How can the skin absorb oily substances?

The skin can absorb oily substances primarily through the hair follicle. Each hair follicle contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, an oily substance that helps maintain skin hydration and provides a barrier against external elements. When oily substances are applied to the skin, they can be absorbed through these follicles due to their connection to the sebaceous glands. This pathway allows the oil to reach deeper layers of the skin more effectively.

While sweat glands are primarily responsible for regulating temperature and excreting waste through sweat, they are not designed for the absorption of oily substances. The dermis is located beneath the epidermis and includes blood vessels and nerves, but direct absorption of oils into the dermis is not typical. The epidermis serves as a protective barrier and is not conducive to the direct absorption of oils without the aid of hair follicles or other mechanisms. Therefore, the absorption of oily substances effectively occurs through the hair follicle, making this the most accurate option.