Actress Jane Birkin’s mother may have been onto something when she told her daughter, “When you’ve got nothing left, all you can do is get into silk underwear and start reading Proust.”

Silk underwear — or silk anything, really — is a small luxury, but it has big benefits. The soft, strong substance not only makes great protection for a silkworm’s pupal stage but also has tremendous effects on women’s health. When spun into sheets, pyjamas, and scarves, silk may help ease menopausal hot flashes, prevent the effects of aging, and relieve certain skin conditions. Read on to find out more about why silk may be the other fabric of our lives.

A Cool Haven From Hot Flashes

Hot flashes, that sudden warmth in the face, neck, and chest, are among the most common — and uncomfortable — symptoms of menopause. They’re caused by fluctuating hormones and by a lower threshold for heat that occurs as women age. Sleeping in light, breathable silk pyjamas or on cool silk sheets to help turn down the heat.

A Youthful, Glowing Complexion

The tightly-woven, smooth fibers of silk help keep moisture close to the skin. When you wake up after sleeping on a silk pillowcase, your face will be better hydrated than if you slept on cotton. This is a great beauty tip for those with dry, flaky skin. As a bonus hydrated, plump skin cells show fewer fine lines (wrinkles!) and more luminosity than dehydrated skin cells.

Relief for Skin Irritation

The European Dermasilk differs from regular silk in that it's free of sericin, a protein produced by the silkworm. Sericin and other protein or bacteria can aggravate eczema and other skin conditions, so antimicrobial agents help skin stay clear and free of irritation.

Additionally, because it is composed of long, smooth, natural fibers tightly woven together, silk helps decrease skin's loss of moisture and is better tolerated than other fabrics by people with sensitive skin. Stay away from synthetic fibers, wools, and even some cottons that may contain small, stiff, woven fibers that can cause irritation.

A Break From Allergies

People are very rarely allergic to silk. This is because silk is free of any potentially irritating added chemicals and contains natural substances that ward off various environmental allergens (and resulting skin conditions), including dust mites, mold, and fungus.

Healthy, Shiny Hair

“Silky smooth” isn’t just an expression. Beauty experts claim that the luxurious fabric can help keep your hair soft, moisturized, and free of pesky tangles. Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase will cause hair to bunch, knot, and get staticky. On a soft silk pillowcase, however, hair will slide, which is much less damaging. Silk may also help preserve your style while you sleep.

Decades ago, women slept on satin pillowcases or wrapped their heads in toilet paper to preserve their teased and tortured hairstyles. The modern-day equivalent is to sleep on — or in — silk.