One fun part of adulting is having the ability to pick out your own furniture and accessories—such as bedsheets—according to your tastes, needs, and decor vibes. When you go to furnish an entire house, apartment, or living space in general, you realize just how much you really need when it comes to making a place your own. Though it can be overwhelming and pricey when it comes designing a living space that fits your specific aesthetic, the possibilities are endless. Is splurging for the more luxurious product going to be worth it in the end, or will you live to regret it? Do you really need to spend the extra money on something, or are you just trying to fulfill your Pinterest interior design inspiration style boards? Regardless, it’s all good, because home decor can be fun, right?
On the flip side, one of the not-so-fun aspects that comes with adulting is aging. Skin begins to lose collagen production and becomes looser, we become more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles; hair may begin thinning for both men and women. The list of minor tragedies (like the fact I can’t sleep in my makeup overnight anymore?!) that come with getting older and being an adult could go on and on, but there’s no reason to do that here.
I have to be honest, though: as I’m getting older, taking care of both my hair and skin is so important to me. I make conscious efforts every day in order to do so. But even through my best efforts, there were still times just a few months ago when I’d wake up with my hair tangled, messy, and frizzy; or where I had sleep lines on my face from my pillow. When my boyfriend announced that he was getting us new sheets and pillowcases, I asked him if we could try out satin, mainly because satin sheets have all the same benefits for your hair and skin that silk sheets do, but without hefty price tag. The fact that they also look so sleek and luxurious was an added bonus, too.
Now, over a month later, we’ve been sleeping in satin sheets every night, and both of us have wildly different opinions on them.
So, satin sheets vs cotton: which is better? Scroll down to learn the pros and cons of both, and read until the end to learn the bottom line.
Satin sheets:
PROS:
- Better for hair and skin
- More affordable substitute for silk
- Lighter, good for warm weather
- Look luxurious and sleek
- Silky feeling, cool to the touch
CONS:
- Typically more expensive than cotton
- Slide easily, more slippery
- Delicate
- Don’t hold in heat as well, not as ideal for cooler weather
Cotton sheets:
PROS:
- Typically more affordable
- More durable
- Don’t slide as easily
- Heavier, ideal for cooler weather
- Feel like a blanket draped over your body; cocoon you inside of them
CONS:
- Harsher on skin and hair
- Tug more
- Heavier, not as ideal for warm weather
- Wrinkle more easily and may get dirty faster
Bottom line:
Honestly, at the end of the day, it’s all personal preference. I personally am a huge fan of satin sheets because they help keep my hair soft and prevent it from getting tangled overnight. I’ve also found that my skin is smoother, brighter, and more hydrated than it was when I was sleeping on a cotton pillowcase. I rarely wake up with those sleep lines anymore, which is nice because it gives me one less thing to worry about in the anti-aging department. I also love how soft and silky the sheets are. The one and only gripe I have about satin sheets is the fact that they move so damn easily, which can be especially frustrating when you’re trying to get comfortable at night and your pillow won’t stop sliding around.
My boyfriend, on the other hand, hates the satin sheets. He keeps talking about replacing the bedsheets with cotton and having me just keep my satin pillowcase. He doesn’t wear socks to bed, and the calluses on his feet have scraped the satin material and made the sheets bumpy on his side of the bed where his feet are. He’s also not a fan of the fact that the satin sheets slide so easily, and has already swapped out his satin pillowcase for a cotton one.
When it comes down to it, it’s all about fitting your wants and needs. If you’re someone that’s concerned with protecting your hair (again, this applies to all genders), and keeping your skin youthful and preventing fine lines and wrinkles as much as possible, satin would probably be the best bet for you. It’s more affordable than silk and gives you all the same beauty benefits. Anyone looking for a more aesthetic, luxurious look would probably enjoy the look and feel of satin as well. Cotton sheets would probably work better for those who aren’t concerned with any of the things I mentioned above, and who just want to simply get some sheets on their bed that will hold up well over time. But be warned: the higher the thread count in cotton sheets, the more expensive. Make sure you’re conscious of prices and what you’re buying. Cotton sheets may get dirtier and wrinkle faster, but if taken care of, they’ll most likely last longer.
If you’re looking for new sheets and want to switch it up, I’d recommend giving the satin sheets a shot. Like I said: at the end of the day, you have to decide what works for and suits your needs best.
