If you’re among the many people who struggle with dry, chapped lips (like me!), you know how frustrating it can be to find a product that actually delivers!
Enter the lip oil: Innovative formulations have taken the beauty world by storm for good reason.
Lip oils provide the perfect combination of hydration and nourishment, leaving even the driest, flakiest lips feeling soft, smooth, and healthy. Many also contain natural ingredients that make your pout appear plumper and fuller.
And they add a glossy sheen to your lips, perfect for dressing up or down your look, depending on how you wear the oil. For instance, my favorite way is to apply tinted lip oil to bare lips to polish up a minimal look, such as a casual brunch at home with friends!
So, let’s take a closer look at lip oils, their benefits, ingredients, differences from other lip products, and the best options available (including the viral Dior Lip Glow Oil, Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, and NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip!).
What is a lip oil?
A lip oil is an innovative hybrid that combines the intense hydration of a balm, the shine of a gloss, and the (optional) tint of a lightweight lipstick.
But first, some skin science: Our lips do not have any sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, so they cannot produce their own protective layer of natural oils. In a double whammy, they also have the thinnest skin anywhere on the body.
That’s why lips often get dry and irritated with even the slightest triggers — like smoke, dehydration, sun exposure, or even our saliva!
And that’s where lip oils make all the difference.
They are made from nutrient-rich plant oils such as jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, raspberry oil, cherry oil, almond oil, and even hazelnut oils.
Besides nourishing the lips, this gorgeous cocktail of beautiful oils is also rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, providing protection to the delicate skin.
And it’s not even just about the oils.
These lip care formulations can also incorporate several other ingredients to help your pout. For example, some include vitamin E, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Others contain hyaluronic acid, a powerful hydrating ingredient that plumps lips for a fuller look.
What’s the difference between a lip oil and lip balm?
Traditional lip balms are made from waxes and butters, rather than natural oils. Since oils absorb into the skin more easily than heavier waxes, lip oils can penetrate deep into our lips, leaving them soft and supple. Conversely, balms tend to sit on the lips, providing only temporary comfort.
And no, they don’t feel heavy or greasy — well-formulated lip oils are lightweight and quick-absorbing, offering a more comfortable, non-sticky experience than traditional balms that can leave a waxy residue. Result? Smooth lips with a glass-like shine and lightweight texture. And a hint of color if you’re using a tinted lip oil.
[No, I am not saying lip balms are not good. I am only saying that a tinted lip oils is better in many situations.]
What’s the difference between a lip oil and lip gloss?
Lip oils are made with natural oils that provide intense hydration and nourishment for the lips. They also have a light, non-sticky texture and a barely-there feel.
In contrast, glosses have a thicker, stickier, gel-like texture that sits more heavily on the lips. They are often formulated with synthetic polymers or waxes to create their signature high shine. And their primary goal is to add glaze and glamour to the lips, with hydration being a secondary benefit.
Ultimately, the choice between lip oil and lip gloss comes down to personal preference. If you want deep hydration and nourishment, choose a lip oil. Go for a lip gloss if you want a high-shine finish.
The 12 best lip oils
As a beauty editor, I’ve tried countless lip oils, and these have always come out on top! They are packed with nourishing ingredients for deep hydration and a glossy finish, elevating your lip care routine.
Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
This luxurious non-sticky, non-greasy formula combines the mirror shine of a lip gloss with intense lip care. Infused with nourishing cherry oil, it provides both hydration and protection, leaving lips soft and revitalized.
Plus the Color Reviver technology means the pigment adjusts to your individual moisture levels for a true-to-you-tint and continual hydration.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
This super-pigmented cult favourite provides bold color that lasts all day without being sticky. Easily layer for a bold look, or keep it simple with just one swipe.
Infused with jojoba seed oil and sunflower seed oil, it nourishes lips and creates a protective barrier to lock in hydration and keep out environmental stressors.
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil
A decadent formula enriched with plant-based ingredients like hazelnut, sweetbriar rose, and organic jojoba oils to nourish dry lips while providing deep hydration and a subtle gloss.
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil Intense
Building on the success of the original Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, this offers the same nourishing and hydrating properties but with a more intense, saturated color payoff. Its non-sticky texture and high-shine finish make a statement while keeping your lips soft, supple, and well-nourished.
Clarins Lip Comfort Shimmer Oil
Another version of the classic Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, this nourishing, lightweight option comes with a high-shimmer finish, intense color payoff, and multi-dimensional shine. Perfect for when you want some extra sparkle!
Merit Shade Slick Classics Tinted Lip Oil
This creamy lip oil leaves a sheer wash of color and a high-shine finish. Infused with rosehip oil, shea butter, and grapeseed oil, it hydrates and protects the lips while offering a comfortable, non-sticky feel.
Fenty Skin Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil
This antioxidant-rich formula protects lips from environmental stressors. The Triple Cherry complex nourishes dry, chapped lips while rich oils bind moisture for a plump, hydrated look.
The delicious cherry scent and ultra-plush doe-foot applicator make for a super-luxe experience.
iNNBEAUTY Project Glaze Lip Oil Glaze
Made with natural ingredients like red root, jojoba oil, fermented pomegranate, and a plant-based Plumping Complex, this vegan lip-gloss-oil hybrid soothes, moisturizes, exfoliates, and plumps lips all in one go.
NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip
This vegan lip oil is infused with raspberry oil, cloudberry oil, and squalane for up to 12 hours of hydration and protection.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss
This hybrid oil-gloss contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, evening primrose oil, and other botanicals to hydrate, plump, and protect the lips — all while providing the juiciest slick of color.
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
This honey(!) and hyaluronic acid-infused sheer formula smoothes, nourishes, and hydrates lips, leaving them looking shiny and juicy. The surprising part? It never feels sticky despite the honey.
Hourglass Lip Treatment Oil
An anti-aging formulation, this one features a blend of 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-rich plant oils, and 4 nourishing vitamins to boost hydration, smooth away lines, and enhance lip volume.
The post Your ultimate guide to lip oils (plus top 12 picks for shine and hydration!) appeared first on The Beauty Gypsy.