A Comprehensive Review: The Bidirectional Role of Sebum in Skin Health

December 2025 in “ Bioengineering ”

Dan Li, Ziyan Zhou, Xiaobin Yang, Qirong Zhang, Jianrong Xu, Christos C. Zouboulis, Qi Xiang, Shu Zhang

sebum skin health acne vulgaris follicular occlusion C. acnes sebaceous gland PPARγ NF-κB hormones diet environment therapeutic targets dermatological interventions cosmetic interventions acne hormonal changes dietary factors environmental factors

TLDR Sebum is essential for skin health but can cause acne if unbalanced.

Sebum is crucial for skin health, serving as both a barrier and antimicrobial agent, but its dysregulation can lead to skin diseases like acne vulgaris through follicular occlusion and proliferation of <i>C. acnes</i>. Factors such as diet, hormones, and environment affect sebaceous gland activity, with molecular mechanisms involving PPARγ and NF-κB pathways. The review highlights emerging therapeutic targets and advanced models for sebaceous gland research, offering a basis for developing targeted dermatological and cosmetic interventions.

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