Sebum is an oily mixture of lipids made by sebaceous glands in the skin. It is produced to ensure that the skin and hair follicle don’t dry out. In case of acne, there is an overproduction of sebum, which can plug hair follicles. This leads to the classical symptoms of acne.
Sources:
- NHS UK. Acne: Causes. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes/ (accessed 8. August 2020)
- Mayo Clinic. How Acne develops. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/multimedia/how-acne-develops/img-20007668 (accessed 8. August 2020)
- Pappas A. et al. Sebum analysis of individuals with and without acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 May-Jun; 1(3): 157–161. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835908/
