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

That means a course of action that targets everything from blackheads to excess sebum production to sebaceous filaments, the thin threads that tend to pop up on your nose, to even redness, which can cause skin to swell, enhancing the appearance of pores. —Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

With the addition of niacinamide and tea tree leaf water, the formula also helps soothe irritation and fight oil-slick sebum production. —Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 8 May 2026

Frequent washing can strip hair of its natural oils, triggering even more sebum production or causing hair thinning. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2026

Sebaceous glands, which means no sebum and no Vitamin E or other protective antioxidants that are found in sebum. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

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