17 Best Lip Oils for Serious Moisture and Shine, Tested by Editors
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The early 2000s brought us high-shine lip gloss, and in the (er, many) years since, those goopy tubes have evolved into some of the best lip oils your cosmetics case has ever seen. We’re talking hydrating, glossy formulas with dreamy sheen and none of the stickiness that gets stuck on your hair. And now that the matte lip look has finally taken a back seat, more people are favoring these pretty lip oils. To find the best options, we put over a dozen popular ones to the test, checking for long-lasting moisture, shine, and color. Our top pick is the Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss because it has just about everything we want in a lip oil: hydrating ingredients, a lightweight feel, and a wide array of shades. Below, find all our tried-and-true favorites that kept our lips moisturized for hours, without the need for constant reapplication.
The best lip oils, at a glance
- Best Overall: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss, $22
- Best Drugstore Lip Oil: E.l.f The Glow Reviver Lip Oil, $8
- Best Hydrating Lip Oil: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, $19
- Best for Chapped Lips: Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Oil, $20
- Best for Deep Skin Tones: Typology Tinted Lip Oil, $29
Your lip oil questions, answered
What are lip oils and what are they used for?
To put it simply, a lip oil is a lip balm or tinted-lip-balm alternative that helps keep your pout ultra-hydrated. “Lip oils create a protective barrier that helps seal in moisture, which is essential for protecting the delicate skin on your lips,” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology in New York City. “They make lips soft and supple and add pigment and shine,” says Kasey Spickard, a NYC-based makeup artist.
Is lip oil better than lip balm?
Lip oils aren’t necessarily better than lip balms, but they do provide a different finish, and some may not be as hydrating. “Not all lip oils contain humectant properties, which means they might not add significant hydration on their own,” says Dr. Levin. Basically, it depends on the hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, dimethicone, or shea butter. Additionally, peptides, squalane, castor seed oil, and hemp seed oil are all rich in nutrients and fatty acids that will keep your lips moisturized.
Is lip oil better than lip gloss?
“Lip oils aren’t better than lip glosses, they’re just different,” says Spickard. Glosses typically have a much higher impact shine and wear a bit longer than oils. It comes down to preference; for example, if you don’t like the stickiness of lip gloss, you may prefer the consistency of lip oil.
How often should you use lip oil?
You can use lip oils as needed, multiple times a day. Pro tip: “Use a clear one as an overnight treatment to nourish, hydrate, and restore the lips,” says Spickard.
How we tested lip oils
We chose the best oils based on consistency, finish, and value. For example, did they feel tacky and heavy to apply, or were they smooth and lightweight? We also looked at the finish and surveyed how shiny or glossy it looked, and how it wore throughout the day. We considered how many shades each lip oil has (the more the merrier, in our opinion) and how it paired overall with our makeup. Some of our editors have been testing lip oils for years, so we were sure to include favorites that are near and dear to our hearts.
Meet the experts
- Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, founder of Entière Dermatology in New York City
- Kasey Spickard, New York-based celebrity makeup artist
Best Overall: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss
Yes, the packaging is gorgeous, but it’s the formula that’ll keep you loyal. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and nourishing botanical ingredients like evening primrose oil, this glosslike oil adds just the right amount of plumpness and color to your lips. “I’m currently loving the Unzipped shade,” says makeup artist Jenna Menard, who recommends it for all skin tones. (Hailey Bieber is also a fan.) “It’s a soft yet sexy nude with a slightly frosty shimmer in the best way possible.”
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary has been wearing this lip oil since it dropped in 2019. “This slick lip oil was really my first foray into the product, and I’ve been wearing it on repeat ever since. It’s not sticky in the slightest, leaves behind a nice glossy sheen and keeps my usually very-chapped lips soft and crack-free,” she says. Kilkeary particularly recommends it for the fall and winter months. “I find that my lips get so dry when the temperatures drop, and I never really liked the balmy-ness of lip balms or Chapstick—they’re too medicinal. This lip oil does all the things that you’d want from a major lip hydrator thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and avocado and primrose oils. My favorite shade as of late is Dip because it’s a sparkling brown-pink shimmer that nicely compliments my everyday makeup.” The best part? It’s also available on Amazon, so you can snag that fast shipping (and it even makes a great beauty gift).
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, primrose oil
- Shades: 9
- Size: 0.2 fl. oz.
- Pros: Nonsticky finish; paraben-free
- Cons: Slightly scented; reviewers claim that product can leak from the tube
Best Clear Lip Oil: Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
Arguably the most high-shine oil of the bunch, Gisou’s honey-infused lip treatment nourishes even the driest of chapped lips. Smooth it on over your lip color, and or wear it over a clear balm for a glasslike finish. “Just a few swipes and my lips feel soft and protected. Plus, it smells great,” says Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson of this Gisou lip oil. Glamour’s Kilkeary likes that it has a glasslike finish without feeling sticky or heavy on the lips. “If you want something ultra-lightweight that will also keep your lips moisturized for hours, this lip oil is your answer. It’s much lighter than a lot of the other lip oils I’ve tried over the years, but still gives you a deeply hydrated and plush finish with honey, bee garden oils, and hyaluronic acid. While the formula is yellow-gold in the tube, it’s actually glassy and clear upon application and has a sweet honey scent that makes it smell just as good as it feels.”
- Key ingredients: Honey, bee garden oils, hyaluronic acid
- Shades: 6
- Size: 0.27 oz.
- Pros: Plumping; gluten-free; nonsticky glossy finish
- Cons: Over $30; reviewers say the gold color can be off-putting at first
Best Hydrating Lip Oil: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
“I love the innovation of this tinted lip oil because the formula starts off thicker (in an almost jellylike format) and melts down to a soft, hydrating lip oil,” says Spickard. He recommends this pick to his clients because it not only keeps your lips moisturized and velvety with jojoba seed and sunflower seed oil, but as it wears it leaves behind a nice stain that won’t budge, even if you’re drinking or eating. Need more convincing? Just read our full review on this Rare Beauty lip oil, which Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco says has a unique texture. “While it is certainly an oil, it doesn’t feel thin or oily. At first application, it feels a bit more viscous and more similar to a slick gloss, but eventually the formula begins to dry and transform into a shiny tint. Other lip oils have felt similar at first, but they’ve always absorbed too quickly, been too oily, or left my skin feeling dry not long after application.” Glamour’s senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle shares the sentiment. “I like that it’s so lightweight and that I don’t have to constantly reapply because the color payoff is so great,” she says.
- Key ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil
- Shades: 8
- Size: 0.10 oz.
- Pros: Comes in 10 shades; all-day wear; not sticky
- Cons: Very tinted
Best Vegan Lip Oil: Milk Makeup Kush Lip Oil
Spickard recommends this vegan lip oil formula because it’s super hydrating and looks stunning on its own or paired over lipsticks. “It doesn’t have a greasy or heavy feeling like some other lip oils—instead it’s lightweight and seamlessly glides on to the lips, whether you’re wearing product on them already or not,” he says. The particular oil ingredients like hemp seed and sunflower are notoriously lightweight compared to heavier ceramides or shea butter, which adds to its appeal.
“This is a classic lip oil; it glides right on, isn’t sticky in the least, and stays put for about 40 minutes. I liked that it didn’t seem to have any sort of distracting fragrance or flavor,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I used it in the shade Chocolate Cake, which didn’t really seem to have any color at all, making it quite subtle overall, if that’s the type of look you’re going for.”
- Key ingredients: Hemp seed oil, sunflower seed oil, camellia japonica seed oil
- Shades: 6
- Size: 0.19 oz.
- Pros: Sheer; nonstick; smells really good
- Cons: Doesn’t last long; needs to be reapplied constantly
Most Nourishing: Fenty Skin Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil
Sweet cherry seed oil is the star of this conditioning lip treatment oil for ultra-shine. “This lip oil is perfect if you’re looking for an effectively hydrating formula that smells just like your favorite juicy lip gloss,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. Moisturizing jojoba seed oil in addition to cherry seed oil, plus fruit extracts and dimethicone, give it a slippery yet slick and lightweight feel. “Every time I apply this one I just want to slap on another layer over and over again because it smells so good. I also love how plumped and nourished my lips look after the fact. This one has become an everyday go-to in my always-overflowing lip collection.”
- Key ingredients: Cherry seed oil, jojoba seed oil
- Shades: 4
- Size: 0.19 oz.
- Pros: Comes in four tints; ultra-hydrating; cruelty-free formula
- Cons: Scented; some reviewers claim it wears more like a gloss despite being an oil; reviewers note that the bottle is small for the price
Best Plumping: InnBeauty Project Lip Oil
The OG of lip oils, this pick from InnBeauty Project is a game changer, according to Glamour’s Kilkeary. “This is the product that made me fall in love with lip oils and everything they’re about. It has red-root and jojoba oils, which are super nourishing to the lips, while fermented pomegranate gently exfoliates. When I wear this one, I immediately notice a difference in the way my lips look and feel. After application, they look and feel softer and smoother (without any visible cracks or rough edges), and I love the way it plumps my lips without any tingling or discomfort. If you’ve never tried lip oil before, this is the one to start with.”
- Key ingredients: Red-root and jojoba oils, fermented pomegranate
- Shades: 10
- Size: 0.2 oz.
- Pros: Comes in a wide variety of shades and finishes; nonsticky, smells divine; has a big, thick doe-foot applicator
- Cons: Pricey for the size of the tube
Most Comfortable: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil
This highly rated product is made with a blend of pure plant oils, comes in eight shades, and has thousands of positive reviews on the delicious flavors and consistency. “I feel like Clarins was doing lip oils before they were cool, and their formula can’t be beat,” says Spickard. “They’re super hydrating and give you the high-shine finish that you want from lip oil.”
Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley says that while this formula is high shine and pigmented, it is a bit stickier compared to other lip oils she’s tried. “To me, this lip oil feels more like a traditional gloss, so it wouldn’t be my first choice, but the hues are stunning. The raspberry shade gives off a nice, juicy pinkish red but delivers just a touch of colors, and it also smells absolutely amazing,” she says.
- Key ingredients: Organic sweetbriar rose, hazelnut, jojoba oil
- Shades: 10
- Size: 0.2 oz.
- Pros: Hydrating; nourishes without feeling greasy; easy-to-use doe-foot applicator
- Cons: More of a lip gloss than oil; a little sticky
Most Shiny: Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss
Whether you’re looking for an everyday neutral or something that screams fall, Bobbi Brown’s pigmented oil has you covered. It’s even available in a classic high-shine finish or shimmer, for those who want added sparkle.
“This skin-care-infused gloss feels really smooth going on your lips and isn’t as sticky as a traditional gloss. I also really liked the size of the doe-foot applicator—I didn’t have any trouble keeping the color exactly where it should be on my lips,” says Earley. She tested out three different shades and loved every single one. “It delivers just enough pigment for a look you could wear every day or dress up for a formal occasion,” she says.
- Key ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, coffee seed oil
- Shades: 12
- Size: 0.2 oz.
- Pros: Formula glides nicely; available in 15 shades
- Cons: Scented; reviewers note that it doesn’t layer well
Best Drugstore Lip Oil: E.l.f The Glow Reviver Lip Oil
Beauty writer and editor Jessica Fields highly recommends this lip oil if you’re looking for an option that’s just as effective as a luxe lip oil but won’t break the bank. “This lip oil has continued to be a favorite of mine for a few reasons. First, I love the applicator, which has a gua-sha-like shape and hugs the curves of your lips. I also love the diverse shade offerings for this one. Pink Quartz is my absolute favorite because it gives me a rosy tint that enhances the natural color of lips and delivers major shine, a total 10 out of 10!” We also want to point out that it delivers on high-quality ingredients including squalane, apricot oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil all for under $8, which makes it a great budget pick if you’re not looking to stretch your wallet.
- Key ingredients: Squalane, apricot oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil
- Shades: 10
- Size: 0.25 oz.
- Pros: Nonsticky; lush applicator; vegan; cruelty-free
- Cons: Doesn’t wear well over lipstick
Best for Deep Skin Tones: Typology Tinted Lip Oil
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“I’m new to Typology’s lip tint oils, but after trying them a handful of times, I can see why they’re so well-liked,” says Fields. “The formula is a blend of squalane and jojoba and plum oils, very nourishing, and doesn’t feel heavy or sticky on the lips.” But it’s the Black Cherry shade that sold Fields on the product all together. “It leaves a subtle stain of blackberry color with wet glossy shine. It’s near perfect on its own, but also works well with a deep brown liner for a natural lip combo I wear over and over again.”
- Key ingredients: Squalane, jojoba oil, vitamin E
- Shades: 7
- Size: 0.50 fl. oz.
- Pros: Glossy; stains the lips with color
- Cons: Pricey for the size
Best With SPF: Vacation Inc Chardonnay Lip Screen Lip Oil
A lip oil with SPF, you say? It does indeed exist, and it’s a favorite of Glamour’s Kilkeary. “I use this lip-screen oil pretty much any time I’m spending a day in the sun, and I love that it’s ultra-hydrating and keeps my lips glossy and protected. This one has a caramel-vanilla scent and a slightly shimmering finish that’s nonsticky and packed full of hydrating ingredients including grape-seed oil and hyaluronic acid. It also has SPF 30 to keep your pout protected from the sun and peptides to slightly plump. It’s a must-have for summer, but worth it just about any time of year.”
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Shades: 1
- Size: 0.2 fl. oz.
- Pros: Has SPF; leaves behind a glossy sparkle; can be paired over a lipstick
- Cons: Only one clear hue
Best Shimmer: Saie Beauty Glossybounce Lip Oils
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If you’re looking for a shimmery lip oil that leaves behind noticeable color, this pick is a must-try, according to Glamour’s Kilkeary. “I love this lip oil because it feels and looks like a gloss, but it’s nonsticky and won’t dry out your lips over time. Instead, it’s consistently hydrating and comes in the prettiest shimmering shades from a coral peach to a warm nude shimmer and mauve. I also love the traditional shades because they’re effortlessly shiny but also have a good amount of color payoff, which is something you don’t always find with lip oils.”
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, shea butter
- Shades: 9
- Size: 0.17 oz.
- Pros: Comfortable wear; very glossy; gives off gorgeous color
- Cons: Doesn’t smell great
Most Nonsticky: Ami Colé Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil
This hydrating lip treatment is a favorite among beauty influencers and editors alike because it’s extremely nourishing and leaves you with a glossy lip finish thanks to baobab seed oil, camellia seed oil, and passion fruit seed oil.
“The rosy brown shade is what drew me in. Sometimes you just want a brown lip gloss, and this Ami Colé one gives an effortlessly cool ’90s vibe. It’s not pictured in the video, but my go-to lip combo is to pair this lip oil with the Jones Road brown lip liner,” says Glamour’s Calle.
- Key ingredients: Baobab seed oil, camellia seed oil, and passion fruit seed oil
- Shades: 7
- Size: 0.15 fl. oz.
- Pros: Has a flexible doe-foot applicator that makes application a breeze; leaves behind a glossy, fresh finish
- Cons: Reviewers say that the tube leaks after a while
Best Sheer: Summer Friday Dream Lip Oil
“This lip oil is a bit sticky, like a gloss, but not overly so. I tried the shade Rosewood Nights, which is lightly tinted in a purply brown that gave a bit of nice color to my ghostly pale lips. I prefer its more substantial texture to the slippery thinness of most lip oils—it feels like it has more staying power. The formula is ever so tingly on my lips,” says Glamour’s Griggs. Overall, she loves the formula but does note that the packaging could use some improvement. “For whatever reason, over time, the product builds up and comes out a little so that sometimes, when you reach for the tube, there’s sticky oil along its sides. It’s fixable with a tissue, but a bit irritating.”
- Key ingredients: Vegan oil complex, vitamin E
- Shades: 4
- Size: 0.15 oz.
- Pros: Nonsticky; long lasting
- Cons: It’s messy when it comes out of the tube
Best for Chapped Lips: Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Oil
Remember the Burt’s Bees balm your middle-school self wore religiously? Consider this plant-based lip oil—passion fruit is the hero ingredient—the adult version (but still at the same budget-friendly price point). Enthusiastic reviewers insist it’s a holy-grail product that will soothe dry lips, and we’re especially into the passion fruit flavor. “I used this for two days and I noticed my lips became softer, and the dry patches started to heal,” wrote one reviewer. “The oil really seems to penetrate and hydrate, which is saving my lips.”
- Key ingredients: Passion fruit oil
- Shades: 1
- Size: 0.27 fl. oz.
- Pros: Affordable option; great for lip care; subtle shine
- Cons: May irritate sensitive skin
Best Splurge: Dior Lip Glow Oil
We love a beauty find that stands the test of time, and this editor-approved Dior lip oil is one hundred percent worth the splurge—and the wait; popular shades sell out quickly, so prepare to add your name to the restock list. This glowy option has next-level shine, along with reviews and awards to back it up. Cherry seed oil pampers the lips while the rich and balmy texture makes them shine like a disco ball (especially if you go with the glittery shade). “This lip oil gained popularity and positive reviews, especially on platforms like TikTok,” says Dr. Levin. She notes that the product’s use of cherry seed oil helps to provide superficial hydration and a tinted sheen.
- Key ingredients: Sweet cherry seed oil
- Shades: 9
- Size: 0.2 oz.
- Pros: High shine; nonsticky; minty vanilla scent
- Cons: Sells out quickly and frequently
Best Tinted: Jouer Tinted Lip Oil
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Packed with vitamin E, plus apricot and jojoba seed oils, to help you improve the state of your lips over time, this hydrating lip oil comes in four glasslike shades that can be worn solo or over lipstick and lip liner. “These are A-plus,” says Spickard. “Everything Jouer founder Christina Zilber does is a home run—she’s so deeply involved in the formulation and has incredibly high standards.”
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, apricot and jojoba seed oils
- Shades: 6
- Size: 0.16 fl. oz.
- Pros: Fragrance-free; sheer finish; nonsticky; can be worn over other lip products
- Cons: Only a small amount of product in the tube
