Silk

Silk is a natural protein fibre produced mainly by silkworms (Bombyx mori). Its core structural protein, fibroin, is rich in glycine, alanine and serine and forms stacked β-sheet crystals that give silk strength, elasticity and sheen. A sticky protein called sericin coats fibroin and is usually removed (degumming) during processing to yield soft, lustrous fabric used in textiles and biomedical applications.

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced mainly by silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori). Composed chiefly of fibroin coated with sericin, it’s prized for its lustrous sheen, softness, strength, breathability and thermal regulation. Silk is used in garments, home textiles and surgical sutures. It requires gentle laundering, can be weakened by sunlight and chlorine, and often undergoes degumming to remove sericin.

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced mainly by silkworms (Bombyx mori) when spinning cocoons. Composed of fibroin with a sericin coating, it’s valued for smoothness, natural luster, strength, light weight, breathability, and excellent drape. Silk is used in clothing, bedding and medical sutures; it requires delicate care and can be sensitive to heat, sunlight and harsh detergents.

Silk is used for luxury textiles (clothing, ties, scarves, bedding, upholstery), medical products (surgical sutures, wound dressings, tissue scaffolds), and personal care (hair and skin products using silk proteins). It also appears in biotech and engineering applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, flexible bioelectronics, and specialty industrial items that need strong, lightweight fibers.

Silk can be healthier for skin and hair because its smooth, low-friction surface reduces irritation, helps retain moisture, and often suits sensitive or allergy-prone skin; it also insulates while feeling cool. Cotton is more breathable, absorbs sweat better, and is easier to wash—making it preferable in hot or humid conditions. Choose silk for skin/hair benefits, cotton for breathability, moisture management, and ease.

Silk is produced by several animals. The best-known is the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), whose cocoons yield commercial silk. Spiders also spin silk for webs, egg sacs and draglines, though spider silk isn’t harvested industrially. Other silk-producing animals include certain insect larvae (webspinners, lacewings), some bees, ants and mites—each makes protein fibers for cocoons, nests or webs.