Physiological Differences in Sebum Composition in Regularly Menstruating Healthy Women

Sex hormones regulating the menstrual cycle influence sebaceous gland cell lipogenesis and the feeling of skin oiliness or dryness on the face. The aim of this study was to elucidate sebaceous lipogenesis in females during the menstrual cycle and define their facial sebum composition. Sebum was sampled from cheeks and foreheads in 38 Chinese women, 19 with sebometry ≤ 70 μg/cm² (low sebometry group, LS), and 19 with sebometry ≥ 150 μg/cm² (high sebometry group, HS), in the ovulation phase (OP) and in the early luteal phase (ELP). In addition, the follicular phase (FP) and the late luteal phase (LLP) were examined within the HS group. Sebum lipid classes were quantified by GCMS and LCMS. The HS skin type was characterized by presenting more sebum lipids on the cheeks and the forehead than the LS skin type, respectively. In the HS subgroup, multivariate analysis of forehead sebum data was applied to the amounts assessed at FP, OP, ELP, and LLP. Our data detected a fluctuation of facial sebogenesis during the menstrual cycle.