sebum

noun

se·​bum ˈsē-bəm 

: fatty lubricant matter secreted by sebaceous glands of the skin

Examples of sebum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The yeast feeds on oil produced on the scalp called sebum. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025

If environmental debris, product build-up, sebum, dead skin, etc. isn't properly cleansed from the scalp regularly, the buildup will cause the hair follicle to shrink, causing thinning or hair loss. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Gold Kitten has a peptide complex to plump my dry, tired-looking skin, while Space Kitten targets excess sebum and impurities with a one-two hit of charcoal and volcanic ash. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025

After identifying that sebum had anti-ice properties, researchers did a deeper analysis of the oil. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, tallow, grease

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sebum

noun

se·​bum ˈsēb-əm 

: lubricant matter that is secreted by sebaceous glands of the skin and is composed of various lipids (such as triglycerides, fatty acids, and squalene)

Androgens, such as testosterone, play a role in the development and exacerbation of acne by stimulating the production of sebum.

—Isabella Tan, Dermatology Times

… the resulting production of sebum from sebaceous glands aids in lubrication, heat insulation, … antimicrobial activity, and delivery of fat-soluble antioxidants to the skin surface.

—Dustin H. Marks, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

see sebocyte