Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a waxy substance found in the outer ear canal. It is produced by two types of glands in the ear canal: sebaceous glands and ceruminous glands. Sebaceous glands are attached to tiny hair follicles inside the ear and secrete an oily, lubricating substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin and keeps the ears from drying out. Ceruminous glands are modified sweat glands that secrete peptides and antimicrobial proteins that protect the ears. Earwax contains mostly sebum, dead skin cells, and hair, combined with a number of different substances, including keratin, cholesterol, long-chain fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated), squalene, wax esters, and alcohol esters. The color of earwax can range from off-white to dark brown, and healthy earwax can be off-white, yellow, orange, light brown, or dark brown. Earwax protects the ear by trapping and preventing dust, bacteria, and other germs and small objects from entering and damaging the ear, and by protecting the delicate skin of the ear canal from getting irritated when water is in the canal. Earwax also prevents the loss of water from the skin and maintains the skins normal health balance and appearance.