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.
Another advantage of lip oils is their versatility. They come in various shades and finishes, from sheer to shimmery, and can be worn alone or over your favorite lipstick or lip liner.
[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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
This vegan lip oil is infused with raspberry oil, cloudberry oil, and squalane for up to 12 hours of hydration and protection.
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.
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.
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.
FAQs about the best lip oils
This FAQ will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about lip oils, including their benefits, how to use them, and more.
What does a lip oil do?
A lip oil provides intense hydration and nourishment to the lips with a blend of natural oils. It has a lightweight, non-sticky texture and is used to enhance the performance of other lip products or as a standalone treatment for dry, flaky lips.
Do lip oils help with dry lips?
Yes, lip oils can definitely help with dry lips. Their oil-based formula provides intense hydration and nourishment, using natural oils like jojoba, argan, and coconut oil. This allows them to soothe and hydrate dry, chapped lips, leaving them feeling smooth and hydrated.
Can lip oils be worn alone or with other lip products?
Lip oils can be worn alone for a natural, glossy look or layered over other makeup products, such as lipsticks or lip liners, for a pop of color with extra shine.
Can I use a tinted lip oil at night?
Yes, you can use lip oil at night. In fact, it can be very beneficial lip treatment. The nourishing natural oils can deeply hydrate your lips as you sleep, repairing dry and chapped lips for a soft and supple pout.
Are there any key ingredients I should look for in a lip oil?
When choosing a lip oil, choose products containing nourishing and natural ingredients such as jojoba, argan, or rosehip oils. Also, look for ingredients like vitamin E and antioxidants that can provide additional protection and benefits for your lips.
Are tinted lip oils better than lipstick?
Lip oils and lipsticks serve different purposes, with lip oils designed for intense hydration and nourishment (sheer wash of color is optional) and lipsticks for color and coverage. Whether lip oils or lipsticks are better depends on personal preferences and desired benefits.
Anubha Charan is a powerhouse in the luxury beauty industry, with over 15 years of expertise shaping the global beauty narrative. As the former Beauty Director at Marie Claire, she worked with the magazine's French headquarters to craft cutting-edge beauty content for international audiences.
Anubha's bylines grace some of the world’s most prestigious publications, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, WebMD, and Architectural Digest. She is also the co-author of Paris Bath & Beauty, a Simon & Schuster book on French beauty rituals.
Anubha combines insider knowledge with a talent for breaking down complex beauty concepts, delivering bold, actionable advice that empowers individuals to elevate their beauty routines and embrace their best selves.
Cossouq says
I really enjoyed your blog post on your ultimate guide to lip oils. Thanks for sharing your expertise! I learned a lot from it. I am looking forward to reading more of your work.
avatar game says
Many great content about lip oils that I get through the blog. Thanks
VINEVIDA says
Loving the fact that the article not only educates but also recommends specific products – a definite time-saver for readers. Thank you for sharing.
Aromachology says
I absolutely love how comprehensive and informative your guide is. The breakdown of different lip oils and their benefits is incredibly helpful for someone like me who’s always on the lookout for the perfect product to keep my lips hydrated and glossy.
I’ve tried a few lip oils in the past, but your recommendations have given me some new options to explore. Thanks a lot! 🙂