Evaluation of facial skin type by sebum secretion: discrepancies between subjective descriptions and sebum secretion.
OBJECTIVE
Facial skin is usually classified as dry, normal, and oily in the cosmetics field. However, there is no standard objective method for classifying facial skin.


METHODS
We measured sebum excretion with Sebumeter at four sites on the face. Based on the amount of sebum secretion, we reclassified skin type according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. The mean of sebum excretion (mean facial sebum excretion; MFSE) was also calculated.


RESULTS
People secrete varying amounts of sebum at different skin sites. Reclassification of skin type based on sebum secretion revealed that most participants underestimated the amount of facial sebum excretion. When sebum secretion amounts were compared, a statistically significant difference was apparent between the oily and dry skin types. However, there were no statistical differences between oily and normal, and normal and dry skin.


CONCLUSIONS
We showed that subjective skin type does not match the amount of sebum secreted. Thus, this simple and subjective classification is of very limited use and it should be re-evaluated by using an objective and standardized measuring tool.
Youn
Sang Woong
SW
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Kim
Soo Jung
SJ
Hwang
In A
IA
Park
Kyoung Chan
KC
D000328:Adult; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012649:Self Concept; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution