Most ‘silk’ scrunchies sold online are polyester in a satin weave — a petroleum-derived fabric that grabs at hair strands and leaves a crease line at the root. This is the same 22 momme mulberry silk used in the Eso World Sleep Mask, made by the same supplier, cut and gathered into a scrunchie shell with an elastic core.. Mulberry silk, plant-based dyes, Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Every material on the page.. Made from Mulberry Silk, Elastic core. Free from Polyester labelled ‘satin’, Synthetic and azo dyes, Formaldehyde-based finishing, Metal clasps and plastic beads. Pick up any ‘silk’ scrunchie sold online and check the label. The vast majority are polyester in a satin weave — satin is a weave, not a material, and the substitution is easy to miss because the sheen looks similar at a glance. $18.00 — ships internationally from the UK.
Silk Scrunchies
Most ‘silk’ scrunchies sold online are polyester in a satin weave — a petroleum-derived fabric that grabs at hair strands and leaves a crease line at the root. This is the same 22 momme mulberry silk used in the Eso World Sleep Mask, made by the same supplier, cut and gathered into a scrunchie shell with an elastic core.
Colour
Quantity
$18.00
Silk Scrunchies
|$18.00Silk Scrunchies
$18.00
Best for:
- — Anyone who ties their hair up daily and wants less mechanical stress at the tie point
- — Overnight low bun or ponytail without a crease line in the morning
- — Fine or damage-prone hair that snags on cotton or polyester-elastic ties
100% mulberry silk (shell)
Elastic core, no metal or plastic hardware
Plant-based, GOTS-compatible
Every material, listed.
The Silk Scrunchies is made from Mulberry Silk and Elastic core.
Mulberry Silk
Shell
The same 22 momme mulberry silk as the Eso World Sleep Mask — sourced from the same supplier. Mulberry silk is a natural protein fibre produced by Bombyx mori silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves. It has the lowest friction coefficient of any common textile (Kaplan & Okur, 2008), meaning less mechanical grab against hair than cotton, terrycloth, or polyester-elastic scrunchies — the fabrics responsible for the crease and snag most people blame on ‘hair ties’ generally.
Elastic core
Fastening
Gathers the silk into the scrunchie shape and gives it the stretch to hold hair without a metal clasp or plastic bead.
Pick up any ‘silk’ scrunchie sold online and check the label. The vast majority are polyester in a satin weave — satin is a weave, not a material, and the substitution is easy to miss because the sheen looks similar at a glance. Polyester has a higher coefficient of friction than silk (Kaplan & Okur, 2008), which is exactly what causes the crease line at the base of a ponytail and the snag when you pull the tie out. This scrunchie is cut from the same 22 momme mulberry silk as the Eso World Sleep Mask, from the same supplier — the same material against your hair that’s already against your face all night.
What we don't use.
The Silk Scrunchies is free from Polyester labelled ‘satin’, Synthetic and azo dyes, Formaldehyde-based finishing and Metal clasps and plastic beads. Each exclusion is explained below with the reason.
Polyester labelled ‘satin’
‘Satin’ is a weave, not a material — most scrunchies marketed as silk or satin are polyester. This one is 100% mulberry silk, the same material and supplier as the Eso World Sleep Mask.
Synthetic and azo dyes
Plant-based dyes only. Azo dyes can release carcinogenic aromatic amines under skin contact and perspiration — restricted in the EU but common in imported hair accessories.
Formaldehyde-based finishing
Low-grade imported silk is often treated with formaldehyde-resin finishes for a crisper handle. GOTS-compatible processing only, with no such finish.
Metal clasps and plastic beads
Common on cheaper scrunchies and prone to snagging or breaking hair strands. This scrunchie uses an elastic core fully encased in the silk shell — no exposed hardware.
Eso World vs. typical products.
| Eso World | Typical | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 100% mulberry silk shell | Polyester satin, synthetic silk |
| Hair friction | Lower friction (Kaplan & Okur, 2008) | Higher friction — snags and creases hair |
| Dyes | Plant-based, GOTS-compatible | Synthetic dyes |
| Fastening | Elastic core, fully encased | Exposed metal clasp or plastic bead common |
Comparison summary: Material: Eso World uses 100% mulberry silk shell, typical alternatives use Polyester satin, synthetic silk. Hair friction: Eso World uses Lower friction (Kaplan & Okur, 2008), typical alternatives use Higher friction — snags and creases hair. Dyes: Eso World uses Plant-based, GOTS-compatible, typical alternatives use Synthetic dyes. Fastening: Eso World uses Elastic core, fully encased, typical alternatives use Exposed metal clasp or plastic bead common.
Getting started.
Wrap and gather
Twist twice around a ponytail or bun the way you would any scrunchie — the silk shell is more slippery than cotton, so a snug wrap holds better than a loose one.
Hand wash weekly
Cool water, mild detergent, press dry between towels. Don’t wring silk — it weakens the fibres.
The first 2+ weeks.
Getting used to it
Silk grips hair differently to cotton or polyester — a snug double wrap holds as well as a looser wrap would on a grippier fabric. Most people adjust within the first few uses.
Less breakage at the tie point
Lower friction against the hair shaft where the tie sits means less mechanical stress on repeat daily use, compared with higher-friction synthetic ties.
5 questions answered.
Yes — and it’s the single biggest thing to check before buying. Satin is a weave, not a material. Most scrunchies sold as ‘silk satin’ or ‘satin’ are polyester in a satin weave. Real mulberry silk is a natural protein fibre with the lowest friction coefficient of any common textile (Kaplan & Okur, 2008) — this one is 100% mulberry silk, the same material as the Eso World Sleep Mask.
The mechanism is friction. Cotton and polyester-elastic scrunchies have a higher coefficient of friction against hair, which is what causes the crease line and the snag when you pull one out. Silk’s lower friction coefficient (Kaplan & Okur, 2008) means less mechanical stress on the hair shaft where the tie sits.
Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Don’t wring — press gently between towels. Air dry flat. Machine washing degrades silk protein fibres.
Yes. Same 22 momme mulberry silk, same supplier, same plant-based dyes.
The elastic core is fully encased in the silk shell, the same construction principle as the Sleep Mask’s strap. Hand washing (rather than machine washing) is what keeps both the silk and the elastic core from degrading early.
The bottom line
The Silk Scrunchies is made from Mulberry Silk, Elastic core. Free from Polyester labelled ‘satin’, Synthetic and azo dyes, Formaldehyde-based finishing. Every material is published on this page with the research behind each choice.
Kaplan S, Okur A (2008)
Fibres and Textiles in Eastern Europe
Mulberry silk has a lower coefficient of friction than any common textile fibre including cotton, polyester, and nylon. The smooth protein surface reduces mechanical irritation and grab on contact — including against hair strands held under tension by a tie or scrunchie.
Napper IE, Thompson RC (2016)
Marine Pollution Bulletin
A single polyester garment sheds up to 700,000 microplastic fibres per wash. Natural fibres such as silk and cotton biodegrade; synthetic fibres do not. Polyester scrunchies and ‘satin’ hair accessories are cut from the same shedding synthetic fabric class.
Vepari C, Kaplan DL (2007)
Progress in Polymer Science
Silk fibroin is a natural protein biopolymer whose amino-acid-driven crystalline and amorphous structure underlies its combination of mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and moisture-handling behaviour — properties that differentiate natural silk from petroleum-derived synthetic fibres used in most ‘silk-look’ textiles.
Related reading
Microplastics: Where They Shed and What We Know
Polyester and other synthetic fibres shed microplastic particles under friction — including the fabrics most ‘silk’ scrunchies are actually made from.
Formaldehyde in Fabric Finishes
Wrinkle-resistant and crisp-handle treatments on imported textiles release formaldehyde with body heat and perspiration.
Fragrance: 3,000+ Substances on a One-Word Label
The same regulatory loophole that lets ‘fragrance’ stay undisclosed lets ‘satin’ stay unspecified — both default to the cheapest synthetic.
What Eso-Friendly Actually Means
It’s a filter, not a certification — published criteria so you can check our work on every product page.
Complete your routine
Hand wash only — machine washing degrades the silk. Sold as a single scrunchie per colour.