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Once considered a niche item, lip oil has cemented its place as a beauty essential — a hybrid product that fuses the high-shine finish of a great lip gloss, the nourishing power of a balm, and the pigment of a sheer lipstick. These multitaskers deliver more than just a pretty sheen; the best lip oils actively work to repair, hydrate, and protect the delicate skin on your lips.
Unlike traditional lip balms that sit on the surface of your smile, lip oils are designed to penetrate deeper, delivering long-lasting hydration where it’s needed most. “Because lip oils are thinner in texture, they can absorb more easily into the skin’s deeper layers,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Westbay. “That’s where they really shine — providing prolonged moisture benefits instead of the quick-fix relief that wax-based balms tend to offer.” In fact, this deeper penetration is why those with persistently chapped lips often find lip oils more effective. “Lip oils help reduce the constant cycle of reapplication,” explains Dr. Westbay. “They’re packed with nourishing ingredients that work harder and last longer.”
Top Lip Oils of 2025
For those who prefer a hint of color, today’s lip oils offer more than just hydration. With shade ranges that rival sheer lipsticks, many formulas deliver rich hues without compromising on comfort or care. And unlike sticky glosses, lip oils provide high-impact shine without any of the tackiness.
To bring you the most trustworthy recommendations, we spent 18 months testing dozens of lip oils across a wide range of skin tones, climates, and lip conditions. Our rigorous review process includes expert interviews and real-world wear tests to evaluate everything from ingredient quality and finish to hydration longevity and comfort. Only the top-performing formulas made our final list, below.
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Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil
Key ingredients: Peptides, sunflower seed oil, magnolia bark extract, and chamomile and calendula extracts
Number of shades: 12
This tinted lip oil is just the thing to reach for when you want to wear color, but don’t want to worry about your lipstick smudging or caking all night. Available in 12 shades that range from shimmery pinks to chocolate browns, the super smooth texture feels like an oil but wears like a gloss. The opacity of the color depends on the shade you choose — whether that’s a super sheer peach or a richer plum — presenting options for every personal preference. More to love: The product is red carpet-approved, as seen on stars like Aimee Lou Wood.
Editor testing and review notes: “This lip oil is one of my all-time favorites for everyday wear. It’s lightweight and intensely hydrating, and the small doe foot wand helps me to get detailed when I apply it (though it’s foolproof enough to swipe on without a mirror). Beyond that, I love how versatile this lip oil is, courtesy of its range of shades in different finishes and opacities.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
WWD Shop contributing writer Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Merit’s lip oil.
Nooni Appleseed Lip Oil
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, and sweet almond oil
Number of shades: 13
A great low-stakes entry into the category, Nooni’s Appleseed Lip Oil stains the lips with a watercolor-like tint while delivering lightweight hydration. That — combined with its under-$15 price point — has earned it hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok and over 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Our testers were partial to it over other drugstore formulas for how evenly it stains the lips and its texture, which felt more silky and luxurious than other similarly priced options. We recommend the Appleberry shade, which reads as a cool pink.
Editor testing and review notes:“I was blown away by the quality of this lip oil, given its price. It’s intensely pigmented, so you only need one coat to tint your lips — and it leaves behind a gorgeous stain when it fades. I find that it gives me about an hour of moisture; after that, I follow up with a lip balm as needed, since the stain stays put for about four hours. Just note that the proportions of the product are small, including both the amount of product in the tube as well as the size of the wand. ” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $12
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Nooni’s lip oil.
Guerlain Kiss Kiss Bee Glow Lip Oil
Key ingredients: Propolis, Corsican honey, and royal jelly
Number of shades: 6
Equal parts lip oil and stain, Guerlain’s Kiss Kiss Bee Glow Lip Oil is a one-and-done formula for major hydration and a splash of color. The formula’s workhorse is a brand signature: honey, which Guerlain employs for lasting moisture and a cushioned, slick feel. Two additional ingredients, propolis and royal jelly, work in tandem with the honey to soften, hydrate, and subtly plump the lips. Choose from six shades that range from light tints that enhance your natural lip color to vibrant poppy red or plum.
Editor testing and review notes: “Yes, $40 is a lot for a single tube of lip product, but Guerlain’s is the definition of investment worthy. The syrupy formula provided me with two extra hours of hydration compared to alternatives I tried (which I found myself wanting to reapply after one or two hours of wear). On top of that, this lip oil imparts a gorgeous stain that lasts through eating and drinking and fades evenly after a few hours of wear. The shades are sheer, so you don’t have to worry about an exact shade match, too.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $40
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Guerlain’s lip oil.
YSL Beauty Loveshine Plumping Oil Lip Gloss
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, spicy ginger oil, pepper oil, and vitamin E
Number of shades: 9
For plumper looking lips, our editors present you with just one formula: YSL Beauty’s new Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss. Spicy ginger and pepper oils deliver an intense plumping effect, smoothing out the surface of the lips for a glassy, full effect. Where similarly strong lip plumpers can leave your smile feeling parched and rough after a day of wear, this top plumping lip oil has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to condition and nourish that skin instead.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’m always looking for ways to make my lips look bigger without committing to costly lip filler. The issue is that many formulas either don’t give me the enhancement I’m seeking out or they simply irritate my sensitive lips. YSL’s plumping lip oil gave me such amazing results that I had to text my friends immediately with my before and after photo — this stuff works. My lips feel like they almost double in size, and the glossy finish is gorgeous on its own and over lip liner.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $40
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews YSL Beauty’s lip oil.
Clarins Lip Comfort Hydrating Oil
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, hazelnut oil, and rose oil
Number of shades: 10
As one of the pioneers within the lip oil category, Clarins offers some of the best hydrating lip oils on the market. A trio of plant-based oils create to moisturize lips and keep them supple, creating a filter-like effect that smooths fine lines and creates mirror-like shine. The formula is available in ten sheer shades, including options that react with the pH of your lips to create a custom, flattering tint.
Editor testing and review notes: “Some lip oils feel like they sit on top of the lips similar to a gloss. This one sinks into the skin instead, absorbing quickly for a quenched effect and a little less shine than what you may be expecting from an oil. The large doe foot wand makes it easy to coat my lips in the formula with a single swipe, though I prefer two for extra moisture.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Clarins’ lip oil.
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
Key ingredients: Vitamin E and plant-based oils (jojoba, raspberry seed, shea, apricot, grape seed, avocado, and more)
Number of shades: 8
Most lip oils are sheer in their pigments, creating more of a glossy look on the lips versus full-coverage color you’d expect from something like a lipstick. Summer Fridays’ iteration is for the gals who want the latter, with opaque shades that coat the lips in color. Similar to the brand’s cult-favorite Lip Butter Balm, the Dream Lip Oil is intensely hydrating, courtesy of nine plant-based oils and lip-softening vitamin E.
Editor testing and review notes: “This lip oil left my lips feeling soft, smooth, and plush after application. It maintains a slick — not sticky or slippery — texture for about three hours of wear, with pigments lasting longer if you line your lips first. Upon each application during our testing period, I found myself removing excess product from the large doe foot applicator, as it can deposit too much product on my lips in one swipe. The product effectively rejuvenated my dry lips (after being outside in winter temperatures down to 20 degrees).” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $26
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Summer Fridays’ lip oil.
Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
Key ingredients: Cherry oil
Number of shades: 14
One of the first lip oils — let alone beauty products — to become TikTok famous, the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil has many imitators online, but none as good as the real thing. The chubby doe foot wand coats the lips in one quick swipe, while the formula’s cherry oil softens lips and enhances their shine. But it’s the results that our testers fell in love with: You’ll get juicy, glass-like shine with one coat.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is a great alternative to lip gloss for when you want a high shine result with a non-sticky feeling. The formula feels luxurious on the lips, and the oversized doe foot wand grabs enough of the oil to coat both lips with a little excess to spare. During testing, I found myself reaching for the pH-adjusting shades that change colors on your lips for a custom tone.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $40
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
Key ingredients: Honey, jojoba seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and more plant-derived oils
Number of shades: 8
Buzzy beauty brand Gisou creates one of WWD’s top-rated oils for everyday hydration. The product, which has amassed over 25 million views on TikTok, features a high concentration of honey and plant-based oils. The formula sinks into the lips quickly after you apply it, nourishing them with moisture and creating a high-shine effect. Building off the viral popularity of the product, Gisou often releases new shades like the shimmer-flecked Glazed Plum.
Editor testing and review notes: “Gisou’s Honey-Infused Lip Oil is exactly what a lip oil should be: Deeply hydrating, non-sticky, and incredibly shiny. I wear it on bare lips whenever I need moisture and want a pop of shine, however it’s also a gorgeous finishing touch over lip stains and lipsticks. But my favorite way to wear it is over lip liner for a super plump look.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Gisou’s lip oil.
Typology T40 Tinted Lip Oil
Key ingredients: Squalane, jojoba oil, and vitamin E
Number of shades: 6
French beauty brand Typology creates high-value, minimalist beauty essentials that streamline your routine. The T40 Tinted Lip Oil impressed our panel of testers with its luxury feel and hefty amount of product for the price — this is the type of formula you can apply generously without feeling guilty about using up precious drops of the lip oil. We recommend the Black Cherry colorway; although it looks like a hard-to-pull-off shade, the pigment sheers out to subtly enrich the color of your natural lips.
Editor testing and review notes: “This little vial of lip oil goes a long way — the glass container holds more formula than others I tested, and the small doe foot wand prevents you from applying excess product. It’s one of the more lightweight lip oils I tested, which bodes well for layering over lipstick (one of my favorite ways to enhance shine and hydration in one fell swoop).” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $29.90
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests and reviews Typology’s lip oil.
What Is Lip Oil?
A lip oil perfectly combines makeup with skin care. “Lip oils can be thought of as analogous to a concentrated face serum, delivering more potent, optimally penetrating moisture-attracting and replenishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which help sustain hydration in between applications,” says Dr. Westbay. “Lip oils are typically composed of oils from ingredients such as almond, olive, jojoba, coconut, avocado, hemp seed, castor oil, and rosehip,” Dr. Westbay explains. “These natural ingredients contain fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that are ultra-nourishing and hydrating.”
Lip Oil vs. Lip Gloss
While they both deliver a similar shine, lip oil and lip gloss differ on a few major basics. For one, a gloss looks gorgeous, but it’s superficial. Lip gloss is a makeup product designed to give lips a dose of color along with a glossy shine. Lip oils can give you that same high-gloss look but they also offer intense hydration, sinking far below the skin’s surface with key ingredients that heal lips.
Unlike lip glosses and balms, lip oils can penetrate below surface level to hydrate, heal, and repair the skin over time. Because lip oils are thinner, they’re able to penetrate more readily into the deeper skin layers. This allows for “more sustained hydration benefits than products that are limited to sitting on the surface, like chapsticks and lip balms,” says Dr. Westbay.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Lip Oils
To narrow down the very best lip oils that outshine other formulas, our editors lent our lips to 18 months of extensive testing. Before we rolled up our sleeves, we rounded up a testing pool of 31 lip glosses in different finishes and formulas, referencing extensive market research, buzzy TikTok-viral formulas, and long-time bestsellers. We compared customer reviews on retailer websites, social media, and forums like Reddit to determine the most satisfactory formulas for a variety of needs and preferences. Any lip oils that did not provide substantial hydration, wear comfortably, achieve high-shine results, or deliver on impressive claims were cut from our list.
WWD Shop contributor Claire Sullivan tests lip oils.
Throughout our testing period, editors wore each lip oil for as long as they stayed put on our lips. We timed how quickly they wore off throughout the day, whether they held up through eating and drinking, and whether the lips felt softer, plumper, or more hydrated than before application. We took note of other factors, like color payoff, product packaging, applicators, fragrance, and overall comfort as key criteria for nailing down the best formulas. Our beauty test team represents different lip care needs and glam preferences so that you’re equipped with the nitty-gritty details that’ll lead you to your next holy grail lip oil.
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Meet the Experts
Dr. Rachel Westbay is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. With a primary focus on cosmetic and general dermatology, she excels at the use of injectables and is also highly proficient in laser surgery, as well as other minimally and non-invasive cosmetic procedures, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), thermal skin tightening, body contouring and tumescent liposuction. A sought after skincare and beauty media expert, Dr. Westbay’s expert opinions are routinely published in both print and electronic media.
Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is a contributing writer for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair.
Original reporting for this article was conducted by Kristin Limoges.
