What is the Best Silk Sleep Mask: A Guide to Choosing the Right One

Sleep is both a luxury and a need. Did you know that up to 70 million Americans struggle with sleep disorders⁽¹⁾? And it isn’t just that. In this fast-paced world, it can be hard to get quality rest consistently.

When it all comes down to it, good quality sleep gives you the fuel to live your best life. Why? It’s simple: your mind and body can’t function without it.

Fortunately, there are ways to improve sleep quality, and an eye mask is one of the easier options. But then again, you probably know that already. That’s why you’re here.

Why settle for anything less than the most comfortable and luxurious eye mask? And one that does more than block out light. That is if you’re serious about getting better sleep.

We’re talking silk sleep masks here. And off the bat, while they don’t come cheap, it’s an investment you probably won’t regret.

So, what is the best silk sleep mask? To help you decide, this article tells you what to look for and why.

Like any other eye mask, a silk sleep mask’s main function is blocking light. Darkness sends a signal to your brain and body that it's time to hit the sack.

Exposure to artificial light at night makes it harder to go to bed. Expect to wake up more often, too.

Let’s face it. Sometimes, you can’t control the light that spills into your bedroom, especially if you live in a busy area. (Hello, annoying billboards.) Enter the silk eye mask.

But again, why silk over other fabrics?

An easy way to explain this is to compare silk to another fabric like cotton.

Just like cotton, silk is one of the strongest fabrics around. It can take a lot of pressure. But cotton gets stronger when it's wet. On the other hand, silk loses some of its tensile strength.

But here’s the thing. Cotton might be a better choice for an everyday tote that carries your wet gym clothes. But the same can’t be said for a sleep mask, which brings us to the next difference.

Compared to cotton, silk absorbs less moisture and skincare products (Yay!). It has natural moisture-wicking properties. A cotton sleep mask absorbs more of your sweat and stays wet. A silk one will dry faster. Silk also insulates well, which means it’ll keep you warm when temperatures start dropping.

Hands down silk is smoother and more lustrous than cotton. That’s why premium silk accessories tend to run pricier. The feel of quality silk against your skin is pure luxury and comfort. Also, it’s as good-looking as it feels. Will you look at that gorgeous sheen.

So, what are the other benefits of sleeping with a silk eye mask? Well, unlike the others, a silk sleep mask gives your skin love in different ways.

Mulberry silk, in particular, is highly breathable and lightweight. Compared to other types of silk, it has a structure made up of long fiber strands. This makes it finer and more porous. (Come on in, air!)

By the way, just because it's fine doesn’t mean it isn’t tough. It’s the strongest type of silk, or so they say.

That is unless you have a specific silk allergy or don’t clean your mask. (Please tell us you will.)

Mulberry silk has natural hypo-allergenic properties. It contains sericin, a protein that reduces the likelihood of allergies.

Its lustrous and smooth texture is gentle on your skin. It won’t rub your skin the way other fabrics do.

A silk sleep mask won’t cause sleep creases or wrinkles. While these may seem temporary, they can become permanent with age. Prevention is key to maintaining healthy skin.

In case you didn’t know, amino acids play a key role in repairing skin damage. They also help make your skin stronger and maintain a healthy balance of bacteria⁽²⁾.  

Real silk contains these because it's made from cocoons of the silkworm. The protein in these contains a lot of essential amino acids.    

One answer to your question on what is the best silk sleep mask? It gives you the beauty sleep you’ve always dreamed of.

So, does a silk eye mask really help sleep? It depends on whether you’ve chosen the best one, so keep reading.

Here, we talk about what to look for in a silk sleep mask to get the benefits we listed above.

From what we mentioned earlier, not all silk is created equal. Here’s what you need to consider when choosing your eye mask.

Silk should be:  

• Hypoallergenic

• Contain amino acids and sericin for healthy skin

• Lightweight yet durable

• Naturally breathable

Eye what? Seriously, some people have beef with the pressure a sleep mask puts on their eyes. That’s why a silk mask with eye cups makes a world of difference for comfort.

These convex cups cover your eyes so the mask doesn’t touch them. These are especially helpful if you have eyelash extensions.

More importantly, eye cups also add an extra light-blocking layer to your sleep mask. And isn’t that what a sleep mask should do?

Also, make sure that these eye cups are also made from silk.

Head sizes vary from one person to the next. Choose a silk sleep mask that adjusts for a customized fit. Otherwise, the light will find its way in and make it harder for you to fall and stay asleep.      

Avoid masks that secure around your head with a flimsy elastic strap (like the plague). They tend to lose their shape faster.

The downside to silk is that it wrinkles fast. It’s known for being notoriously hard to clean because it's so delicate. While you can’t prevent it from wrinkling, getting it spick and span is achievable. You just need to know how to wash a silk eye mask.

So, what is the best silk sleep mask? One, it’s made from real mulberry silk. Two, it has eye cups. Three, it’s durable and adjustable. Last, it’s easy to clean.

Are you convinced that a silk sleep mask works for better sleep? If so, then you may want to consider our version of the best one, Manta Sleep Mask SILK.

This eye mask was designed to give the ultimate silk sleep experience. Here’s what it has to offer:

The head strap is made from 22 momme silk that’s lustrous and buttery soft. Meanwhile, the eye cups are constructed from 30 momme silk. As we said earlier, silk contains amino acids, which keep your skin strong, healthy, and sleep wrinkle-free.

The silk eye cups attach to the strap with a micro hook and loop fastener. This means you’ll get the right placement to experience 100% true blackout. Not to mention zero pressure on your eyes and lashes.

The eye cups are also tapered near the sides of the head, which makes the mask less bulky and more comfortable for side sleepers.

The head strap is also fully adjustable for a custom fit. It’s durable, elasticated and snag-free.

The eye cups and head strap are swappable. This means you can choose from other Manta Sleep eye cups and head straps for a customized sleep experience.

Finally, it’s 100% machine-washable and comes with its own wash bag.

It’s one thing to read about Manta Sleep Mask SILK’s features. But hearing about it from other people always gives a clearer picture.

So, ready to decide on what is the best silk sleep mask for you? Well when you do, drop a comment. We want to hear about how it helps you get better sleep.

Sources:  

1. “Sleep Statistics." Sleep Foundation, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics. Accessed 18 August 2022  

2. “Metabolism and Functions of Amino Acids in the Skin." National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32761577/. Accessed 18 August 2022.