Delivers soothing moisture with a polished shine that lasts 2-3 hours, ideal for dry or peeling lips.
Looking for a budget alternative? NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip
Sick of lip oils that feel like renamed gloss? We tested today’s most-loved formulas and picked the few that truly nourish, soften, and protect lips instead of just sitting on top.
If your lips feel tight, flaky, or chronically thirsty, the right lip oil can be a game changer. Many trending options are basically clear gloss in new packaging, which looks pretty for an hour and leaves your lips feeling drier later. The picks below were chosen for what they do between applications. Each one relies on proven emollients and humectants to soften lips and help prevent moisture loss, while still giving a flattering, non-goopy shine.
This guide is for anyone who wants lip color or sheen that actually comforts the skin on your lips. You will find options for sensitive lips, budget-friendly picks that still treat dryness, and richer formulas that behave like a mini overnight mask in a tube.
Quick picks
- Clarins Lip Comfort Oil: Best overall daily treatment with plush shine and dependable softness.
- DHC Lip Oil: Best minimal-scent treatment for sensitive lips and layering under or over balm.
- NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip: Best budget tinted hydration with juicy color and cushy feel.
- Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil: Best chic, buildable tint that smooths lip lines without stickiness.
- Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil: Best for very dry lips or overnight comfort that clings longer.
In-depth reviews
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil review
Who it is for: Anyone who wants an oil that treats dryness while looking polished. It is especially good if your lips peel easily or feel tight by mid-afternoon.
Why it works: The formula centers on a trio of plant oils, including jojoba and hazelnut, that mimic skin’s natural lipids and soften without feeling greasy. The cushiony texture hugs the lips instead of slipping off. Tinted shades add a healthy flush without drying pigments, and the oversized doe-foot applicator lays down an even layer in one swipe.
How it feels: Lightly plush and comforting with a high-shine finish. It is not sticky, and it leaves lips feeling conditioned even after the sheen wears down. Expect about 2 to 3 hours of comfortable wear between light meals.
Drawbacks: There is a light scent and the price is premium. If you prefer a completely bare feel, this level of cushion may feel a touch thicker than you like.
Compare it: Compared with Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil, Clarins feels lighter and more elegant on application, but Gisou hangs on longer in cold, dry air. Versus NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip, Clarins is more refined in texture and after-feel, with a more consistent tint payoff.
DHC Lip Oil review
Who it is for: Sensitive or reactive lips that prefer straightforward, minimal-scent care. Also great if you want a clear oil that layers seamlessly under lipstick or over a nighttime balm.
Why it works: This simple formula relies on tried-and-true emollients like olive-derived squalane, olive oil, and meadowfoam seed oil to soften and smooth while helping prevent moisture loss. Vitamin E adds antioxidant support. The ingredient list avoids flashy extras and focuses on comfort.
How it feels: Thin to medium in weight with a soft, glassy sheen that looks healthy rather than ultra-glossy. It sinks in a bit as you wear it, which many with sensitive lips prefer. It layers beautifully without pilling.
Drawbacks: Wear time is shorter than thicker formulas, and it is clear only. If you want dramatic shine or a bolder tint, you will want something else for color days.
Compare it: Compared with Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, DHC is simpler, less scented, and easier to layer under color, but it does not cushion as long. Versus Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil, DHC feels lighter with less tack and shorter wear, which some will prefer for daytime.
NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip review
Who it is for: Anyone who wants a tinted lip oil that actually hydrates without a high price tag. Great for first-time lip oil users or as a gym-to-dinner purse staple.
Why it works: The formula blends emollients with vegan squalane and fruit oils to soften lips while creating a juicy, cushiony look. Shades deliver a sheer to medium wash of color that evens out lip tone and looks fresh, not heavy.
How it feels: Gel-oil hybrid that feels bouncy and smooth on the lips. Shine is noticeable but not goopy. It keeps lips comfortable for a couple of hours, and it reapplies without clumping.
Drawbacks: Some shades include a sweet scent. Because it is softer and more slippery than thicker oils, it transfers to cups quickly. On very lined lips, deeper shades may settle a bit unless you blot once.
Compare it: Compared with Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil, NYX is bolder and juicier in finish but a little less refined in texture. Versus Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, NYX is the smart budget pick that still treats dryness, though Clarins feels richer and wears a touch longer.
Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil review
Who it is for: Minimalists who want a polished tint that smooths the look of lines and wears comfortably at work or on camera. It is an everyday formula that suits most lip types, including mature lips.
Why it works: Rosehip oil, jojoba, grapeseed oil, and conditioning esters deliver a silky, emollient layer that softens lips while the tint builds from sheer to medium. The finish reads more “expensive sheen” than high-shine gloss, which is a nice middle ground for professional settings.
How it feels: Thin to medium weight with a glide that makes lips feel instantly cushiony. It does not catch on dry patches and it stays smooth as it fades, leaving lips comfortable rather than parched.
Drawbacks: It is not the longest wearing pick, and the price is higher than drugstore options. If you love a gel-gloss look, you might find the shine too understated.
Compare it: Compared with NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip, Merit is more refined and smoothing with a softer shine. Against Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil, Merit is much lighter and better for frequent daytime touchups, while Gisou offers a thicker, longer lasting cushion.
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil review
Who it is for: Very dry lips, frequent travelers, and anyone who wants a lip oil that behaves like a comfy, protective glaze. It is also a smart pick if you want fewer reapplications in cold or windy weather.
Why it works: Honey and humectants like hyaluronic acid attract and hold water at the surface, while plant oils provide a protective emollient layer that softens and helps reduce moisture loss. The result is a plush, slightly denser oil that clings longer than most and leaves lips feeling cushioned even after the shine fades.
How it feels: Thick and plush with glassy shine. It never hardens or feels sticky on the lips, but you will notice the richer texture compared with lighter oils. Expect longer gaps between reapplication, often 3 to 4 hours outside of meals.
Drawbacks: The sweet scent will not suit everyone, and the rich texture can feel like too much in hot weather. It is also the priciest pick here.
Compare it: Compared with Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, Gisou is more tenacious and protective, but not as lightweight or effortless. Versus DHC Lip Oil, Gisou is thicker and more occlusive, while DHC is easier to layer under lipstick.
What makes a lip oil truly nourishing
A nourishing lip oil does more than make lips shiny. It should soft-condition now and help your lips feel better later. Here is how to spot the difference on a label and on your lips.
- Emollients that mimic skin’s own lipids: Jojoba, meadowfoam seed, olive, avocado, grapeseed, and squalane soften and smooth the skin surface.
- Humectants to pull in water: Glycerin, honey, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol help attract moisture to the top layers of the lips.
- Supportive film formers: Ingredients like hydrogenated polyisobutene and polybutene create a comfortable seal that slows moisture loss. They are not bad, but a good lip oil balances them with true emollients.
- Soothers and stabilizers: Bisabolol, vitamin E, and ceramide derivatives can calm and support the barrier.
- What to watch for if you are sensitive: Strong fragrance, essential oils like peppermint or cinnamon leaf, and menthol can tingle but often lead to dryness for reactive lips.
On wear, the right oil should feel comfortable within seconds, smooth over tiny flakes instead of catching on them, and leave lips feeling soft after the shine wears off. If your lips feel tighter or rougher later, you likely need more emollients or a light occlusive layer on top.
How to use a lip oil for lasting comfort
Technique matters. Use these steps to get more hydration from every tube.
- Prep smart: If you have visible flakes, soften them first with a damp warm cloth for 30 seconds, then pat dry. Skip gritty scrubs when lips are cracked.
- Apply on slightly damp lips: A tiny bit of water left on the lips gives humectants something to hold. Wipe away excess drool or coffee first, then apply oil.
- Layer for day vs night: For daytime, one to two swipes is plenty. At night, apply your lip oil, wait 2 minutes, then seal with a thin layer of a simple occlusive balm so moisture does not evaporate while you sleep.
- Pair with color: For crisp edges, outline with a long-wear liner, lightly blot, then apply a thin layer of lip oil. If you want more color, dab a tint in the center and blend out with a fingertip, then add a final veil of oil.
- Reapply on schedule: Most lip oils feel best with a fresh coat every 2 to 3 hours, and after meals. In very dry air, keep a richer oil handy and switch to it for afternoon comfort.
Care tips: Keep the applicator clean by wiping the tip with a tissue if you layer over lipstick. Store tubes away from heat so oils stay stable and do not thin out in your bag.
Final thoughts
If you want one sure bet to start with, choose Clarins Lip Comfort Oil for its mix of plush feel and real conditioning. Prefer low scent and flexible layering under color or balm? Go for DHC Lip Oil. Handle very dry lips or long flights with Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil. For an affordable tint that still treats your lips, NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip is the clear budget win. If your style is a polished, line-smoothing tint, Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil nails that effortless look. Start with the texture and scent level you like, then fine tune from there.
See also
Still debating texture and comfort over time? This breakdown of lip oil vs lip gloss explains what feels better on lips after hours of wear. If you are building a routine on a budget, skim our guide to the best budget makeup picks, and for daytime protection that does not taste awful, see the best lip balms with SPF.
Want a crisp outline that makes oil look intentional, not messy? Try our favorites in best lip liners for all-day wear. If you like ultra-precise application or custom mixing tints, the tools in best makeup brushes make it faster and cleaner.
FAQ
How can I tell from the label that a lip oil will actually nourish, not just shine?
Look for real emollients at the top of the ingredient list, such as jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed oil, olive oil, squalane, or grapeseed oil. Humectants like glycerin, honey, or hyaluronic acid help, too. Film formers like polybutene are fine for staying power, but if they dominate the list with few emollients, the product will likely feel more like gloss. A nourishing oil also leaves lips feeling soft after the shine fades.
Is lip oil enough to fix cracked, peeling lips, or should I still use balm?
Use both when lips are cracked. Apply a hydrating lip oil first to soften and add slip, then seal with a thin layer of an occlusive balm so moisture cannot evaporate. During the day, reapply the oil every few hours and keep the balm for night. Once your lips are smooth again, you can rely on lip oil alone most days.
What texture should I pick if I want moisture that lasts without stickiness?
Choose a medium-weight oil that lists emollients first and uses a few film formers for hold. These feel cushioned rather than slick and give you 2 to 3 hours of comfort. If you live in very dry or cold air, a slightly thicker oil will cling longer. If you dislike feeling anything on your lips, choose a thinner formula and reapply more often.
How do I wear lip oil with lip liner and lipstick without smudging?
Outline and fill your lips with liner first, blot once, then apply a thin layer of lip oil. If you want more color, tap a small amount of lipstick in the center and blend with your finger before adding a final light coat of oil. Keep the oil layer thin around the edges and avoid rubbing lips together too much to prevent migration.
I have sensitive lips. Which ingredients should I avoid in a lip oil?
If your lips sting or chap easily, avoid strong fragrances, menthol, cinnamon, and peppermint essential oils. Choose simpler formulas without lots of botanicals, and look for emollients like squalane, jojoba, or meadowfoam seed oil near the top of the list. Patch test by applying to a small area of the lip line for a day before regular use.
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