Our Experts

Skin Type Solutions

Bedding: The Newest Beauty Product

Apr 24 08:42am
The New York Times published a great story about the newest (and most unexpected) beauty products on the market: sheets, pillows and other bedding treated with ingredients that supposedly do everything from reduce wrinkles to increase energy levels. The concept is intriguing--it gives a whole new meaning to the term "beauty sleep!"--but some of these products definitely have more merit than others.

Aloe vera, found in pillows made by Mio Mio and Natura, is supposed to hydrate your skin while you snooze. Park Place sells entire mattresses infused with the healing plant, while Hollandia International offers sheets as well. 

It may sound a little wacky, but these companies might be onto something. Though I'm not sure how a mattress would offer any benefit as it wouldn't typically come in direct contact with the skin, sheets and pillow cases containing aloe are a great idea for those with sensitive skin who get red and flushed or suffer from frequent rashes. Aloe vera is a strong anti-inflammatory ingredient and, because it helps lighten dark patches, it may also be a good option for those with uneven skin pigment.

I'm not so sure about products treated with copper, another ingredient that's been popping up in bedding. Skin Glow says the copper ions embedded in its pillows, pillow cases and comforters won't come out in the wash and will improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within four weeks. However, the studies I have seen on copper improving wrinkles all use copper-peptide, rather than copper alone.  I have not seen any data that supports the idea that copper alone improves wrinkles.

Copper-peptide has been proven to increase collagen synthesis.  If you'd like to get the wrinkle-fighting benefits of copper, you'd be better off using a product like Neutrogena Visibly Firm Face Lotion with Active Copper SPF 20.

Wishing you great skin-and sweet dreams!

4 Comments Report Abuse
1. jepowell@ymail.com - Apr 24 05:26pm
How would aloe-infused sheets/pillow cases work long-term? Surely when you wash them the effects would be gone.
2. araxi_mangou - Apr 28 12:26am
This Skin Guru , is this a new Religion or something?
I must be very ...ignorant indeed!
Don't you have anything else to sell?

Well, this article reminded me of a visit to Israel a few years ago
Do you know what was on sale in a tourist shop?
A can ( similar to a cokacola can) which said ...

Now, I wondered when this can was supposed to be opened and used!
I leave it to your imagination.
3. dearmisha - Apr 28 10:26am
Josh, the article she links to at the beginning says the products use nanotechnology to embed the aloe and stuff in the sheets. I don't understand how that keeps it from washing off over time, either! But it is a cool idea.
4. archanadby - Apr 28 02:59pm
good blog
Leave your comments You must sign in to leave a comment
Yahoo!7 Answers

Health Questions with Yahoo!7 Answers