Is a silk or satin bonnet better?

Hair caps made of both silk and satin will do a great job protecting your spirals, so seek out those materials. Here are a few key differences between them to know:

Silk is a fiber made by the bombyx mori moth. "Real silk feels much more luxurious and has built-in temperature regulation properties so it’s overall more comfortable," says Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Director. Have you seen some brands saying their products are made of Mulberry silk? That means that moths have only been fed Mulberry leaves. "This type of silk is considered the highest quality, but not all silk fabrics are Mulberry silk," says Sachs. If you want a natural and more luxe fiber, silk is your best bet.

Satin is a weave, so many silk fabrics are also satin. In many cases, satin fabrics are also made with polyester, though they can be made with other materials as well. "Synthetic satin is smooth while being more affordable and more durable (silk is delicate!), though it doesn’t feel as natural and unique as silk," says Sachs. Don't worry — satin bonnets still offer smoothing and protecting benefits.