Not quite a balm and not quite a gloss, the best lip oil can offer unique advantages to your lip-care routine. These innately nourishing lip products have an oil base that leaves lips with the finish of a gloss along with the moisturizing benefits of a balm — making them perfect not only for those with dry lips but for anyone seeking an aesthetic benefit, too.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil, $26
- Best for Dryness: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, $30
- Best Sheer: Ami Colé Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil, $20
- Best Pigmented: Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil, $26
- Best pH-Changing Hue: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, $40
- Best-Smelling: Too Faced Kissing Jelly Lip Oil Gloss, $22
- Best for Plumping: Innbeauty Project Glaze Lip Oil, $17
- Best for Fine Lines: U Beauty Lip Plasma, $68
Often infused with jojoba oil, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil — among other emollients — lip oils sidestep the stickiness of a lip gloss and the more utilitarian nature of a lip balm. Plus, they’re versatile: Swipe them directly onto your lips for a mirror-like finish, or use them to top your favorite matte lipstick for more dimension.
Besides the sheer aesthetics, lip oils also double as a nourishing lip treatment (notably, without feeling greasy, heavy, or sticky). Many are formulated with moisture-replenishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to ensure your lips stay smooth even when you’re not wearing them. With that, scroll ahead to discover what editors consider the best lip oil, and get ready to give your signature lipstick a well-deserved break.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
-
Best Overall: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil”,”brand”:{“name”:””},”id”:”65aec809c21b4a9aa166d4f2″,”index”:0,”contentType”:”product”,”offers”:[{“offerUrl”:”https://www.sephora.com/product/summer-fridays-dream-lip-oil-P509439″,”price”:”$26″,”currency”:”USD”,”purchaseUri”:”https://cna.st/p/2h8zKZvUAqv9ZJXALmjZG6yxazALsV88BnPjpY79tUigu4XpW8Cv4StEgSbAyoHSu9s5DtnZNUoFPM9URRKrbmGL2c8H11nU4MiYRUetT2QG5cJGdBByxKJtZgeEjoW3VZmPVmjQNXbRwn6Hb34zAUmog2Cn6DdFdCyEooQTN49fJ9xuq8″,”sellerName”:”Sephora”,”countryCode”:”US”,”reducedPrice”:””},{“offerUrl”:”https://www.revolve.com/summer-fridays-dream-lip-oil-in-pink-cloud/dp/SUMR-WU54/”,”price”:”$26″,”currency”:”USD”,”purchaseUri”:”https://cna.st/p/2h8zKZvUAqv9ZJXALmjZG6yxazALsV88BnPjpY79tUigu4XpW8Cv4StEgSbAyoHSu9s5DtnZNUoFPM9USGym5taZ7ADY6gdNq1Ha7EL6MCiPq9uzVsXu39yXLQpn6j6rcHooih1PF2zgPrA2XabtD8vzAX68aZujumYFHuH2jWsvzLWA3Y”,”sellerName”:”Revolve”,”countryCode”:”US”,”reducedPrice”:””}]}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper” orientation=”landscape”>
Best Overall: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
Why It’s Worth It: Summer Fridays has become known for its nourishing, highly effective formulas — and the brand’s Dream Lip Oil is no exception. Although it’s indeed a lip oil, packed with nine botanical oils, its texture is milky with a little more oomph, and it’s not too slick or sticky. It has just enough slip for a comfortable feel, and the shine lasts all day, thanks to an oil-based polymer that gives it a long-lasting, glossy finish.
“The oversized doe-foot is the perfect size to coat my lips in one go-round,” says associate features director Dianna Mazzone of the One to Watch winner. “Even hours post-application, wearing Dream Lip Oil makes me feel like my lips are being hugged.”
Editor Tip: To pump up the color payoff, makeup artist Jennifer Fleming recommends first applying a lip pencil in a similar hue all over. (Or, if you’re more interested in adding definition, you can just trace the outer edges.)
Key Ingredients: Apricot oil, jojoba oil, squalane, shea butter, shea oil | # of Shades: 4
-
Best for Dryness: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil”,”brand”:{“name”:””},”id”:”62d06a6764e711f57637eb68″,”index”:1,”contentType”:”product”,”offers”:[{“offerUrl”:”https://www.nordstrom.com/s/clarins-lip-comfort-oil/6671648″,”price”:”$30″,”currency”:”USD”,”purchaseUri”:”https://cna.st/p/meh9fHuiYWLirz7knjuhASTgYt8JFPwA3zPqvyhxqqyUpVdWyZH2BkbGPFpML6xvb8sFbeLNz5afD1E3uVWUMZM8bXFXyzjZC89vgV8YYanE8KtNpuqFaVuCUx5uZgi8LyFSyb2xKfvRRExZnJtH9vJnjzKiAVFAQea9wEEo8″,”sellerName”:”Nordstrom”,”countryCode”:””,”reducedPrice”:””},{“offerUrl”:”https://www.ulta.com/p/lip-comfort-oil-pimprod2031131″,”price”:”$30″,”currency”:”USD”,”purchaseUri”:”https://cna.st/p/2h8zKZvUAqv9ZJXALmjZG6yxazALsV88BnPjpY79tUigu4XpW8Cv4PreHyfh57uhw9YthWKx8uhYxahxsbgwapw6T6ugXsNVNm6c1qDAi1SnouACk2wzTsnCjpffapm8m8i3vd5gK9abAh9VQDczzQb615Z9LHuvu6e3zMfTPBPnJQuyhG”,”sellerName”:”Ulta Beauty”,”countryCode”:”US”,”reducedPrice”:””},{“offerUrl”:”https://www.amazon.com/Clarins-Comforts-Hydrates-Ingredients-Sweetbriar/dp/B0B3YRWJ7N”,”price”:”$30″,”currency”:”USD”,”purchaseUri”:”https://cna.st/p/2h8zKZvUAqv9ZJXALmjZG6yxazALsV88BnPjpY79tUigu4XpW8Cv4PreHyfh57uhw9YthWKx8uhYxahxtTLr4xFKXezwdYDQ9QfdhatNcBkvZSmvcjHuYiSqWYrCwkMwsrkU9YMfBeyqcmDELm9u34kGVaSVpeCRBfD4UTY2ke83zbTDug”,”sellerName”:”Amazon”,”countryCode”:”US”,”reducedPrice”:””}]}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper” orientation=”landscape”>
Best for Dryness: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil
Why It’s Worth It: Thanks to the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil’s gel-like texture, the hazelnut- and jojoba oil-infused elixir lasts longer than a latte, delivering comfort to even the most-chapped skin with a giant and impossible-to-smudge doe-foot applicator. Over the years, Clarins has bolstered the shade range of its beloved lip oil — hats off to its longevity and, to that point, its 2023 Best of Beauty Award win — so if you want your shine to have a hint of glitter or color, you’re sure to find whatever you have in mind.
Editor Tip: It doubles as a balm; try layering it beneath lipstick for lasting moisture and longer wear.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, castor oil, hazelnut oil | # of Shades: 8
