What are the differences between silk, lyocell, ice silk, and artificial silk?

Release time: 2026-07-14

What is the difference between silk, tencel, ice silk, and rayon?

Among summer clothing and home textiles, four types of fabrics—silk, lyocell, ice silk, and artificial silk—are highly favored for their smooth and cooling sensations.

silk

Silk is the only natural animal protein fabric, made from silk cocoons as raw materials, mostly mulberry silk, and belongs to high-end natural fabrics. It has a soft pearl luster, a soft and delicate touch, excellent skin friendliness, breathability and moisture absorption, constant temperature and skin friendliness, and fits the skin warmly without being cold. The disadvantages are high price, easy wrinkling, lack of sun exposure, easy shrinkage after washing, and require gentle care. It is commonly used for high-end pajamas, dresses, and scarves, and is a lightweight luxury fabric that combines texture and comfort.

Tencel/Lyocell

Tencel, also known as Lyocell, is an environmentally friendly regenerated cellulose fiber made from natural wood pulp. The fabric has a simple and elegant luster, with a smooth and flowing feel. It balances the breathability of cotton and the softness of silk. Its biggest advantage is strong wrinkle resistance, resistance to deformation, stable washing, and almost no shrinkage or fading. It has a slightly cool and warm touch, suitable for all seasons, and balances comfort and durability. It is commonly used to make bedding, shirts, and dresses, and is a high-end fabric with high cost-effectiveness.

Ice silk

Ice silk belongs to modified viscose fibers, mostly blended with recycled fibers, and is a functional fabric that emphasizes cooling sensation. The surface fiber structure is special, with a cool and refreshing touch, excellent drape, lightweight and breathable, quick drying after sweating without sticking to the body, and affordable price. But its texture is light and airy, with poor wear resistance. After long-term washing, the coolness will decrease, and it is also prone to slight wrinkling. It is mostly used for summer quick drying clothes, cooling mats, and sunscreen clothing.

rayon

Rayon, also known as artificial silk, is a traditional viscose regenerated fiber processed from plant cellulose. The fabric has a bright color, soft and smooth hand feel, good drape, better breathability than ordinary cotton fabric, and is inexpensive. The disadvantage is that the strength deteriorates after wetting, it is prone to shrinkage and wrinkling, and the stability is insufficient. The texture is similar to real silk but lacks warmth and luster. It is often used as an affordable substitute for real silk and is used for basic summer clothing and lining fabrics.
Choose silk for high-end texture, choose Tencel for balance and durability, choose ice silk for ultimate coolness, and choose silk for high cost-effectiveness.

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