Kiss this lip-care myth goodbye.
Pricey lip products may carry slick branding and a cult following, but are those premium ingredients really paying off?
Lip oils and balms that promise long-lasting hydration, plumping and shine are fundamental to any skincare enthusiast’s arsenal. These nourishing products help retain moisture by creating a barrier to prevent water from being sapped from the delicate skin around your mouth, which has fewer sebaceous glands than other parts of the body due to being a mucosal surface, according to Dr. Connie Yang, a cosmetic dermatologist at PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank.
This dearth of natural moisturization factors makes lip products an important step in any daily skincare routine, Yang told The Post, especially during the winter when your lips are subject to frigid air and blistering winds.
But how does a glossy lip oil stack up against that forgotten tube of Chapstick brand lip balm in your coat pocket?
Lip oils are more easily absorbed by the skin of your lips, which naturally lack oil glands.Volodymyr – stock.adobe.com
“I find that lip oils actually contain a higher oil content and can actually be absorbed into the lips better, so they’re actually better at hydrating in many ways,” Yang said, adding that the oils “tend to be more hydrating and plumping” than other products.
“Lip balms tend to be more of a mixture of waxes and butters, so they actually create more of a barrier and a film and help prevent moisture loss.”
Some balms, such as plain Vaseline and Aquaphor, are occlusive, meaning they retain moisture, but could actually cause further irritation and dryness due to added flavors, fragrances and pigments. Similarly, the same issue could arise when applying lip oils, especially “high-end” types, noted Yang.
While lip balms seal in moisture for a moisturized pout, added flavors, fragrance and color can cause further irritation.Africa Studio – stock.adobe.com
If the end goal is smooth, supple smackers, flaking, chapping and cracking lips due to irritating ingredients are the last thing you want.
Yang warned against using products containing propylene glycol and sulfates, while encouraging shoppers to look for hyaluronic acid and vitamin E on the ingredients list, as they are both beneficial for hydration.
But there’s no need to shell out big bucks for some TikTok-touted lip product — unless, of course, the formulation and feel of it is important to you, Yang said.
Instead, she recommends good ol’ Aquaphor or regular Vaseline to seal in moisture for the perfect pout.
“You don’t need to get too fancy with it, especially if your concern is just moisturizing and hydrating your lips,” she said.
“You can absolutely find something much cheaper that will give you the same, if not better, benefits.”
Lip oils have become somewhat of a trend within the beauty space, with brands from NYX to Dior debuting their signature concoctions of natural oils and sometimes a hue or two. With so many brands and formulas to choose from, we researched the market and tested nearly 20 lip oils to figure out which ones were worth buying and which are worth passing on.
“Maintaining healthy moisture levels is critical for the lips as they don’t have oil glands or any natural moisturizer,” explains dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar, esthetician to Sofia Vergara and Rita Ora. No matter how good you are about your daily water intake, your lips will most likely always need a little TLC from some sort of moisturizer.
The first step to beautiful lipstick application is a great moisturizer, but if you’re growing tired of your go-to stick of lip balm , then a great (and more nourishing) alternative is lip oil. Often formulated with natural ingredients, lip oils aim to restore the thin skin of your lips to a smooth and hydrated state after being dry or cracked.
Best Overall
Stila Cosmetics Heaven's Dew Gel Lip Oil
Stila Cosmetics
View On Amazon
$24
View On Ulta
$12
View On Stilacosmetics.com
Our Ratings
Pros
This lightweight oil feels especially conditioning and moisturizing, thanks to the gel formula
Non-greasy feel despite the slick consistency
Felt smooth on the lips and never clumped up or got goopy
Long staying power — even after 30 minutes it still felt like we had just swiped it on
Cons
There's not much we didn't love about this lip oil!
Determining the best lip oil out there is a tough feat, but this buttery product from Stila Cosmetics made the job easy for us after earning a nearly perfect score in our lab. This oil exceeded our expectations in terms of feel, hydration, and longevity — making this little tube stand out from the crowd even more than its glittery formula already does. It was beyond smooth on our lips, never feeling clumpy or goopy, without being so thin that could slide off of our lips. We loved that it was non-greasy despite having a slick consistency, which made it easy to wear all day. No more sticky, heavy glosses for us.
Because its formula is gel-based, we found that our lips stayed hydrated for longer when we wore this lippie over the others. And when we reapplied a few more times to more of the silvery sparkles onto our lips, the formula didn’t glob up or get bulky — it just glided on like a shimmering wash of nourishment, leaving our lips looking juicier than a plumper could.
What also impressed us, though, was its staying power. Even after 30 minutes of wear, we still had the super-slick lips that we had when we first swabbed it on. The jojoba oil and antioxidant-rich formula kept our lips hydrated and soft even after eating things like granola bars, and the infused hyaluronic acid helped our lips appear more supple and full without the burning sensation that comes with most plumpers. Earning a shiny 4.95 out of 5 stars, this lip oil is the closest thing we can find to perfection.
Size: 0.18 oz. | Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid | Fragranced: No | Finish: Shiny, sparkly | Shades: 6
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Best Budget
Nooni Lip Oil
Amazon
View On Amazon
$12
Our Ratings
Pros
Technically doubles as a stain, making this a great multitasking product
Color came completely off when wiped clean with a makeup wipe
Never slipped off our lips or feathered onto the skin
Cons
Because of the small amount (hence the lower price), it won’t last as long as others we tested
It seems like there’s a new beauty trend every day, and we can’t possibly buy into all of them. But when it comes to lip oils, this kind of product is certainly one that everyone should implement into their routines — and the Nooni Lip Oil is the perfect, budget-friendly way to try out this kind of product without splurging. This comfortable, tinted oil left a slick sheen on our lips that gave our pouts an extra dose of moisture while amping up the color (technically doubling as a stain). It took us about a minute of rubbing our lips with a makeup wipe to remove the color, which was impressive for a low-cost product such as this one.
We liked that this oil, though thin and very hydrating, never slipped off of our lips or feathered onto our skin in a greasy mess. Instead, it kept our lips looking luscious and tinted, acting like a stain and balm all in one. While the amount of product in the tube is somewhat small, we feel like the performance and price of this lip oil make this product a great segue into the world of lip oils for newbies and cost-conscious consumers alike.
Size: 0.12 oz. | Key Ingredients: Appleseed oil, cherry extract, peptides | Fragranced: No | Finish: Shiny | Shades: 7
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Best Budget, Runner-Up
NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip
NYX Cosmetics
View On Amazon
$9
View On Target
$9
View On Walmart
$9
Our Ratings
Pros
Lips still felt supple and hydrated after more than 30 minutes of wear
Dense consistency adds an impressive amount of hydration, thanks to the addition of squalane
Under $9, this product is the least expensive of the ones we tested
Cons
Definitely feels a bit thick, acting as more of a gloss than a lightweight oil
Who doesn’t love a product that gets you that and high-shine pout without the high-end price tag? The NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip has the lowest price on our list, but soars in appearance and feel, making you do a double take when you see it only costs around $9. We had to scrub our lips clean before swiping on this oil, which left our lips feeling a bit dry, but one swipe of this juicy formula made our skin feel rejuvenated and more hydrated than ever.
Our one qualm was that this formula felt a bit thick — almost like a gloss instead of an oil (it took a little bit of force to pull the wand from the tube, that’s how thick it was). But with its dense consistency came some serious hydration, which kept our lips looking and feeling supple after more than 30 minutes. We like to use this as the final act of our makeup routine, layering it over a lip liner for the look of a reflective gloss and the moisture of your go-to balm.
Size: 0.16 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vegan squalane, raspberry oil, cloudberry oil | Fragranced: No | Finish: Shiny | Shades: 8
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Best Drugstore
Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oil
Milani Cosmetics
View On Amazon
$9
View On Target
$9
View On Walmart
$10
Our Ratings
Who It’s Good For
Lightweight formula made with fruit extracts and vitamin E
We appreciated the thick doe-foot applicator, which made applying this lip gloss quick and effortless
Comes in four shades, including a more neutral Passionfruit Coconut option
Pros
Does taste and smell like artificial fruit, which may be too strong for some noses
We love a good drugstore beauty purchase, and the best lip oil at your local convenience store has to be the Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oils. Dermatologist-loved ingredients like vitamin E oil and fruit extracts make up the delectable formula that is Milani’s lip oil, which provides the slick sheen of a gloss with the lightweight feel (and beneficial properties) of an oil at a considerably low price. With four tinted shades (Passionfruit Coconut being the most neutral), you can achieve a color-kissed look without messy layers of lipstick and gloss.
A big doe-foot applicator is always a plus in our book, as it makes application quick and easy for on-the-go gloss. This fruity formula is a great option for shoppers wanting to test out lip oil without spending $20 or more, as this type of product can easily produce a high price tag. We do want to warn you that these flavors do come with artificial fruit fragrances, which may be a drawback to shoppers who are sensitive to strong scents. But if this isn’t a deterrent for you, we think you’ll love the fresh and flushed look that this drugstore buy provides.
Size: 0.14 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, fruit extracts | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Tinted, glossy | Shades: 4
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Best Everyday
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil
Ulta
View On Amazon
$30
View On Sephora
$30
View On Ulta
$30
Our Ratings
Pros
This healing lip oil is dermatologist-recommended
Includes hydrating and calming ingredients like jojoba, rose, and hazelnut oil
Eight shades makes it a multitasking product: a tint and oil all in one
Cons
These come in eight shades, but there isn't an untinted option
If an easy, everyday oil is what you’re after, then the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil is the answer to your wishes. Dr. Rachel Nazarian, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, noted this product as her favorite for a number of reasons. Nourishment is at the forefront of this product’s benefits thanks to its rich formula of natural oils, making it a saving grace for dry lips. “This product contains a high level of omega fatty acids, which can improve the hydration barrier, but also antioxidants (such as rose oil and jojoba) which are quite calming to skin,” Dr. Nazarian tells PEOPLE.
And no need to skimp out on application – doctor’s orders. “Because these ingredients have no addictive properties and only continue to hydrate better with continued use, I recommend using as needed, or even daily,” she added. The eight glossy shades that this oil is available in makes this product a tint and moisturizer all in one, so you can give your lips some TLC while rocking a fun color as well.
Size: 0.2 oz. | Key Ingredients: Organic sweetbriar rose, jojoba, and hazelnut oil | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 8
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Best with SPF
Coola Organic Liplux Lip Oil
Coola
View On Amazon
$15
View On Nordstrom
$16
View On Sephora
$18
Pros
Features SPF 30 to keep your lips protected from the sun
Infused with jojoba and camellia oil for all-day hydration
Features a neutral golden hue that is perfect for everyday wear
Cons
Because it has SPF, this isn't an oil you need to buy if you mostly wear lip oils in the evening or as an overnight mask
A bit smaller tube than most, so it won't last as long compared to some others we tested
Nowadays just about everything has SPF in it, but the types of products that often lack a sun protectant are anything for your lips. It’s easy to slather on the tinted sunscreen and go about your day, but our lips are often forgotten about when it comes to this step — and applying an oil in the bright rays can make matters even worse, attracting more sun and potentially causing skin damage. The Coola Organic Liplux Lip Oil is our knight in shining armor, including broad-spectrum sunscreen in its already nourishing formula.
Not only does this oil include broad spectrum SPF 30 with UVA/UVB protection, but the formula also seals in the healing properties of organic camellia and jojoba oil for all-day hydration while you have fun in the sun. Its golden hue is a color that suits anyone, making your lips appear glossier and plumper despite the dry heat. This lip oil from Coola should be part of everyone’s morning routine, sun-conscious shopper or not (and throw an extra in your beach bag for good measure).
Size: 0.11 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, camellia, jojoba oils | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 1
Best for Mature Skin
Kopari Tri-Peptide Lip Cloud
Kopari Beauty
View On Amazon
$17
View On Nordstrom
$21
View On Ulta
$12
Our Ratings
Pros
Includes a host of key ingredients, including a tri-peptide complex that plumps and nourishes the skin barrier
Formula can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your lips, which makes it a great anti-aging option
Adds a high-shine finish that can be worn on its own or layered over a lipstick
Cons
Because of the added peppermint oil, it does leave a tingly sensation on your lips for a bit and has a minty taste and smell (and should be avoided if you're allergic)
It's only available in one color, which is clear
Most oils are great for hydrating your lips, but what about sealing in that moisture? The Kopari Tri-Peptide Lip Cloud excels in this field, doubling as a lightweight gloss, but absorbing like a steadfast moisturizer to lock in the benefits that this “cloud” formula provides.
The oil’s hero ingredients are its tri-peptide complex, which works overtime to plump and nourish your skin barrier and reduce the appearance of fine lines around your mouth — all while adding a high-shine finish and completing your makeup look with finesse.
The product felt smooth and non-sticky on our lips, which was a sigh of relief, as nobody wants their hair sticking to their mouths on a windy day. There’s also a slight tingle that this product elicits once it’s applied, which makes our lips feel cool and appear more plumped after one light swipe. Our old chapsticks are gathering dust at the bottoms of our work bags because of the moisturizing properties that we get with this tri-peptide formula — and we’re pretty impressed, to say the least.
Size: 0.2 oz. | Key Ingredients: Tri-peptides, coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, plant-derived ceramides, apricot seed oil | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Shiny | Shades: 1
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Best Long-Lasting
Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil
Merit Beauty
View On Sephora
$24
View On Meritbeauty.com
$24
View On Kohls.com
$24
Our Ratings
Pros
Doubles as a lip stain and skincare product
Features a buildable formula that develops into a more pigmented shade the more you apply
Features 11 neutral shades for everyday wear, including a warm clear hue
Cons
There's really nothing we don't love about this lip oil!
Creamy in consistency yet weightless on the lips, the Merit Shade Slick is the ideal tinted lip product thanks to its dual role as a lip stain and restorative oil. This buildable formula becomes more pigmented as you layer it, with eight neutral shades to choose from for everyday wear. You can rest assured that your lips will be pillowy and soft after use thanks to the inclusion of shea butter, grapeseed, rosehip, and jojoba oil in this rich formula.
Jackie Fields, PEOPLE's Deputy Beauty Director, loves the array of shades to choose from and felt that the selection was appropriate for any age. Fields says the oil has "a lovely application and pretty tint [while being] not at all drying.”
The ingredients are free from harsh chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and drying alcohols which are harmful to the skin and can actually withdraw hydration (so, exactly what we do not want in a lip oil). For a product that not only provides top-notch nourishment but can fit in flawlessly with your other favorite lipsticks, glosses and more, you simply can’t go wrong with the Shade Slick from Merit.
Size: 0.23 oz. | Key Ingredients: Rosehip, jojoba, and grapeseed oils, shea butter | Fragranced: No | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 11
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Best Buildable
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
Sephora
View On Sephora
$20
View On Walmart
$40
View On Rarebeauty.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Color can vary from a light sheen to a bold swathe depending on how many layers are applied
The color lasted long enough to be used for all-day wear
Despite being pigmented, the formula felt lightweight and cooling on the lips
Cons
The shade range does not include a colorless option, which may be some people's preference
Does absorb into the skin after about 20 minutes (but the color stays)
Coming in at 1 oz., there's less product in each tube compared to other lip oils we tested
Want to get the benefits of a hydrating treatment without sacrificing color? We’ve got you covered with the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, a comfortable, super-slick formula that has all of the hydration properties of your favorite moisturizer with the buildable color of your go-to lip tint.
This collection comes with eight flirty yet neutral shades, each one longwearing and moisturizing enough for all-day wear. Despite packing some serious color, the formula felt super light on our lips and even felt cooling on our skin — a pretty unique trait among the sea of others that we tried.
The glassy shine that this oil gave us definitely absorbed into our skin in about 20 minutes, but it left behind the same color that we’d originally applied and a much more moisturized skin barrier. We don’t think it’s necessary to reapply much, as the color will keep getting more intense with each swipe, but if you really want to pack a punch with your shade, then a few more layers never hurt. This lip oil is surely the perfect blend between skincare and makeup, finding balance in both feel-good properties and gorgeous color.
Size: 0.1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil | Fragranced: No | Finish: Shiny, pigmented | Shades: 8
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Best Non-Sticky
Dior Lip Glow Oil
Sephora
View On Nordstrom
$34
View On Sephora
$40
View On Ulta
$40
Our Ratings
Pros
Provides a high-shine look without feeling sticky
Cushiony doe-foot applicator that makes reapplying easy and a more luxurious experience
Includes cherry oil, which protects your skin against environmental stress factors and dehydration
Cons
It's a bit thick, feeling more like a gloss than a lightweight oil
It fades quickly after eating or drinking, so you'll need to reapply throughout the day
This pick was definitely TikTok’s favorite lip oil, and with its luscious results, we can easily see why. The Dior Lip Glow Oil is given its slick and shiny glow thanks to its highlighted ingredient, cherry oil, which protects the thin skin of your lips against stress factors and dehydration.
“There are a few reasons I always have this lip oil in my purse: It's not sticky, it adds an instant hit of hydration and I love the high-shine finish,” says Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE's Deputy Style Director. “Plus, the doe-foot applicator is cushiony and soft, which makes the experience of using it feel luxurious.”
Due to its thicker consistency, this oil feels a little more like a standard lip product than a lightweight oil. “While the formula feels a bit more like a gloss than an actual oil, it always leaves my lips feeling hydrated,” Talarico notes. “My only complaint is [that] it fades quickly after you eat or drink, so be ready to reapply,” she advises. If you want your lips to feel ultra luxurious, then this hydrating oil is the one for you.
Size: 0.2 oz. | Key Ingredients: Cherry oil | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 8
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Best Flavored
InnBeauty Project Glaze Lip Oil
iNNBEAUTY PROJECT
View On Sephora
$17
View On Credo Beauty
View On Innbeautyproject.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Formulated with a perfect pairing of hydrating ingredients and a plant-based plumping complex that exaggerates the natural shape of your lips
We found it really lingers on the lips and we would only need to reapply after meals
Tastes like cherry Jell-O and is reminiscent of our beloved flavored lip glosses of the '90s and '00s
Cons
We did find it a bit tacky, but it wasn't uncomfortable and we would still use it as an everyday lip oil
If you love a fruity-flavored lip product (and want a little bit of a plump to your lips while you’re at it), then you’re in luck with the InnBeauty Project Glaze Lip Oil, which is currently available in seven shades.
We became quite fond of this product while testing in the PEOPLE Tested Lab; it invoked a dose of nostalgia for those super thick, flavored lip glosses one tester used to wear in middle school. That being said, this lip oil is definitely made with grown-up ingredients. Formulated with natural red-root and jojoba oils with the extra benefits of fermented pomegranate and apple extract, it added a noticeable amount of hydration. That hydrating formula is then complemented with a plant-based plumping complex that exaggerates the natural shape of your lips.
“This product is everything you want in a lip oil: non-sticky gloss-like finish, big doe-foot applicator that perfectly pampers your lips with each swipe, and a delicious scent and flavor (I liken it to cherry Jell-O),” says PEOPLE Director of Commerce Lindsey Metrus.
Size: 0.2 oz. | Key Ingredients: Natural red-root and jojoba oil, fermented pomegranate, apple extract, and a plant-based plumping complex | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 7
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Best Multitasker
Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil
Sephora
View On Sephora
$20
View On Amicole.com
$20
View On Goop.com
Our Ratings
Pros
This product can do it all — add a bit of color, a lot of shine, and even more hydration
We found the sheer hues to enhance our natural lip color
Our lips felt hydrated all day after applying this lip oil, which meant less time we had to spend reapplying
Cons
Since this only adds a sheer tint, there isn't as big color payoff as some other options we tested
Similarly to the U Beauty plumper, this treatment from Ami Cole has a few other tricks up its sleeve besides a shiny finish. Where the U Beauty lip made our lips fuller, the Ami Cole treatment acted as a deep conditioner for our skin barriers — nourishing dry, chapped lips with a blend of baobab seed, camellia, and passionfruit seed oil. We loved this product not only for its comfortable feel and glass-like shine, but also for its healing properties (you could even use this as an overnight mask for supple lips by morning).
The oil left behind a slight hue on our lips, which makes each of its five color options incredibly versatile due to their sheer pigmentation – practically our own lip color, just better. And the formula kept our lips feeling hydrated for a while throughout the day, which cut back on the amount of times that we felt like we needed to reapply (which will save you money in the end). For the quality and versatility of this product, we were surprised to discover that this lippie was only $20.
Size: 0.15 oz. | Key Ingredients: Baobab seed oil, camellia seed oil, passionfruit seed oil | Fragranced: No | Finish: Shiny | Shades: 5
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Best Plumping
U Beauty The Plasma Lip Compound
Amazon
View On Amazon
$68
View On Dermstore
$68
View On Ubeauty.com
Our Ratings
Pros
Treatment that is formulated with peptides, salicylic acid, shea butter, ceramides, and more
The metal applicator feels cool and soothing on our lips
Provides a true plumping effect without needing constant reapplication
While it is relatively pricey, it does come with a lot more product than most lip oils
Cons
At around $70, it's the priciest option we tested
The thickness of the formula won't be up to everyone's preference
For us to recommend a lip product that's $68 (the most expensive on our list!), it’s gotta be able to do it all — and we’re happy to say that this oil really does. Dubbed the “Plasma Lip Compound,” this formula transcends the categories of your average lip products, refusing to be pigeonholed as a lip plumper, gloss, or oil.
This treatment comes in four colors and acts as a nurturing kiss of color and moisture. Using a mixture of peptides, salicylic acid, shea butter, and even more skin-loving ingredients, this delicate formula repaired our dry skin and plumped our lips into pillowy pouts, leaving a trace of color behind for that effortless look we all aspire towards. Plus, we loved how soothing that cool, metal applicator felt on our lips.
Though the product was a little thick, it was very comfortable on our lips and never feathered or migrated onto our skin after applying it. The treatment felt like a gloss without feeling greasy, and totally absorbed into our skin within 20 minutes — leaving only a light wash of color and an ultra-hydrated skin barrier behind.
However, we don’t think we’d need to re-apply this too often throughout the day, as the hydration components of this oil are strong enough to keep our lips feeling soft and looking plump for a good chunk of time. And if the price is a little too high for you, there's also an option to join the U Beauty subscription plan to receive the treatment tube for $54.40.
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Peptides, alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, beeswax, ceramides, poly-hydroxy acid, shea butter | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Shiny | Shades: 4
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Best Nourishing
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss
Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom
$22
View On Sephora
$22
View On Credo Beauty
Our Ratings
Pros
During our testing, we found that it still felt glossy and hydrating hours after applying
Formulated with a blend of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and evening primrose and avocado oils
In addition to hydrating benefits, it also provides a subtle plumping effect to the lips, thanks to the peptides
Cons
It does feel a bit thick and too goopy immediately following application, but this sensation is shortlived
If you thought the viral Kosas concealer may have forever changed your makeup routine, then just wait until you add the Wet Lip Oil Gloss to the mix. With eight romantic shades to choose from, there’s a plumping hue ready to complete any look you’re going for.
This formula stands out from the rest with its intricate blend of hyaluronic acid for water absorption, peptides for subtle plumping, and evening primrose and avocado oils to lock in moisture, which our dry-lipped tester appreciated during our testing. We did find that it felt goopy when first applied, but after a few minutes, that feeling subsided and we were just left with shiny, hydrated lips.
Because of the thickness, we found we didn't have to keep reapplying it throughout the day like with some other lip oils and glosses. With its non-sticky feel and the healing benefits of hyaluronic acid, this lip oil and gloss combo is definitely worth the price.
Size: 0.15 oz. | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, avocado and evening primrose oil | Fragranced: Yes | Finish: Glossy, shimmery | Shades: 8
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Best Hydrating
Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil
Sephora
View On Amazon
$26
View On Nordstrom
$26
View On Sephora
$26
Our Ratings
Pros
A little bit really goes a long way, meaning it'll save you some reapplication time (and money)
Formulated with salicornia extract, an ultra-moisturizing sea succulent
Feels thick on the lips without being sticky or tacky and is comfortable for all-day wear
Cons
It has a creamier consistency compared to others we tested, so it won't give you that high-gloss look
Don’t get it twisted, this Ilia Balmy Gloss is fully a lip oil — just with the ultra-nourishing benefits of a nutrient-rich lip balm, too. Choose from a variety of six pigmented shades to find the color that feels right for you (but don’t think too hard, because each of these hues is sheer enough to create a custom color for your skin tone). But fun color options aren’t the only standout qualities of these oils — this hydration level comes straight from the sea, with its hero ingredient being salicornia, an ultra-moisturizing sea succulent that is said to boost hydration up to 6,000 percent.
This oceanic element is accompanied by hyaluronic acid for plumpness, meadowfoam seed oil for barrier protection, and a medley of other dermatologist-approved ingredients for a product that not only looks gorgeous, but feels like a spa treatment. Is it a creamy liquid lip, a balm, or an oil? It doesn’t need labels — it’s an all-in-one (newsflash: you must have it).
Size: 0.14 oz. | Key Ingredients: Salicornia herbacea extract, hyaluronic acid, meadowfoam seed oil | Fragrance: No | Finish: Tinted, glossy | Shades: 6
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Best Lightweight
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
Gisou
View On Sephora
$28
View On Gisou.com
$32
Our Ratings
Pros
This featherweight gloss melts into the skin for weightless wear
The key ingredient is honey, which is naturally packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
Feels comfortable on the lips without being tacky (which is surprising for honey!)
Cons
There's no tinted shade available, just a subtle honey gold or shimmer option
Your lips will be feeling as sweet as honey once they meet the Honey-Infused Lip Oil from the influencer-founded beauty brand Gisou. Born of hive-grown honey from creator Negin Mirsalehi’s family bee garden, this lip oil has become an internet (and writer)-loved favorite thanks to its silky results and healing properties.
“I find myself reaching for this oil several times throughout the day, morning and night — not because I need it (my lips have truly never been more hydrated), but because of how luxurious it is and feels,” says PEOPLE Commerce Writer Alyssa Brascia.
Infused with hyaluronic acid and the natural actives found in the Mirsalehi bee garden oil blend (Omegas 3, 6, and 9), this mixture forms a skin-loving serum that targets dry, flaky skin. “I often experience super chapped lips in the winter, and since employing this lip oil into my routine, especially as a mask at night, I’ve seen huge improvements in the overall appearance and feel of my lips,” Brascia adds.
During our testing, we found that the Gisou lip oil provided a lightweight layer of moisture and nourishment without feeling sticky or tacky (which we were surprised about since it's made with honey!). A little bit goes a long way, too, and it spread super easily across the lips during application, which only adds to the value of the product.
Size: 0.27 oz. | Key Ingredients: Honey, hyaluronic acid, Omegas 3, 6, and 9, Buriti fruit, blueberry seed oils | Fragranced: No | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 2
People / Jessica Juliao
People / Jessica Juliao
People / Jessica Juliao
People / Jessica Juliao
People / Jessica Juliao