PoreWise Skin concern
Sebaceous filaments
Primary sourceSebaceous filaments: thin, greyish or yellow filaments that fill the openings of hair follicles rich in sebaceous glands, most visible on the nose and central face. They are a normal variant of sebaceous follicles. The strongest evidence comes from a 1998 human trial covering people with mild acne: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized cross-over study in people with mild acne, one month of topical linoleic acid reduced the overall size of follicular casts and microcomedones by almost 25% on digital image analysis of cyanoacrylate follicular biopsies. 1 ingredient has evidence for Sebaceous filaments: Linoleic Acid.
Sebaceous filaments are strands of sebum and keratinocytes inside the follicle opening; they are normal and grow back after being cleared. The single direct study measured the size of follicular plugs and microcomedones. For comedones or visible pores alongside them, the comedone and pore pages carry the studies and products. Filaments are normal and return.
Where the definition comes from
Source wording
“Sebaceous filaments are cylindrical tubes of whitish-yellowish color, which can be expressed from areas of the face rich in sebaceous follicles … a common morphological variant of sebaceous follicles.” — Plewig & Wolff, Arch Dermatol Res 1976 (PMID 130839).
Sebaceous filaments Archives of Dermatological Research (Plewig G, Wolff HH)
A Case Report of Sebaceous Filaments Cureus (Mineroff JP, Hyde JT, Hsu S)
Ingredients at a glance
1998 · People with mild acne · PMID 9692305
| Ingredient | Measured outcome | Based on | Certainty | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linoleic Acid | Skin effect | Human trial | Moderate | 1998 |
Studies and results
- Digital image analysis of the effect of topically applied linoleic acid on acne microcomedones
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized cross-over study in people with mild acne, one month of topical linoleic acid reduced the overall size of follicular casts and microcomedones by almost 25% on digital image analysis of cyanoacrylate follicular biopsies.
Human trial · 1998 · People with mild acne · Follicular casts and microcomedones on the face, measured by cyanoacrylate follicular biopsy. · Demographics, or the concentration used; the endpoint is the size of casts. This study measures follicular plugs.
Study limits
Study conditions and measured outcomes.
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Linoleic Acid Human trial · 1998
Demographics, or the concentration used; the endpoint is the size of casts. This study measures follicular plugs.
Products with a basis for this
3 products · Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA · Omega+ Complex Moisturizer · 1998 · People with mild acne · PMID 9692305
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The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- Linoleic Acid 1 finding
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Paula's Choice
Omega+ Complex Moisturizer
- Linoleic Acid 1 finding
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Cetaphil
Rich Hydrating Cream
- Linoleic Acid 1 finding
Common questions
- Which ingredients have been studied for Sebaceous filaments?
- Ingredients with evidence for Sebaceous filaments: Linoleic Acid.
- How many people were studied?
- 1 findings · 1998 · People with mild acne · PMID 9692305
- What can I use for Sebaceous filaments?
- Linoleic Acid · 1998 · People with mild acne · PMID 9692305