Bearaby's Antimicrobial Sheets Are a Total Game-Changer

We ask a lot of our bodies in a single day: commute to work, sprint to meetings, squeeze in a workout, drive or ride public transit, and, at least for me, hoof it down those gloriously grimy NYC sidewalks. Even if you shower before bed every night (gold star), you’re still bringing an invisible entourage with you under the covers. We don’t think about it because sleep is non-negotiable, but dead skin, sweat, and yes, a little saliva end up on our sheets and pillowcases. You can’t see it—but it’s there.

I’m not hear to induce fear, I’m just saying all this as a reminder that clean sheets do matter. I didn’t know that the average bed sheet can collect up to 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat in one week until I spoke with Dr. Kathrin Hamm, founder and CEO of Bearaby. This is an alarming statistic and another reason why the fabric you choose too sleep on actually counts.

Enter Bearaby’s Second Skin Sheet Set: antimicrobial sheets made from 100 percent bamboo and smart botanicals. As someone who’s battled acne and allergies throughout my life, I was immediately interested, and frankly, hopeful, that they might help. I’ve been sleeping on these sheets for a month now and I couldn’t be happier—and I have actual scientific proof that they’re cleaner than my old sheets.

They're Seriously So Soft and Silky

I have a full-size set in Cloud White, which is the sartorial equivalent of a crisp Oxford shirt—it goes with literally any comforter and bedroom decor. But they also come in five other earth tone colorways, if you want to go for something a little more interesting. The hand feel is luxe and satiny without being slippery, with that just-right drape that feels durable yet featherlight. Most importantly, they’re cool and breathable enough that I’m not waking up in a sweat, which, bonus, helps keep the sheets cleaner between washes.

Material-wise, Bearaby spins these from bamboo and blends in smart botanicals including scent-free peppermint, mint, and marine proteins that have naturally cleansing properties and help regulate body temperature. Bamboo fibers also let air circulate all night, so you stay at that Goldilocks “not too hot, not too cold” zone. The brand claims the sheets are twice as soft as silk and four times cooler than cotton, and based on how they feel at 2 a.m., I totally buy it.

After a month of use (and a couple trips through the wash), they’ve stayed buttery-soft—maybe even softer than they were at the start—though you might spot a wrinkle here and there. But I’ll take a couple of creases in exchange for that airy, stay-cool comfort any night of the week.

They Actually Kill Bacteria

The magic isn’t just in the feel—it’s in the fabric. Bearaby’s bamboo base is blended with smart botanicals that act as natural germ-fighters, helping kill bacteria and limiting dust mites, pet dander, and other irritants that can set off allergies, asthma, or that lovely morning congestion. I don’t have a pet, but I do have a small NYC bedroom that gathers dust like it’s a hobby, and the antibacterial properties have been great for my skin, too.

But how do you know it’s working if you can’t actually see bacteria? I ran a simple test: I swabbed my old sheets after sleeping on them for three nights, then swabbed the Bearaby sheets after three nights, and cultured both. See the image below: my old sheets’ petri dish bloomed with black, white, and yellow splotches; the Bearaby dish showed just a few small, clear marks. There’s your visual proof.

The cleaner sleep surface also means you don’t need to wash as often. If you’re slammed—or just allergic to laundry day—it’s perfectly reasonable to stretch beyond a week or two because these stay fresher naturally. Fewer washes, fewer breakouts, less stuffy-nose drama. That’s a routine I can get behind.