Ingredient in focus: silk

Who knew that worms were secretly your beauty BFF? Yep, those strange, spineless, hermaphrodite creatures are key to combatting your crow's feet and keeping your hair looking suitably lustrous... 

You'd be forgiven for thinking your friend with the {silk pillow} is perhaps, just a tiny bit... well... EXTRA but, she knows what's good for her. Not just beloved for its slippery texture and luxury (dry clean only!) properties, silk is a godsend for skin and your strands. 

Made from long strings of amino acids with the same pH as skin, silk is naturally hypoallergenic (first bonus!). The sericin (a key constituent of natural silk) helps to reduce the probability of allergies and allergic reactions, which makes it brilliant for those whose skin is sensitive, or whose 'triggers' include things like mites, dust (or mould...). So, if your skin's itchy, or you suffer from eczema, psoriasis or rosacea, sleeping on silk could make a world of difference. 

It's also a lot less absorbent than cotton, which draws precious moisture from skin and your mane while you're sleeping. Silk on the other hand, helps to 'preserve' your cells' hydration levels - preventing that dry, crêpey look upon waking. So, if you've slathered your face with a luxury night cream, a {silk pillowcase} is the best way to make sure it stays where you want it... (your face). Check!

This 'anti-absorption' aspect (technical term), as well as the slippery surface, is also ideal if you always wake up looking 'scrunched'. By helping to keep your complexion hydrated (and minimising friction!), this keeps your cells' plump and in turn, helps to combat the creasing... ideal if you usually show up for work with a 'pillow imprint' on your visage...

Reduced friction is also a boon for your blowdry. Cotton is a low-level abrasive, which contributes to frizz and flyaways (in the short term), but can lead to breakage and split ends - especially if hair is coarse or fragile. Silk also helps to distribute hairs' natural oils from root to tip, which enhances strands' shine and extends the time between washes. Try SILKE London's chic, colourful {wraps} and then talk about spinning straw into... well, silk.

Got spots? Silk doesn't harbour bacteria in the same way as cotton (sweat-dampened environments are great for multiplying beauty 'bad guys'), which is why a {silk pillow} is wonderful for those who're acne-prone. It also doesn't 'ruffle your skin's feathers' in the same way as even the softest of cottons, which is why is helps to minimise the risk of irritation. 

Still need convincing? Sleeping on silk is the ultimate luxury. If you want to pretend you're a princess there's nothing like laying your head on a pure satin cushion to make you feel suitably smug as you slumber... so, invest in our edit of silken essentials, and get set to heave a huge sigh of contentment. 

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