If, like me and most of the planet, you suffer from dry lips from time to time, it's worth having one of the best lip oils in your beauty arsenal. Whether I'm creating a full face of makeup or embracing a more natural look, I'll always use some lip oil to add some much-needed hydration and shine.
Unlike traditional lip glosses, which can feel sticky, or lip balms, which can lack the shine factor, lip oils strike the perfect balance of moisturisation and glow. Plus, you can wear some under lipstick like a base coat to prevent your lips from drying out and cracking or slather some on top to give them a volumizing shine.
"Lip oils serve two purposes: number one, they give your lips a blush of colour and number two, they can also hydrate your lips." says Amish Patel, Leading Aesthetics Trainer, Award-Winning Aesthetics Practitioner and Skincare Expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic. "Rather than drying out the lips with the application, their formulation will hydrate".
The best lip oils at a glance:
In the end, the best lip oil for you will depend on your preferences and needs. Whether you're after a burst of hydration, a pop of colour, or a long-lasting gloss, there’s something out there that fits your style. So, I’ve put together a guide to help you find the best lip oil for your needs. Let’s dive in!
How we tested the best lip oils
Our writer, Arabella Horspool, has carefully chosen the lip oils on this list, with a selection to suit all budgets and preferences. Other members of the Yours team also tested the same lip oils in different shades, so we could get a diverse range of opinions and experiences.
To ensure a thorough and unbiased review, we tested each lip oil for a full week, paying close attention to key factors such as the hydration level of her lips, the consistency of the product, its feel during wear, and ease of application. She also noted whether any re-applications were necessary and the presence of any noticeable scent.
For tinted lip oils, we focused specifically on how long-lasting the colour was throughout the day.
The best lip oils UK:
Best overall lip oil
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukwww.superdrug.com
I picked up a Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Oil when shopping for other makeup, and I'm so glad I did! It's available in different shades, but I use 003 Berry Pink, which has a sweet strawberry scent that is a bit artificial. However, it adds just a touch of colour to create the illusion of plumpness, which makes it great for everyday use.
The applicator is doe-shaped (like a deer's foot), so it glides onto your lips with ease and is not at all sticky!
The ingredients include antioxidants that help your skin retain moisture. You can leave it on overnight or reapply throughout the day.
Pros
- Slick formula that glides onto lips
- Contains antioxidants to retain moisture
Cons
- Scent smells artificial
| Scent: | Strawberry |
| Application: | Doe-foot applicator |
Best elf lip oil set
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukwww.elfcosmetics.co.uk
A perfect gift for beauty lovers, the e.l.f Glow Reviver Quad Goals Lip Oil Kit contains three shades and a glimmer finish lip oil which are perfect for special occasions or just because.
The formula is so smooth and comfortable on the lips, and it gives a beautiful, non-sticky shine. I love that it’s not heavy or greasy but still feels super hydrating throughout the day. However, I did need to reapply it several times throughout the day.
Pros
- Lightweight feel
- Non-greasy texture
Cons
- May need multiple reapplications
TESTED
Upon opening the product, you can smell a fruity watermelon scent, that’s reminiscent of sweets but not sickly! There’s a large applicator which makes it easy to apply the formula to your lips, but be careful when pulling the lid off as it does require a small bit of force which may cause a little drop of the oil to fly out.
I love the consistency of the oil; it’s more like a lip balm than a runny liquid, and the formula felt light on my lips. It's fast absorbing, too, and even on particularly dry lips, I only needed one application to keep them smooth and revitalised for 24 hours. Result!
Pros
- Fast-absorbing
- Not too runny - lip balm texture - makes for easy application
Cons
- Lid can be fiddly to remove
| Scent: | Watermelon and peppermint |
| Application: | Flocked lip wand |
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukAs a regular user of Revolution products, I was excited to try the Revolution PRO Eternal Rose Lip Oil in the shade Rosy, and I must say, it did not disappoint! First, it's cruelty-free, which is a big tick, and second, it looks lovely on.
The silky formula feels incredibly comfortable to wear. The light pink shade offers a soft, natural tint that enhances the lips without being too overpowering, making it perfect for daily wear. It’s lightweight and not sticky, which is a huge plus for me, as I’ve tried other lip oils that can feel heavy or leave a greasy residue. Instead, this lip oil provides a smooth, hydrating finish, keeping my lips soft and moisturised throughout the day - with the help of rose and jojoba oils.
The packaging is sleek and practical, and while the applicator is easy to use, I would prefer a fatter one. The current applicator is thin and at an angle, which isn’t a huge issue, but a fuller applicator would make it feel a bit more effortless to apply.
Pros
- Light tint for a natural look
- Cruelty-free, vegan product
Cons
- Applicator is long and curved, which can cause an uneven application
| Scent: | Rose |
| Applicator: | Flocked |
best lip oil plumper
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukwww.lookfantastic.com
As one of the best collagen lip oils on the market, its powerful blend of pawpaw, olive oil, and aloe vera works to firm and visibly enhance elasticity for a smooth, hydrated pout. It doesn't sting or tingle like other plumping lip products do.
When applying it, I found that this lip oil's consistency was runny yet stayed it in place. My lips are already quite plump, so I didn't notice a significant change there. I liked that the product produced a lovely, dewy sheen on my lips, but it felt like a film, as they did not feel smoother. However, they look shinier, even after it had worn off.
Pros
- Adds a dewy shine to lips
- Doesn't sting or tingle
Cons
- Skin didn't feel overly smooth
| Scent: | Fragrance-free |
| Applicator: | Squeezy tube |
Best natural lip oil
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukwww.evolvebeauty.com
For a more natural offering, I chose the Evolve Bio-Retinol Glossy Lip Oil, which is formulated with 80% organic ingredients. Packed full of plant power: apricot, macadamia, apricot, raspberry seed oil and Kalahari Melon, it plumps your lips and promises age-defying results. Peppermint and lime essential oils are also included to provide a wonderful, natural fragrance.
It comes in a squeezy tube, which is easy to apply (just use gentle pressure as you don't need too much!). It enhanced my natural lip colour nicely and added a sparkly effect.
Pros
- Healthier for your skin as contains mostly organic ingredients from 100% natural origins
- Suitable for mature skin
Cons
- Squeezy tube so can be easy to overapply
| Scent: | Peppermint and lime oil |
| Application: | Squeezy tube |
Best tinted lip oil
Natalie Knowles/Yours.co.ukwww.notino.co.uk
If you’re looking for an affordable tinted lip oil with great colour impact, Catrice Glossin' Glow Tinted Lip Oil is a good choice. Enriched with cherry and pomegranate oils, it nourishes like a lip balm. I'm obsessed with using the shade 060 Party Crasher when I'm going out in the evening as it has specks of glitter which sparkle when they capture the light.
Our Commercial Content Writer Natalie Knowles also tried the Catrice Glossin' Glow Tinted Lip Oil, but in the shade 070 Make A Move. She said it created a glossy, plum-toned tint that is "perfect for my olive skin and dark hair."
Just like me, she found it easy to create the perfect look: "I love how easy it is to apply with the applicator."
It is important to note that this product does feel slightly sticky when it's on, but it’s long-lasting and stays put without feeling greasy. At this price point, it’s a winner, especially as it’s also cruelty-free, vegan, and free from gluten, parabens and microplastic particles. Result!
Pros
- Suitable for vegans
- Applicator makes it easy to apply
Cons
- Feels sticky
| Scent: | No |
| Applicator: | Flocked |
Lip oil FAQS
Is lip oil good for you lips?
Lip oils can provide deep hydration and many of them contain natural ingredients. "Most lip oils on the market are formulated around natural plant-based oils such as almond, jojoba or argan oil", says Amish Patel. "These oils are rich in vitamins and fatty acids, which can help repair and protect the delicate skin of your lips.
However, he does say that "Lip oils are not designed to help chapped lips, so choose a nourishing oil balm if you suffer from dried lips".
For those with more mature lips, he recommends keeping them extra hydrated. "The more hydrated the lips are, the more volumized they will be and ultimately more youthful in appearance.
"Lip oils can give the lips a blush of colour and sheen, and unlike most lip gloss and lipsticks, they tend not to bleed on more mature lips."
How to use lip oil
To use lip oil, simply apply a small amount directly to your lips using the applicator or a clean fingertip. Start at the centre of your lips and work your way outwards for even coverage.
You can use it on its own for a natural, hydrated look or layer it over lipstick or lip liner for added shine and moisture.
Reapply throughout the day as needed to keep your lips feeling soft and nourished.
What is the difference between lip oil and lip gloss?
Lip oils are generally thinner and less sticky than lip glosses. While glosses are often made from thicker ingredients like wax or petroleum jelly, which are meant to alter the appearance of the lips, lip oils are formulated to provide nourishment.
Meet the expert
Amish Patel is a Leading Aesthetics Trainer, Award-Winning Aesthetics Practitioner and Skincare Expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic. He was featured as a leading expert on BBC, ITV’s ‘The Tonight Programme ‘Botched Fillers’.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her dogs.