When we think about healthy skin, the first image that often comes to mind is smooth, poreless, airbrushed perfection. But the truth is, real skin has texture. It wrinkles, frecks, sags, and reacts. And one of its most misunderstood features is something known as sebaceous filaments. You might have seen them on your nose or cheeks and mistaken them for blackheads. But these tiny dots are a natural and necessary part of your skin—and no, they don’t need to be removed.
So, what are sebaceous filaments?
Sebaceous filaments are small, tube-like structures in your pores. Their job is to channel sebum—your skin’s natural oil—from the sebaceous glands to the skin’s surface. This keeps your skin hydrated and protected. Unlike blackheads, which are clogged pores filled with dead skin and bacteria, sebaceous filaments are just oil and keratin. They usually appear gray or light tan and are most noticeable on the nose, chin, and forehead.
Everyone has them. Genetics, age, and even skin care habits affect how visible they are. People with larger pores or oilier skin may see them more clearly. During puberty or with aging, sebaceous glands can become more active or more prominent. Over-washing or having dry skin can also make them appear worse, as your body may overproduce oil to compensate.
Should you remove them?
You’ve probably seen viral videos where people extract sebaceous filaments and find it satisfying. But skincare professionals strongly advise against doing this. These structures are part of your skin’s natural process. Squeezing or extracting them might temporarily remove the sebum, but the pore will fill up again in just a few weeks. Worse, excessive pressure or pinching can lead to broken skin, scarring, inflammation, and long-term damage.
Instead of removing them, focus on maintaining healthy skin. Using products with ingredients like salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, sulfur, or clay can help reduce oil buildup and minimize the appearance of pores. Just don’t expect them to vanish completely—they’re meant to be there.
What about trends like “skin gritting”?
You might’ve heard of skin gritting, a multi-step process that includes oil cleansing, exfoliating acids, and clay masks, followed by intense face massage to “pull out” blackheads and filaments. While this might give the illusion of cleaner pores, dermatologists say that most of the “grit” people see is probably leftover product, not actual skin buildup. Plus, overdoing it can irritate your skin, enlarge your pores, and make things worse over time.
How to care for your skin the right way
The goal isn’t to eliminate sebaceous filaments—it’s to keep your skin healthy and balanced. Wash your face gently with a mild cleanser, avoid over-exfoliating, and choose non-comedogenic products. Stay away from heavy oils like coconut or ingredients like petroleum and shea butter if you’re prone to clogged pores. And always patch-test new skincare products before adding them to your routine
Perfect skin doesn’t exist, but healthy skin does—and that includes a little texture. So next time you notice those tiny dots across your nose, remember: they’re not a flaw. They’re part of how your skin protects and takes care of itself. Let them be.