What is the natural oil produced by the skin?

The natural oil produced by the skin is sebum. Sebum is an oily, waxy substance secreted by sebaceous glands, which usually open into hair follicles. It helps lubricate both the skin and hair and contributes to the skin’s protective barrier.

Sebum is a mixture of lipids, including triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and free fatty acids. Its production is strongly influenced by hormones: androgen activity rises during puberty, which is why oily skin and acne often become more noticeable during the teenage years. Sebum itself is generally odorless, but bacteria breaking it down can create body odor.

Sebaceous glands are especially numerous on the face and scalp, but they occur across most of the body. They are absent from the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. A common mix-up is confusing sebum with sweat: sweat is a watery secretion involved mainly in cooling, while sebum is lipid-rich and primarily lubricates and protects. Sebum can also combine with dead skin cells and keratin to clog pores, forming comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads.