As we already established, skin type is determined by skin’s own oil production, which comes from the sebaceous glands in the form of sebum, a technical term to define a substance that is excreted to provide skin with its natural barrier.
What is Sebum?
Sebum, a natural emollient that protects skin, is a semi-liquid mixture that contains mainly triglycerides (around 57%), waxes and their monoesters, squalene and cholesterol and its esters. The sebaceous glands sit close to the hair follicles, which can be in either the main layer of the skin (dermis or epidermis) or even subcutaneous. The sebum they secrete finds its way to the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the skin) through the pores.
Fun fact: It is a common misconception that pores of the skin are used to breathe. They don’t. they are openings to get the sebum produced by the glands to the outside (along with sweat and hair follicles).
In human bodies, pores are everywhere except for hand palms and feet soles. Higher amounts concentrate on the face, scalp, back and upper chest area.
Our Body Parts at Certain Periods of Our Lives Are Defined
Sebum production is exacerbated, commonly during puberty (when the glands commonly enlarge). It can also happen due to hormone cycles, stress, lack of sleep, etc. When pores start having difficulties handling their delivery to the outside and they eventually clog, especially when skin is not properly cleansed, and dirt and other external elements accumulate on the surface of the skin. As a result, the area where this overproduction of sebum occurs is oily.
It is not as simple as classifying yourself by one skin type or another. Why? Because different areas can have different types at the same time. Depending on many internal or external factors, your skin can be one type or another. (Remember, you have pores over most parts of your body.)
Different Products for Different Parts of the Body
Instead of recommending one product for a skin type that allegedly defines you, I recommend several depending on where you apply them, even in different parts of your face, back or chest.
