What do the sebaceous glands secrete?

Sebaceous glands are specialized glands located in the skin that play an important role in maintaining the health and integrity of the skin and hair. Their primary function is to secrete a substance known as sebum, which is an oily, waxy substance. Sebum helps to lubricate the skin and hair, preventing dryness and providing a protective barrier that keeps the skin hydrated. It also has antimicrobial properties, which can help protect the skin from bacterial infections.

While sweat is secreted by sweat glands and water is a key component of sweat, those substances are not produced by sebaceous glands. Oil, while a general term that could refer to sebum, does not specifically describe the nature or composition of the secretion produced by sebaceous glands as accurately as the term sebum does. Therefore, the most precise answer to what the sebaceous glands secrete is sebum.