There are two types of glands on the human body; sweat glands and sebaceous glands. Sweat is produced by the sweat glands and sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. Both of these are excretions of the body, but there are several points of difference between sweat and sebum. Both sweat and sebum are released by glands present on the skin surface. At , we have summarised the characteristics of both to help you differentiate between sweat and sebum.
Sweat
Sweat is a fluid or liquid-like substance that is excreted by the sweat glands on the body. The human body is covered with approximately three to four million sweat glands. Most of these are found in the armpit, forehead, cheeks, palms, soles of the feet and other body parts. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine sweat glands and apocrine sweat glands.
Sebum
Sebum is a solid or wax-like substance that is excreted by the sebaceous glands on the body. These glands are present in the dermis layer of the skin and are shaped like a sac. There are two types of sebaceous glands: ones that are connected to the hair follicle in the hairy area of the body and those that exist independently in hairless regions.
Let’s look at the difference between sebum and sweat in detail.
|
Criteria |
Sweat |
Sebum |
|
Secretion |
Sweat is secreted by sweat glands on the surface of the skin |
Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous or oil glands. |
|
Odour |
Sweat has an unpleasant odour |
Sebum is odourless |
|
Consistency |
Sweat is a liquid-like substance |
Sebum is a wax-like substance |
|
Nature |
Sweat is fluid in appearance |
Sebum is oily |
|
Composition |
Sweat is made up of salt and water. It also contains traces of lactic acid and a small number of amino acids and glucose |
Sebum is made up of lipids having triglycerides, free fatty acids, oils, wax, and cholesterol, and its esters. |
|
Function |
1. The main function is sweat is thermoregulation 2. Excretes the toxins from our body. 3. Sweat cools the body by evaporation |
1. The function of sebum is to create lubrication for the hair and the skin 2. It acts as a pheromone 3. Protects the body against microorganisms |
|
Discharge |
It is discharged from the surface of the skin |
It is discharged from the hair follicles |
|
Secretion stimulation |
Secretion is stimulated by a rise in body temperature due to heat, exercise, etc. Sweat is also produced by the body when it is experiencing strong emotions like fear or stress. |
Sebum secretion is a continuous process. |
|
Location |
Sweat glands are present in locations like armpits, palms, soles, forehead, etc |
Sebaceous glands are present all over the body except the palms and the soles. The most number of sebaceous glands are found on the face and the scalp. |