Why Lip Oil Is the Secret to a Nourishing, Never-Sticky Glow
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When temperatures dip, and our skin starts to get drier, it's time to get extra intentional about our makeup choices. Moisturizing formulas that nourish our skin while helping us look our best are key—and lip oils are one of those double-duty products. "Lip oil is a product that conditions the lips, gives them shine, and functions similarly to a gloss without the stickiness many glosses leave behind," says celebrity makeup artist Emily Amick.
Meet Our Expert
Emily Amick is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Venus Williams and Rosario Dawson.
Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and New Jersey.
Neil Scibeli is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Elle Macpherson and Melissa Etheridge.
Ahead, learn everything there is to know about lip oils and shop a few expert-approved faves.
Lip Oil vs. Lip Balm vs. Lip Gloss
Between lip oils, balms, and glosses, there are a ton of options for sheer, shine-boosting lip products. But between the three, oils and balms are the most nourishing.
"Lip oils help to nourish the lips and work to soften and smooth them," says Dr. Marisa Garshick. "Some ingredients that may be found in a lip oil include rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil." Dr. Garshick explains that these oils are great for sealing in moisture, but unless the formula also includes humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, they're not going to boost moisture or hydration in the lips.
If you need a boost of moisture that a lip balm alone won't provide, Dr. Garshick recommends layering the two. "Lip balms often contain humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredients, working to help boost moisture in the lips," she says. "They tend to be best suited for those who experience dry and dehydrated lips."
Lip glosses typically don't contain the skin-loving ingredients that nourish the lips and are designed to provide high-wattage shine. "Lip glosses are really for cosmetic purposes only," says Amick. "They don’t provide nourishment to your lips like oils can. Gloss is typically made from synthetic ingredients designed to sit on top of your skin instead of penetrating it to give your lips a true glass-like shine. They’re great for adding pigment and high shine to your lip."
Related: The 10 Best Tinted Lip Balms of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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When to Skip Trying a Lip Oil
Although lip oils are great, they're not for everyone. "Someone with dry, chapped or irritated lips should avoid a lip oil and instead stick with a simple petrolatum-based ointment like Vaseline, which works to lock moisture in and creates an occlusive barrier to protect the lips from external irritants," says Dr. Garshick. "Those with sensitive skin should be cautious when using lip oil and be sure to avoid any products with heavy fragrance. Plus, some oils may also contribute to clogged pores, so it is important to consider for those with breakout-prone skin."
6 Expert-Approved Lip Oils
Dior Lip Glow Oil
Comes in five shades ($40)
Each of the three experts recommended this cult-favorite Dior lip oil. "It comes in a range of sheer tints, is high shine, and is also made with cherry oil," Scibeli. "It's great on its own or also over lipstick to create a glossy finish." It's available in eight shades.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil
Comes in five shades ($8)
"As always from e.l.f., this oil comes at an amazing price point, and contains natural oils," says Amick.
Fenty Skin Cherry Treat
Comes in one shade ($24)
"Fenty's Cherry Treat conditioning and strengthening lip oil is a really great clear formula with a base of jojoba seed, rosehip, and sweet cherry seed oil," says Scibeli. "It hydrates and nourishes while giving a gorgeous non-stick shine to the lips." It comes in this sheer, reddish shade.
Clarins Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil
Comes in eight shades ($29)
"Containing three different nourishing oils, this helps to protect and soften the lips using sweetbriar rose oil, jojoba oil, and hazelnut oil as well as omega fatty acids," says Dr. Garshick. "It's available in eight colors, offering a sheer hint of color that can be worn alone or layered with any other lipstick."
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga PhD Hybrid Lip Oil
Comes in five shades ($24)
Amick is a huge of this oil. "It’s nourishing and contains vegan collagen and squalene to give your lips an extra boost," she says.
ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil
Comes in six shades ($26)
"Available in six shades, this tinted lip oil contains hyaluronic acid to help boost moisture as well as meadowfoam seed oil to help lock moisture in," says Dr. Garshick. "It leaves the lips feeling softer and smoother without feeling sticky."
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