What is earwax — and should you get rid of it?

While investigating a nearly 5,000-year-old Sumerian burial site, archaeologists discovered intriguing sets of artifacts. They identified these artifacts as toiletry kits, which included pointed tools, tweezers, and ear scoops. Grooming items, including tools for earwax removal, have been found at many archaeological sites, and removing earwax remains a common hygienic practice today. But what exactly is earwax, and is it beneficial to remove it?

First, it's worth noting that humans are not alone in producing earwax; other mammals do too. For instance, a 12-year-old blue whale was found with an earwax earplug measuring 25 centimeters. Earwax, scientifically known as cerumen, forms in our outer ear canals where skin cells mix with other substances, including sweat. Unlike the sweat from eccrine glands that cools us, ear sweat comes from apocrine glands (similar to those in our armpits) and is oilier. This oily sweat mixes with dead skin and sebum (the fatty oil found on our faces and scalps) to create earwax.

Earwax varies in odor, color, and consistency, ranging from flaky and dry to sticky and gooey. A single gene's nucleotide change determines the type of earwax you have by affecting the amount of fat secreted by the apocrine sweat glands. The type of earwax you have may also correlate with your ancestry; for example, people with East Asian heritage typically have drier earwax, while those of African and European descent usually have wetter earwax.

Despite what you might think, no human earwax—wet or dry—makes a good candle. But why do we have earwax at all? Earwax helps keep our ears healthy by lubricating them to prevent dryness and itchiness, trapping debris and microbes, and forming a protective barrier for the ear canal's skin. Additionally, researchers have found proteins in earwax that combat bacterial infections.

The ear has a natural way of eliminating earwax. New skin cells grow at the center of the eardrum and push older ones toward the ear canal's opening, creating a conveyor belt effect that moves dead skin cells mixed with oily secretions out of the ear. Every day, the ear canal's skin migrates outward about 100 micrometers, eventually pushing the wax out. However, using objects to extract earwax yourself can worsen the situation. Swabbing might remove some earwax but can push more back in and scratch the ear canal's skin, disrupting its natural infection barrier. Deep cleaning risks perforating the eardrum, causing permanent damage and hearing loss.

Some services claim to clear earwax but should be avoided. Ear candling or coning involves lighting a hollow candle over the ear canal, supposedly generating enough suction to pull earwax out. Researchers have found that the suction is minimal and that the residue seen at the end is likely from the candle itself, not earwax. This practice can lead to injuries and leave debris in the ears.

Some people are more prone to earwax buildup, which can become more problematic with age. Earwax accumulation can be uncomfortable and affect hearing, necessitating intervention. Over-the-counter eardrops can help soften earwax, allowing it to exit naturally, and healthcare providers have safe methods for clearing blockages. To prevent earwax buildup, doctors recommend gently cleaning the outside of the ear canal with a damp cloth and minimizing the use of earplugs and earbuds when possible. In general, it's best not to interfere with the natural process of earwax unless there's a blockage.