The Best Pillowcase for Acne – over 20,000 sleepers have spoken.
"This silver pillowcase improved my hair and skin within four weeks."
Searching for remedies to improve your acne-prone skin? Is the trial-and-error roller coaster of multiple skincare products and medications getting out of hand? We get it – been there and done that.
We often hear about the "best cleanser for acne" from our favorite skincare brands or dermatologists prescribing spironolactone or doxycycline. However, the question we don't get asked (but most certainly should) is, what pillowcase are you sleeping on? After all, we spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping – rubbing our faces against a surface that collects 3 to 5 million colony-forming units of bacteria per square inch after one week of sleeping.
How many bacteria are on a pillowcase?
Getting real answers about your acne breakouts
To put things into perspective – your standard pillowcase accumulates over 17,000 more bacteria than a toilet seat after one week of sleeping. What does this mean for your skin? Glad you asked – your pillowcase becomes a deposit of bacteria, clogging your pores and irritating your skin every night. Likely a trigger factor for acne, blackheads, and pimples on your skin. Hence why washing a standard pillowcase every 2 days is recommended. A lot of washing, we know.
Ditch the cotton fabric
Cotton is highly absorbent and can absorb up to 27 times its weight in water. The molecular structure of cotton is perfectly attuned to collecting and retaining moisture. If you have ever wondered why your cotton clothes shrink, this would be the reason why. Given the nature of cotton fibers, it is the perfect choice for absorbing water from your skin after you shower or bath, but that same absorbent quality makes it less ideal for your pillowcase. Your cotton pillowcase will soak up the oil from your skin, retaining bacteria and allergens that can irritate acne-prone or sensitive skin. Cotton and other absorbent materials, including microfiber and polyester, can also rob your face of moisturizer and serum from your nighttime skincare routine.
Top choice for acne-prone and sensitive skin
“Repelling bacteria like an invisible forcefield, this pillowcase is a game-changer for acne."
Selecting a smooth fabric is crucial as it doesn't irritate acne lesions as rougher materials can. High-end bamboo pillowcases are soft for your skin and don't absorb moisture, making them the top choice for acne-prone and sensitive skin. If you want to take it up a notch – invest in a bamboo pillowcase with silver incorporated into the fabrics, making it the superhero of "anti-acne pillowcases."
Silver is naturally antibacterial and helps fight off unwanted bacteria from the fabric surface, making your pillowcase self-cleaning. Derme Home's bamboo and silver pillowcases are third-party laboratory tested and certified, clinically proven to reduce bacteria linked to acne and breakouts by the world's leading testing, inspection, and certification company.
Tips to care for your pillowcase – and your face.
- Wash your pillowcase often - If you sleep on a traditional pillowcase (other than bamboo and/or silver), wash it every 2 days if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin.
- Consider a bacteria-fighting pillowcase – it may be pricier than basic pillowcases, but it will be well worth your investment, and your skin will thank you later.
- Double cleanse before bed – Ensure that you use a noncomedogenic gentle cleanser (one that will not clog your pores) and double cleanse if possible.
- Investigate the root cause of your acne – don’t go crazy on the skincare products or medications, try to find the root cause of your acne; it could be a combination of your diet, sleeping environment, and/or lifestyle choices.