For makeup lovers who gravitate towards glossy, glowy and nourished lips, there is a dizzying number of lip products to choose from. The lip-oil craze of the past few years has begged the question: What’s the difference between lip oil and lip gloss?
The products have more similarities than differences. Both lippies add a layer of sheen to the lips, often with a colored tint, and they leave a wet, glossy finish. While both products require more frequent re-application than matte lipsticks or tints, you don’t need to worry about dried-out or flakey lips because they’re usually formulated with hydrating ingredients.
Plus, you can be less precise with application, because there’s far less pigment in lip oils and glosses (which makes them especially forgiving and no-fuss to wear).
But which one is right for you? “Both are great, but depending on the benefits you want will be the biggest deciding factor,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey-based makeup artist and licensed esthetician.
We spoke with professional makeup artists who regularly use lip oils and lip glosses to get their favorite product recommendations. They also broke down the biggest differences between the two. Plus, we personally tested oils, glosses and everything in between to find the best ones on the market.
The difference between lip oil and lip gloss | Best lip oils, according to experts and editors | Best lip glosses, according to experts and editors | Ingredients to look for | How we chose | Meet the experts
What’s the difference between lip oil and lip gloss?
The biggest difference between lip oil and gloss is their intended purpose: lip oils tend to be formulated for nourishment, while glosses for the visual finish on the lips.
Pollara says that the distinction usually comes down to ingredients. “Lip oils contain nourishing oils that help lock in moisture and are super lightweight,” she says. “Lip gloss is slightly thicker and sits on the surface of your lips.
Another distinction is textural. Lip oils are less likely to be sticky, says Randall Intrabartola, a makeup artist and licensed esthetician. However, she notes that lip glosses have come a long way in recent years (and these non-sticky lip glosses we love are proof).
“A lot of brands are now adding more beneficial ingredients to their lip glosses and formulating them to be less sticky-feeling,” she says.
Generally, however, you can count on glosses to come in “a wider range of shades,” and they “can even have a beautiful shimmer finish making them the perfect topper to any lipstick or liner.”
Best lip oils, according to experts and editors
Budget lip oil: e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
- Cost effective
- Has longevity
- Not super pigmented
Size: .25 oz. | Key ingredients: Squalane, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil | Shades: 7
Kara Birnbaum, a photo editor at Shop TODAY, recommends this under-$10 lip oil from e.l.f. She says, "I recently purchased the coral fixation shade, and while it doesn't affect the color of my lips much, I love the glossy look it leaves. I also find that the oils stay on my lips longer than other glosses while still feeling light."
Sunscreen infused: Coola Liplux® Hydrating Lip Oil
- Intriguing applicator
- Has SPF 30
- Long-lasting formula
- Artificial taste
Size: .11 oz. | Key ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil | Shades: 1
Jess Bender, a senior editor at Shop TODAY, asks, "Did you know you’re supposed to be applying sunscreen to your lips? I certainly didn’t until I got this job!"
She continues, "But in an effort to optimize my sun care routine, I added this SPF lip oil into my rotation last summer. While it has a bit of a 'sunscreeny' taste to it, this definitely delivers in the shine and nourishment department. I’m eager to see how effective this is during the colder months when my lips are way more chapped."
Infused with cherry seed oil: Fenty Treatz Hydrating Lip Oil
- Hybrid gloss-oil formula
- Made for sensitive skin
- Need to reapply often
Size: .19 oz. | Key ingredients: Sweet cherry seed oil, jojoba seed and rosehip fruit oils, cherry extracts | Shades: 4
This Fenty treatment lip oil helps nourish and condition lips while protecting against dryness. Makeup artist Natalie Dresher loves using it on clients with deeper complexions — specifically, in the shades cherry and dark cherry. The cherry-scented treatment feels extra cushiony on the lips, especially with the plush doe foot applicator.
"Truly one of a kind": Merit Beauty Shade Slick
- Hydrating
- Long-lasting formula
- Not sticky
- Scent is offputting to some
Size: .23 oz. | Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, shea butter oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil | Shades: 12
Bender says, "I’ve tried at least a dozen different lip oils over the last three years trying to find the perfect one that’s equally glossy, moisturizing, long-lasting and not sticky."
Bender continues, "Not only does Merit’s check all of these boxes, I’m convinced that no other lip oils on the market can compete. A few swipes can keep my lips feeling slick and juicy for hours, whereas other lip oils tend to wear off after minimal wear. The formulation is also color-changing against my lips’ natural pH thanks to the Red 27 that’s included in the ingredient list, so the finish is truly one of a kind."
A sweet scent: Kylie Cosmetics Lip Oil
- Has a lovely scent
- Feels hydrating
- Isn't runny or sticky
- Doesn't last long, per buyers
Size: .2 oz. | Key ingredients: Coconut, passionfruit and raspberry oils | Shades: 8
Amanda Fama, a commerce editor at Shop TODAY, says that "although this is a lip oil, it has an incredibly glossy finish that showcases the tint (the one I have, Hazelnut Crème, has a warm, maroon tone to it)." She continues, "It isn’t sticky or running, and it smells incredible."
"My favorite discovery": Haus Labs PhD Hybrid Lip Oil
- Accurate shade representation
- Long-lasting moisture
- Not sticky
- Packaging drips a bit
Size: .24 oz. | Key ingredients: Prickly pair oil, squalene, vegan collagen | Shades: 5
Bender also recommends this lip oil by Lady Gaga's beauty brand, Haus Labs. She says, "I like to keep my everyday makeup look as minimalist as possible, but an effortless way to make me stand out is a hyper-glossy lip. I’ve discovered lip oils during the pandemic and Haus Labs has been above and beyond my favorite discovery, thanks to its hydrating properties and lusciously vibrant color range. (I’ve also lost count of the amount of compliments I’ve received over video calls by the team we eventually started returning to the office.)"
She continues, "It’s the lip oil I’ve purchased most frequently; I think I’ve bought the Sheer Berry color at least six times over the last three years."
Splurge-worthy lip oil: Dior Lip Oil
- Not sticky or greasy
- Pretty packaging
- High shine finish
- Minimal pigment
- Fragrance
Size: .2 oz. | Key ingredients: Apricot oil | Shades: 11
This cult classic, perpetually viral Dior lip oil is one of my favorite lip products to throw in my purse for special occasions: It feels luxurious and nourishing, while leaving such a natural hint of color that looks lovely with a wide range of lip liners. It’s one of Pollara’s favorite lip oils on the market.
Best lip glosses, according to experts and editors
Budget lip gloss: Catrice Lip Jam Hydrating Lip Gloss
- Instant hydration
- Tasty flavors
- Not too thick
- Sticky consistency
Size: .27 oz. | Key ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, mango seed butter | Shades: 4
Bender recommends this budget-friendly lip gloss and says she's "fairly impressed with the longevity and finish of this!" Bender continues, "It reminds me a bit of the Lancome Juicy Tubes I coveted when I was a teen, but for a fraction of the price. The berry flavor is also pretty irresistible!"
"Drugstore classic": NYX Butter Gloss
- Massive shade range
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Scented
- Not long lasting
Size: .27 oz. | Key ingredients: Mineral oil, silica, beeswax | Shades: 32
Makeup artist Emma Elizabeth loves this “drugstore classic” because “the shade range is extensive and the formula is amazing.” The creamy, non-sticky gloss also plays well with other makeup. “These are great glosses to pair with a lip liner because they have the perfect amount of color and shine,” she says.
Peptide-infused: Biossance Pro-Peptide™ Lip Perfector
- Long lasting
- Smooth application
- Small bottle
Size: .53 oz. | Key ingredients: Pro-peptide, hyaluronic acid, squalane | Shades: 1
Annie Shigo, a social media editorial assistant at Shop TODAY, recommends this lip gloss which leaves a subtle shine. She says, "I love this peptide gloss; it works great for a top coat overtop of lipstick and provides lasting hydration."
Hybrid option: Tower 28 Lip Jelly Gloss
- Hybrid gloss-oil formula
- Made for sensitive skin
- Need to reapply often
Size: .13 oz | Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, raspberry seed oil, apricot kernel oil | Shades: 11
Packed with nourishing oils, Dresher’s “favorite lip oil/gloss” in her kit at the moment is this sensitive-skin-friendly Tower 28 lip jelly in the color Pistachio. “This is the perfect mauve-y pink shade on fair-tan complexions,” she says.
I am a frequent re-purchaser of this gloss in the shade Sesame, which I apply all day like a lip treatment. It adds the perfect subtle flush of color and isn’t overly shiny, and I find that it feels super cushiony on my lips, which can get dry. It’s one of the few glosses I own that feel comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Cooling application: REFY Lip Gloss
- Contains hyaluronic acid
- Cooling metal applicator
- Cap can sometimes leak
Size: .44 oz. | Key ingredients: Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil | Shades: 10
Intrabartola not only loves the formula of this viral REFY lip gloss, but she also appreciates the cooling sensation of the unique metal applicator. “The metal tip feels so nice on the lips,” she says. It’s also the perfect example of how glosses have upgraded in recent years with more nourishing ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid.
I wear this gloss all the time in the shade Guava, a fuschia pink, and it always makes my lips feel soft and cushiony. (Plus, as a lover of all things sensory, I appreciate the cooling metal tip.)
Works like an oil: MILK Odyssey Hydrating Non-Sticky Lip Oil Gloss
- High shine or shimmer finishes
- Packed with nourishing oils
- Clean beauty
- Vanilla-bergamot scent
Size: .2 oz. | Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, goji berry extract, cloudberry seed oil, crushed sapphire and ruby gemstones | Shades: 12 (six high shine, six shimmer)
To soften lips like an oil, while adding the shine of a gloss, Intrabartola likes using this hydrating hybrid gloss-oil, which comes in twelve shades. The shimmery versions contain actual crushed sapphire and ruby to maximize shine, making them great high-glam toppers over lipstick or a stain.
Bring on the shimmer: PAT McGRATH LABS Lust: Gloss
- Not sticky
- Hydrating
- Long lasting
- Very shimmery
Size: .15 oz. | Key ingredients: "Nourishing oils," per the brand | Shades: 14
Madison San Miguel, an editorial assistant at Shop TODAY, recommends this lip gloss. She says, "I love layering this gloss over a lip tint or balm because it leaves my lips with a gorgeous shimmer and plump that I don’t get with very many lip glosses. It’s not sticky, it’s pretty hydrating and it has a thick consistency that makes it satisfying to apply. If you’re worried about the shimmer, don’t fret: The texture isn’t gritty; it’s so so smooth!"
Ingredients to look for
Again, the point of a lip oil is to nourish and hydrate the lips while leaving an attractive glossy finish. "Think of a lip oil as more like skin care for your lips, whereas a lip gloss is there just to add shine," says Intrabartola.
“Lip oils usually contain more skin-loving ingredients like squalane, rosehip, jojoba and other plant-based oils and ingredients that help to hydrate and plump your pout."
However, many glosses on the market now pack some of these same benefits, including hyaluronic acid, which can have a subtle plumping effect.
“I personally think lip oils are just a re-brand of lip gloss,” says Elizabeth, noting that formula differences can be minimal. You can think of it like this, she says: “All lip oils are lip glosses, but not all lip glosses are lip oils!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Both lip glosses and lip oils can be applied directly to the lips for shine and color, with or without lip liner or on top of lipstick.
Texture matters, as does the applicator. In a gloss, Elizabeth looks for a “good medium viscosity” — not so thick it feels heavy, but not too thin it bleeds outside of the lip line. “Most importantly it needs to feel creamy and never sticky,” she says. “I also like a healthy sized doe foot applicator that gives me enough product for both the bottom and top lip with one dip.”
Likewise, you don’t want a lip oil that’s too thin or thick, either. “The most important quality for me in a lip oil is that it isn’t too watery, but at the same time isn’t too sticky,” says Natalie Dresher.
Makeup artist Lisa Aharon once told Shop TODAY, “Although lip oils do treat some of the chapping and go deeper into the skin, it’s only temporary. The constant reapplication and evaporation of the product can have an adverse effect and you might find yourself trapped in an unpleasant cycle.”
How we chose
Shop TODAY enlisted the expertise of professional makeup artists who work with lip oils and lip glosses on a regular basis. In addition to their product recommendations, we also took their advice on the most important qualities to look for in both glosses and oils. We’ve also tested many of these products personally.
Meet the Experts
- Natalie Dresher is a makeup artist and owner of Makeup by Natalie.
- Brielle Pollara is a New Jersey-based makeup artist and licensed esthetician.
- Randall Intrabartola is a makeup artist and licensed esthetician in Southern California.
- Emma Elizabeth is a makeup artist and hair stylist based in New York City.
- Lisa Aharon is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York.
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag