By now, everyone in the beauty space likely owns, and at the very least, has tried, a lip oil. But these aren't just glorified lip glosses—they actually marry skincare and makeup seamlessly, for the best of both worlds: barrier-supporting ingredients that repair and protect, plus a wash of color and high-shine finish.
Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says that the right lip oil can help rebuild the defenses of the fragile skin around the lips—especially if it includes ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and fatty acids. "Think of them as a healing sealant: it cushions cracks, replenishes lost moisture, and helps restore that silky-smooth surface, not just mask it." In short, they nourish the lips while doubling as makeup.
Celebrity makeup artist MarQuis Ward loves their versatility. "I wear lip oil on its own when I want something easy and hydrating
From hydrating blend to tinted oilds that do double dut
Not only is this lip oil totally buildable, but it also offers three different finishes: sheer, shimmer, and high shine, to allow you to customize your look fully. The lightweight oil glides on smoothly, making the lips look juicy without any goop or stickiness. But the formulation is where the real magic lies. It's jam-packed with emollients like squalane and quinoa seed oil, working to lock in moisture, while vitamin E adds an extra layer of defense against free radicals. The result? Soft, juicy lips with the prettiest wash of color.
Shades: 12
Ingredients: Squalane, quinoa seed oil (moisturizes); Vitamin E (protects with antioxidants)
What I Love: Great selection of nudes for every skin tone; Three different finishes; Feels like nothing on the lips
What I Don't: The applicator is relatively small
Review for MC: "This lip oil checks every single box. It truly is the most buttery formulation I've swiped on my lips, and despite all the oils in the formula, it lasts an extraordinarily long time. I also love how I can build it up from a sheer wash to a deeper color." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
When lip oils blew up everywhere, Dior was the culprit, catapulting the formulations into the viral beauty spotlight. Ford is also a fan of it, noting that it has a "luxurious plumping effect with a juicy finish." The secret? A perfect marriage of balm-like comfort and gloss-level shine. Over five years later, it still remains one of the greats.
Shades: 14
Ingredients: Cherry oil (skin conditioning); Vitamin E (protects with antioxidants)
What I Love: High-level shine that gives lips a plumping, juicy effect; Sheer washes of color look like "your skin but better"; Oversized doefoot applicator
What I Don't: A tad on the sticky side; Can leak out of the bottle
Review for MC: "I'm so addicted to this lip oil that I find myself constantly reaching for it just to feel the formulation on my lips. It's the juiciest formula I've tried with its high-shine finish and sheer, gelly-like colors. It also has the slightest minty-vanilla scent that elevates the luxe formula even more." — Isabelle Adler, Contributor
It may not look like a traditional lip oil, but this next pick combines the color payoff of a lipstick with the slip and shine of an oil. The formulation calls on six moisturizing oils, like passionfruit and macadamia, leaving lips softer and smoother over time. And thanks to the product's silky glide, it never settles in fine lines or dry skin, unlike a lipstick. For a more traditional oil formula, YSL just launched a plumping gloss from the same Loveshine line, which calls on hyaluronic acid for fullness and hydration.
Shades: 17
Ingredients: Vitamin E (protects with antioxidants); Passionfruit oil, macadamia oil (moisturizes)
What I Love: Pigmented color in one swipe; Formula is ultra-creamy and easily buildable; Great color range
What I Don't: The tube doesn't indicate which shade it is
Review for MC: "Obsessed is an understatement when it comes to this lip oil stick. It's the formula I wear on an everyday basis, and I'm particularly obsessed with the light, cool pink shade in 213. It gives me that perfect '90s lip, especially when I use a darker brown liner." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Part of Nars' Hot Escape collection inspired by the South of France, this gel-oil hybrid feels like summer in a tube. It glides onto the lips weightlessly with a sheer wash of bronze shimmer and shine. Shea butter and jojoba seed oil soften lips while antioxidant-rich raspberry seed oil adds protection. Honestly, I'm such a fan of this drop, I waxed poetic about how it instantly elevates any warm-weather makeup routine.
Shades: 4 (all available only at Nars)
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What I Don't: Limited edition
Review for MC: "The gloss has just enough shine to catch the light, coating my lips in a sheer bronze tint that never feels overdone but still delivers that warm, shimmery finish. Color aside, a lip product is only as good as its formula. No amount of shimmer is worth it if the texture feels sticky or goopy. Luckily, the brand's beloved Afterglow Lip Oil is a gel-oil hybrid that delivers the glossy look of a traditional gloss with the moisturizing payoff of an oil." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Siena Gagliano applies the NARS Afterglow Lip Oil in Laguna from the Hot Escape Collection.
This one's a true triple threat with its plumping, hydrating, and tint-delivering formula all in one. Kosas' Wet Oil features ingredients like hyaluronic acid to pull water in for a fuller pout, while peptides get to work promoting collagen production and skin repair. It's also the first lip oil I've ever tried to offer a vast range of shades that have impressive color payoff and a non-sticky feel.
Shades: 11
Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-1; Hyaluronic acid
What I Love: The plumping effects don't cause any tingling; Great color payoff
What I Don't: Sometimes the gloss will leak from the bottle if kept on its side
Review for MC: "This is the most comfortable lip gloss I've tried. It's totally weightless, yet keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day. I also love how some of the darker shades act like a stain on my lips. So even if the glossy sheen wears off, I still have a wash of color leftover." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Siena Gagliano before and after applying Kosas Wet Lip Oil.
If you want a lip oil that feels and works like skincare first, this next pick is a must-try. The secret in its formula is the collagen- and elastin-producing peptide complex that firms and smooths lips over time. Not to mention its other hydrating and antioxidant-protecting counterparts for ultra moisture and barrier repair. The result is a powerhouse-packed formula, with a shiny, barely-there tint that doubles as a gloss.
Shades: 7
Ingredients: Volulip; Maxi-Lip; Argan oil; Vitamin E; Hyaluronic acid
What I Love: Works to increase collagen over time; No sticky residue
What I Don't: Not super long-wearing, you'll have to reapply often
Review for MC: "Perricone MD might not be the sexy lip gloss that comes to mind when you hear 'Lip Gloss' on the radio or when you're shopping for a new one—but trust me, it’s one of the most hydrating lip oils on the market. As the OG no-makeup makeup skincare brand, this lightweight formula is infused with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and pomegranate seed oil to keep lips soft, nourished, and tinted throughout the day." — Iman Balagam, Contributing Beauty Writer
Iman Balagam before and after applying Perricone MD No Makeup Lip Oil.
Although Ami Colé just announced its (heartbreaking) closure come September, there are still a few months to grab this ground-breaking formula while it's on the market. The multi-emollient packed ingredient profile—shout out to the baobab, camellia, and passionfruit oils—is like a cushiony layer of moisture on the lips without any heavy weight. Each of the eight shades delivers a subtle, sheer wash of color and high-shine payoff.
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This next-level product is a lip oil and lip treatment in one. Like all of U Beauty's line, the Plasma Lip Compound calls on the brand's proprietary complex to optimize your skin's collagen production. The formulation also uses chemical exfoliants to slough away dead skin cells and peptides for visible fullness. And while it does all of this underneath the skin at a cellular level, it also adds an instant dose of shine and sheer color.
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Oils and stains are the two biggest trends in the lip care space right now, and this formula brilliantly combines the best of both. Makeup artist Vincent Ford says, "This one has a gel-to-oil texture and stains the lips in the best way." It starts with a glossy, conditioning oil and then transforms into a long-lasting tint that feels weightless all day. Never sticky, it layers easily for a sheer wash or a bright, saturated color—perfect for anyone who wants the moisture of an oil and the staying power of a stain.
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Makeup artist MarQuis Ward says, "I find myself reaching for this one because it really does it all in one step for me and feels like nothing." With a crystal-clear finish that flatters every skin tone, it's a perfect no-fuss option to wear alone or layer over any lipstick or liner. Packed with chia seed and sweet almond oils, this lip treatment delivers a surge of moisture and shine.
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This juicy lip oil isn't just about gloss—it's a full-on sensory treat. Infused with flavors and scents—both fruity and sweet—it delivers a deliciously subtle taste with a glass-like shine, and smooth finish. Perfect if you want your makeup to smell and taste as good as it looks.
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Dr. Gohara says to think of this pick like "a tall glass of water, plus a cashmere scarf for your lips." If that didn't paint enough of a picture, allow the ingredient list to do the talking. Combining hyaluronic acid, jojoba seed oil, and squalane, this lip oil deeply hydrates and smooths lips while adding a touch of light pink sheen. And the best part? It's an affordable option that looks and feels like it costs a whole lot more.
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What to Look for in a Lip Oil
- Ingredients
The best lip oils include a blend of humectants, emollients, and occlusives to deeply hydrate, soften, and lock all that moisture in. Humectants like hyaluronic acid attract water to the lips, emollients such as jojoba and shea butter smooth and condition the fragile skin on the lips, while occlusives like squalane create a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss throughout the day. Dr. Gohara recommends looking for a formulation that has some—bonus points for all!—of these ingredients, especially if your lips are chronically dry or prone to chapping.
Other ingredients to look out for? Ceramides, glycerin, and fatty acids, as the right lip oil can actually support your skin's barrier repair. "Think of a lip oil as a healing sealant: it cushions cracks, replenishes lost moisture, and helps restore that silky-smooth surface, not just mask it," says Dr. Gohara. She also warns to avoid essential oils, synthetic fragrances, or irritating colorants if you have sensitive lips, as these ingredients can cause stinging or peeling.
- Texture
Each lip oil differs depending on the formulation. Many deliver a glossy finish, while others can offer a sheen; texture can vary from ultra-lightweight to richer, balmy formulas, but one thing the best all have in common? They avoid stickiness. MarQuis Ward points out, "I always look for a formula that feels good, isn't sticky, and actually does something for my lips." So, whether you prefer a sheer wash of color or a highly saturated payoff, a thick balm or a slippery oil, the key is to find one that glides smoothly and wears comfortably throughout the day.
- Application
Thanks to the versatility of lip oils, they can be applied and layered in a multitude of ways. MarQuis Ward suggests wearing lip oil alone for quick hydration, layering under lipstick for softness, or topping lip color with it for extra shine. Ford's trick for longevity is to line lips first, apply oil, then gently press it in with your fingers. He also suggests using translucent powder to set the very outer edge of the lip line with a small, precise brush. This helps to prevent feathering without drying out the lips.
Is Lip Oil Better Than Lip Balm?
Lip oils tend to sink in more quickly and deliver deeper hydration, while balms often sit on the surface. Dr. Gohara explains, "Lip oils are more like a nutrient-packed smoothie for your lips—balms are more like the plastic lid." Oils moisturize and repair with ingredients that soften, plump, and protect the skin barrier, while balms work to seal moisture in to prevent transepidermal water loss. "Both have value, but lip oils usually bring a more reparative edge," says Dr. Gohara.
How We Tested
Marie Claire is an authority on beauty, having written numerous stories about must-have makeup formulas, including the best tinted sunscreens and the best eyebrow gels, among others. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by beauty writers after extensive testing over several weeks.
While the best lip oil for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Mona Gohara, a Yale-trained board-certified dermatologist and former chief resident at Yale New Haven Hospital, is an associate clinical professor at Yale, where she continues to teach and mentor. As President of the Women's Dermatologic Society and chair of several committees for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Gohara is a recognized leader in her field. A trusted medical expert, she frequently contributes to Marie Claire, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and more, and serves on the advisory board for Women's Health. Her clinical focus and interests include skin of color and both medical and surgical dermatology.
With almost two decades of experience as a makeup artist, Vincent Ford soon discovered a passion for photography. He found that his makeup expertise enhanced his photography skills, while being a beauty photographer made him a better makeup artist. Ford's career has taken him around the globe, working across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. He shares his work and tips with his combined audience of over 1 million people across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
MarQuis Ward, an Atlanta native and founder of Expensive Skin Studios, brings 14 years of experience to the world of makeup artistry. Formerly known for wardrobe styling, Marquis embarked on a remarkable transition fueled by his deep-rooted passion for music and fashion. Now based in Los Angeles, he has seamlessly channeled his innate creativity into the realm of makeup, expanding his repertoire from his earlier days.
