Slowly, we are learning more and more about this wonder of the world; this natural miracle. And now, this unique material is revealing its secrets about skincare.
Silk has been valued throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and unique qualities. For millennia, humans have been drawn to the fabric, the deservedly named ‘Queen of Fabrics’ for both its luxury and its comfort in all temperatures.
Our skin is our largest organ and is our physical barrier - our first line of defence against environmental stress and Silk has been scientifically proven to benefit our skin in numerous ways.
Silk is biocompatible with human skin and tissue and the scientific world has known about this for centuries.
There is solid research showing that Silk in skincare reduces the appearance of fine lines, helps with hydration levels, improves elasticity, fights pollution and increases the rate of cellular regeneration.
But first….a short history of Silk.
Silk has been valued throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and unique qualities. For millennia, humans have been drawn to the fabric, the deservedly named ‘Queen of Fabrics’ for both its luxury and its comfort in all temperatures.
Ancient legend has it that the Empress Leizu was enjoying a cup of tea under a mulberry tree one day in the 27th Century BC, when a cocoon fell into her tea. As she went to pick it up, she found that she could unravel it. She was so taken by its shimmering beauty that she began to cultivate silkworms and invented the first silk loom and the art of sericulture. (the production of Silk)
Recent archaeological discoveries have found silk filaments in tombs dating back to 8,500 years. It is fascinating to think that primitive womankind (and mankind) was as drawn to Silk 8,500 years ago as we are today. I truly believe that we are attracted to it on a very primal and subconscious level.
Silk exerted such power over people that it was responsible for the opening up of trade routes between East and West; the Silk roads.
Silk is a protein fibre (as opposed to a cellulose fibre) which most commonly comes from the Bombyx Mori silkworm, a type of moth.
Other species of silkworms also produce silk, as do spiders, but most silk worldwide comes from the Bombyx Mori.
All proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, and this is where it gets really exciting for silk in skincare.
The structure of Silk is so similar to human skin that we have 18 amino acids in common with Silk. To put this into context, there are only 20 amino acids in the human body. This means we share 90% of our amino acids with those found in Silk.
This may go some of the way towards explaining why we have been drawn to and captivated by Silk for 8,500 years. On a primal and physical level, our bodies instinctively know that Silk is something we can relate to.
Silk, a protein fibre, is made up of two different types of protein; Silk Fibroin and Silk Sericin.
Each has overlapping but differing properties and each is made up of different amino acids.
• Silk Fibroin is a protein which makes up the filaments of Silk. Fibroin accounts for most of the Silk protein - typically between 72 - 81% by weight. Silk Fibroin is the 'inner core' of the Silk, the 'building block' of Silk, and gives Silk its famed substance and strength.
• Silk Fibroin stimulates the skin to synthesise collagen protein, thereby improving the 'bounce' and elasticity of skin.
• Silk Fibroin accelerates the rate of cellular regeneration of the skin. In other words, it speeds up the renewal process and helps with healing and scarring.
• It mimics our skin's 'Natural Moisturising Factor' (NMF), increasing hydration levels in our skin and simultaneously reduces 'Trans-Epidermal Water Loss' (TEWL).
• It protects our skin against the ravaging and ageing effects of pollution, mopping up free radicals with its antioxidant action.
• Silk Fibroin is mainly used in skincare, though you will see Silk Sericin used too.
• Silk Sericin is the secondary protein of Silk and accounts for between 19 - 28% of the Silk by weight. It is the 'glue' which binds the silk filaments into the shape of a cocoon.
• Silk Sericin also has wound-healing and anti-ageing,moisturising, hydrating and skin-repairing properties but it is also used in haircare products, due to its natural affinity with keratin. (Keratin is a building block of our hair and nails.)
• It is also known for its ability to bind to and repair damaged hair, using its 'glue' function in much the same way it does in the cocoon.
• Silk Sericin is also used in medical applications, because of its ability to accelerate wound healing.
All proteins are made up of amino acids, and although Silk is made up of 18 amino acids, 3 of them steal most of the limelight. The main ones are Alanine, Glycine and Serine.
It is important to note that these amino acids act in synthesis; they work together, and the most studied are Alanine and Glycine. Alanine:
In skincare, alanine is a conditioning and hydrating agent which is known to reduce epidermal water loss. This amino acid is small enough to penetrate the skin barrier. Alanine is mainly found in Silk Fibroin.
Glycine is known to improve the visible signs of ageing by increasing water retention and stimulating the production of collagen. Glycine is mainly found in Silk Fibroin.
Serine consists of 'natural moisturising factors' and keratin and is known to have significant moisturising effects. Serine is mainly found in Silk Sericin.
Silk proteins have a visible effect on fine lines and crows feet, and therefore have anti-ageing effects.
Silk has powerful, antioxidative stress properties and studies have shown that it is particularly effective against pollution.
Silk improves the look and feel of our skin.
Silk stimulates the production of our body's own collagen protein, thereby improving skin elasticity. Skin elasticity decreases as we age, and Silk helps to offset this mechanism.
Silk is biocompatible with our skin. We have 90% of our amino acids in common with Silk proteins. This high level of affinity means that skin responds well to Silk.
Silk alleviates damage caused by the sun to our skin. Sun damage adversely affects skin elasticity, hydration levels and can cause hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is caused by excess melanin, and melanin is formed by the oxidation of tyrosinase. Silk works to inhibit tyrosinase, and thereby reduces hyperpigmentation.
Silk promotes cellular regeneration, helping with renewal and a brighter complexion.
In addition to containing beneficial amino acids, Silk also contains trace amounts of copper. Copper has powerful anti-viral, antimicrobial and anti-ageing effects.
Silk is hypoallergenic and can be tolerated by many people, including those with sensitive skin.
Silk acts to form a film on skin which not only protects against pollution but also helps to rebalance the natural skin microbiome, which has been shown to be disrupted by airborne particulate pollution. Particulate pollution has been shown to accelerate the skin's ageing process.
The different Silk products have different particle sizes, and the smaller the particle, the more likely it is that the Silk can penetrate the skin barrier. Silk benefits the skin whether sitting on top of the skin, or whether it is absorbed through the skin, depending on the function it performs in any given formulation.
You may see ‘Hydrolyzed Silk’, ‘Silk Powder’, ‘Silk Amino Acids’ and ‘Silk Peptides’ on cosmetic ingredient lists, but they all contain Silk.
Silk - A Very Sustainable, Renewable Ingredient
We should all try and use ingredients which are as kind to the Earth as they are to our skin, and in this respect, Silk scores very highly indeed.
Sericulture (the production of Silk) requires vast numbers of mulberry trees to be planted. Mulberry trees are particularly beneficial for the environment because of the highly diverse plant and animal life they support around them.
So many of these trees are needed that the production of Silk results in more carbon being removed than being made. The production of Silk is a carbon sink.
In addition to that, Silk is a biodegradable and compostable, renewable resource which nourishes the soil as it decomposes.
Silk has been valued throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and unique qualities. For millennia, humans have been drawn to the fabric, the deservedly named ‘Queen of Fabrics’ for both its luxury and its comfort in all temperatures.
Slowly, we are learning more and more about this wonder of the world; this natural miracle. And now, this unique material is revealing its secrets about skincare.
Our skin is our largest organ and is our physical barrier - our first line of defence against environmental stress and Silk has been scientifically proven to benefit our skin in numerous ways.
Silk is biocompatible with human skin and tissue and the scientific world has known about this for centuries.
There is solid research showing that Silk in skincare reduces the appearance of fine lines, helps with hydration levels, improves elasticity, fights pollution and increases the rate of cellular regeneration.
But first….a short history of Silk.
The History of Silk
Ancient legend has it that the Empress Leizu was enjoying a cup of tea under a mulberry tree one day in the 27th Century BC, when a cocoon fell into her tea. As she went to pick it up, she found that she could unravel it. She was so taken by its shimmering beauty that she began to cultivate silkworms and invented the first silk loom and the art of sericulture. (the production of Silk)
Recent archaeological discoveries have found silk filaments in tombs dating back to 8,500 years. It is fascinating to think that primitive womankind (and mankind) was as drawn to Silk 8,500 years ago as we are today. I truly believe that we are attracted to it on a very primal and subconscious level.
Silk exerted such power over people that it was responsible for the opening up of trade routes between East and West; the Silk roads.
What Is Silk Made From?
Silk is a protein fibre (as opposed to a cellulose fibre) which most commonly comes from the Bombyx Mori silkworm, a type of moth.
Other species of silkworms also produce silk, as do spiders, but most silk worldwide comes from the Bombyx Mori.
All proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, and this is where it gets really exciting for silk in skincare.
The Protein Structure of Silk
The structure of Silk is so similar to human skin that we have 18 amino acids in common with Silk. To put this into context, there are only 20 amino acids in the human body. This means we share 90% of our amino acids with those found in Silk.
This may go some of the way towards explaining why we have been drawn to and captivated by Silk for 8,500 years. On a primal and physical level, our bodies instinctively know that Silk is something we can relate to.
The Two types of Silk Protein
Silk, a protein fibre, is made up of two different types of protein; Silk Fibroin and Silk Sericin. Each has overlapping but differing properties and each is made up of different amino acids.
Silk Fibroin
Silk Fibroin is a protein which makes up the filaments of Silk. Fibroin accounts for most of the Silk protein - typically between 72 - 81% by weight. Silk Fibroin is the ‘inner core’ of the Silk, the ‘building block’ of Silk, and gives Silk its famed substance and strength.
The Benefits of Silk Fibroin
Silk Fibroin stimulates the skin to synthesise collagen protein, thereby improving the ‘bounce’ and elasticity of skin.
Silk Fibroin accelerates the rate of cellular regeneration of the skin. In other words, it speeds up the renewal process and helps with healing and scarring.
It mimics our skin’s ‘Natural Moisturising Factor’ (NMF), increasing hydration levels in our skin and simultaneously reduces ‘Trans-Epidermal Water Loss’ (TEWL).
It protects our skin against the ravaging and ageing effects of pollution, mopping up free radicals with its antioxidant action.
Silk Fibroin is mainly used in skincare, though you will see Silk Sericin used too.
Silk Sericin
Silk Sericin is the secondary protein of Silk and accounts for between 19 - 28% of the Silk by weight. It is the ‘glue’ which binds the silk filaments into the shape of a cocoon.
Silk Sericin also has wound-healing and anti-ageing,moisturising, hydrating and skin-repairing properties but it is also used in haircare products, due to its natural affinity with keratin. (Keratin is a building block of our hair and nails.)
It is also known for its ability to bind to and repair damaged hair, using its ‘glue’ function in much the same way it does in the cocoon.
Silk Sericin is also used in medical applications, because of its ability to accelerate wound healing.
Silk Amino Acids
All proteins are made up of amino acids, and although Silk is made up of 18 amino acids, 3 of them steal most of the limelight. The main ones are Alanine, Glycine and Serine.
It is important to note that these amino acids act in synthesis; they work together, and the most studied are Alanine and Glycine.
Alanine:
In skincare, alanine is a conditioning and hydrating agent which is known to reduce epidermal water loss. This amino acid is small enough to penetrate the skin barrier.
Alanine is mainly found in Silk Fibroin.
Glycine:
Glycine is known to improve the visible signs of ageing by increasing water retention and stimulating the production of collagen.
Glycine is mainly found in Silk Fibroin.
Serine:
Serine consists of ‘natural moisturising factors’ and keratin and is known to have significant moisturising effects.
Serine is mainly found in Silk Sericin.
10 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Silk Proteins for Skin
The Different Types of Silk Proteins
You will see different types of Silk ingredients on skincare and cosmetic formulations. The main differences between them are the way in which Silk has been extracted, and which formulations they can be used in.
The different Silk products have different particle sizes, and the smaller the particle, the more likely it is that the Silk can penetrate the skin barrier. Silk benefits the skin whether sitting on top of the skin, or whether it is absorbed through the skin, depending on the function it performs in any given formulation.
You may see ‘Hydrolyzed Silk’, ‘Silk Powder’, ‘Silk Amino Acids’ and ‘Silk Peptides’ on cosmetic ingredient lists, but they all contain Silk.
Silk - A Very Sustainable, Renewable Ingredient
We should all try and use ingredients which are as kind to the Earth as they are to our skin, and in this respect, Silk scores very highly indeed.
Sericulture (the production of Silk) requires vast numbers of mulberry trees to be planted. Mulberry trees are particularly beneficial for the environment because of the highly diverse plant and animal life they support around them.
So many of these trees are needed that the production of Silk results in more carbon being removed than being made. The production of Silk is a carbon sink.
In addition to that, Silk is a biodegradable and compostable, renewable resource which nourishes the soil as it decomposes.
Here at This Is Silk, we believe that Silk is the most potent skincare ingredient we are aware of, which benefits the skin in so many different ways.
Should you wash your face or brush your teeth first? Getting it wrong can put years on your face.
PLUS Win 3xsilk cleansing cloths and 2 x silk pillowcases with £120!
This Is Silk’s skincare routine tweak slows the ageing process
Founder of This Is Silk, Sonal Keay has identified one small change to your cleansing routine that can make a huge difference to how quickly your face ages over the years. The simple skincare hack is taking social media by storm.
Is your beauty routine ageing you?
We spend a fortune on expensive eye creams and serums for the skin around our eyes, but often forget to care for the delicate skin around our mouths. Fine lines and wrinkles in this area can add years to your face. Choosing to brush your teeth before or after cleansing can make a big difference to your skin.
Before we let you in on the secret, which do you do first in your daily routine?
Tell us which you do first and you could win three silk cleansing cloths and two pure silk pillowcases from This Is Silk worth £120.
Click on the image which applies to you to enter!
So…should you wash your face or brush your teeth first?
Sonal Keay is a skincare expert, who has developed a range of silk-based beauty products including silk cleansing cloths which are proven to slow the ageing process. She says you should ALWAYS brush your teeth before cleansing your face.
Always brush your teeth first! But why?
The science behind this is jaw-droppingly simple. Sonal says:
“We spend a lot of time, effort and money cleansing our faces and then applying beautiful serums and creams to slow down the ageing process – I know I do! Many people then make the HORRIBLE mistake of brushing their teeth afterwards. This strips away all the amazing creams and serums, not to mention the skin’s natural oils. The onslaught of water, abrasive toothpaste and then wiping the skin with a rough towel leaves the skin around your mouth where we are prone to wrinkles, stripped and sensitive. Doing this every day over a lifetime will accelerate the ageing of the skin and add years to your face.”
The switch to always brushing your teeth first is a remarkable simple and cost-free way to delay the ageing process, and is something everyone can do.
This Is Silk’s skincare products revolve around eliminating friction from the skin. Friction is one of the biggest causes of fine lines and wrinkles. Fabrics such as cotton are very abrasive on a cellular level, and can damage delicate skin. Cotton also absorbs oils, moisturisers and water from the skin, leaving it stripped and dehydrated.
Use silk wherever you can
Sonal’s beauty routine involves using silk cleansing cloths to wipe away make-up and impurities, because cotton and muslin can be far too abrasive and ageing. Then Sonal sleeps on a 22 momme pure silk pillowcase to promote smoother skin, slower ageing and thicker, healthier hair. All from avoiding friction by using pure silk.
Are your friends making this ageing mistake? Ask them if they #washfirst or #brushfirst on social media to win three silk cleansing cloths and two silk pillowcases from This Is Silk.
Share our Facebook and Instagram posts to spread this important news and save your friends' faces!
Ts & Cs
#WASHFIRST #BRUSHFIRST COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS
Terms and conditions – This Is Silk competition.
]]>
So we decided to go exploring in the countryside near Cirencester. Summer evenings are perfect for wandering and that is exactly what we did.
I wanted to recapture that sense of wonder I had when I was younger - of discovery and exploration without aim.
And so we (my husband and I) basically got lost, and it was wonderful.
No map, no sat-nav, no compass, no watch and in my case, no sense of direction... No phone to look down at - just the open countryside in late summer.
And I experienced something for the first time in years - a real sense of being present, of really opening my eyes to what was around me, the different shades of green and yellow, the luminous wildflowers, hearing birdsong, the passing of the seasons and the panicked attempts at flight by disturbed baby grouse. Nothing in sight or mind but hedges, fields, flowers and sky. It is a primal and delicious experience, subversive in today’s endless obsession with work and productivity.
We eventually found our way back, and I look forward to getting lost again soon.
Of course, you can also get lost in sleep and dreaming...
and a Silk Eye Mask can make a difference and help you sleep better and dream deeper...
And to help you get lost in sleeping and dreaming...
Here's a rare discount...
25% off all Silk Eye Masks when you enter the code ‘Wanderlust’ at checkout, whilst stocks last.
https://thisissilk.com/collections/sleep-masks
As ever, if you would like to send one as a present with a handwritten note, please just email me.
]]>The fascinating history of Silk deserves to be known, so here is a very short overview:
Vast volumes have been written about Silk and rightly so, given its colourful history and the way it is said to have influenced human history and development. I could not hope to compete with that or do the subject full justice here, but I thought I would provide some of the more interesting bits for you. Even a potted history of Silk is fascinating!
It is also nice to know, I think, the history of what you are buying.
There is a lot of talk at the moment of knowing the provenance of goods...
and few can compare with Silk...
Up until 2016, it was thought that the earliest remains of Silk dated the fabric back to 5,000 years ago. Ancient, by anyone’s standards...
And then in 2016, a group of scientists declared that actually, Silk was about 8,500 years old.
It is fascinating to think that the fabric you covet, wear and sleep on, is 8,500 years old! The Silk fragments found in China were alongside bone needles and weaving tools, so it is certain that even then, Silk was being woven and sewn into clothes. Silk is quite a labour-intensive fabric to produce and I think it is amazing that it was as alluring then as it is now, that they were prepared to put the work into it in the Stone Age..! I am not sure I would be prepared to sit around weaving silk if I had to hunt and forage for my food, whilst fending off sabre-tooth tigers and living in a cave…
( By contrast, if we consider the new, synthetic fabrics, like Nylon and Polyester, which have only been around since the 1940s, it is unlikely that the world will tolerate these fabrics for another 50 years, given what we now know about the harmful effects of plastics on the world...)
Silk was discovered in China, which is where the best Silk still comes from. The legend of its discovery is rather charming. It is said that the Empress Lei-Tzu was enjoying her afternoon tea one day when a silk cocoon dropped from a branch above her into her tea. A bit like Sir Isaac Newton and the apple from the tree, perhaps? As she lifted it out, she saw the beauty of the shimmering thread and commanded her servants to weave it. And so began the history of Silk.
This myth, for me, demonstrates the wonder of Silk and how we create stories to try and explain what it is we do not understand. This is especially the case with Silk, which is woven into the history of China. Another lovely illustration of the mythology of Silk is this: (one of my favourites)
The number 8 is lucky in Chinese culture, largely because (when turned on its side) it is also the symbol for infinity. The silkworm, when producing its silk, moves its head to spin in the same shape as the 8. So for that reason too, Silk is revered by the Chinese and the number 8 brings good fortune.
Myth or not, what is true is that the Chinese guarded the secret of Silk for centuries under pain of death for anyone sharing knowledge of its production. It was reserved exclusively for the Imperial Court and it was only from about 1050 BC that there is evidence of Silk being traded abroad when Silk was found interred with a Mummy in Egypt.
The Romans were so beguiled by Silk that they called the Chinese the ‘Seres’ people, the Latin word for Silk. Silk is said to have played a part in the downfall of the Roman Empire because it was so popular the Empire nearly bankrupted itself to satisfy the demand for it. Attempts to ban Roman citizens from buying Silk on the grounds that it was decadent and immoral proved completely fruitless and probably served to increase demand for it. At that time, it was thought that Silk was a crop, to be grown and harvested! I am quite sure that the mystery helped its allure.
(No doubt they preferred the Silk for the magnificent drape that a good toga requires, as I am sure you will all appreciate)
As you know, Silk was so highly prized and desired, that the ancient network of trade routes linking East with West was named after it. It was one of the most prized commodities in the ancient world and ranked with gold and silver for centuries. This trade is what really opened the world up, as people shared ideas and religions and foods as well as the Silk and the spices.
The Old Silk Road:
Eventually, the secret of Silk production got out (apparently the smuggling of silkworms from China to Byzantium by two monks in 552 AD under the orders of the Emperor Justinian is one of the first examples of industrial espionage) and from then on, sericulture spread throughout Asia and Greece and from there to Western Europe.
Wherever Silk went, there followed obsession. King James I was so determined that England produce her own Silk, he encouraged the planting of mulberry trees and the raising of silkworms and even planted several acres of mulberry trees where Buckingham Palace now stands. Unfortunately our climate doesn’t suit the delicate silkworm, and anyway, the wrong type of mulberry trees were planted...
Silk, though ancient and well-studied, is still a bit of a mystery to us, and to scientists. It continues to be relevant to the world as it gathers brownie points for sustainability, strength, and versatility, for textiles and in medicine and skincare.
It really is the most incredible fabric, we are sure you’ll agree.
I went, for the first time ever, to meet my supplier, work on the new silk clothing range and visit the factory where the Silk is made. I admit, I was a little nervous before I went.
Reader, I loved it!
I have been curious about China for as long as I can remember. I have wanted for years to go and see Shanghai and having the business was a very handy excuse to finally go. I was so in love with China when I was younger that I started studying Mandarin at university before I realised that I had years of rote learning ahead of me and bowed out to do Law. Also, the food is incredible… it bears absolutely no relation to the ‘Chinese’ food we have here.
Before going over, I must admit, I had wondered how the Chinese handle their silk. Whether it was a commodity mainly for export, whether they themselves wore or used it.
And it was so lovely to learn that they really revere their Silk. It is as precious to them as it is to us. Silk is woven into their history and everyone involved in the Silk trade spends many years learning about it. I visited the shrine of the Silk Goddess and spent many hours talking about it with my supplier, and managed to visit two different Silk museums. I thought I knew a lot about Silk, but it seems there is still much to learn.
Here is the Silk Goddess, sporting a silkworm on her head and with offerings at her feet. An unusual place to put a silkworm, you might think, but its position above the head signifies the status they enjoy in Chinese culture and history.
Did you know that the silkworm is ‘bivoltine’? It means that they produce two broods a year; in Spring and in Autumn and that the cocoons are typically better in Spring.
I have been drawn to Silk for many years and quite intensely, and it is the same with my supplier. There is a Chinese phrase to describe when someone has been ‘bitten by Silk’ which was a relief to me. I am not alone!
The Chinese value their Silk so much, that they do not waste a single bit of it. The most prized cocoons (typically small) are used for the finest silk for clothing, and slightly lower grade cocoons are typically exported to India, where they are apparently less discerning. (The supplier’s words, I hesitate to add, not mine!)
The larger cocoons, usually of a lower grade of silk, make the filling for duvets and they recycle as much silk as they can. The proteins removed in the processing of silk (the sericin) are used for skincare, haircare and the silkworms are used as food or animal feed. In between, there are vast industries such as paper processing and medical products which all have silk as a necessary component.
The concept of zero-waste is certainly something we could do more of here! It really was a lesson in sustainability and respect for natural resources.
I am delighted to be able to show that the factory is a good place to work. The premises are very clean and there is a lovely atmosphere there. The workers have clearly formed bonds and although I do not speak Chinese, a decade spent in courtrooms means I can assess an atmosphere pretty accurately. I thought it was warm but professional.
In other words, your products are fairly and ethically made. The workers are paid well, and better than average, because the factory spends a lot of time recruiting and does not want to lose them. The workers are provided with a freshly cooked lunch each day and I saw that they are allowed to listen to music when they work.
The factory supplies both woven Silk (the pillowcases) and knitted Silk (the new Fynery clothing) and here is a photo of them sewing the new clothing. (coming soon)
Amusingly, the cook was very flustered and nervous when I said that I would have lunch in the canteen with the workers. Chinese hospitality is legendary and they had expected to take me out for lunch, but as I prefer simple food and wanted to experience life in the factory as much as possible, we all ate together. It was nice to see that the meal they receive everyday is delicious and nutritious.
Their standards of production are reassuringly high and I look forward to revealing more products to you very soon!
If you have not been to Shanghai I highly recommend it. It has the most incredible energy to it and there is something very romantic about it. It used to be called ‘The Paris of the East’.
Here is a photo of a beautiful cat with blue eyes I met in a shop in downtown Shanghai. I don’t think I have ever seen a cat like that before.
Here is a photo of a friendly man standing on a busy street with his beloved (and very colourful) birds! In case you were wondering, the cat was not near the birds.
And finally, a photo of the most delicious dumplings I have ever eaten.
I am writing this because I believe in personal connections, and I am quite old-fashioned at heart. If I had a bricks and mortar shop, you could get to know me and say hello. The only way I can do that online is by opening up in my blog. The other reason is that I am completely obsessed with Silk and think it has a beautiful part to play in our lives. It is naturally good for our skin and hair, is natural, breathable, very comfortable and sustainable. It also has a fascinating story, which deserves to be heard.
Stay tuned for further blogs about silk.
]]>When you gift a Silk Pillowcase to someone you are gifting a whole world to them. So it is entirely appropriate to give a Silk Pillowcase to the person who brought you up to be the amazing person you are.
Silk is made of amino acids which are similar to the ones our skin and hair is made of. This biocompatibility actively benefits skin, helping to regenerate and moisturise it every night. There is scientific evidence showing that Silk is as good for our skin as Retinol is.
It helps with fine lines, helps your skin to retain its own hydration levels and helps all those expensive serums to do their work. Cotton is very drying and ageing for the skin and should not be used for our delicate facial skin.
Silk works the same magic on our hair as it does on our skin. Smoothing and nourishing, you can guarantee that your mother will wake up with much less frizz and with glossier hair.
Silk works its magic in so many ways. Dry and damaged hair will be conditioned and come alive and blow dries last longer. Our Silk Hair Wraps have been specially designed to look after hair and minimises friction almost completely.
We are increasingly aware of how important our sleep environment is and how critical sleep is for our wellbeing and health. There is no sensation more luxurious and inviting than sinking back onto a Silk Pillowcase at the end of the day for a restful and relaxing night. It really is an easy and beautiful way to immediately enhancing the Bedtime Ritual.
Here at This Is Silk we send out thousands of pillowcases to discerning customers and even after all this time, we marvel at the beauty of the Silk. To us, it is a precious fabric with the lustre and allure of diamonds and pearls. The way it catches the light and almost glows is like nothing else on earth.
We designed our boxes to protect the Silk but also to remind that Silk is a real gift to us, and something special to be treasured. Every Silk Pillowcase and Silk Hair Wrap comes in a beautifully designed and elegant box, perfect for gifting.
We have always aimed to sell the best quality Silk and spent many months searching for both the perfect grade and the best silk suppliers, so it was very reassuring to win the ‘Best Buy’ award for Silk Pillowcases in the Independent. This is a coveted and rigorously tested, independent award, as you would expect. Months later, the Spectator Life magazine declared that the best Silk Pillowcases are found at This Is Silk.
So you can rest assured that when you gift our Silk Pillowcase, you are gifting the highest quality Silk available.
A gift given to someone we care about so deeply should have meaning. Silk has been loved and revered for thousands of years (either eight or ten thousand years depending on your view) because its beauty is timeless and universal. Our old trading routes were named after Silk (The Silk Road) because it was the most desirable commodity traded between the East and the West. When gifts were given by dignitaries to Kings and Queens, they were usually gifts of diamonds, pearls and silk.
So when you give the gift of Silk you are taking part in an ancient ritual of giving something with heritage, history and meaning.
Our Silk Pillowcases are loved because they are incredibly beautiful and the most perfect marriage of Form and Function. This is a beautiful product which genuinely benefits the person lucky enough to sleep on it.
Happy Mother’s Day!
You can buy our Silk Products here:
For Mother's Day if you buy 2 Snow White Pillowcases there is 5% off with Code:
SPRING
]]>
We believe that it is critical to assess the momme weight when you are buying woven Silk so that you know what quality you are buying.
If a company does not disclose what momme weight the pillowcase they are selling is, you can rest assured it is a low momme and you should steer clear.
What is a Momme?
A momme (pronounced ‘mommy’) is a unit of measurement used to grade the weight of Silk.
It is the traditional way of measuring the weight of silk, and derives from the weight of a length of Silk measuring 100 yards long by 45 inches wide. (45 inches is the standard width of silk fabric)
If the weight of that length of fabric is 19 lbs in weight, then the Silk is 19 momme. If the weight of that length of fabric is 12 lbs, then the silk is 12 momme.
The tighter the weave, the more Silk is used, which means that the weight and the momme count are higher.
This is why the lower momme count Silk fabrics, such as Silk chiffon, which have less Silk are translucent, whereas the higher momme Silk is opaque.
There is 20% more silk in a 22 momme Silk than there is a 19 momme silk pillowcase.
Which Momme Should I Buy?
Different weight Silks are used for different purposes as they drape and feel different according to the weight / momme count.
For a lightweight chiffon Silk, a very low count of momme is needed, between 6 - 8 momme.
For clothing, a high level of drape and fluidity is required, so the best momme for clothing is 16 - 19 momme, depending on the opacity required. A 16 momme Silk shirt is perfect for a lightweight shirt. For a more formal Silk shirt we would look at 19 momme.
Which Momme is Best for Pillowcases?
When Silk is used as a skincare product, which it is when you sleep on a silk pillowcase, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing momme:
Facial skin is the most delicate skin of all, so softness is a significant consideration. The 22 momme silk we sell is extraordinarily soft, and it took months of searching to find the perfect silk suppliers.
A lower count momme has less silk in the weave and there is therefore more friction in the lower weight silk. The friction is precisely what accelerates the ageing process, so a higher momme count is essential.
By contrast, a momme count which is too high becomes too thick, and is unable to drape as well. A very high momme count which contains too much silk for skincare feels very stiff and is uncomfortable against facial skin.
We have tested other momme counts and our testers found 22 momme silk was the most comfortable against their skin.
Silk is a remarkably resilient material but the higher the momme count, the better it will withstand washing.
Silk has so many incredible benefits for our skin and hair that we want people to use it daily and appreciate its benefits without worrying about caring for Silk.
For that reason, we knew 22 momme was the best weight for our pillowcases. Our 22 momme Silk pillowcases were independently tested and it was noted how well they wash.
A higher weight momme count fabric used daily will last longer than a lower weight one. For this reason it represents a good investment.
Silk contains 18 amino acids and is made of a protein structure which is similar to that of our hair. (Keratins) We think of Silk as a biodynamic fabric which positively benefits the skin, and this is backed up by scientific research.
Put simply, the higher the momme count, the more Silk there is and the higher the benefits.
Silk is a heavylifter when it comes to skincare benefits and does the work of many creams and serums, whilst also helping your skin to retain those creams, instead of wicking them away as cotton does.
You will not get the same benefits from a thinner, lower momme Silk.
22 Momme is best for Silk Pillowcases
So now you can see that a 22 momme silk pillowcase is the best combination of benefits for skin, softness, drape and durability.
We only sell directly to our customers and don’t have the mark-ups that a traditional wholesaler-to-retailer has, so you can be sure that you are getting the best possible Silk at the best possible prices.
Enjoy!
If you have any further questions we are always very happy to help. You can email us at hello@thisissilk.com
]]>Roses and chocolates are cliched, easy to come by and don’t last long. If you are looking for a more meaningful gift to give your loved one, an award-winning silk pillowcase or silk hair wrap in a beautiful box would be much better received.
As you will see below, when you give the gift of silk, you are giving a luxurious, sensual, practical, long-lasting gift with real benefits and meaning.
Silk has long been associated with royalty and it is only relatively recently that Silk has become available to us all.
Silk has the most beautiful, lustrous shine and feel that is absolutely unrivalled by any other fabric, whether natural or handmade. There is a reason they call it the ‘Queen of Fabrics’. Here at This Is Silk, we adore Silk the way others adore diamonds - it is a precious fabric, and a marvel, and it is still associated with luxury and the finest things in life.
When you buy your loved one silk, you are sending a message that they really mean something to you.
Nothing feels as good next to our skin as silk. Silk has many amino acids in common with our skin and hair, and there is the most wonderful synergy and biocompatibility between Silk and our skin. We feel comfortable wearing it, sleeping on it and sinking back onto a Silk pillowcase at the end of the day brings physical and psychological benefits to us, because it feels *so* good.
In today’s throwaway society it is nice to give a gift which matches the feelings you have for the person you love. Roses and chocolates last a few days at most and the memory of the gift will fade quickly.
By giving Silk, a beautiful and practical gift which is durable, you are giving a gift which will be a longer-lasting reminder of the gift you gave.
We find that our Silk pillowcases and Silk hair wraps are so valued by our customers that they take them away when travelling.
Your partner may take great care over their skin and hair care regimes, but it is hard to buy a traditional skincare product like face cream because these tend to be very specific choices.
A silk pillowcase however is a universally beneficial product for our skin and hair. The Chinese have used silk as part of their skincare routines for millennia but this is relatively new knowledge for the West.
This Is Silk pillowcases have been independently reviewed and found to ‘plump up skin and reduce fine lines.’ They have been recommended by leading hair stylists to reduce hair damage and breakage, and all these benefits are natural. This is luxurious skin and haircare without any nasty chemical ingredients, so you are gifting something that is beneficial for health.
In case it wasn’t already obvious, we adore Silk and consider it a gift from Nature. Silk is so very beneficial to us, that every time it is bought by someone for themselves, we want that person to think of it as a gift they are giving to themselves.
Our packaging has been designed to be elegant but minimal and is often complimented, and delights people when they see them. It has also been designed to reflect the Silk ; understated but incredibly beautiful.
Silk is luxurious but that doesn’t mean it is prohibitively expensive. Here at This Is Silk we believe in sustainable and ethical pricing, which means that there are no high mark-ups. We only sell directly to people, so that we can pass the best prices onto you. Our mark-ups are low, in order to ensure that our business grows slowly but sustainably.
The Silk is of an incredibly high quality, as you will see within moments of opening your parcel.
We believe that it is incredibly and gloriously romantic to give a gift to someone you care about, which has history and meaning.
Silk certainly has history! The world as we know it today is built on the trading routes which opened up linking the East with the West, known as the Silk Roads. Silk was as desired thousands of years ago as it is today, and was such a valuable and precious commodity that these trading routes was named after it.
So you see what a special gift a silk pillowcase or silk hair wrap is. In one beautifully designed box, there is a luxurious, practical, healthful and gorgeous bit of history, waiting to be adored by your Valentine.
Visit Our Shop to see our Collection of Silk Pillowcases and Hair Wraps.
]]>You are probably already familiar with the benefits of silk pillowcases for the delicate skin on your face, and how the silk is anti-ageing and helps hugely with hydration levels.
Given that our hair is made out of the same substance as our skin (keratin) it makes sense that silk has many benefits for our hair too.
In order to understand these benefits it is worth understanding what hair is made of, and why silk in particular benefits hair.
What Is Hair Made Of?
Hair is made of the same type of protein that the outermost layer of our skin is made of: Keratin.
Keratin acts as both a ‘connecting’, structural protein, which helps to keep skin and hair strong and elastic, and also as a protective protein, which helps to maintain a barrier between the hair and its environment. That barrier helps to keep hair hydration levels balanced, and helps prevents environmental pollutants from penetrating the hair.
Damaged/Frizzy Hair
Unfortunately, whilst keratin is an extremely tough and fibrous protein, enabling our hair to withstand a fair amount of heat and styling, it is susceptible to damage when we overdo it.
Too much heat, harsh chemicals and prolonged periods of hormonal disruption (stress, not eating well, pregnancy, for example) can damage both the inner, structural keratin proteins and the outer protective ones.
The end result will be dry, brittle, damaged and frizzy hair which is prone to breakage and splits easily.
The answer to healing hair does not lie in slathering synthetic creams or conditioners onto hair. Many of those will contain ingredients like sulfates, which do an excellent short-term job of making hair *look* healthy whilst actually stripping it of its own precious oils.
So how can silk help? A Silk hair wrap is helpful in a number of ways, not least because of what silk is made from.
What Is Silk Made Of?
Silk consists primarily of two different proteins; fibroin and sericin and fibroin is often classified as a keratin protein.
The 18 amino acids in silk proteins are very similar to the amino acids in human hair and skin and it is this similarity which results in silk and hair being biocompatible.
How Does Silk Help Our Hair?
Unlike chemicals which challenge the hair shaft and cuticles, like sulfates do, silk has a natural synergy with our hair and complements and nourishes it.
The haircare industry is aware of the science behind this, which is why miniscule amounts of silk are added to premium shampoos and conditioners. Silk used in this way is beneficial for the hair as it fills the gaps where keratin has been damaged but is ultimately a product which is washed off. The best benefits come from wrapping hair in silk each night whilst we sleep.
Benefit 1: Less Frizz
The Silk Hair Wrap is a guaranteed way to minimise quite significantly the halo of frizz we get overnight, because there is virtually no friction and the hair is not loose, rubbing against itself or cotton.
Curly and frizz hair benefits, as does hair which is inbetween blow dries.
Benefit 2: Shinier Hair
When we cocoon our hair in silk each night, the amino acids from the silk proteins help to replenish the depleted keratin on our hair shafts, in turn helping the hair to become smooth again. When hair is smooth, as opposed to rough from damaged and depleted keratin, it reflects light better and becomes shiny and healthy looking again.
Benefit 3: Stronger Hair
Over time, and with sustained use, the silk proteins also help to replenish the structural keratin within the hair shaft, thus making the hair strands stronger and more elastic again. People often report *much* less breakage over time, and it is because the silk makes their hair less resistant to damage.
Benefit 4: Fewer Tangles
Tangles are hard to bear at the best of times when hair is healthy and smooth, but tangles when you have dry or frizzy hair can be excruciating to comb through, and detangling them can cause further damage and breakage to hair.
When your hair is either loosely tied or piled up and cocooned in silk it is removed from all sources of friction; with itself, with your body and with your pillowcase. So whilst you toss and turn at night (which we all do) your hair will remain intact, smooth and tangle-free.
This reduction of friction whilst you sleep will mean that your hair is also smoother and shinier.
Benefit 5: Better Hydrated Hair
When we sleep, our body uses the ‘downtime’ to regenerate. Cell renewal happens all the time but much more so at night. And so it is with our scalp and our hair oils. When we sleep, our scalp produces hair oils (sebum) in order to maintain the health and hydration levels of our hair. Sleeping on a highly absorbent surface such as cotton means that the hair oil your body has taken the time to produce is wicked away and sucked up by the pillowcase.
Wrapping your hair in a silk hair wrap will help the hair oil do the job it is supposed to do - nourish and hydrate your hair. Superior to any conditioner because it is perfectly developed for the task, your hair oil will hydrate and strengthen your hair over time.
Benefit 6: Less Greasy Roots
The body is a finely honed and sensitive machine, and when the hair oil the scalp produces is wasted in cotton pillowcases, instead of being retained and used by the hair to protect and moisturise itself, the scalp goes into overdrive.
This means that it keeps producing hair oil and the end result is greasy roots but dry ends.
Sleeping with your hair in a silk hair wrap means that your hair oil is distributed where it ought to be and the scalp learns that it does not need to produce more.
So you can see how silk hair wraps work in a number of ways to heal the hair. Here at This Is Silk, we consider silk to be a biodynamic material which is so similar to our hair and skin, that it is naturally beneficial for us.
Our hair wraps are made with our award-winning silk and have been designed to comfortably all sizes of hair and heads. Our clever design expands to cocoon even the most voluminous hair whilst comfortably holding less hair. The elastic we chose is soft and gentle, holding the wrap in place whilst you sleep without a hint of tightness.
]]>It is also easy to care for when you know how. Silk is the strongest natural fibre on earth. It is a myth that silk is a delicate fabric which can only be dry-cleaned. (The only exception to this is dupion silk which needs an extra level of care)
In fact, dry cleaning uses very harsh chemicals that are bad for us. More on that in another blog post.
So cast aside your fears about silk. It is the finest fabric known to womankind and so good for our skin and hair that we should not hesitate to use it every day. Once you know what you can and cannot do it is easy to incorporate silk into your daily life and wardrobe.
Washed and cared for properly, your silk will last for years.
In short, it is fine to put your silk pillowcases and silk hair wraps in the washing machine if you do it properly. Washing by hand is superior because there is less friction on the silk and is therefore gentler.
Here are our guidelines for washing Silk by Hand and in the Washing Machine
Handwashing Do’s
Washing by hand will prolong the life of your silk pillowcases and silk hair wraps and is the gentlest way to clean your silk.
Use a clean bowl, the kitchen sink or the bathtub and fill it with water that is cool or lukewarm to the touch.
Take a capful of non-bio liquid detergent suitable for silk (we like Persil Silk & Wool) https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/detergent/products/persil-silk-wool.html) and swirl around to mix the soap with the water.
As an alternative you can use the original Johnson’s Baby Shampoo https://www.johnsonsbaby.co.uk/product/haircare/johnsons-baby-shampoo to clean your silk. Bear with me - as unusual as this seems it is perfectly fine because silk is very similar in structure to our hair and skin.
Submerge the silk pillowcase or hair wrap and ensure that it isn’t left to soak for more than 30 minutes. Stirring the silk around gently will help the soap clean thoroughly.
Rinse to remove the soap and squeeze the excess water out.
Silk dries quickly and is best left to air-dry away from direct sunlight.
Your pillowcases can be ironed on a low heat to bring back their smooth lustre. If you iron on the reverse whilst they are still a little damp you will get the best results.
Handwashing Don’ts
Silk should never be wrung or rubbed to remove excess water as the harsh friction can damage fibres.
Don’t use whiteners, optical brighteners or bleach, as these all damage silk.
Don’t tumble dry silk
Avoid exposing silk to high heat - whether by washing or ironing.
Washing Silk in the Washing Machine
Washing your silk in the washing machine according to the following instructions will help keep it looking desirable for years.
Best practice is to use a mesh laundry bag for the silk to go in as this stops the silk snagging or catching on anything in the machine.This is less necessary for washing machines which are front loading (as in the UK) but imperative for top-loading washing machines. (as are commonly found in Europe)
Do ensure that you wash similar colours together, and always wash whites separately to other colours.
If you don’t have a mesh laundry bag, turn the pillowcase or hair wrap inside out and wash on a delicates cycle.
If you don’t have a specific cycle for delicates, use a low temperature (max 30 degrees) on a gentle cycle.
Use a non-bio liquid detergent suitable for silk such as Persil Silk & Wool
Silk dries quickly so air-dry your silk pillowcases, keeping them out of direct sunlight.
Washing Machine Silk Don’ts
Don’t use any brighteners, whiteners or bleach as these destroy silk.
Don’t use fabric conditioners as they leave a thin coating on the silk
Don’t use washing powder as the powder creates friction and can damage the fibres and remove colour.
Don’t use stain removers as they can remove colour.
Don’t tumble dry - it’s not necessary (silk dries quickly) and creates friction, damaging the silk.
Silk is an extraordinarily beautiful fabric but the reason we sell it is because it is incredibly beneficial for skin and hair.
So don’t be nervous - get used to looking after your silk so you can enjoy and use it everyday!
]]>
Why You Should Care about Skincare Ingredients
We are becoming more knowledgeable about what we eat but the skin is the body’s largest organ and we are less discerning in what we apply to it.
The average woman in the UK apparently absorbs 2 kg of cosmetic and skincare ingredients a year.
An article in the Guardian in 2015 said that women apply around 168 chemicals to their bodies daily.
If that doesn’t make you stop and think, the following list of ingredients to avoid certainly will.
It is thought that our skin absorbs about 60% of everything we apply to it.
The products we buy from the High Street - even the premium ones - often have cheap fillers in order to inflate profit margins and pay for huge advertising budgets.
Whilst there is an argument to say that the law governs what ingredients are permitted within skincare, and that therefore you can presume it is safe, this presumption needs more analysis.
Firstly, science continues to develop our understanding of chemicals and their effects and by the time something is banned, it has already caused damage. As an example, the EU banned methylisothiazoline and related substances in leave-on products and restricted their use in wash-off products because it was linked to allergic reactions and lung toxicity.
Additionally, as the cosmetics industry is so profitable, the big companies spend a lot of time and money on lobbying the regulators on whatever is in their own best interests, which is of course, profit.
Used as: a preservative
Used in: deodorants, make-up, shampoo and moisturisers. 18 are currently permitted in the UK
Risks: Have been shown to speed up the growth of specific breast cancer cells, because of their oestrogen-imitating abilities. High levels of oestrogen are associated with an elevated risk for breast cancer. Breast Cancer UK say parabens should not be in products which sit on our skin. Link https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/science-and-research/background-briefings/parabens/
Used as: the base for many cosmetics products, acts as a barrier to aid moisturisers
Used in: creams, emollients, balms, cleansers
Risks: Petrolatum products are widely defended by those who use them as safe, and some companies defend its usage by seeking to reassure consumers that they use ‘food grade’ , ultra-refined petrolatum in their products only. However, an impurity (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been found in 22% of all petrolatum-based cosmetics, and that impurity has been linked to cancer in animals. The EU permits the use of petrolatum where the full refining history is known and proven to be non-carcinogenic.
Used as: a surfactant (used to help products foam)
Used in: personal care products, emollients, household cleaning products
Risks: SLS is used extensively in the cosmetics industry. It is a known skin, eye and lung irritant and has potential to interact with other chemicals to form a carcinogen. SLS should not be used in products used to moisturise skin as a small study recently found that areas of skin with SLS applied were thinner and had increased moisture loss. Anyone with sensitive skin or suffering with eczema would be well-advised to use products without SLS in them.
Used as: an antimicrobial agent. Marketed as something ‘good for you’
Used in: soaps and washes
Risks: This substance is so widespread that it was found in the urine of 75% of people tested. The chemicals are known to be endocrine disruptors. If you are wondering what that is, it means that thyroid, testosterone and oestrogen functions were disturbed. The consequences are disturbing - disruptions of these sorts are linked to early puberty, infertility, obesity and cancer. Children who have been exposed to these chemicals at an early age are at increased risk of developing the ‘atopic march’; allergies, asthma and eczema.
Used as: a foaming agent
Used in: soaps, conditioners, hair dyes, shampoos, eyeliners, mascara, fragrances and sunscreens
Risks: Impurities found in these chemicals (called nitrosamines) are known to cause cancer in more species of animal than any other chemical carcinogen. There is evidence suggesting that nitrosamines are skin toxicants for humans and there are studies linking them to respiratory and organ toxicants.
These are just 5 of the ingredients to avoid. There are others and whilst it is impossible to remove them from our lives completely (and you would go mad trying), it is important, as with all things, to find balance. It is clearly sensible to try and minimise the sources of these chemicals and where possible choose natural products with labels you understand.
Silk on the other hand is a wholly natural product, and owing to the fact it is made from similar proteins, (building blocks) as our hair (called 'keratins') there is a synergy between our skin and hair and Silk. We consider it to be a biodynamic fabric which actively nourishes our skin.
Silk not only positively benefits our skin and hair, but also helps your skincare creams and serums work harder as the Silk does not absorb them like cotton does.
It is worth looking at the ingredients on your creams and wondering which ones you could switch out for 'cleaner' products. Sleeping on Silk will make a huge difference to your skin and you will notice the difference overnight.
]]>