Are Soft Sheets Bad for You?
There is no better feeling than slipping into a fresh set of clean sheets. You want this paradise to be a soft and relaxing place, but is there such a thing as sheets that are too soft? Are soft sheets bad for you?
In truth, the material you choose for your sheets can affect your health in the long run. Ranging from wrinkles and indentations to irritation and inflammation, your sheets can have an impact. Here’s how to balance softness and quality to pick the best sheets for you.
Bottom Line: Are Soft Sheets Bad for You?
Not all soft sheets are bad for you and your health. Soft sheet sets that are from natural (not synthetic materials) are typically fine. Make sure that your face is able to freely move across your sheets, without irritation.
How Your Sheets Can Affect Your Health
There are a few ways that your sheet choice can affect your health. We broke it down into three categories to expand on potential impacts: skin conditions, appearance of wrinkles, and hygiene.
Skin conditions
Skin irritation and inflammation are the main health effects when assesing your sheet choice. Studies show that when using irritating sheets, people may experience flare ups of pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.
Appearance of wrinkles
Additionally, it is important to pay attention to friction. When your skin has more resistance to movement it may accentuate the appearance of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles.
Hygiene
Another component to consider is germs and bacteria in your sheets. Remember to wash your sheets regularly to prevent the accumulation of bacteria. Cotton and polyester can harbor bacteria, which means if you opt for these materials to be aware of this phenomenon.
What material should my sheets be?
Now that we have discussed some potential health effects of your sheet choice, you need to know what materials to pick. We suggest either silk sheets or cotton sheets to minimize potential health effects.
Silk
Silk pillowcases and sheets are a very popular recommendation on social media currently, as creators across platforms rave the health benefits.
Silk sheets are commonly recommended for their potential positive health effects. Some of the potential benefits include: that you may experience with this soft and smooth sheet material are listed below.
- May Preventing Hair Breakage
- May Help Prevent Wrinkles
- May Soothing Irritated Skin
- Stayings Cleaner For Longer
- Can Keeping You Cooler
Although not as trendy as silk pillowcases, many people love to stick to cotton for their sheets. When purchasing cotton sets, make sure to invest in high thread count sheets that will reduce friction from movement.
Cotton
Cotton is also good at regulating body temperature, ensuring a cool place to sleep during the summer and a warm environment during the winter. Another component to consider is that cotton sheets can draw moisture from your body, so if you wake up dehydrated or dry skin, you may want to steer away from cotton sheets.
More benefits to cotton sheets include the wide range of weaves, patterns, and prints available, easy maintenance, and affordability.
How to choose sheets
Before you make a purchase, consider what you value the most in your new set.
Ask yourself all sorts of questions about your priorities. For example, ask yourself is it more significant to save some money or do you want a set with a long life duration?
After reading this article and you discover a passion for protecting and benefitting your skin in all ways possible, you might want to look into purchasing cotton or silk sheets. As discussed earlier, these natural materials allow for soft and inviting bedding, with benefits to your health.
When choosing sheets, the number one step is to avoid synthetic materials and blended fibers. Although many sheets feel good to the touch, it is important to avoid cheaper fabrics that create static and are treated with chemicals.
Looking for product recommendations? Check out our top picks in the best sheets guide.
A few of our favorites
Silk
Mulberry Park Silks 22 Momme Bedding
Mulberry Park Silks 22 Momme Silk Sheet Set
Upgrade to the 100% pure silk 22 momme sheets from the brand Mulberry Park Silks. Not only do they feel luxurious, but they also prevent hair breakage, protect your hair and skin, regulate temperature for maximum comfort, and are hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.
Since silk sheets are more expensive than other sheet sets and require a bit more maintenance, look for a momme weight that is 15 or above. Momme weight describes the weight of 100 yards of silk, 45 inches wide, in pounds. Since this sheet has a weight of 22, you know it is high quality.
LilySilk 19MM Bedding Set
AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier
This 4 piece bedding set has high quality and craftsmanship to ensure these more expensive sheets are worth the purchase. Additionally, this set is available on amazon, allowing for easy delivery.
Cotton
Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set
Brooklinen Classic Percale Sheets
The Classic Percale Set is our choice for summer nights and for individuals who sleep hot. Percale is highly breathable and will keep even the warmest of sleepers sweat-free during the hottest months of the year.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full ReviewThis sheet set is made from a blend of Egyptian and Indian cotton making the product soft, breathable, and durable. The reasonable price point makes these high thread-count sheets a deal you don’t want to miss.
Boll & Branch Percale Tailored Sheet Set
Boll & Branch Percale Hemmed Sheet Set
Boll & Branch produces organic, chemical-free, and sustainably sourced bed linens that everyone can enjoy. These sheets provide consumers with an organic item as well as luxurious, with a butter and breathable feel.
Read Full ReviewBoll & Branch states that these sheets offer the “smooth, structured feel you’d find on a five-star hotel’s beds, and we agree. The texture is crisp, snappy, and smooth to the touch. There is a 30-night sleep trial with this set and it is available in five color options.
California Design Den Combed-Cotton Set
California Design Den Sheets
California Design Den sheets are affordable, smooth cotton sheets. Offered in multiple sizes, the sheets use quality long staples to make durable sheets.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.60 / 5
These sheets are the most affordable option as they pair great quality and low prices. The sheets are made of long-staple combed cotton in a 400-thread-count.
FAQs
Are silk sheets worth the price?
Silk sheets are definitely an investment piece, as they normally retail for a few hundred dollars. If you are able to afford them and take care of them, they can last you for years to come. They can also come with several potential benefits, including preventing wrinkles and aiding hair health thanks to their hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating properties.
What are the worst sheet materials?
It’s typically best to avoid synthetic fabrics (such as polyester or rough wool) when you’re searching for sheets. This is because these materials can cause skin irritation and inflammation, which is obviously not a desired effect from your sheets.
What are the healthiest sheets to sleep on?
The healthiest sheets to sleep on are silk or cotton. Silk sheets are the preferable option as they have many health benefits such as potentially preventing hair breakage, possibly helping to prevent wrinkles, and may soothe irritated skin. Cotton sheets benefits include affordability and temperature regulation.
Takeaway
In summary, the material you choose for your sheets does matter. From irritating your skin to leading to hair breakage, scratchy sheets can be a nightmare. Instead, look for silk and cotton sheets for a smooth, healthy night’s sleep.
Source List
- Baek J, (2012). Reduction of facial wrinkles depth by sleeping on copper oxide-containing pillowcases: a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel, randomized clinical study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22938003/
- Callewaert C, et al. (2014). Microbial Odor Profile of Polyester and Cotton Clothes after a Fitness Session. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249026/
- Bullock L. (2023). Best Sheets Guide https://www.mattressnerd.com/best-sheets-guide/#10-best-sheet-sets-of-2023
- Clark C. (2023). Benefits of a Silk Pillowcase. https://www.mattressnerd.com/benefits-of-silk-pillowcase/
- How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets (and the Gross Reasons Why). (2019). https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-wash-your-bed-sheets/
- McPhillips K. (2019). Dermatologists Would Never, Ever Sleep in Sheets Made of *This* Fabric. https://www.wellandgood.com/cotton-sheets/
- Nelson M. (2022). A Quick Guide to Natural, Non-Toxic Bedding. https://branchbasics.com/blogs/home/a-quick-guide-to-natural-non-toxic-bedding#:~:text=Choose%20only%20100%25%20natural%20fibers,moisture%20away%20from%20your%20body.
- Timmons, J. (2023). Linen vs. Cotton Sheets. https://www.mattressnerd.com/linen-vs-cotton-sheets/
