A good sleep mask is one of the simplest things for better sleep: it darkens the room when you can't fully close the curtains, when you travel, or after a procedure when sleep is light. But the market has everything from a two-euro mask to silk ones costing tens of euros. What do the labels “mulberry silk”, “22 momme” and “satin” actually mean?
How to choose a sleep mask
- Material: it should be smooth and breathable, so you don't sweat under the mask.
- Weight: a light mask doesn't press on your eyes and face.
- Strap: soft, wide and adjustable, so it doesn't pull your hair or leave marks.
- Fit: it blocks light well but doesn't squeeze your nose and eyelids.
- Care: you'll be washing the mask, so check how.
What is mulberry silk?
Mulberry silk comes from silkworms fed exclusively on white mulberry leaves. This makes the fibres long, even and smooth. It is the most widespread and highest-quality type of silk for textiles.
What does momme mean?
Momme (mm) is the unit for the weight of silk, similar to the weight of paper. A higher number means a denser, more durable fabric.
- 16-19 momme: lighter, thinner silk.
- 19-22 momme: common for masks and pillowcases, a good balance between softness and durability.
- 22 momme and above: denser, more durable and richer to the touch.
Silk or satin?
Satin is a weave, not a material. Satin fabric can be made from polyester. It looks as shiny as silk, but feels different and breathes less well. If the label just says “satin”, it's almost always polyester.
How to recognise real silk:
- the label says 100% silk, ideally stating mulberry and momme,
- it feels smooth but not slippery like plastic, and quickly takes on the warmth of your skin,
- real mulberry silk isn't cheap, so a very cheap “silk” mask is almost certainly satin.
Why a silk sleep mask?
- It's smooth, so your skin and lashes glide over it instead of rubbing.
- It breathes and is comfortable in summer and winter.
- It's light, so it doesn't press on your face.
That's why the ANAVÉA silk sleep mask in 100% mulberry silk is a popular choice for women after aesthetic procedures (once their surgeon allows it) and for anyone who wants better sleep every day. It pairs perfectly with the silk scrunchie in 22 momme mulberry silk.
Sleep mask after a procedure
After eyelid surgery, a facelift or other facial procedures, don't put anything over your eyes without your surgeon's permission. Once you have it, choose a very light, soft mask with no pressure.
How to care for a silk sleep mask
- Hand wash in lukewarm water, up to 30 °C.
- Use a gentle detergent for silk or wool. Ordinary detergents with enzymes damage silk.
- Don't rub or wring. Gently press the water out and roll the mask in a towel.
- Air dry in the shade - not on a radiator or in a tumble dryer.
- Don't bleach or use fabric softener.
Wash your mask every few weeks, or more often if you use it every night or apply cream before bed.
Warmly,
Ana
Ana Fernandez Jurman is a registered nurse with more than 12 years of international clinical experience in the operating theatre and in aesthetic and plastic surgery, and the founder of ANAVÉA.
