If you've ever wondered why some people swear by silk pillowcases, silk sleep masks, and silk hair ties — while dismissing synthetic satin as "basically the same" — you're not alone. The difference is real, and it's rooted in biology.
What makes mulberry silk different?
Real mulberry silk is a natural protein fiber made of fibroin, coated in a protein called sericin. This structure gives it properties no synthetic can replicate:
- Temperature-regulating: Silk wicks moisture and adapts to your body temperature, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.
- Hypoallergenic: Silk's natural sericin repels dust mites, mold, and common allergens — ideal for sensitive skin.
- Friction-free: The smooth surface of silk creates dramatically less friction than cotton, reducing hair breakage, split ends, and sleep creases on skin.
The momme count — what it means for you
Momme (mm) is the weight measurement for silk, similar to thread count for cotton. At Soie, we use 22 Momme silk across our sleep collection — the sweet spot between durability, drape, and that signature silky feel. Anything below 16mm is too thin to last; above 25mm is unnecessarily heavy for sleepwear.
The Grade 6A standard
Silk is graded A through C, with sub-grades 2A through 6A at the top tier. Grade 6A represents the longest, most uniform filaments — the ones that produce the smoothest surface and most consistent sheen. All Soie silk is Grade 6A.
What this means for your hair
A cotton pillowcase creates significant friction as you move in your sleep — enough to cause frizz, breakage, and split ends over time. Silk dramatically reduces that friction, letting hair slide rather than snag. The same principle applies to silk scrunchies: they hold hair securely without the dent or breakage a regular elastic creates.
What this means for your skin
Cotton absorbs moisture — including the moisture from your skin and your skincare products. Silk doesn't. Sleeping on silk keeps your skin hydrated through the night, and the reduced friction means fewer sleep lines that gradually deepen into wrinkles over years of use.
The affordable luxury case
Luxury silk has always existed at the very high end of the market. At Soie, we believe that's unnecessary. The silk itself — Grade 6A, 22 Momme mulberry — is the same quality found in products priced 3–4× higher. What we skip is the branding markup.
The result: real silk, real results, at a price that doesn't require a second thought.