Silk and Satin - understanding the difference

Satin or silk? Or both?

Unfortunately, there have recently been an increasing number of providers who offer satin made of synthetic fibers and let potential buyers believe that satin is always silk and that they are buying something very high quality. Unfortunately this is not the case, which is why we want to dispel the misconception that satin is automatically silk.

The term satin refers to a type of weave. For satin fabrics, the threads are woven in what is known as a satin weave, whereby the individual threads on the right side of the fabric (top of the fabric) are relatively long and very close together. This makes the fabric side very smooth, even and shiny. The left side (underside of the fabric) is usually matt and noticeably rougher. The strong gloss of the top is a typical distinguishing feature of satin fabrics. The looser the threads are woven in, the softer and more supple they fall. Due to their noble appearance, satin fabrics are mostly used for festive clothing (especially evening and wedding dresses, on tuxedo collars, etc.) but also bed linen.

The most popular satin fabrics are made of 100% synthetic fibers, they are mainly known from the field of carnival costumes, dance clothing, underwear, etc. Satin made of polyester and polyamide is also used for the bed linen mentioned above. It may feel pleasant on the skin at first due to the very smooth satin weave, but these synthetic fibers have no positive effect on our body, on the contrary. They neither let the skin breathe nor can they absorb much moisture; the moisture absorption is around 3.5% to 4.5%. In comparison: Like wool, silk can absorb approx. 1/3 of its own weight in vaporous moisture (Fachwissen Brille, Verlag Europa-Lehrmittel 2007, p.23). As a result, you sweat very quickly in clothing or bed linen made of synthetic fiber satin.

Silk satin, on the other hand, is one of the greatest fabrics for the skin. The cooling and warming properties of silk and its high water absorption properties create an incredibly pleasant body climate, and the smooth satin weave also ensures that skin and hair are not roughened, as is the case with cotton and linen, for example.

These two materials allow the skin to breathe well, but have a drying effect (which is why most towels are made of cotton) and are too rough for the fine cuticle layer of hair and skin. As a result, the hair becomes dull, dry and strawy, the skin becomes dry, wrinkled and flaky. The smooth silk satin preserves the moisture content of hair and skin, the cuticle is not roughened, the result is soft, smooth hair and an even, refreshed complexion.

You can find out more about the positive properties of silk here.