New Jersey State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

Having oily skin indicates an individual has which of the following?

1. Underactive sebaceous glands

2. Normal sebaceous activity

3. Overactive sebaceous glands

4. Dehydrated skin

The correct answer is: Overactive sebaceous glands

Oily skin is typically the result of overactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum, which is an oily substance that helps to keep the skin moisturized. When these glands function excessively, they produce more sebum than necessary, leading to a shiny appearance and often resulting in issues such as acne or enlarged pores. This is why the correct answer is related to overactivity of the sebaceous glands. In contrast, underactive sebaceous glands would lead to dry or flaky skin, as there wouldn’t be enough oil to keep the skin properly hydrated. Normal sebaceous activity would imply balanced oil production, which would not manifest as oily skin. Dehydrated skin refers to a lack of water content within the skin, which can occur independently of oiliness; thus it does not specifically indicate oily skin either. Understanding the role of sebaceous glands is crucial in the context of skin types and conditions.