Sebum is a fatty substance secreted from the sebaceous glands.
Most of these glands open into hair follicles.
Constituent
% by weight
Glycerides* and free fatty acids
57.5
Wax esters
26.0
Squalene**
12.0
Cholesteryl estersÝ
3.0
Cholesterol
1.5
* Include triglycerides—the most common form of fat comprised of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule; as well as mono- and diglycerides with one and two fatty acids linked to the glycerol, respectively.
** An oily biochemical that helps synthesize cholesterol and steroids.
Ý Cholesterol oxygen-linked (esterfied) to a fatty acid.
