Oily skin, the result of overactive sebaceous glands (thus producing too much oil, or sebum), will always vary from person to person. The causes behind it are all very different, and these causes may often be the answer to whether or not you will always be stuck with oily skin.
Some people have chronically oily skin, and there is not much they can do about it. It is in their genetics to have sebaceous glands that continuously produce oil, thus leading them to have many, many years of dealing with oily skin and the problems it can bring, such as acne, dull appearance, shiny skin, and skin thickness. Your best bet, in the case that you do have chronically oily skin, is to see a dermatologist and get the best possible products to help tame it. If you are going to have it for an extremely long time, you might as well go all out in treating it, taking the best care of your skin as you can, and checking up with your dermatologist regularly to see about your progress and to find out about any new possibilities in the area of oily skin relief.
Most people that have oily skin, however, do not have it chronically. Instead, oily skin crops up due to sudden hormonal changes. The most common reason for oily skin falls on the shoulders of teenagers who are going through puberty. Dealing with oily skin can last several years, as well as the frustration of acne outbreaks, but you can at least live with the thought that your oily skin will not last forever, certainly not far into your adult life.
Because of the hormonal fluctuations people go through during puberty, the sebaceous glands act up and produce more sebum than is necessary, leading to the aforementioned problems. But with good care and a decent amount of patience (avoid stress whenever possible!), you can lessen the problems of oily skin and be able to relax once your hormones have gone back to a less rambunctious state and freed your skin from excess oil.
There are also much shorter terms in which you may find a sudden oily skin problem. Women who are pregnant, start taking birth control, or go through other areas in life that can affect their hormone levels may find resulting oily skin and possibly acne breakouts. But no worries; like with puberty, once your hormones have gone back to normal, your oily skin should clear up.
Issues such as stress, exercise, and eating right may contribute to temporary dealings with oily skin. Stress has been a major link in sebum production and the appearance of acne, so stressing less may lead you to a more oil free and acne free life. Exercise is good for you, both inside and out, and can help clear up skin. Sitting around doing nothing is unhealthy, and while it will not be the cause of oily skin, it will do nothing to aid it. The same can be said for a good diet.
Eating junk food such as sweets and salty snacks are not directly related to sebum overproduction, but an improved diet with healthy fruits, vegetables, and other foods may help, as it will help your body overall in terms of nutrition and necessary vitamins and minerals.
The best you can do for your oily skin is to continue to cleanse, exfoliate, use toner, and blot as necessary throughout the day, especially if you have already found a routine that works for you. If you have yet to find a good routine and your oily skin is still a nuisance to you, then you should probably begin looking into a different skin care routine or question the effectiveness of some of your products.
Ask questions of others with oily skin to compare information or ask your dermatologist for possible solutions. Even if you have oily skin for a short time, knowing how to care for it can help you tone it down and have more patience as you wait for it to go away.
