Beanies lined with satin and silk keep my curls from drying out in winter — here’s why they’re better for curly and high-porosity hair, plus a few of my favorites

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• Cotton or wool hats and beanies can dry out your hair by absorbing the moisture in your strands.
• Satin- and silk-lined hats (sometimes called ‘slaps’) absorb less moisture, so they’re best for anyone with curly, coily, kinky, chemically treated, or high-porosity hair.
• I talked with a certified trichologist to learn about the difference between satin and silk and answer some FAQs about how they help keep hair healthy. I also recommend a few of my favorite hats from Kink & Coil, Grace Eleyae, Layd, and Swurly.
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Let’s talk a little bit about hats and hair health.

Typical hat materials like cotton are really good at absorbing water, which includes the moisture in your hair. “When you have a cotton pad and it comes into contact with water, even mist, it’s almost instant. It will not stop absorbing moisture until it’s full and can’t absorb any more,” certified trichologist Afope Atoyebi (IAT) told Insider. This is especially problematic for curly, kinky, coily, and high-porosity hair, which can lose moisture easily, leading to frizz or breakage.

But not all fabrics cause this issue.

There are a lot of hats out there that use silk or satin linings (sometimes called slaps, slap hats, or slap caps), which are better for your hair, no matter your hair type or porosity. We spoke with Atoyebi to understand why silk and satin materials are better for hair and who benefits the most from using them. I also rounded up several of my personal favorites from small, black-owned businesses like Kink & Coil, Grace Eleyae, Layd, and Swurly.

Satin vs. silk — which one is best?

It’s easy to use satin and silk interchangeably because they share a similar, smooth texture. But, they have some major differences in pricing, how they’re made, and how much moisture they can absorb.

“Cotton garments or things that are made of cotton or the fabric itself can typically carry up to about 27 times its weight in water,” Atoyebi said. Silk, on the other hand, can only carry about 10% of its weight. Satin is even less absorbent than silk and has more slip, so it tends to cause less frizz.

Silk is a natural material that’s typically made from silkworms, making it non-vegan. Satin fabric, however, is synthetic and typically made of nylon, rayon, and polyester. “Satin” describes the particular weaving method that makes this fabric smooth and glossy on one side and dull on the other. Silk tends to be pricey while satin tends to be more affordable.

Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, which gives it an edge for anyone who has acne, sensitive skin, or allergies. Satin does not offer the same benefits. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to scalp or hat-line acne on the forehead, silk will serve you better.

There is no easy winner between satin and silk. Ultimately, what’s best for you is based on what you value most between price, being hypoallergenic, and your moisture needs.

Who benefits from using satin- and silk-lined hats?

Everyone benefits from keeping moisture in their hair! Still, not everyone benefits to the same degree because everyone’s hair needs different levels of moisture.

Satin and silk are most beneficial to hair that’s curly, kinky, bleached, relaxed, chemically treated, or high porosity, Atoyebi explained.

Porosity describes how many pores your hair has, or openings to let moisture in and out. This determines whether you lose moisture easily or have a hard time taking in moisture in the first place.

Atoyebi explains porosity with this analogy: “If you put a pebble in water, it’s not going to swell because it’s hard. There aren’t holes in it, and it’s not absorbent. And on the flip side, if you put a sponge in water it will likely swell. And when you remove the sponge from water, it will likely start releasing that water,” she said. “When you have a material that is highly porous, all these openings make it easy for it to absorb water. But, it also means that those openings are there for the water to be released equally as easily.”

This makes it extra important for people with high porosity hair to keep as much moisture in as possible, satin and silk being the perfect aid. And it’s not just hair that benefits from satin or silk — pillowcases made from these materials are great for your skin, too.

The best silk- and satin-lined hats

Below are a few satin- and silk-lined hats across several price points that will provide healthy conditions for your hair. I’ve personally tested most of them and stand by their quality. Plus, each style is by a Black-owned, small business.

Kink & Coil’s Satin-Lined Beanie with a Removable Pompom

Kink & Coil’s satin-lined beanies are comfortable, protective, and versatile. Kink & Coil makes their beanies super stretchy so that nobody has to worry about not being able to fit their hair into the hat. Plus, with a removable pompom, these hats are easier to wash and can be styled in multiple ways.

Grace Eleyae’s Dark Gray Warm Slap

Grace Eleyae cleverly calls their beanies slaps: merging “satin-lined” and “cap.” This slap’s wool exterior will keep you warm without causing frizz or damage to your hair. Maybe the best of all, there’s an elastic band you can tie for a custom and secure fit.

Layd’s Silk-Lined, Wool Beret

Layd’s silk-lined beret is a pop of style featuring a premium stretch silk charmeuse lining. Its wool shell is also sure to keep you warm. Layd has a wide selection of silk-lined hats from beanies to berets and boat hats. The lining is removable in all of them, meaning taking care of Layd hats is a breeze.

Swurly’s Silk-Lined Beanie with a Removable Pompom

Swurly’s silk-lined beanies have a signature look because of their “fashionable slouch,” rather than the classic tight fit that beanies often have. Like Kink & Coil, their removable pompom makes this hat easy to wash. Bonus: this beanie is made to fit both adults and children.

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