masks, silk scrunchies and silk hair wraps. Enjoy! For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
Scroll for our full edit of the bed silk bedding to invest in.
Best luxury bedding brand for high-quality silk
Audley Pure Silk Duvet Cover, from £600, The White Company
Why we love it: The White Company's Audley collection is literally heaven sent, can you imagine anything better than slipping into 19-momme mulberry silk? We can't. It was also created in celebration of the brand's 25-year anniversary - so you know they know what they're talking about.
Softest silk bedding set from LilySilk.com
Summer Silk Covered Silk Duvet, £305, LilySilk
Why we love it: Light, soft, skin-friendly and breathable, this silk duvet is the ideal silk choice for the summer. Filled with pure silk floss and covered in Grade-6A mulberry silk, it's breathable and hypoallergenic, keeping you cool in the warmer months. Silk is one of the healthiest bedding fibres available.
Best 22-momme silk bedding
Gelso Milano Silk Zebra Print Duvet Cover, £754, Wolf & Badger
Why we love it: If you're going for silk bedding you may as well go all out with a zebra pattern, right? Plus, Gelso Milano is a brand that puts sustainability at its forefront, aiming to reduce waste with its high-end and long-lasting products. After all, as the old adage goes…buy cheap buy twice. Transform your bedroom into a wild haven, we dare you.
Best 100 percent mulberry silk bedlinen
19MM 4PCs Silk Sheet Set, £366, LilySilk
Why we love it: Available in twelve different hues, from this gorgeous pastel blue to white, lemon yellow and lilac, this pure silk bedding set is crafted from 100% Grade A mulberry silk. Hence the price tag. Naturally temperature-regulating and hypoallergenic, the sericin in silk actually dispels accumulation of melanin in your skin, preventing/delaying any black spots from forming on your skin. Basically, your complexion will thank you.
Best Charmeuse silk bedding set
19 Momme Seamless Silk Duvet Cover, £199, LilySilk
Why we love it: Available in tonnes of sizes and colours, this silk bedding set is seamless, with thanks to the fact it has been directly cut from a whole piece of silk fabric. The absence of seams helps it to last longer. Wonderfully cool in the summer, this silk bedding is the perfect choice if the heat tends to keep you awake.
Best quality silk bedding for hot sleepers
Midnight Blue with Brilliant White Silk Duvet Set, £950, MayfairSilk
Why we love it: Complete with everything you need, including even so much as your fitted sheet, this mulberry silk set from MayfairSilk features a contrasting white sheet for that crisp, clean feel and is even reduced by over £100 right now.
Best silk sheets that are machine washable
Gingerlily Silk Duvet Cover, £489, Harrods
Why we love it: Made from 19-momme luxury silk, this Gingerlily bed cover is available in double, king or super king sizes and, what's more you can even get yourself a matching mulberry silk sheet + pillowcase to complete the full set. It may come at a price premium, but the privilege of not needing to deal with the faff of hand washing is well worth it.
Best price point for real silk bedding
Mulberry Silk Bed Linen, from £60, Soak & Sleep
Why we love it: You can buy each piece of this silk bedding set separately but, if we're being honest, why wouldn't you want it all? A duvet and matching pillowcase is calling our name. Naturally temperature regulating, this silk bedding is crafted from 19 momme 100% Mulberry silk, available in five different colours and boasts a tonne of hair and skin benefits.
Save money on everything from cotton sheets to deep pocket fitted sheets with these Soak & Sleep discount codes
Best moisture-wicking silk pillowcase
John Lewis & Partners Organic Mulberry Silk Standard Pillowcase, £48, John Lewis
Why we love it: One of John Lewis' bestsellers in the silk bedding sphere, this silk pillowcase is available in a whole plethora of colours. Crafted from 19 momme silk, it's naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, made from the highest quality Mulberry silk for a beautifully smooth feel. Non-absorbent, silk actively maintains skin and hair's moisture levels overnight, to help minimise wrinkles and hair static.
Save when you shop for silk bedding with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best silk duvet
John Lewis & Partners Natural Collection Mulberry Silk Duvet, from £160, John Lewis
Why we love it: Next up is another silk duvet. Lightweight and breathable, a silk duvet is a great choice in the summer. This one is 100% natural, filled with high quality mulberry silk and finished by hand.
Save when you shop for silk bedding with these John Lewis discount codes.
Best pure silk bedding on Amazon
LilySilk Double Sided Mulberry Silk Duvet Cover, £179, Amazon
Why we love it: 19-momme mulberry silk has our heart and so does this silk bedding from Amazon. It even features corner ties to keep your duvet in place - genius! And, to add to its roster of glowing specifications, the LilySilk double sided duvet cover is Oeko-Tex certified to a standard 100, so you can have confidence in the quality of your bedding. Rest easy, literally.
Save money on the best silk bedding with these Amazon discount codes.
Best silk bedding with next day delivery
Jasmine Silk Silk-Filled Duvet, £170, Amazon
Why we love it: This all-seasons 9-tog silk duvet is the perfect companion to go with your silk bedding. It'll make one of the best summer duvets to keep you cool in the warmer months and - the exciting part - warm in the winter, too (!!) so you can get your full eight hours peacefully. And, in terms of care instructions, it can be machine washed. Praise be.
Save money on silk bedding with these Amazon discount codes.
Best mulberry silk pillowcase, sheet and duvet cover set
TXGZ Four-Piece Mulberry Silk Bedding Set, £154, Amazon
Why we love it: This four-piece silk bedding set includes a duvet cover, two pillowcases, and a bed sheet. For that price and with the plethora of benefits that come with silk bedding, you really can't argue. The only downside? You'll need to pay a £4.99 surcharge for postage, on top of the RRP.
Save money on the best silk bedding with these Amazon discount codes.
