A Comprehensive Review: The Bidirectional Role of Sebum in Skin Health

December 2025 in “ Bioengineering ”

Dan Li, Ziyan Zhou, Xiaobin Yang, Qirong Zhang, Jianrong Xu, Christos C. Zouboulis, Qi Xiang, Shu Zhang

sebum skin health acne vulgaris follicular occlusion C. acnes sebaceous gland PPARγ NF-κB hormones diet environment therapeutic targets dermatological interventions cosmetic interventions acne hormonal changes dietary factors environmental factors

TLDR Sebum is essential for skin health but can cause acne if unbalanced.

Sebum plays a dual role in skin health by maintaining the skin barrier and providing antimicrobial defense, but its dysregulation can lead to disorders like acne and seborrheic dermatitis. This review highlights that excessive sebum can cause acne through follicular occlusion and bacterial proliferation, while altered sebum composition can impair the epidermal barrier. Factors such as diet, hormones, and environment significantly affect sebum production. The review discusses molecular mechanisms like PPARγ and NF-κB signaling and explores emerging therapeutic targets. Advances in research models have improved understanding of sebaceous gland biology, with current treatments focusing on regulating sebum production. Future research should target the sebum–microbiome–immune interface and develop personalized treatments to optimize skin health.

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