Can you tell how much we love silk? Silk is a fabric that makes its own fabulous statement!  Beautiful to look at, elegant in its drape, and luxurious to the touch, silk is incredibly soft and sensual to wear.  So, maybe we’re a bit over the top with our affection for this fabric but is there another that has as rich a history than silk?  We think not!  

History is one thing, but what about how good silk is for your skin?  You probably already know that your skin absorbs a lot of what you put on it, (especially your underarms and genitals) so it would make sense that what you are wearing can become a part of who you are.  And, when it comes to skin sensitivities like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis literally what we are wearing can make us miserable, (2020 is already bad enough!) so it makes sense to choose a natural fiber when putting anything on your face. Yes, 2020 is torturing us with “maskne” too!

While living in this Covid-19 pandemic, a simple face mask is enabling us to (kind of) resume our lives and we’re thankful that there’s been so much research in the last few months on the different fabrics with which to make them as if they were the new performance wear – oh yeah, they are. We already know that silk is a highly absorbent, hypoallergenic fabric that is super soft against the skin, but did you know it also contains natural antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties that could help ward off virus? 

Even more exciting is a study done by the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Sciences that found silk may be the perfect choice for a face mask because it repels moisture efficiently and is also breathable and strong enough to stand up to multiple washings while retaining its ability to continue to repel moisture. Not only did the study site the natural antiviral properties of silk but found that silk also contains copper and copper appears to kill the bad bugs on contact. That means the domesticated silk moth might be our next superhero because these little chompers incorporate this important element from their diet straight into the silk that they make!

“We found that silk face coverings repelled droplets in spray tests as well as disposable single-use surgical masks, and silk face coverings have the added advantage over masks such that they can be sterilized for immediate reuse ¹.”

University of Cincinnati College of Arts & Sciences

With face masks now a part of our daily lives, wearing one made of silk may be just the thing we need right now! You will be beautiful and stay safe!  If you’re concerned about the amount of time you will have to put into caring for a silk mask, remember any item that uses a high-quality silk will retain its beauty and last for quite some time.  We suggest you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for any mask you buy but do check out our silk care guidelines for additional ideas on keeping your face mask in perfect shape!  See you in the next blog!

NOTE:  While silk face masks may have very beneficial qualities, no silk mask is yet approved by the FDA as a medical-grade mask. While the study referenced here shows encouraging results, silk masks have not been proven to prevent infection. Silk masks are not intended to replace medical-grade personal protective equipment or for use in a medical setting.  To be most effective, face masks should be used in conjunction with CDC guidance on infection prevention and reduction, including social-distancing, frequent hand washing and avoiding large gatherings.

Deb Fries is a freelance writer and designer and worked for Julianna Rae in graphics and customer service.  She now writes lifestyle pieces for blog at JuliannaRae.com.