What is sebum used for?

Sebum is an essential element for maintaining the skin’s hydration and protecting it from dryness. Made up of lipids, it contributes to the skin’s barrier function and protects it from external aggressions, particularly oxidation caused by UV rays.

In autumn and winter, sebum becomes thicker and forms a protective barrier against moisture and cold. In spring and summer, heat makes it more fluid, allowing it to mix more easily with sweat: this is how it helps retain water within skin cells. Sebum is therefore essential to the skin’s ecosystem, provided it is produced in the right quality and quantity.

What causes excess sebum?

However, some skin types may produce excessive amounts of sebum, a condition known as seborrhoea or hyperseborrhoea. The result: skin that appears shiny on the T-zone or across the entire face, clogged pores, and the appearance of blackheads and blemishes.

During adolescence, hyperseborrhoea is often linked to hormonal changes. During puberty, sebaceous glands become disrupted and produce larger amounts of sebum. The main areas affected are the T-zone, chest, upper back and scalp.

However, excess sebum does not only affect teenage skin: many adults also experience this skin concern. In most cases, it is caused by daily external stressors such as pollution, smoking, stress, fatigue, a diet rich in saturated fats and refined sugars, or an unsuitable skincare routine. Overexposure to the sun can also trigger hyperseborrhoea.

How to combat excess sebum?

Limiting it on a daily basis

If your skin is prone to hyperseborrhoea and blemishes, the first step is to avoid touching it as much as possible throughout the day. The more you touch your skin, the more you risk aggravating the situation by stimulating the sebaceous glands.

You should also protect your skin from sun exposure: while the sun may dry out blemishes during the first few days and give the impression of an improvement, sebum production will actually accelerate beneath the surface. This is one of the reasons why, after returning from holiday, the skin may develop more blackheads and small blemishes.

Finally, choose a diet rich in vitamin E and zinc, two essential nutrients that help protect the lipids contained in sebum and prevent oxidation.

Reducing it sustainably

When your skin produces excess sebum, it is essential to adapt your beauty routine. Choose non-comedogenic, gentle and regulating organic skincare products that respect your skin’s pH.

Removing makeup and cleansing without irritating the skin

Remove your makeup every day with a cleansing oil. Contrary to popular belief, cleansing oil is an essential step for caring for skin prone to hyperseborrhoea. It will not make your skin oilier; on the contrary, when chosen correctly, it helps restore a healthy skin balance.

The Melting Cleansing Oil is formulated with a trio of cold-pressed organic botanical oils (organic sunflower oil, organic jojoba oil and apricot kernel oil), ideal for removing makeup without irritating the skin, while helping to soothe inflammation and reduce excess sebum.

Next, remove hydrophilic molecules (such as sweat, dust and other impurities) and oxygenate your skin with a cleanser that respects its natural barrier. Indeed, we often tend to believe that skin prone to hyperseborrhoea should be treated with ultra-purifying products. However, this can create a vicious cycle: the more your skin is exposed to irritating products, the more sebum it may produce as a defence mechanism.

By choosing a cleanser with a non-occlusive formula and adopting gentle application techniques, you can help regulate your skin’s sebum production without drying it out or making it more sensitive. The Detox Cleansing Foam features a sulfate-free formula that is exceptionally gentle thanks to the Aloe Vera it contains. It also combines organic Moringa, a powerful detoxifying active ingredient that helps remove impurities while preserving the skin’s moisture.

Hydrate without clogging pores

All skin types, including oily skin and skin prone to excess sebum production, need hydration. Every morning and evening, apply a mattifying, non-comedogenic moisturiser to clean skin. If your skin tends to become shiny in the middle of the day (sebum production is said to peak between noon and 2 p.m.), this does not mean that you should dry it out at all costs — you could end up dehydrating it. Instead, it simply means that your skin needs to be hydrated in a different way.

The Mattifying Anti-Blemish Fluid is the treatment that provides your skin with the hydration it needs while helping to regulate hyperseborrhoea, thanks to its organic Burdock Root active ingredient. If your skin lacks radiance or its hydrolipidic film needs to be restored, pair this treatment with the Hydra Boosting Blue Serum, an ultra-gentle gel-cream serum that revitalises and soothes the skin.

Long-lasting balance

The Purifying Perfecting Toner is the ideal treatment to help regulate the skin while reducing persistent blemishes. This alcohol-free lotion with astringent properties gently exfoliates and accelerates skin renewal. Thanks to its action, excess sebum gradually decreases, revealing a more matte and healthier-looking complexion.

Finally, once or twice a week, remember to purify your skin to help eliminate impurities. Choose the Unclogging Charcoal Mask to detoxify your skin and remove pollution microparticles that can contribute to excess sebum production. Rich in activated charcoal, green clay and zinc, it purifies the skin while helping to maintain its natural balance.

— For a skincare routine tailored to oily skin, discover the PATYKA Anti-Blemish Routine.