Silk vs satin: what the words really mean
Silk is a fibre. Satin is a weave. A satin pillowcase can be made of silk, but most low-cost satin is polyester. That one fact explains most of the price gap you see on Shopee.
Mulberry silk
A natural protein fibre from silkworms. Mulberry silk is the most common grade sold for pillowcases and sleepwear.
It breathes, feels cool and light, and needs gentle hand washing.
Pillowcase, rough unchecked estimate: RM50 to RM150
Polyester satin
A man-made fibre woven in a satin weave, so one face is smooth and glossy.
It costs less and is easy to wash. Some people find it warmer than silk on a hot night.
Pillowcase, rough unchecked estimate: RM8 to RM30
Both are smooth
Silk and satin both have a smooth face, so hair slides on them more easily than on cotton. If your goal is fewer morning tangles, either one can help. The choice is about feel, heat and budget.
Momme: the weight of silk
Momme (say "mom-ee") is the unit for the weight of silk fabric. A higher number means denser silk.
| Momme | Feel | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 19 | Light and thin | Sleepwear, scarves, scrunchies |
| 19 to 22 | Soft, everyday weight | Pillowcases, eye masks |
| 25 and up | Thick and dense | Premium pillowcases |
Satin made of polyester does not use momme. If a polyester listing quotes a momme number, read the rest of the listing with care.
Labels worth reading
- Fibre content. Look for "100% mulberry silk". "Silky", "silk feel" and "ice silk" usually mean a man-made fibre.
- Both sides. Some pillowcases are silk on one side only. The description says so; the title often does not.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100. This label says the fabric was tested for harmful substances. A real label has a certificate number, and you can check that number on the OEKO-TEX website.
- "Grade 6A". This describes the length of the silk fibre. You cannot check it from a listing, so treat it as a seller's claim.
A quick price sense-check
If a listing says "pure silk" and costs the same as a satin pillowcase, it is very likely polyester. That is fine if you only want smooth and cheap. It is not fine if you are paying for silk.
Next: how to wash silk and satin, or go to pillowcase picks.