6 Dermatologist-Recommended Pieces Of Bedding — To Help Avoid Skin Irritation While You Sleep

Dermatologist Anthony M. Rossi, MD, FAAD, shares his insights on how you can optimize your sleep with some very comfy bedding — including silk pillowcases, benzoyl peroxide-resistant sheets, and hypoallergenic materials.

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A lot of claims have been circulating recently about how certain materials can affect your skin — and we couldn't help but wonder how legit these declarations are. So we asked Dr. Anthony M. Rossi for his thoughts on what types of bedding may be the best choices with regard to skincare.

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Dr. Rossi is the assistant attending at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the assistant attending at New York Presbyterian Hospital and he's helped research solutions for people suffering with serious skincare woes.

(And remember: Always consider consulting your dermatologist before you introduce new products into your skincare regimen — everyone's skin is unique, and nothing can replace an in-person visit to a professional!)

Here are a few insights that could really help you make the most of all of those snooze-button hits:

1. If your skin is super sensitive and acne-prone, try a silk pillowcase to help prevent outbreaks. (And be aware that while they are beneficial for helping your skin breathe while you sleep, there is no guarantee that they aid in preventing wrinkles!)

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"Silk sheets and silk pillowcases have always been thought of as a luxury, but they are helpful for people with sensitive skin," Dr. Rossi says. "The lightweight and breathable nature of silk is non-irritating" for anyone with skin sensitivities. He also points out that "dermatologists have used silk dressings for patients with bad eczema or burns" because of these characteristics.

He adds: "It is a really popular notion that silk pillows prevent wrinkling but this hasn't been scientifically proven. It is a soft natural fiber that Is breathable but it won't turn back the aging clock!" The soft, silky material is less likely to crease and leave you with indentations on your face (which can sometimes lead to wrinkles), but that's not a guarantee.

Get this pillowcase from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in standard, queen, and king sizes and in 26 colors).

2. Silk sheets are also helpful for anyone who runs hot when they're sleeping.

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Because silk is quite breathable, Dr. Rossi says that the material "doesn't retain as much heat," making it a good choice for "anyone that gets hot when they sleep because it adjusts to your temperature."

Get this silk sheet set from Amazon for $389+ (available in sizes twin-California king and in 11 colors). Set includes two pillowcases, a fitted sheet, and a flat sheet. You can also find a silk comforter on Amazon for $112.99 (available in sizes twin-king and in white and pink).

3. Benzoyl peroxide-resistant bedding could save you from having to replace your sheets because of your acne medication.

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If you're one of the millions of people who treat their acne with benzoyl peroxide, you know how it can wreak some serious havoc on your sheets thanks to its bleaching effect. For this, Dr. Rossi provides some solutions: "I usually tell patients to wrap their pillow in an old T-shirt, but if you can use some truly resistant-to-bleaching sheets you wouldn’t have to end up with funky Rorschach-looking sheets!"

Get the set from Bed Bath & Beyond for $13.99+ (available in sizes twin-California king and in nine colors).

4. If you're prone to allergy attacks you might want to try hypoallergenic sheets.

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Believe it or not, your allergies can affect your skin. Puffiness, inflammation, and even breakouts can be a result of your allergies. Whether you're allergic to down or just dust mites, Dr. Rossi suggests trying hypoallergenic bedding. "For people whose allergy or asthma symptoms may be worsened by dust mites, hypoallergenic bedding and dust mite covers could be helpful in preventing an allergy attack."

Get this hypoallergenic sheet set from Amazon for $27+ (available in sizes twin-California king and in 37 colors).

5. Don't forget that mattress dust mite cover and pillow cover! They'll help prevent all those dust mites from creeping into your bed and triggering an allergy attack.

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Promising review: "I bought this along after my doctor recommended them to help with my allergy problems. I am very pleased!! The covers are not 'plastic'-feeling or 'loud' (they don't make scratchy fabric noise as the sheets move or as you get into bed) like some other encasements I have tried in the past. I cannot even tell they are on the mattress or on my pillow." —Cindy

Get the mattress cover for $16.49+ (available in sizes twin-California king) and the pillow cover for $10.49+ (available in standard, queen, and king).

6. And, of course, make sure you're washing your sheets on the regular to avoid any unnecessary breakouts.

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Dr. Rossi insists that if you're dealing with sensitive or acne prone-skin, you should "launder your sheets regularly to avoid bacterial buildup." He notes that the frequency of washes "depends on many factors and who the person is. If you have allergies (to dust mites, etc.), then you should change or wash your sheets more frequently — every three days or so."

Get The Laundress Signature Detergent from Amazon for $20.50 (good for up to 64 loads) and if you're investing in silk sheets try their Delicate Wash for $19 (good for up to 32 washes).

Now your naps are just a part of your daily skincare routine!

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The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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