What is sebum? Function, production, benefits, and more – Medical News Today

Sebum is an oily substance produced in the sebaceous glands. It mixes with fat molecules, called lipids, to form a protective coating on the skins surface.

These lipids help hydrate the skin and protect it from potentially harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi.

In this article, we explore how sebum is produced and what to do if the skin has too much or too little.

Sebum is a sticky, oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands, which sit in the middle layers of the skin, near hair follicles.

Sebum helps moisturize and protect the skin.

It contains several types of fat molecule, or lipids. Human sebum consists of 57.5% triglycerides and fatty acids, 26% wax esters, and 12% squalene, a lipid.

The face, scalp, and chest have the highest concentrations of sebaceous glands each area of skin may have up to 900 of these glands per square centimeter.

The sebaceous glands produce sebum through holocrine secretion, a process of programmed cell death. Specialized cells, called sebocytes, dissolve and release sebum into the sebaceous glands.

Sebum travels through the follicular duct that connects the sebaceous gland to the hair follicle. The growing hair pulls the sebum up and onto the surface of the skin.

Sebum production fluctuates in response to changing hormone levels. Sex hormones traditionally thought of as male, especially testosterone, play a large role in regulating sebaceous gland activity.

Sebum production peaks shortly after birth and decreases within the first week of life. During puberty, testosterone floods the body, triggering another spike in sebum production. Testosterone and sebum levels naturally decline with age.

Sebum contributes 90% of the lipids fat molecules on the skins surface. These lipids lock in moisture and protect the skin from UV radiation and other causes of harm.

Sebum also transports fat-soluble antioxidants, such as vitamin E, to the skins surface. This action may help prevent oxidative skin damage.

Meanwhile, sapienic acid and other fatty acids found in sebum help combat Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can cause staph infections and contribute to atopic dermatitis.

Many components of sebum, including its fatty acids and squalene, have anti-inflammatory properties.

Components of sebum support skin health in several ways beyond combatting inflammation:

Sebum production varies in response to age-related hormone fluctuations, certain medications, and lifestyle factors.

An overproduction of sebum can lead to oily skin. People with oily skin may notice that their pores look larger, and their skin appears greasy or shiny.

Excess sebum combined with dead skin cells can form a plug inside the pore, resulting in blackheads and pimples. This plug also traps bacteria in the pore, which can lead to inflammation.

Eventually, the blocked pore ruptures, spilling bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells into nearby tissue and creating acne lesions that may be painful.

People can often control oily skin by using a gentle but effective skincare routine that includes products containing:

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommend that people with oily skin avoid oil- or alcohol-based cleansers. These products can irritate the skin, potentially triggering even more oil production.

Doctors can treat acne with:

An underproduction of sebum can also cause problems. The following factors can suppress sebum production:

People with underactive sebaceous glands, or too little sebum, may have dry, flaky, and itchy skin. These symptoms may worsen if a person uses skincare products containing harsh chemicals.

Moisturizers containing ceramides or humectants can help relieve dry skin. Ingredients to look for include:

People can also treat dry skin at home by:

A person might wish to consult a doctor if they have oily or dry skin that does not improve with over-the-counter treatments or home care strategies.

Also, contact a doctor if potentially concerning or uncomfortable skin symptoms arise, such as:

The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which contributes the vast majority of lipids fat molecules to the skins surface. These surface lipids keep the skin hydrated and healthy.

Having too much or too little sebum can cause skin problems. Excess sebum production can lead to oily skin or acne, while an underproduction of sebum can result in dry, itchy, or flaky skin.

In either case, over-the-counter skin care products and home care strategies can help rebalance sebum levels. If these techniques are ineffective, a person might wish to contact a doctor.

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What is sebum? Function, production, benefits, and more - Medical News Today