If you have acne, there is a good chance that you have done a great deal of research. During your research, you may have come across the word sebum. This is because too much of this oily substance can cause acne breakouts. But what does this word really refer to?

Sebum is the oily substance that is produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is the substance that keeps the hair and skin properly moisturized. All in all, the body has a love-hate relationship with this substance. Too much of it will lead to oily skin and even cause acne. If the sebum is too little, you will end up with dry, cracked skin. The right amount of the substance will offer great skin protection.  

Needless to say, the sebaceous glands are found everywhere on your skin. The number of glands varies on different parts of the body. For example, the soles of your feet and palms don’t have these glands. The hands and feet don’t have as many glands. The forehead, chin and back have somewhere between 2,600 and 5,800 sebaceous glands per every 400 to 900 square centimeters. The ear canal also has the glands. It is also good to note that these glands can be affected directly by such hormones as adrenaline and testosterone. They work closely with both the pores and hair follicles of your body.

The reason as to why most people seek information on sebum is to learn how to control the excess sebum. If you are one of those people, there are a couple of things you can consider doing. However, it is good to note that the results are temporary. Below are some of the safe things you can do to reduce the production of the oily substance.

Wash your face

Washing your face will help get rid of the excess oil and will also reduce the risk of an acne breakout. You should make use of face cleansers at least 3 times a day. Always pat dry. However, you must understand that doing this will only temporarily improve the surface of your skin. Washing does not stop the production of sebum but only removes the sebum already on the skin.

Use toners

There are so many beauty products you can use and one of them is the toners. Cleansing the skin with a toner will help open the clogged pores and will subsequently help the skin to breathe. In the end, you will notice a reduction in the production of sebum.

Turmeric

Using turmeric will help reduce the amount of sebum that is secreted by the glands. You just add a couple of drops of lemon juice and water to make the scrub. The paste should be applied on the affected areas and left for 15 minutes before cleaning using lukewarm water.

Vitamin A

This is a vitamin needed for immune function, vision, good eyesight and healthy skin. Foods rich in this vitamin include sweet potatoes, liver, milk products, red pumpkin, dark leafy vegetables, dried apricots, tomatoes, eggs and carrots among others.

Hope the information on this post has helped you learn more about sebum. There is so much more information available, hence the need to keep learning.