
Sebum is layering itself all over your face.
While oil isn’t the worst thing in the world, it can be pretty disgusting when it’s literally pouring out of your face. Sebum, which is the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands, seems to be doing exactly that, rapidly being produced around the clock and leaving your face with a sticky sheen that looks like you’ve been slathered all over with butter. This film of oil coming out of their facial pores is pretty thin for most people, but others aren’t as lucky. Some people produce more oil than normal, turning what’s supposed to be a protective layer into a stubborn, greasy film you could probably fry an egg on it.
The amount of oil on your skin is a delicate balance that, when off, can tip you either in the direction of dry, flaky skin or create terrible acne breakouts caused by excess sebum. This balancing act is so volatile it has driven people crazy, often pushing them to obsess about buying face products and serums in an attempt to have perfect skin. Most of the time, you can achieve this balance through good facial hygiene, but it also helps if you have a healthy diet that is light on oily foods. But to truly have luck on your side, you only need a good set of genes. Otherwise, don’t count on turning off the oil factory on your face.