Silk, satin or cotton: what’s the difference?

Silk and satin are often used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t. One is a material, the other is a way of weaving, and that difference matters for anything you put against your face at night.

Silk is a fibre

Silk is a natural protein fibre, spun by silkworms. Mulberry silk, the most common kind, has long, fine and even fibres that make a smooth fabric with a soft sheen. It breathes, it feels cool when you first touch it, and it warms up gently to your skin. More about mulberry silk.

Satin is a weave

Satin describes how threads are woven: long threads float over the surface, which makes one side smooth and shiny. You can weave satin from silk, but most satin today is made from polyester or other synthetic fibres, because it is much cheaper.

So a “satin sleep mask” is usually polyester. It looks shiny and feels smooth at first, but it does not breathe like silk and often feels warm or clammy after a while. Silk woven in a satin weave is usually called silk charmeuse, or simply “100% silk”.

Cotton is soft, but not smooth

Cotton is a natural plant fibre: breathable, easy to wash and pleasant on the skin. But its fibres are short, so the fabric has a slightly rough surface that you can feel when you move your face against it. Cotton is also very absorbent, which is great for towels and less so for something that rests on your skin all night.

At a glance

	Silk	Polyester satin	Cotton
What it is	Natural protein fibre	Synthetic fibre, satin weave	Natural plant fibre
Surface	Very smooth	Smooth, glassy shine	Soft, slightly textured
Breathes	Yes	Little	Yes
Feel at night	Cool, then gently warm	Can get warm and clammy	Soft, absorbs moisture
Care	Hand wash, cool water	Machine wash	Machine wash
Price	Higher	Low	Low to medium

What to look for in a sleep mask

• “100% silk” on the label, not “satin” or “silky”.
• Silk on the side that touches your face, ideally on both sides.
• A strap that doesn’t pull, such as a silk-covered elastic.
• A shape that rests softly on your face without pressing on your eyes.

Silk asks for a little care: hand wash in cool water and let it dry flat. Read our care guide.