Your skin puts up with a lot throughout the day, so it’s important that your sheets are kind to your skin, especially if you suffer with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, acne, or any other skin conditions.
If you’re wondering what kind of sheets are best for sensitive skin and what else you can do to care for your skin during the night, then you’ve come to the right place.
What bed sheets should I avoid?
For those with extra sensitive skin or who suffer from skin conditions, you should try to avoid sleeping on synthetic fibre sheets.
Sheets made from polyester are usually made with many chemical processes that can irritate the skin and cause flare-ups.
Fibres such as wool, linen and flannel should also be avoided as they feel much rougher which can aggravate sensitive skin.
What type of sheets is best for sensitive skin?
Experts recommend bed sheets made from natural fibres for those with sensitive skin or conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Cotton, silk, and bamboo sheets are ideal as they are soft and have moisture-wicking properties that can help to keep sheets clean and prevent irritation.
Sheets made with good quality fibres are best as they will feel gentle and be more breathable.
Best cotton sheets for sensitive skin
If your skin reacts badly to chemicals and dyes, then we highly recommend organic cotton sheets which are made without harsh chemicals.
Cotton sheets are great for sensitive skin as the material feels gentle on the skin and usually gets softer after each wash.
We love these organic cotton sheets which are free from any skin-irritating dyes and colourants.
Cotton also has natural moisture-wicking properties as well as being breathable, which will help to prevent sweat from building up during the night and irritating your skin.
These sateen cotton sheets are a great choice for those who sweat during the night as they help to keep you cool and can be washed regularly which will help to prevent moisture from building up and inflaming the skin.
Best silk sheets for sensitive skin
As well as feeling luscious against the skin, silk sheets are a great choice for those who suffer from dry skin conditions such as eczema.
Silk sheets help to prevent irritation as they are made with antimicrobial properties which prevent bacteria from building up and inflaming the skin.
Silk is great for dry skin as well as your hair as it retains your natural oils and moisturises your skin during the night.
Silk can be used all year round as it helps to keep you warm during the winter and cools you down during the summertime.
High-quality silk sheets can be expensive, so if you’re on a budget, consider investing in a pair of silk pillowcases first such as these hypoallergenic silk pillowcases with fantastic reviews.
If you are looking to invest in some high-quality sheets, then this 100% mulberry silk sheet and pillowcase set is a great choice.
Best bamboo sheets for sensitive skin
Bamboo is a fantastic option for those with sensitive skin conditions that are flared up by bacteria and dust mite build up in bed.
Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic so can help prevent flare ups from skin conditions and allergies.
Bamboo is also much more eco-friendly than cotton and helps to wick away moisture during the night to stay cleaner for longer.
We recommend this set of 100% bamboo sheets, duvet and pillowcase set that has been made without harsh chemicals.
What else can I do to reduce skin irritation?
But shouldn’t just rely solely on your sheets to stop your skin feeling irritable at bedtime and there are other ways you can help to take care of your skin’s health at night.
- Wash your sheets regularly with unscented laundry detergent, that has been specially formulated for those with sensitive skin.
- When buying sheets, opt for plain white or ivory over dark colours, as these will usually be free from dyes and chemicals that can irritate the skin.
- Shower before bed as part of your night-time routine, particularly in the summertime. This will prevent pollen from transferring from your hair and skin onto your sheets as well as reducing moisture and dust-mite build up. We also recommend this for acne sufferers as this will help to prevent dirt and sweat from transferring to your pillowcase during the night and clogging your pores.
What type of mattress is best for sensitive skin?
For those who find it hard to sleep at night because or irritated skin or allergies, it may be time to consider investing in a good quality hypoallergenic mattress.
Memory foam is a great option for allergy and skin sufferers as dust mites don’t like this material and will avoid it.
Some memory foam mattresses can make you hot, so we recommend investing in a good quality memory foam that has been designed to be breathable.
Latex is also a good choice as natural latex is free from chemicals as well as being dust-mite free. Latex is a cool material, so this is also a great option for hot sleepers or those who are prone to excessive sweating.
Summary
Everybody’s skin is different and it’s difficult for us to say exactly what type of sheets will be best for your skin.
But if your skin is on the sensitive side, then high-quality natural cotton, silk or bamboo sheets made without harsh dyes and chemicals is a great place to start!
If you’re not sure how your skin is going to react, then consider investing in some pillowcases first and seeing how you get on.