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 right products can help clear out sebum and impurities, reducing the appearance of pores. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 3 Dec. 2024

Shampoo Without washing, sebum, the natural oil that protects the hair and follicles, can build up and attract dust and dirt. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024

AHAs and BHAs are marvelous, workhorse ingredients with a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to controlling sebum, fading hyperpigmentation, and helping smooth out textural issues. —Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024

Excess insulin can trigger the glands in your skin to produce more sebum, an oily substance that clogs pores and creates an environment conducive to acne development.7 4. —Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024

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