‘What Kind of Products Should I Be Using for My Sebaceous Filaments?’ Our Skincare Agony Aunt Explains
Main image – Ohlamourstudio/Stocksy
Dr Sonia Khorana is a GP with a special interest in dermatology and Live That Glow’s own skincare agony aunt. She is passionate about helping people feel confident in their own skin. Here, she advises the best ingredients and ways to minimise the appearance of sebaceous filaments.
My sebaceous filaments are really large and I want to get rid of them. Are there any skincare products that can help?
Dr Sonia says:
Sebaceous filaments are completely natural and very common. They are often confused with blackheads, but sebaceous filaments are not the same thing- they are small, cylindrical, naturally occurring structures that line your pores and help carry sebum (oil) to the surface of your skin.
They are commonly found on the nose. While you can’t eliminate sebaceous filaments (since they’re part of the skin’s natural function), you can minimise their appearance and manage excess oil production to keep them less noticeable.
Ingredients like BHAs (salicylic acid), retinoids, and niacinamide can help:
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (£6.10 from Boots UK / $6.70 from Ulta US).
- Naturium BHA exfoliant (£19 from Space NK UK / $19 from Naturirum US).
- Medik8 Press and Clear (£35 from Look Fantastic UK / $38 from Medik8 US).
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (£9 from Look Fantastic UK / $6 from Ulta US).
I’d also recommend using oil free moisturisers.
Tips for sebaceous filaments:
- Don’t squeeze or pick at sebaceous filaments: This can irritate your skin and even lead to more clogged pores, inflammation, or scarring.
- Be consistent but gentle: Over-exfoliating or overusing strong actives like retinoids can cause irritation, so aim for consistency in your skincare routine rather than aggression.
- Use sunscreen daily: Some of these treatments, like AHAs and retinoids, can increase sun sensitivity, so protecting your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen is key.
- By incorporating some of these products into your skincare routine, you can help manage the appearance of sebaceous filaments.
Get Glowing!
