Like Lil Mama, we love to keep our lips glossy at all times. That said, as of last year or so, many people have been opting for lip oils instead of chapsticks. This is because lip oils help keep the moisture locked into your lips with an added shine.
“Lip oils are hydrating and nourishing treatments specifically designed for the lips,” Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, tells Beautycon. “They combine the moisturizing benefits of natural oils, such as jojoba, argan, or coconut oil, with a glossy finish. These products often include additional ingredients like vitamins and antioxidants, which support lip health.”
Dr. Jody Alpert Levine, a dermatologist based in New York City, also shares that lip oils form with other ingredients, such as vitamins and antioxidants, to “nourish the lips and protect them from free-radical damage.”
You may wonder how lip oils are different from chapsticks and lip gloss. Sloane Casper, a celebrity makeup artist, shares with Beautycon that lip gloss and chapsticks are as nourishing as lip oils. “A gloss sits is a makeup product that sits on the top of the lips and adds shine” Casper said. “A lip balm has a more waxy consistency than a gloss and contains other emollients designed to restore hydration and relieve chapped lips.”
Additionally, Dr. Levine shares that various skin types can use lip oils, but those with sensitive lips should consider alternatives. “If your lips are very dry (to the point that they are cracked), you will likely benefit from a thicker coating, such as a balm or vaseline, to help them heal,” she says. “Some oils paradoxically cause drying or irritation rather than moisturizing so not every oil is created equally.”
While most can benefit from lip oils, those with long hair may especially love them. Mish Bush, a makeup artist and founder of ShineOff Cosmetics, shares that you won’t have to worry about your hair getting stuck to your lips from using lips oils since they can “enhance” your lip’s natural appearance.
Below, find the best lip oils to try for your pout this summer and beyond.
