Silk eye mask benefits: 5 reasons why you should use a silk sleep mask

Written by Anya, Founder of The Silk Collection · Updated August 2026

A silk eye mask blocks out light so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer, while pure mulberry silk rests gently against your skin and lashes. Ours are The Pure Silk Eye Mask, £35, and the adjustable Ultimate Silk Sleep Mask, £49, both made from 22 momme mulberry silk.

The importance of getting good quality sleep has been historically overlooked, however with growing awareness of the importance of good quality sleep due to its wide-ranging impact on our physical and mental health, more and more of us are focusing efforts on achieving a better night's rest.

Getting good quality sleep is an essential factor affecting our overall physical and mental wellbeing, however we all know how difficult it can be to achieve a deep and restful night's sleep. If you are someone who struggles to get to sleep but you aren't sure if a silk eye mask is for you, then keep reading!

Using an eye mask can be a game-changer for the quality of your sleep, and using a silk eye mask has even more benefits than a regular eye mask!

In this blog we will go through the key benefits of using a silk eye mask for sleep and why a silk eye mask is one of our must-have bedtime essentials to help us fall asleep faster and get better quality sleep, whilst also providing a range of natural skincare benefits.

Why a silk eye mask helps you sleep

The mechanism is simple. Darkness signals to your body that it is time to rest, and light does the opposite, which is why a bright landing light or an early summer sunrise can pull you out of sleep long before your alarm. An eye mask carries your own darkness with you, whatever the room is doing.

The silk part is about what sits against your face for eight hours. Silk's long, smooth filaments create a low-friction surface, so the mask rests gently on skin and lashes rather than rubbing, and silk is less absorbent than many common bedding fibres, so it draws less moisture away from the delicate skin around your eyes overnight.

Prevent light disruption as you sleep

The darkness created by a silk eye mask helps to stimulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Using an eye mask for sleeping helps to promote better quality sleep as eye coverings for sleep prevent light shining through during the night, which helps to give you a more peaceful sleep experience.

A silk sleep mask aids relaxation

The softness and smoothness of a mulberry silk sleep mask can create a sense of calm and relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Even the process of putting on a silk sleep eye mask each night creates a sleep ritual that can then become a habit, by consistently signalling to your body that it is time to sleep. This means that over time, your body uses this as a signal to indicate you are ready to sleep, which will then make it easier to fall asleep at night.

Here at The Silk Collection, we have been crafting pure mulberry silk sleep essentials for years, with thousands of you making the switch to silk. Our focus is on creating better basics, made from the highest quality silk, to elevate the steps in your routine you are already doing. No extra steps or complications. Just better quality materials. If you already wear an eye mask, this is simply a better version of it.

★★★★★

“This is a brilliant eye mask! Very comfortable on the face with loads of filling and a good quality knot free band. It’s deeper over the eye than other eye masks I’ve owned and has a larger nose cutout which means it blocks out way more light for a pitch black experience the vast majority of the time: my previous ones would have a slither of light coming in each side of my nose most of the time.

This might be my best purchase this year, it’s definitely improved my sleep. The hand signed note from Anya that came with it was a really lovely touch too.”

5 Benefits of switching to a silk sleep mask

1. Better quality sleep

Using a silk eye mask will help to block out the light so that you can enjoy a deeper and more restful sleep. If you are a light sleeper or very sensitive to light, regular use of a silk eye mask will help you to achieve a deeper night's sleep each night by reducing your exposure to light throughout the night. This is especially important if your bedroom tends to have light streaming in during different points of the evening, which can lead to disrupted sleep.

Not only is it a more affordable option compared to blackout blinds, but it is also the perfect travel accessory that you can take wherever you go! This is especially useful for helping you to get to sleep on long-haul flights and journeys.

2. Hydrated skin

Using a silk eye mask has many benefits for skin as well as your sleep. Mulberry silk is significantly less absorbent than other materials such as cotton. This means that silk eye masks absorb less moisture from your skin whilst you wear it overnight, which in turn helps to keep your skin hydrated.

Not only will it keep your skin naturally hydrated, but if you use any overnight eye creams or face creams, using a silk sleep mask will also help to keep them on your skin rather than absorbed into your pillowcase!

3. No creases on your skin

Another benefit of using a silk eye mask for skin is that silk is anti-crease. Silk creates less friction against your skin compared to other materials like cotton. It is estimated that mulberry silk has up to 30% less friction compared to cotton, which helps to reduce creases forming on your skin overnight (which in turn also helps to prevent wrinkles forming!). Therefore, using a silk eye mask for sleep will also give you natural overnight skincare!

4. Suitable for all skin types

Mulberry silk is a 100% natural material which is also naturally hypoallergenic, which means that silk can be used for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to dust mites and mould, which makes it a very good choice for people with allergies or sensitive skin. This makes a silk eye mask suitable for all types of skin.

At The Silk Collection, we only use 100% mulberry silk which has been OEKO-TEK certified. This means that our silk is guaranteed to be free from toxic chemicals and dyes that may be harmful for skin and the environment.

★★★★★

“I have tried several sleep masks in the past and though they have helped with blocking the light out, my sensitive skin has suffered, with a lot of redness each morning when I wake. With my lovely silk sleep mask from The Silk Collection, there is no irritation to my skin and no redness the morning after. I also love the colour French Navy) and enjoy putting on my sleep mask each night, a touch of luxury that helps me get a good nights sleep.”

5. Temperature-regulating

Mulberry silk is a natural, breathable fabric and also has heat-regulating properties which means it will help to keep your skin temperature regulated throughout the night. This is especially useful during the warmer summer months to help keep your face cool during the summer nights.

6. Ultimate comfort

At The Silk Collection, our pure silk eye masks are made from the highest grade 100% mulberry silk with a luxury thickness of 22 momme (30% higher than the standard 19 momme silk sold in many retail stores). This means that our silk sleep mask has a luxurious feel and is extremely soft against your skin.

On top of that, our silk eye masks are lightly padded with a 100% silk filling, which makes it even more comfortable for all night wear.

Which silk eye mask should you choose?

We make two, and the difference is the fit. If you would rather see the two silk eye masks side by side, we set them out in a table.

The Pure Silk Eye Mask, £35, is our classic and our best-seller. It has a soft covered elastic band, a generous shape that sits well over the bridge of the nose, and that lightly padded silk filling. It suits most sleepers straight out of the box.

The Ultimate Silk Sleep Mask, £49, is the same 22 momme mulberry silk with an adjustable strap, so you can set the exact tension you like. Choose it if you have found other masks too tight or too loose, if you wear lash extensions, or if you simply want no pressure at all around your eyes.

If you would like a fuller comparison before you decide, our guide to choosing the best eye mask for sleeping goes deeper, and if you are weighing up silk more broadly, start with are silk pillowcases worth it.

A tip we learned the hard way: the elastic is always the first part of any eye mask to age, and heat is what ages it. Never dry your mask on a radiator or leave it on a sunny windowsill. Wash it cool, dry it flat, and keep it in its gift box on your bedside table, and the band will hold its stretch for years rather than months. Our guide to how to wash silk has the full steps.

The unboxing, before you gift it

Every mask arrives hand-packaged in our signature gift box with care instructions and a handwritten note, which is why so many of the reviews on this page mention gifting one and then ordering another for themselves.

As you can see, a mulberry silk eye mask is a bedtime essential and makes the perfect gift for anyone who struggles to get to sleep at night. Not only does it add a little bit of luxury to your sleep routine, but it also has a wide range of benefits for your skin and quality of sleep.

SHOP THE SILK EYE MASK COLLECTION

The 4 step overnight routine

The eye mask works hardest as the final step of the full overnight routine: four steps, a few minutes before bed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a silk eye mask and a cotton one?

The fabric against your face. Silk's long, smooth filaments create a low-friction surface that rests gently on skin and lashes, and silk is less absorbent than many common bedding fibres, so it draws less moisture and eye cream away from your skin overnight. Cotton masks do the same light-blocking job, but the surface is coarser and more absorbent.

How do I wash a silk eye mask?

Gently hand wash in cool water with a silk-friendly detergent, rinse well, and dry flat away from direct heat. No fabric softener and no tumble drying. With a light wash every couple of weeks, ours keep their softness for years.

Is a silk eye mask good for travel?

Yes, it is one of the easiest upgrades to sleeping in transit. It weighs almost nothing, packs flat, and gives you darkness on flights, trains and in unfamiliar hotel rooms. Many of our customers keep one permanently in their hand luggage, and our silk travel bag makes a tidy home for it.

Should I choose the classic or the adjustable mask?

Choose by fit. The Pure Silk Eye Mask, £35, has a soft covered elastic band and suits most sleepers straight out of the box. The Ultimate Silk Sleep Mask, £49, adds an adjustable strap, so you can set the exact tension you like. If you have a smaller or larger head, wear lash extensions, or find most masks too tight or too loose, choose the adjustable.

Is a silk eye mask suitable for sensitive skin?

Mulberry silk is a natural fibre that is naturally hypoallergenic, and our silk is certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, so it is tested to be free from harmful substances. Many of our customers with sensitive or easily irritated skin tell us silk is the first mask fabric that has felt comfortable for them. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, your GP or dermatologist is the right person to advise you.

Will an eye mask press on my eyes or lashes?

Ours are lightly padded with a 100% silk filling, which holds the silk softly over the eye area rather than pressing flat against it. The adjustable Ultimate Silk Sleep Mask lets you loosen the strap until there is no pressure at all, which is why lash extension wearers tend to prefer it.

How much does a silk eye mask cost and what is included?

The Pure Silk Eye Mask is £35 and The Ultimate Silk Sleep Mask is £49. Both are 22 momme, 100% mulberry silk, certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and arrive hand-packaged in our signature gift box with care instructions. Free UK delivery over £60 and 30-day returns.

Still unsure which mask is right for you? Email us at info@thesilkcollection.co.uk and we will happily help you choose.