This vs. That features a comparative analysis of two trending products, offering a technical review of both items and cutting through internet discourse with authority. For our latest installment, we compared the celebrity-loved Slip Silk Pillowcase against its popular counterpart, the Suatien Silk Pillowcase — an Amazon bestseller. Read the full review below.
There are celebrity-approved products and then there are celebrity-adored products, which encompass items that are not only used by a large number of A-listers, but are quite literally revered as being their must-have essentials. PS editors have interviewed countless celebrities over the years, where time and time again, the cult-favorite Slip Silk Pillowcase ($78, originally $89) has fallen into the latter category. 100% Cotton Hotel Face Towel
From singers like Rita Ora to lifestyle personalities like Ayesha Curry and Olympians like Suni Lee, today's biggest stars universally love this silk pillowcase — but with a price tag close to $100, is it really worth the investment?
While the benefits of silk pillowcases are often overstated, there's no denying that they provide a gentler sleeping alternative for both skin and hair; unlike cotton and satin materials, silk doesn't absorb as easily, meaning that your skin won't be stripped of serums or natural oils while you're sleeping. Additionally, the sleeker surface minimizes friction between the pillow and your hair, which can reduce the potential for frizz or tangles.
Slip's pillowcase is made from high-quality mulberry silk fibers, but believe it or not, it isn't the only silk option that's available to shop online — in fact, Amazon's bestselling Suatien Silk Pillowcase ($33, originally $41) is crafted from similar materials, comes with two pillowcases per pack, and boasts a price tag under $50 (along with more than 27,000 rave reviews on Amazon's site). So, what really makes one silk pillowcase better than another? Are there design differences that can make one more high-quality? And do affordable silk pillowcases deliver the same results as luxury options?
I sought to answer these questions and do an honest comparison of the Slip silk pillowcase and the Suatien silk pillowcase, taking into account their composition, design, effectiveness, and affordability. Keep reading for my insights and a comprehensive breakdown of which silk pillowcase is best for you.
While both of these pillowcases are made from pure silk materials, each brand markets them a little differently. Per Slip's website, the Slip silk pillowcase is designed to offer a gentler surface for skin and hair that not only minimizes the look of sleep wrinkles and sleep lines, but also helps to reduce frizz and bed head; according to the brand, the pillowcase has been shown to reduce overall friction by 43 percent on average. Alternatively, Suatien markets its silk pillowcase as a great cooling option that "keeps a comfortable body temperature in hot weather" and also works to smooth the appearance of skin and hair.
Despite their similarities in design and composition, these silk pillowcases are also vastly different. For comparison, Slip's silk pillowcase is offered in two sizes (queen and king), while Suatien's silk pillowcase is offered in four sizes (standard, queen, king, and body). Both are available to shop in over 10 different colors and designs, though Suatien boasts a wider offering on Amazon's site, with 45 individual colorways. Additionally, Suatien's pillowcase comes in a set (giving you two identical pillowcases), while Slip's only comes with one pillowcase cover despite costing more than twice as much.
Curious to see how Amazon's bestselling (and noticeably more affordable) silk pillowcase held up in comparison to Silk's cult-favorite design, I decided to test the two to see if there were any visible differences with regard to my skin and hair quality. For this experiment, I slept with a standard satin pillowcase for four nights and then switched to the Slip silk pillowcase for four nights; I then repeated the same process with the Suatien silk pillowcase, hoping to see if I would notice any changes with my hair and skin after transitioning from a satin material to a gentler silk option.
Transparently, results were minimal on the skin-care front, though my skin did look slightly tighter and less creased after using the Slip silk pillowcase. However, I saw a massive difference in my hair's quality. The science of silk pillowcases is essentially that the product's sleekness and gentle surface helps to reduce the normal friction seen with cotton or satin variations, thus minimizing frizz and helping curls to maintain their natural shape. The below images showcase before-and-after results of first using the Suatien silk pillowcase for four nights (upper photo) and then using the Slip silk pillowcase for four nights (bottom photo).
As someone with curly hair, I usually wake up to find my hair flattened, and in the worst cases, extremely tangled. Both the Slip and Suatien silk pillowcases left my hair looking shinier and generally healthier. The frizz was much more minimal, especially on the top of my head. And I didn't feel the need to brush it out because there weren't any tangible tangles.
As with any amateur experiment, there are a number of environmental factors that are outside of my control, and could therefore influence some of the results — like irregularities within my hair-care routine and diet. That being said, I found that both were extremely effective in reducing frizz and preserving my hair's texture. While neither delivered super dramatic results with regard to my skin — perhaps I'll report back on any changes within the next few months — I did feel like the Slip silk pillowcase helped to reduce sleep lines and creases better than Suatien's version.
While both of these pillowcases are washable, they do have very specific care instructions. For the Slip pillowcase, users can hand wash or machine wash the product in a cold cycle and with a delicates wash bag, while the Suatien pillowcase can be machine washed cold on a gentle cycle — also with a delicates wash bag. Tumble drying isn't permitted for either product, and I found that the Suatien pillowcase air-dried much better than the Silk one, which became noticeably wrinkled after the fact.
I'm genuinely really impressed with both products and think each one is great for different reasons. At $78, the Slip silk pillowcase requires more of an investment, but because it's made from a high-grade, 22 momme mulberry silk (with skin concerns in mind), I'm inclined to believe that it'll last longer and hold up better over time compared to the Suatien version. There are also many reviews on Amazon and Slip's website that confirm that it's something you can get extended use out of.
I've also been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Suatien silk pillowcase, which doesn't feel much different in comparison to Slip's version, despite costing half as much. While the pillowcase doesn't have the same backing from dermatologists or beauty experts like other brands (namely Slip), it does feel gentle on my skin and in my experience, has worked to limit bed head just as much as other silk pillowcases I've tried.
Ultimately, if you're willing to splurge on something you can trust will last, the Slip pillowcase is your best bet. Alternatively, if you want to get the most for your money (aka two pillowcases in a single order), the Suatien pillowcase is a great alternative. Because you get a pillowcase set with each purchase, you'll also be able to cut down on how often you wash each one — with the option to rotate between the two each week — and thus will limit any unnecessary wear on the product. If you travel often, you could also keep one of the Suatien pillowcases at home, and take the other with you for hotel stays.
The Slip Silk Pillowcase is available at major retailers like Amazon, Slip, Nordstrom, and Sephora. The Suatien Silk Pillowcase is available at Amazon.
Down Duvet Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.