The main cause of an overproduction of sebum is hormonal imbalances, including as a result of puberty and pregnancy. “As well as hormones, heat, exercise and genetics play a part,” says Kate Kerr, acclaimed clinical facialist.
Androgens. Increased sebum production due to androgens' activity at the sebaceous follicle is a prerequisite for acne in all patients. High level of androgens, or hypersensitivity of the sebaceous glands to a normal level of androgens, causes an increase in sebum production.
Diets higher in protein and fiber and lower in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates work well for oily and acne-prone skin. To reduce sebum production, try a Paleolithic diet (rich in fruits, veggies, nuts, and lean meats) or a Mediterranean-style diet (rich in fruits, veggies, fish, olive oil, and legumes).
Vitamins A and D are fat-soluble vitamins that affect our sebaceous glands. Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins for healthy skin, and Vitamin D helps reduce oil production. We've already talked about zinc in skincare, but it can also reduce the quantity of your skin surface sebum upon consumption!
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that works alongside our sebaceous glands to regulate sebum production. Vitamin D helps our bodies protect against insulin resistance which can lead to oily skin as insulin stimulates the overproduction of sebum.
Isotretinoin. Also known as 13-cis retinoic acid, isotretinoin is an oral retinoid that has been proven to result in the greatest reduction of sebum among all other mentioned treatment options.
Drinking ample water balances the oil and water content on the skin of your face. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne.
Estrogen helps to stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production that helps the skin to stay plump and firm. Progesterone stimulates the production of sebum or the oil glands in the skin. It can cause the skin to swell, and compress the look of pores.
Enhanced sebaceous gland activity is attributed to the potent androgen 5α-DHT5 as sebaceous gland cells possess all necessary enzymes for conversion of testosterone to 5α-DHT.
Androgens. Androgens represent the most important of all hormones regulating sebum production. As of puberty, androgens stimulate sebum production and acne formation in both sexes.
Skin and Mammary Gland
The size of sebaceous glands is influenced by sex hormones. As with the sebaceous glands of the skin, testosterone enlarges the glands due to increased cell proliferation and volume, and estradiol reduces the volume by acceleration of cell breakdown (Ebling, 1957; Elledge, 1998).
In adult women with acne, chronic stress increases the secretion of adrenal androgens and results in sebaceous hyperplasia.
The stress hormone cortisol leads to an overproduction of sebum (oil) in your skin glands, which causes acne breakouts.
High cortisol levels prompt the skin's sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (oil). The additional oil clogs the pores leading to the development of inflammation and bacteria– resulting in acne. Skin Conditions: Beyond acne, stress can also magnify other skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that works alongside our sebaceous glands to regulate sebum production. Vitamin D helps our bodies protect against insulin resistance which can lead to oily skin as insulin stimulates the overproduction of sebum.
Too much cortisol can cause some of the hallmark signs of Cushing syndrome — a fatty hump between your shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on your skin. Cushing syndrome can also result in high blood pressure, bone loss and, on occasion, type 2 diabetes.
Understanding the natural stress response
Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.
Over-the-counter medications, creams, and face washes that contain retinol may help clear clogged sebaceous glands. Some people may find that regularly washing the skin with a cleanser containing salicylic acid can help dry-oily skin and prevent clogged glands.
Photodynamic Therapy is an alternative, minimally invasive, in-office procedure that targets the different factors contributing to acne lesion formation. It shrinks sebaceous glands that lead to clogged pore formation and kills the main pimple producing bacteria, Propionibacterium acne (P. acne).
Cortisol acts on the liver, muscle, adipose tissue, and pancreas. In the liver, high cortisol levels increase gluconeogenesis and decrease glycogen synthesis.
Common signs and symptoms of higher-than-normal cortisol levels include: Weight gain, especially in your face and abdomen. Fatty deposits between your shoulder blades. Wide, purple stretch marks on your abdomen (belly).