What Is Sebum and
Can You Reduce Excess Production?
What Is
Sebum?
It also shields against bacteria, fungi and environmental pollutants, helping to prevent infections and skin damage. On top of that, it contributes to your skin's texture and shine, helping to give you a healthy-looking appearance.
What Are
Sebaceous Glands?
Sebum is essential for skin health thanks to the moisture and protection it provides. However, when sebaceous glands produce more sebum than you need, it can lead to various skin concerns such as:
- Oily skin: An overabundance of sebum can result in a shiny or greasy appearance on the skin's surface.
- Breakouts: Excess sebum can combine with dead skin cells and clog pores, creating an environment where acne-causing bacteria thrive. This often leads to the formation of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
- Enlarged pores: Pores may become visibly enlarged due to the accumulation of sebum and debris, which stretches the skin around the pores.
4 Common Causes of Excess Sebum Production
- Hormonal changes:
Fluctuations in hormones, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, can increase or decrease sebum production depending on the situation.
- Diet:
Certain foods, particularly those high in carbohydrates, saturated fats and dairy products, could promote sebum production or alter its composition.
- Stress:
Psychological stress can trigger hormonal responses and therefore have an effect on sebum production.
- Genetic factors:
Family history and genetics play a role in determining how active sebaceous glands are and how likely they are to produce excess sebum.
7 Areas Commonly Affected by
Excess Sebum
- Forehead:
The forehead is a common area for blemishes to appear because it has a high number of sebaceous glands. The forehead is part of the T-zone, which tends to be oilier than other parts of your face.
- Nose (T-zone):
Your nose is another key part of the T-zone, where sebaceous glands are more active. The combination of excess sebum production and exposure to environmental pollutants can easily lead to clogged pores here.
- Chin:
The chin, also part of the T-zone, is prone to clogged pores. Hormonal changes often impact this area, increasing sebum production and the likelihood of blockages.
- Upper Back:
The upper back has a high density of sebaceous glands, making it a common area for clogged pores and acne breakouts. This condition is often called "back acne".
- Shoulders:
Like the upper back, your shoulders have lots of sebaceous glands that are likely to release excess sebum and encourage imperfections, particularly if you sweat heavily or wear tight clothing.
- Chest:
Your chest area can also experience clogged pores, especially if you're prone to body acne.
- Scalp:
Although less visible, your scalp has many sebaceous glands that can become clogged, leading to conditions like scalp acne.
SEBUM
Sebum:
A natural, oily substance produced by sebaceous glands that keeps your skin moisturised and protected.
Excess sebum:
Can lead to oily skin, acne and enlarged pores, often caused by hormonal changes, diet, stress and genetics.
Clogged pores: Result from excess oil from sebaceous glands, dead skin cells and impurities, causing common skin issues such as pimples and blackheads.
Management: Regular skin cleansing, plus moisturisers adapted to oily skin, can help keep sebum levels under control and help stop pores from becoming clogged.
Can Sebaceous
Glands Get Clogged?
5 Ways to
Identify Clogged Pores
The main consequence of clogged pores is the development of blemishes. When pores are blocked, it creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, which can lead to blemish breakouts.
Clogged pores can result in the formation of blackheads and whiteheads, which are types of acne lesions.
Pores that look larger or more noticeable than usual, often accompanied by a shiny or greasy appearance on the skin's surface.
4 Tips in Case of Excess Sebum Production
- Stay hydrated:Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your skin hydrated.
- Manage stress:Try stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation or regular exercise. Stress can cause hormonal changes that may increase sebum production.
- Get enough sleep:Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep a night. Getting enough sleep helps regulate hormones that can affect oil production.
- Avoid touching your face:Try to minimise touching your face to reduce the transfer of oils and bacteria from your hands, which can contaminate pores and encourage imperfections.
Skincare Routine to Help
Eliminate Sebum Excess
Start by washing your face with a cleanser specifically made for blemished skin containing Salicylic Acid, such as the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel. This removes make-up and dirt clogging your pores, helping to prevent blemishes from coming back. Gently massage it into a damp face, being careful around the delicate eye area, and rinse off.
Use a gentle scrub like the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Non-Blemish Face Scrub, with Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide, which help free up the pores and refine skin texture. It's suitable for use once to twice a week on blemish-prone skin.
Use a toner to help balance your skin's pH levels and remove any remaining traces of dirt or make-up.
You might like to try facial serums containing Niacinamide to address blemishes. Niacinamide can help regulate oil production, which can minimise the appearance of clogged pores.
To hydrate your skin without adding extra oil, use a light moisturiser such as the NIVEA Refreshing Day Cream SPF30 with Waterlily Extract and Hyaluronic Acid to protect your skin from external stressors and offers UVA/UVB protection against premature skin ageing.
Step 6: Sun Protection
Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher, especially if you're using treatments that may increase sensitivity to the sun. The NIVEA UV Face Shine Control SPF 50 is an ideal option, as it helps absorb excess oil from the skin's surface while protecting against UVA/UVB-induced skin damage.
NIVEA Derma Skin Clear to Help Reduce Excess Sebum
The range contains Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid, which help unclog pores and exfoliate the skin to promote a smoother, more even complexion. Regular use of these products helps improve skin texture and clarity, making it an ideal solution if you're after a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.
Why It’s Still Important to Wear Sunscreen If You’re Experiencing Excess Sebum
Many people experiencing excess sebum worry that sunscreen will make their skin feel greasier, clog pores and lead to breakouts. However, skipping sunscreen can have serious consequences for your skin health, so you should always apply SPF before heading outside. Finding the right sunscreen for oily skin can be challenging, which is why NIVEA has developed a sunscreen specifically designed to address these concerns.
