Which of the following statements about sebum is accurate?

• A. It dries the coat.
• B. It repels water completely.
• C. It provides a natural sheen and helps maintain skin and hair health.
• D. It is produced only after exercise.

Answer: (C)

Sebum is the oily secretion produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands that coats the hair and skin. This oil gives the coat a natural sheen and helps keep both hair and skin moisturized, flexible, and healthy. It acts as a light conditioning layer and barrier, supporting coat appearance and skin condition over time. It doesn’t dry the coat; instead, it conditions it. It also doesn’t completely repel water—water resistance comes from the oily layer, but the coat can still get wet with enough exposure. And it’s not produced only after exercise—the glands are active continuously, with production influenced by hormones and other factors. So the statement that sebum provides a natural sheen and helps maintain skin and hair health best captures its role.