Re: Why does the skin produce oil ?

Hi Hart,

Skin is an amazing tissue which serves not only to protect the body against 
a multitude of hazards, but also to regulate the body temperature, and to 
function as an enormous sense organ. The outermost layer of skin contains a 
large amount of KERATIN, a tough waterproof material, which provides cells 
in the outer layer with a horny, abrasion-resistant, and protective 
quality. However, this layer needs to be kept lubricated, to prevent drying 
and cracking, and this is the purpose of the oil glands or sebaceous 
glands.
These grow where the hairs grow, and their tiny ducts open into the hair 
follicles, so that their secretion, or SEBUM, lubricates the hair and skin. 
Sebum secretion increases around puberty, due to the increased levels of 
the sex hormones, and often this increase in production causes accumulation 
within the duct of the gland, leading to pimple formation (acne).
In late adulthood, sebum secretion decreases, contributing to the increase 
in skin wrinkling and cracking.

Hope this helps,

C-P