Why Lip Oils Have Become a Makeup Staple

You’re likely already familiar with lip gloss, lipstick, and lip balm—but there’s a chance that lip oil hasn’t made it onto your radar quite yet. This relatively new lip makeup product is quickly rising in popularity, thanks (in large part) to social media, which begs the question: What does lip oil do that lip glosses and balms don’t?

The answer, it turns out, is quite a bit. Lip oils blur the line between makeup and skincare, offering the benefits of both in one convenient package. If you’re a fan of hybrid, multi-tasking products, lip oil is one you’ll definitely want to keep in mind. Read on for a run-down on lip oils, including what they are, how they differ from other lip makeup products, and why adding a hydrating lip oil to your routine is definitely a good idea.

What Is Lip Oil?

A lip oil is exactly what it sounds like—an oil (or oil-based) product designed specifically for the lips. It’s a cross between skincare and makeup, offering intense hydration while giving your lips a glossy, shiny finish, sometimes with a sheer or buildable tint of color.

The best lip oils on the market tend to include additional benefits, too, such as plumping, smoothing, and mega hydration. As noted, there are even tinted versions, which have all the same features and a sheer wash of color for the perfect clean girl aesthetic. One example of such a formula is the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil. The hyaluronic acid and tripeptide-infused oil gently volumizes lips, drenches them in 24-hour hydration, and provides a glass-like shine. You can choose from ten caring colors that range from lightly pigmented to crystal clear.

Lip Oil vs. Lip Balm: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between lip oils and balms is their function: The former is typically designed to help hydrate your lips and give them a shiny or glossy appearance (and, sometimes, color), while the latter is primarily meant to help alleviate the feeling of chapped lips. Their ingredients vary, too. Lip oils are fluid in consistency and may contain non-greasy oils such as squalane or lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid. Balms, meanwhile, have a more solid texture, and often contain ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, or petrolatum.

Their final finishes also set them apart. Lip balm, whether tinted or untinted, normally has a more matte finish than lip oil. If you want a more subtle, no makeup-makeup look, lip balm may be your best option. For an innovative balm to add to your routine, consider the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract. The formula marries the saturation of a lipstick with the nurturing benefits of a cushiony balm. Using it continuously for four weeks can help bare lips feel noticeably smoother.

Lip Oil vs. Lip Gloss: What’s the Difference?

A lip oil is a skincare-makeup hybrid, while a lip gloss is strictly a cosmetic product. The two may seem similar at first glance, but each serves a different purpose in your beauty routine.

As mentioned, lip glosses are a makeup formula. They’re primarily formulated to enhance the look of your pout rather than boost hydration or soften your lips. In addition, glosses are usually more pigmented than oils and leave behind an ultra-reflective finish. Tinted lip oils, meanwhile, can give you a similar sheer-colored, glossy look but also drench your lips with intense moisture. This is why you may see the terms lip oil and lip gloss used interchangeably, but the two are not quite the same.

Their texture and consistency differ, too. Lip oils generally boast a light, silky formula that absorbs easily into the lips without sticky residue. Glosses are on the heavier side, particularly if they’re full-coverage—but not all of them are made to feel tacky. Take the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Gloss with Pomegranate Extract, for example, which boasts a lightweight, non-sticky formula that instantly moisturizes lips and offers sheer, buildable color.

What Is Lip Oil Used For?

Lip oils are used for many reasons as a way to nourish and protect the lips and subtly enhance their appearance. Their fast-absorbing ingredients (think vitamin E, jojoba, coconut, or avocado oils) sink effortlessly into the lips to add shine and moisture without the tacky residue of a gloss. And, depending on the type of oil included in your chosen formula, lip oils can help create a barrier over your lips to help lock in hydration and protect your delicate lip skin from environmental stressors. Not to mention, tinted options give you the versatility of adding subtle color to your lips without sacrificing the nourishment they need to feel soft and supple.

Put simply, if you're wondering, “Is lip oil good for your lips?” this combination of hydration, shine, and protection makes the answer a resounding “yes.”

How Often Should You Use Lip Oil?

How often to use an oil on your lips ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. Generally speaking, lip oils can be used several times a day, or whenever your lips are feeling parched. Your relative climate can also play a role: If you're in a dry environment or exposed to cold weather, you may find yourself reaching for an oil more frequently. For an added boost, consider slathering on lip oil before bed to wake up with softer, more nourished-feeling lips. Play around with your favorite oil and see how it works best in your routine.

How To Use Lip Oil

Now that you’re familiar with lip oils and their benefits, you’re probably wondering how you can add one to your beauty routine ASAP. Don’t worry, we have you covered with the steps below, which are as easy as one-two.

Step 1. Prep your lips

Just as you’d prep your skin before applying a serum or moisturizer, it’s a good idea to prep your lips to help your lip oil absorb as it should. Specifically, we recommend exfoliating your lips to help remove dead skin cells and other buildup. To do so, apply a pea-sized amount of lip scrub to dry lips, massage it in circular motions with wet fingers, and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. If you don’t have a lip scrub on hand, very gently rub your lips with a damp washcloth to help slough off old skin.

Step 2. Smooth on lip oil

Now it’s time to apply your lip oil. After exfoliating your lips, roll your chosen product’s applicator over your pout, starting in the center of your upper lip. Work from the center to the outer edges of your lips and then glide across the entire bottom lip and let it work its magic. Reapply throughout the day as needed.

Next Up: How to Get Glossy Lips

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris