Sebaceous filaments allow sebum (oil) to travel from tiny glands beneath the skin to the surface. They’re a natural part of our skin. When our body produces lots of sebum, these filaments can become more visible. It may be tempting to squeeze them, but they’re better left alone. 

What are sebaceous filaments?

Sebaceous filaments are thin, hair-like structures that occur naturally in the skin.¹ They’re made up of a collection of sebum, a natural oil produced by the body, and dead skin cells, around a hair follicle. Sebaceous filaments are completely normal and help the movement of sebum from the sebaceous glands where it’s produced, to the surface of the skin to keep it moisturised.  

Sebaceous filaments are commonly found on the face, especially around the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). These areas tend to have more sebaceous glands, so they are more prone to sebaceous filaments. Sebaceous glands are found all over the body, besides the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, but are largest and most concentrated on the face.² 

What do sebaceous filaments do?

Sebaceous filaments are not blemishes or imperfections. Rather, they help sebum move from the sebaceous glands to our skin’s surface. Sebum is partly made up of lipids that seal in moisture and protect the skin from UV rays. Sebum transports antioxidants to the surface of the skin, which helps to protect the skin. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.² 

Sebaceous filaments vs blackheads 

Sebaceous filaments are often mistaken for blackheads or whiteheads. They often appear in the same areas around the face, and both commonly appear on the nose, forehead and chin. Unlike blackheads, sebaceous filaments are sandy-coloured or light grey, whereas blackheads tend to be black. Sebaceous filaments also feel smooth to the touch, while blackheads may feel rough or be slightly raised. People with oily skin or large pores may have sebaceous filaments that are more visible. 

Blackheads are made up of sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria. When the sebum in the pore is exposed to oxygen, it will oxidise and darken in colour, forming what we know as a blackhead. Blackheads are a type of acne and form small bumps called a comedo. Sebaceous filaments are normal and are not a form of acne. Blackheads have a dark plug at the pore that prevents oil from travelling to the surface of the skin. Sebaceous filaments do not have a plug preventing oil from travelling to the surface of the skin. 

Causes 

Sebaceous filaments are normal. People with larger pores or oily skin are more likely to have more visible sebaceous filaments. Oily skin is a result of a large amount of sebum being produced from the sebaceous glands. This sebum fills the follicles and leaks onto the skin, making it look shiny. Oily skin is often accompanied by large pores, comedones (small bumps) and sebaceous filaments.³ 

Thicker hair may also have more visible sebaceous filaments as a result of larger hair follicles. Dry skin, using harsh skin care products or spending too much time in the sun can all result in an overproduction of sebum, which can also make sebaceous filaments more visible.

Many factors influence our body’s production of sebum, including:

• Age - Sebum production generally declines with age⁴
• Hormones - Androgens, which are male sex hormones like testosterone, may impact sebum secretion.⁵ Sebum production can also be influenced by the menstrual cycle, with increased output during the ovulatory phase of the cycle⁶
• Large pores - people with larger pores have been shown to have increased sebum production³ 

Can sebaceous filaments be removed?

While the appearance of sebaceous filaments can be reduced, you can never completely get rid of them. They are a natural part of our skin. Though squeezing or attempting to extract them may be tempting, they should be left alone. Picking at sebaceous filaments can cause redness or scarring. 

Our skin’s protective process of producing sebum can make sebaceous filaments appear more prominent. Having a good skincare routine can minimise the appearance of sebaceous filaments.

Importance of a good skincare routine 

A good skincare routine can protect and maintain healthy skin. It can help with oil control and protection from skin damage. It’s important to avoid using harsh products that dry out or irritate the skin, as this can cause inflammation and breakouts. They can also cause our skin to overproduce sebum and damage the skin barrier.

Moisturising

Our skin is a protective organ. It acts as a barrier to the outside world and keeps allergens outside of our body, and seals in moisture. When our skin loses moisture and becomes dry, it becomes a weaker barrier, which can cause our skin to become inflamed and itchy. Dry skin can also lead to the overproduction of sebum, which can make sebaceous filaments look more noticeable. Moisturiser should be applied daily. 

Sun protection

Prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can cause wrinkles, dark spots, and skin damage.⁷ Sunscreen acts as a barrier to the ultraviolet rays from the sun and protects our skin from damage. It should be applied daily. 

Retinoids

Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. The most common derivative is retinol. Retinoids help to increase skin cell turnover, which means they help new skin cells regenerate faster. This can help to prevent clogged pores, which can minimise the appearance of sebaceous filaments and prevent acne.⁸ Retinoids are typically used at night and should be used around once a week, or every other night, depending on skin sensitivity and retinoid strength, at the beginning to prevent skin irritation. Many people can experience dryness while using retinoids, so starting with a low-strength retinoid and moisturising daily is critical to helping the skin adjust. Retinoids make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so using sun protection is important when incorporating them into a skincare routine. 

Cleansing

Cleansing the skin can help remove any excess oils and dirt that aren’t removed with water. People with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from cleansing. Using a hydrating cleanser can help with cleansing the face without drying it out and stripping the skin of its natural oils.

Summary 

Sebaceous filaments are not skin blemishes that we need to get rid of. Rather, they’re a natural part of our skin and play an important role in keeping it healthy and moisturised. They’re often confused for blackheads because they appear in the same areas, but sebaceous filaments are usually lighter in colour, feel smooth to the touch and unlike blackheads, are not a type of acne. We can’t ever completely get rid of them, but having a simple, effective skincare routine can reduce their appearance and help our overall skin health.