Before putting these pillowcases on our pillows, I had never used/felt anything made like "sateen", but I do really love these! They are really, really soft, almost like an extremely soft cotton, and they always feel great when I lay my head down at night. Initially, the pillowcases had a somewhat peculiar scent to them, but I didn't notice it anymore after washing them once. I've liked the pillowcases so much that I'm hoping to get an entire sheet set in the near future.