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Definition: Sebum

BellaSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:15:25 PDT

Sebum, which comes from the Latin word for "fat," is an odorless oil produced by the sebaceous glands. The substance contributes to oily hair and skin, while overproduction of sebum can cause acne. As sebum breaks down, the bacteria gives off an unpleasant smell, which can contribute to body odor.

Sebum isn't all bad, though: It's also what coats your hair to make it nice and shiny. In addition, sebum protects skin from infection and keeps it from dehydrating. Sebum production slows down with age, so post-menopausal women produce less sebum.

One common misconception is that powder and blotting papers can reduce sebum production. Though these products will remove oil on the surface of your skin, they will not decrease the amount of sebum your body makes.

Source

How to Wear Makeup While Working Out (If You Must)

Allure — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:42:16 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

Track and field star Jessica Ennis, currently in training for the London 2012 Olympics, recently admitted that she always competes in a full face of makeup. And Ennis's explanation of her race ritual to The Daily Mail certainly makes sense: "I definitely think if I feel I look good, it makes me feel more confident," she told the London paper.

Her story also made me wonder exactly what effect makeup could have on your complexion if you are really sweating up a storm. "Wearing makeup while working out can hinder some of the natural ways your skin adjusts to exertion, like sweating and dilating pores," says New York City dermatologist Erin Gilbert. "This can be a disaster as it often leads to clogged pores and breakouts." If you are like Ennis and feel the need to not go bare-faced, get her tips on how to protect your skin while you sweat:

No, You're Not Imagining Things. You Really Are Getting More Acne

Annie Tomlin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:04:28 PDT

Good news and bad news from this year's just-concluded American Academy of Dermatology conference. First, the bitter reality: if it seems like you break out more as an adult than you did as a teen, you're probably right. As dermatologist Dr. Bethanee Jean Schlosser revealed at the conference, adult-onset acne is on the rise among grown women. A 2011 clinical study found that 45 percent of women in their 20s had acne, and 26 percent of 30-somethings had acne. Compared with men in the same age groups, women were disproportionately living in Breakout City.

So why are grown women more prone to pimples? A variety of factors are to blame, but it's mostly our surge of hormones. Both men and women have androgens, hormones that can cause oil glands to produce too much sebum. In addition, fluctuating androgen levels can cause skin cells to become sticky, leading to clogged pores. Acne is less common as women age, but some women experience it into their 40s and 50s.

So what's the good news? Acne can be treated and managed. Start by using a cleanser with salicylic acid, and apply benzoyl peroxide to your skin at night. Moderate to severe acne requires more attention, and can definitely benefit from a dermatologist's expertise. (Antibiotics, topical treatments, or birth control pills may be the answer; read a doctor's top acne advice.) Battling acne isn't always easy, and it's definitely not quick, but it is possible - and with any luck, you'll have a clear complexion in the bag.

Source: Flickr User Peter Hellberg

5 Simple Ways to Look Even Better in 2012

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:05:47 PST

Making New Year's resolutions is one thing, but making changes that take little effort but have a huge beauty payoff? Now that's something to celebrate. Whether you're looking to banish bikini-line bumps for good, to have stronger nails, or to get that glowing complexion, these straight-from-the-experts tips will give you guidance. Read more to get started.

5 Foods For Skin, Nail, and Hair Health

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:23:26 PST

Skin, nails, and hair can be outward signals of your overall health and can indicate where you may be lacking in the nutrition department. Having a whole, well-balanced diet contributes to shiny, silky hair with minimal breakage and split ends. In addition, eating lots of antioxidant rich fruits and healthy fats can help clear skin and protect you from skin cancer. Lastly, loading up on nutrient-rich foods enables your body to grow strong, healthy nails without the dints, white spots, or hang nails. Here are the five foods you should eat regularly to start radiating health and natural beauty.

Salmon: Omega-3s contributes to a healthy scalp and keeps the skin lubricated. The protein helps fight against a protein deficiency, which can change your hair color, make your nails brittle, and your skin dull. Whip up some poached salmon with curried yogurt sauce to get your fix.
Cashews: High in zinc, eating cashews in trail mix or as a quick snack will keep your hair shiny, prevent white spots in your nails, and aid in healing acne or scabs on your skin. You could also opt to sprinkle them on top of your favorite veggie dish like this Indian spiced chard recipe.
Beans: Legumes and lentils have lots of biotin, a fatty acid complex that strengthens nails and hair.
Dark leafy greens: Kale, collard greens, and chard are just a few sources high in vitamin A and C, which your body needs in order to produce sebum, the oil that's secreted in your hair follicles. In addition, eating greens at every meal helps your body store more iron, which is essential for healthy hair and giving your skin a healthy glow. Here are seven ways to prepare kale - our fave green of the season.
Whole wheat: Start eating sprouted grain bread, buckwheat, and other variants of the West's favorite grain, because it contains selenium, a key mineral needed for healthy, cancer-free skin. Plus, studies have also shown eating whole wheat leads to clearer skin.

Sweat It Out For Healthy Hair

Zelana Montminy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:26:36 PST

You might think that sweating it out can be harmful to your hair, but you should start thinking of your workout as part of your beauty routine. Most of us know that eating a well-balanced diet helps make for a healthy mane. But it hadn't occurred to me that hair could also reap beauty benefits from working out until celebrity stylist, educator, and fitness buff Natasha Sunshine introduced me to the idea. She's built her career on holistic hair care after witnessing the benefits first hand. Natasha shared five ways that getting your sweat on helps add shine to your hair.

Turn Up Intensity
Natasha reminded me that intense cardio is a great way to rid the body of toxins. This has a direct impact on your sebum, an oily, conditioning substance secreted by skin glands that helps prevent hair from drying out. Natasha says that the release of toxins "directly contributes to purer, healthier and an even more conditioning sebum."

Get Drenched
In addition to intense cardio and other sweat promoting workouts, Natasha advises clients to take a steam or sauna once a week as a "fantastic tool in releasing excess contaminants in the body to maintain a healthy sebum."

Learn more ways your hair benefits from your gym time, after the break.

All of Your Most Common Acne Questions - Answered!

Jaime Richards — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:07:11 PDT

While 80 percent of teenagers will experience acne at some point or another, it's not uncommon for the condition to afflict women well into adulthood. "The good news is that we have really great treatments, and nobody has to suffer with it," says Dr. Linda Stein Gold, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

That's why I asked Dr. Stein Gold some of the more pressing acne questions: all the things you want to talk to your dermatologist while you're visiting his office, but either don't have the time to fit in or simply forget to inquire about. So to see Dr. Stein Gold's top acne advice, just keep reading.

I'm Trying the Oil Cleansing Method For a Month

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:15:05 PDT

It's time for another Bella experiment in the spirit of my The Natural series. This time, though, instead of making my entire beauty routine organic and edible, I'm taking things a little slower and testing out the popular Oil Cleansing Method.

The OCM uses a combination of household oils (most commonly olive and castor) to remove makeup, grime, and surface sebum without dehydrating your skin. I've heard raves about the technique but also a couple of horror stories, so I'm hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

Right now, my plan is to use two parts extra virgin olive oil to one part castor oil with a drop of tea tree oil mixed in for acne help. Have any of you already tried the OCM? If you have, I'd love any advice or words of warning you have. And if you want to know how it's going, just check back here later this week, when I'll be a couple days in and can talk about my initial results.

Why Cleansing Oil Is Awesome

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:00:08 PDT

I'm obsessed with cleansing oil these days, and with good reason. Anyone who's ever spent time in Japan won't be surprised by this; oil formulations have been popular there since 1967, when Shu Uemura introduced the first oil-based cleanser. But for those of us on this side of the Pacific, cleansing oil gets short shrift even though it's a brilliant idea. So why is washing your face with oil so great? To find out, just keep reading.

Stinky Strands: How to Get Rid of Smelly Summer Hair

Jaime Richards — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:05:31 PDT

Much as it stinks to say it, sometimes hair can smell not-so-fresh. "The more oily your hair, the more prone it is to picking up environmental pollutants, such as smoke, cooking odors, and other strong scents, that will make it smell," Glenn Lyons of the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic explained to the Daily Mail. And while the cause of smelly hair can be attributed to many factors - from actually having dirty hair to fungus infections to changes in hormone levels - there are a few ways you can get your hair smelling sweet this Summer. Find out various ways you can take the stench out of your strands when you read more.