What is Lip Oil?
A lip oil perfectly combines makeup with skin care. “Lip oils can be thought of as analogous to a concentrated face serum, delivering more potent, optimally penetrating moisture-attracting and replenishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which help sustain hydration in between applications,” says Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist. “Lip oils are typically composed of oils from ingredients such as almond, olive, jojoba, coconut, avocado, hemp seed, castor oil, and rosehip,” Dr. Westbay explains. “These natural ingredients contain fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that are ultra-nourishing and hydrating.”
Lip Oil vs. Lip Gloss
While they both deliver a similar shine, lip oil and lip gloss differ on a few major basics. For one, a gloss looks gorgeous, but it’s superficial. Lip gloss is a makeup product designed to give lips a dose of color along with a glossy shine. Lip oils can give you that same high-gloss look but they also offer intense hydration, sinking far below the skin’s surface with key ingredients that heal lips.
- Unlike lip glosses and balms, lip oils can penetrate below surface level to hydrate, heal, and repair the skin over time.
- Lip oils are thinner, they’re able to penetrate more readily into the deeper skin layers.
- This allows for “more sustained hydration benefits than products that are limited to sitting on the surface, like chapsticks and lip balms,” says Dr. Westbay.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Lip Oils
To narrow down the very best lip oils that outshine other formulas, our editors lent their lips to 18 months of extensive testing. Before we rolled up our sleeves, we rounded up a testing pool of 31 lip glosses in different finishes and formulas, referencing extensive market research, buzzy TikTok-viral formulas, and long-time bestsellers. We compared customer reviews on retailer websites, social media, and forums like Reddit to determine the most satisfactory formulas for a variety of needs and preferences. Any lip oils that did not provide substantial hydration, wear comfortably, achieve high-shine results, or deliver on impressive claims were cut from our list.
| Criteria | Importance |
|---|---|
| Hydration | High |
| Comfort | High |
| Shine | Medium |
| Color Payoff | Low |
Meet the Experts
We spoke with Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist, and Claire Sullivan, a contributing writer for Footwear News and WWD, to get the inside scoop on the best lip oils.
“I believe that lip oils are an essential part of any skincare routine, as they provide long-lasting hydration and nourishment to the lips,” says Dr. Westbay.
“Lip oils are a game-changer for anyone looking for a lip product that delivers both hydration and shine,” says Claire Sullivan. “They’re perfect for everyday wear, and they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.”
Why Trust WWD
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is a contributing writer for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair.
Conclusion
With its unique blend of hydration and shine, lip oil has cemented its place as a beauty essential. By understanding the differences between lip oil and lip gloss, and by selecting the best lip oils based on our rigorous testing criteria, you can find the perfect lip oil to suit your needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a product to deliver long-lasting hydration, or one that provides a high-shine finish, there’s a lip oil out there for you. So why not give one a try? With the right lip oil, you can say goodbye to dry, chapped lips and hello to a beautiful, healthy-looking smile.
