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The Best Lip Oils for Hydrated Lips


The Best Lips Oils for Hydrated Lips


Move over lip glosses, Y2K has had its moment - and lip oils are finally having theirs. With a hybrid formula between a gloss and a balm, lip oils are bridging the gap between skincare and makeup. From drugstore to high-end, we’ve tried and tested the lot and our lips aren’t sealed about the best lip oils out there. If, like us, you're living in the lip oil moment, here's our round-up of the very best. 


Best lip oils at a glance - our top picks:

Best hydrating lip oil: Clinique Pop™ Lip + Cheek Oil in Black Honey, £23.50

Best for glowing on the go: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil, £26

Best lip oil plumper: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Plumping Lip Oil - Mixed Berries, £23

Best affordable lip oil: Sephora Collection Better Balm Shiny Lip Oil, £12.99

Best for softening lips: VIEVE Lip Dew Mirror, £21


Q: What is lip oil and what does lip oil do?


A: Designed to care for and enhance your lips, lip oils prevent dryness, chapping, flakiness and peeling. Swipe them over the lips with ease in the form of a liquid or gel using an applicator or rollerball. But what is lip oil used for? Promising far more than major shine, lip oils are infused with a host of nourishing, natural ingredients like Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower and Grapeseed for long-term care - and all day gloss. The oils and emollients help lock in moisture, keeping lips super soft and gentle.


Though you can opt for sheer oils for a polished, shiny finish, tinted lip oils allow us to swap out our heavy lipsticks and sticky lip glosses for something far more comfortable and lightweight with a touch of colour (and sometimes flavour!). They're very versatile so can be worn alone for a natural look or as a base before layering with other good lip products like lip liners for added dimension.


Not only do lip oils provide a luscious look, they also provide protection. Some contain antioxidants and vitamins like Vitamin E that protect the delicate skin of our lips from environmental damage. If you have sensitive or irritated lips, you'll benefit from the soothing properties found in ingredients like Chamomile or Aloe Vera. Hydrating, healthy, and oh-so shiny. We love.



Q: Lip oil vs lip gloss - what's the difference?


A: While both products are designed to enhance the appearance of your lips, there are key differences between lip oil and lip gloss. Firstly, the ingredients in lip oils focus on hydrating and caring for the lips. They often have a more fluid, natural feel on the lips due to non-sticky textures. Whereas lip glosses tend to contain lots of oils, waxes, and pigments, which may be thicker or stickier for ultimate shine.


If you're looking for a moisturising lip product with a subtle, natural sheen, choose lip oils. Their main purpose? To add nourishment to the lips. While some glosses may offer a degree of hydration, they're more for aesthetics. You can create a more dramatic, attention-grabbing look with a lip gloss thanks to its reflective quality. For juicy, jelly lips, add a slick of either lip oil or lip gloss as the perfect finishing touch to any lip look. 



Q: Which lip oils are best for dry lips?


A: Many of the best lip oils will work to quench dehydrated lips, as they are more oil-rich than a lip gloss or lipstick. So, you’re already in the right place for a super-soft pout. 


If you want a lip oil to really soothe dry or chapped lips, then hone in on the ingredients. You’re looking for a nourishing blend of oils like Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil. These natural oils will work together to deeply hydrate your lips, while those enriched with Vitamin E will go deeper and work to protect the skin, too.



By Sephora UK Skincare Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 21 January 2025


Shop all Lip Care at Sephora UK.