What are sebaceous glands and how to get rid of them?

If you see small dark spots on your nose, cheeks, or chin, you might think you're dealing with blackheads. 

But if you've scoured the internet for information about all things blackheads, you've probably also come across something called sebaceous filaments and wondered if that's what you're seeing - especially if you've tried blackheads Acne products don't work. 

Blackheads and sebaceous glands are easily confused because they often appear in the same areas of the face. They may also look similar but are actually different. 

Read on to learn what sebaceous glands are, how to differentiate between sebaceous glands and blackheads, and how to get rid of them. But first, let's figure out how pores work and where they are located. 

What are sebaceous filaments? Sebaceous filaments are naturally occurring hair-like structures with a special purpose: They guide the flow of oil along the lining of the pore where they reside. 

These filaments are a natural part of the skin's follicular structure (pore structure) and everyone has them. However, you're more likely to notice them if your skin is oily or your pores are large and prone to clogging. 

When the lining of a pore becomes filled with sebum (oil), sebaceous strands become visible. Sebaceous strands may or may not turn into blackheads - the determining factor is whether the sebum lining the pore is exposed to oxygen (thereby oxidizing, darkening, and turning into blackheads). 

Sebaceous glands and blackheads: Take a close look at the tip of your nose. Do you see tiny pin-like dots on the surface of your pores? If the spots are very dark, they are most likely blackheads. 

If they have a clear tint or a gray or yellow tint, they may be sebaceous filaments. 

Another difference? Blackheads look like plugs when pulled out, whereas sebaceous strands look more like free-flowing pillars of waxy sebum (similar to a tiny hair) when pulled out. 

If you know you have blackheads, check out our step-by-step guide to getting rid of blackheads. How to remove sebaceous glands: Let’s be honest, you can never completely get rid of your sebaceous glands. 

You can remove them, but they will come back after a while, usually around 30 days or less for people with very oily skin. They're something that everyone has, but most people don't notice them anyway. 

The best sebum products: While sebaceous glands are a natural part of the skin, they can cause pores to become clogged and enlarged, and who wants that? 

Keeping your skin healthy is something we should all do, and there are products that can help combat sebaceous glands. 

Regular BHA (beta hydroxy acid) sebaceous exfoliation can really help because BHA is oil-soluble and can dissolve sebum and other substances that clog the lining of your pores. 

Using a well-formulated clay mask can also be helpful for your sebaceous glands due to the oil-absorbing properties of clay. 

Of course, having a good, gentle skincare routine tailored to your skin type is always a smart idea!