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Is Sebum Sweat?

Published in Skin Biology 1 min read

No, sebum is not sweat. Sebum is an oily, waxy substance produced by the body's sebaceous glands, which are located in the skin and open into hair follicles. Sweat, on the other hand, is a watery fluid secreted by sweat glands.

While both sebum and sweat are secreted by glands on the skin, they have different compositions, functions, and glands of origin. Sebum helps to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair, while sweat helps to cool the body and regulate temperature.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences between sebum and sweat:

Feature Sebum Sweat
Gland of origin Sebaceous glands Sweat glands
Composition Oily, waxy Watery, with salts
Function Lubrication, waterproofing Cooling, temperature regulation

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