Everyone’s skin needs to produce a certain amount of sebum, which is the protective oil produced by the sebaceous glands beneath the skin. The role of sebum is both to moisten and protect the skin from environmental elements and also to help make the skin more waterproof since oil repels water. You have more oil glands on your face than you do anywhere else on your body. This is why acne, caused by excessive sebum production, is most common on the face.
Another area where sebaceous glands are more concentrated is the scalp. While excessive sebum production on the facial area is problematic, the only real issue it may cause on the scalp is an annoying need to wash the hair more often since it can make hair appear oily or flat. Your skin and scalp need a certain amount of this fatty, protective oil in order to stay supple and hydrated. However, when our sebaceous glands go into overdrive due to lifestyle, diet, hormonal swings and other controlling factors, it can cause unpleasant skin conditions as well as a “greasy” appearance.
The good news is there are several ways you can help reduce oil production that are completely natural and effective. Not only can you help reduce the surface appearance of this excessive oil, but you can also help moderate the production of the oils internally by modifying certain dietary or lifestyle habits.
Promote hormonal balance internally
Excessive sebum production is most often caused by an internal hormone imbalance. Androgens, which are male hormones found in both men and (to a lesser extent) women, are a common culprit behind the hyperactive oil production. This is why we often see an increase in acne during the adolescent years. These are typically years of huge hormonal changes and swings in both boys and girls, and the oil glands experience extreme increases in activity during this time.
The oil is extremely sticky and can collect debris which then clogs the pores, causing acne and other complexion problems like blackheads and inflamed or enlarged pores. Once of the best ways to control the hormones is through dietary choices. Reducing processed food intake, sugar and especially caffeine and other stimulants can reduce sebum production dramatically in many cases.
The mineral zinc may help reduce hyperactive sebum production as well. Zinc is most abundant in shellfish such as lobster, oysters and crab. It can also be found in most beef cuts. Non-meat alternatives are typically not as rich in the mineral. These include cashews, spinach and other dark leafy greens and wheat germ.
There is some conjecture that nightshade plants may promote oil production, but not scientifically backed proof as of yet. Nightshade plants include tomatoes, eggplant, and mushrooms among others.
Whole, minimally processed foods are the best way to ensure both hormonal balance and normalized sebum production. Raw vegetables and fruits, whole seeds and nuts, whole and unrefined grains and naturally low sugar foods all help to promote hormone balance. They promote mental health as well, which further facilitates hormonal balance by calming the nerves and promoting healthy blood sugar levels.
Essential oils for sebum control
There are several essential oils that are excellent for clearing excessive surface sebum without disrupting the natural moisture balance and delicate acid mantle that protects the skin from bacterial invasion. Many “commercial” products and ingredients for oily skin disrupt this mantle and cause over-drying of the skin which simply promotes redness and causes reactive sebaceous glands which in turn produce even more oil in an effort to protect the skin.
Essential oils of lemongrass and lemon are both excellent at cleaning surface sebum. They also help to tone (close) the pores, which promotes a smoother appearance. These oils are also natural antibacterial agents which can help reduce the possibility of blemishes since they help destroy acne-causing bacteria. Other citrus oils can also be effective at breaking down sebum. These include pink grapefruit oil, orange oil and other citrus fruit oils.
Jojoba oil is a natural oil that can help to neutralize sebum while also helping to moisturize the skin. Apricot kernel oil is also an excellent oil for acne prone or oily skin since it has a lighter molecular weight and will not clog or mask the pores.
Sleep : Quantity and Quality
Getting the proper amount and quality of sleep is also important for healthy sebum production. Lack of sleep promotes irritability, instability of blood sugar levels, increased cortisol levels and a tendency to eat inflammatory foods. These are all elements that promote hyperactive sebaceous glands. They also promote inflammation, which is a recipe for common skin complaints such as acne.
Danna Norek founded AuraSensory.com, which offers a natural, sulfate free acne soap with essential oils of lemongrass, lemon, lavender and tea tree oil as well as other sulfate free soaps, facial skin care and hair care products formulated with NO parabens, chemical preservatives and fragrances and other common toxic chemicals found in body and hair care today.
Sources for this article include:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_gland
