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Sleep Mask vs. Eye Pillow: A Guide to Silk Sleep Accessories

If you're craving some deep restful sleep and relaxation -- and who isn't these days -- a sleep mask or eye pillow can send you off to dreamland in style. The terms "sleep mask" and "eye pillow" are often used interchangeably, but in fact they are separate types of accessories that serve different (but equally important) purposes.

At Mulberry Park Silks, we're here to clear up any confusion. Our collection includes both of these essential bedtime accessories -- made, of course, from the highest grade mulberry silk -- because each offers unique benefits for a good nights sleep, stress reduction, and wellness. This guide will help you understand the specific advantages of sleep masks and eye pillows and explain why pure silk is the ideal material for helping you get a good night's sleep (or just a nap to rest your tired eyes!).

Sleep Masks vs. Eye Pillows

What is a sleep mask or eye mask?

A sleep mask, also called an "eye mask" is meant to be worn overnight -- or for the duration of rest -- with the purpose of blocking unwanted light to foster deeper sleep. Sleeping masks can be particularly helpful during travel to sleep in transit or to adjust circadian rhythm and establish a stable sleep cycle while adapting to new time zones. Much like blackout curtains, sleeping masks should offer an environment of total darkness to allow for restful sleep. Eye masks have straps or ties to keep them secure throughout the night so that you stay in complete darkness. A well-designed sleep mask will be adequately sized for full coverage and fitted without being uncomfortable with an elastic or adjustable strap.

Along with improving sleep quality, a silk sleep mask improves beauty sleep and minimizes fine lines by keeping the delicate skin around the eyes well-moisturized.

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A sleep mask, also called an eye mask blocks unwanted light to foster deeper sleep

 

The Mulberry Park Silks sleep mask is made from 100 percent pure mulberry silk in a lustrous 22 momme weight charmeuse weave (the same fabric as our signature sheets). This silk mask is generously sized with a contoured shape to block light for deep sleep. The comfortable silk over elastic strap holds the mask securely in place without ripping or tugging at hair. It is easily washable and comes in eight colors to coordinate with our sheets. Read more about the benefits of our sleep mask here.

What is an eye pillow?

An eye pillow is a rectangular pillow, typically filled with flax seed or another grain for weight; herbs or flowers; and perhaps essential oil. While the pillow does block light (as long as you are lying still on your back) its purpose is to provide aromatherapy, gentle pressure, and frequently hot or cold relief. An eye pillow is ideal for resting tired eyes, minimizing eye strain, reducing stress, or relaxing after a yoga or massage. Some people also use an eye pillow to help relieve headaches.

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An eye pillow purpose is to provide aromatherapy, gentle pressure, and hot or cold relief

 

The Mulberry Park Silks aromatherapy eye pillow redefines luxury and relaxation with the soothing comfort of pure mulberry silk and the calming scent of organic lavender. We crafted this eye pillow to exacting specifications, including an extra-long length to deliver relief to critical pressure points on your temples. The washable exterior pillowcase is a removable cover made from pure 6A mulberry silk fabric (the highest quality) in 22 momme weight (the same silk used in our luxury sheets and pillowcases). It can be used as a stress-relieving eye pillow; to block light while resting or meditating; or to provide hot or cold pain relief to eyes, face, head, neck, and other body parts (the pouch insert can be cooled in the freezer or heated in the microwave). Available in six beautiful colors.

Why You Should Choose a Pure Silk Eye Mask or Eye Pillow

Of all the fabrics on Earth, nothing else comes close to the soft, luxurious feel of pure silk charmeuse. But more than just looking and feeling beautiful, pure mulberry silk is has gentle, soothing properties that make it the perfect fabric to put next to your eyes and face:

  • Hypoallergenic and non-irritating
  • Soothes tired eyes and minimizes wrinkles
  • Breathable silk fiber
  • Helps prevent dry eyes and puffy eyes
  • Helps delicate skin around eyes retain natural moisture
  • Our silk is also OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified to be free from harmful chemicals.

A sleep mask or aromatherapy eye pillow made of silk is a far better choice than any other fabric, including satin, which is petroleum based polyester, and cotton, which can dry out sensitive skin.

Which is Right for You: An Eye Pillow or Eye Mask?

These silk sleep accessories are both wonderful and, as we said above, serve different purposes

  1. If you're looking to block light to get into a deeper, better sleep, the silk sleep mask is your best bet.
  2. If you're looking for aromatherapy, stress relief, and hot/cold therapy with gentle pressure, choose the lavender eye pillow.
  3. That said, we recommend getting BOTH a sleep mask and an eye pillow for their health benefits!

The difference between a sleep mask and an eye pillow

 

Mulberry Park Silks
Eye / Sleeping Mask

Mulberry Park Silks
Aromatherapy Eye Pillow

Fabric

22 Momme (900 Thread Count) Pure Mulberry Silk, Grade 6A

Piping edge

Silk-covered elastic head strap

2 Momme (900 Thread Count) Pure Mulberry Silk, Grade 6A

Size

7.75 x 3.5 inches (3 inches at nose bridge), contoured sleep mask for full coverage

4” x 11” (extra-long length to deliver relief to pressure points on temples)

Fill

PP cotton


Insert made with 100% GOTS certified unbleached cotton and filled with dried organic lavender and food-grade flax seed to offer just the right amount of weight and gentle pressure

Colors

8 color options:
White, Ivory, Sand, Silver, Gunmetal, Rose Quartz, Steel Blue, Black

6 color options:
Ivory, Sand, Silver, Gunmetal, Rose Quartz, Steel Blue

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified

Yes

Yes

Care

Hand wash in gentle silk detergent

Exterior silk case is removable; hand wash in gentle silk detergent; do NOT wash pillow insert

Price

$40

$35

Best for

The best sleep mask for blocking unwanted light for
deep sleep day / night
Car / train / plane travel
Regulating REM sleep cycles
Reducing dry eye, dark circles and puffiness
blackout curtain alternative

Aromatherapy
Gentle pressure
Stress relief
Hot or cold relief to multiple body parts
Yoga/meditation

Mulberry Park: Accessible and Affordable Luxury Silk

We founded Mulberry Park with one simple mission: to design the highest quality silk items in the market and offer them at an affordable price. And we've done just that, with a full range of silk products made from 100% pure mulberry long strand silk fabric. The silk fabric used for our silk sheets and silk pillowcases has also been OEKO-TEX® Certified (Standard 100) to be free of chemicals.

Visit us online or call us at (800) 860-1924 to learn more about our silk sheets, silk pillowcases, duvet covers and shams, and real silk accessories including sleep masks, travel pillows, and silk hair scrunchies.