Quick answer: A lip oil is a light, glossy blend of oils that adds shine and a soft feel to lips. For lips that tend to get dry, the AAD suggests products with ingredients such as castor seed oil, hemp seed oil, shea butter, dimethicone or petrolatum, and advises skipping fragrance, flavoring such as mint or citrus, and menthol (AAD). Apply a thin layer during the day and a thicker balm at night.
Table of Contents
How to use lip oil: 6 tips
- Start with clean lips. Wipe off old lipstick first.
- Apply a thin layer. One swipe on each lip is enough.
- Press, don’t rub. Press lips together to spread it.
- Reapply as needed. Oils wear off faster than thick balms.
- Use SPF outdoors. Most lip oils have no SPF, so add an SPF lip balm.
- Switch to a balm at night. A thick ointment stays on longer while you sleep.
Lip oil ingredients: what to look for and skip
| Look for | Skip if your lips are dry |
|---|---|
| Castor seed oil | Fragrance |
| Hemp seed oil | Mint, cinnamon or citrus flavoring |
| Shea butter | Menthol, camphor or eucalyptus |
| Dimethicone | Phenol |
| Mineral oil or petrolatum | Salicylic acid |
Both lists come from the AAD’s dry-lip tips (AAD). Many plumping lip oils use mint, cinnamon or menthol for a tingle, so read the label if your lips feel sensitive.
Lip oil vs lip balm vs lip gloss
| Product | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lip oil | Light, glossy, a little slippery | Shine with a soft feel |
| Lip balm | Waxy, stays put | All-day wear, SPF options |
| Lip gloss | Thicker, often sticky | High shine and color |
| Ointment | Thick, sealing | Overnight, very dry lips |
The AAD notes that thick ointments such as white petroleum jelly seal in water longer than waxes or oils (AAD). So a lip oil is lovely for shine, but a balm or ointment is the better pick for very dry days.
How to add lip oil to your routine
- Morning: SPF lip balm, then a touch of lip oil for shine if you like.
- Daytime: lip oil over lipstick or on bare lips.
- Night: a thick balm or ointment.
- Once a week: a gentle lip scrub if lips feel flaky, then a lip mask.
The AAD recommends an SPF 30 or higher lip balm outdoors, reapplied every 2 hours (AAD). Lip oil alone usually doesn’t give that.
Common lip oil mistakes
- Using too much. A thick layer slides off and can feather past the lip line.
- Counting on it for sun protection. Unless the label lists SPF, it has none, so add an SPF lip balm outdoors.
- Picking a tingly formula for dry lips. Mint, cinnamon and menthol are on the AAD’s list of ingredients to skip.
- Leaving it in a hot car. Heat can change the texture and smell of oils.
- Keeping it forever. Toss a lip oil if it smells stale or looks cloudy.
A lip oil works best as the shiny finishing touch in a simple routine: SPF balm by day, oil for gloss when you want it, and a thick ointment at night. Keep one in your bag and one by your bed so you actually use them. Lip oil also layers nicely over a sheer lipstick for a soft, juicy finish that looks natural in daylight.
Lip oil habits that help
- Don’t lick your lips. The AAD explains that saliva evaporates and leaves lips drier.
- Keep the applicator clean. Wipe it and close the cap tightly.
- Don’t share. Lip products are personal.
- Run a humidifier in your bedroom in dry weather, as the AAD suggests.
Patch test anything new. The AAD suggests applying a new product to a quarter-sized spot on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow twice a day for 7 to 10 days, and stopping if your skin reacts (AAD).
Lip care is one part of our bigger guide to nail care, lips and brows, which puts all three routines in one place.
Quick recap: a lip oil is for shine and softness, a balm with SPF is for daytime outdoors, and an ointment is for night. Pick a fragrance-free lip oil if your lips feel dry, and reapply your lip oil whenever you like the glossy look.
FAQ
What does a lip oil do?
It adds shine and a soft, smooth feel. For very dry lips, a thicker balm or ointment usually lasts longer.
Can I use lip oil every day?
Yes. Reapply as needed and switch to a thicker balm at night.
Does lip oil have SPF?
Most don’t. Use an SPF 30 or higher lip balm outdoors, as the AAD recommends.
Is lip oil better than lip gloss?
They do different jobs. Lip oil feels lighter and less sticky; gloss gives more shine and color.
Why does my lip oil tingle?
Plumping oils often contain mint, cinnamon or menthol. The AAD lists these among ingredients to skip if your lips are dry.
Written by Mahmoud Abdelmaksoud.
