If you love the look of a gloss but want the comfort of a balm, a nourishing lip oil offers the best of both worlds. With their silky textures, subtle shine and skin-loving ingredients, today’s lip oils do far more than coat your lips—they nourish, protect and restore softness with every swipe. But with so many options promising hydration and shine, how do you know which one is the best lip oil for you?

From lip-plumping oils to sunscreen-infused formulas and the best tinted lip oils, we’re breaking down what makes these versatile treatments so popular and which ones deserve a place in your makeup bag. Before diving into our top picks, let’s take a closer look at what lip oil does and why it’s become a go-to for achieving smooth, supple lips. In this blog, we’ll discuss:

• Healing lip dryness and discomfort
• What does lip oil do?
• How to choose the best lip oil for you
• The best lip oils for soft, shiny, hydrated lips

Healing lip dryness and discomfort

Before you reach for a lip oil, treat severely dry, cracked or irritated lips with a treatment to heal lips. If your lips are already chapped or uncomfortable, even the best lip oils won’t be able to fully restore them, and it can take months to see improvement without targeted care.

We recommend starting with FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Lip Balm, invented by Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, along with his father, Dr. Joel Schlessinger. This dermatologist-developed balm uses 1% hydrocortisone to help calm irritation and inflammation, plus shea butter and beeswax to deeply moisturize and protect compromised skin. Once your lips are smooth, soothed and healthy again, lip oils can help maintain moisture and boost shine. You can also layer your lip oil over this healing balm to lock in hydration and comfort.

Another favorite for layering under a lip oil, restoring hydration and smoothing lips is LovelySkin LUXE Lipid Drops. These lightweight drops are formulated with glycolipids and phospholipids to restore moisture and visibly plump lips and skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This versatile formula can be used on lips, face and neck to hydrate, smooth and comfort skin.

What does lip oil do?

Lip oils combine the shine of a gloss with the conditioning benefits of a lip balm. They’re often formulated with hydrating emollients like jojoba, coconut and seed oils (some of the best natural oils for lips), to help replenish moisture, smooth chapping, soften rough texture and create a naturally plush, shiny look.

Unlike balms, which sit on the surface, lip oils often contain ingredients that actually absorb into lips, making them a favorite for anyone seeking the best hydrating lip oil for everyday comfort. Many formulas also offer a sheer tint, added antioxidants or broad-spectrum sunscreen for extra protection.

How to choose the best lip oil for you

With so many options available, finding the best lip oils comes down to what your lips need most:

• For dry, peeling lips: Look for reparative blends with hyaluronic acid, peptides or botanical oils.
• For natural makeup lovers: A sheer tint adds effortless color without the heavy feel of a lipstick.
• For sun protection: Choose a formula with broad-spectrum SPF.
• For a plumping effect: Look for collagen-supporting ingredients or oils that enhance fullness.
• For natural beauty fans: Seek out formulas rich in coconut, jojoba or fruit oils—some of the most effective and best natural oils for lips.

Whether you want shine, nourishment, a flattering flush of color or protection from the elements, the right lip oil can completely transform the look and feel of your lips.

The best lip oils for soft, shiny, hydrated lips

The best lip oil for dry lips

Perricone MD No Makeup Lip Oil

This antioxidant-rich formula delivers a natural, high-shine finish while visibly enhancing your lip’s natural color. Infused with neuropeptides and hyaluronic acid, it helps smooth fine lines, plump the appearance of the lips and restore long-lasting moisture. The lightweight texture feels more like a serum than a lip gloss, making it ideal for daily, no-fuss hydration.

The best tinted lip oil

bareMinerals Nourishing Lip Oil

This silky lip oil blends cold-pressed fruit and seed oils to deeply replenish moisture without feeling sticky or heavy. It delivers a soft wash of color for effortless, everyday wear with your makeup. With continued use, lips feel smoother, softer and more resilient, thanks to its naturally derived ingredients that condition and protect lips.

The best nutrient-rich lip oil

Osmosis Skincare Superfood Lip Oil

If you’re craving a nutrient boost, this supercharged formula is packed with fruit and floral oils that drench dehydrated lips in long-lasting hydration. It leaves behind a juicy sheen while supporting barrier repair—perfect for anyone searching for a hydrating lip oil that goes beyond surface shine. Its antioxidant-rich formula helps nourish, soften and revive even the most stressed-out lips.

The best firming lip oil

RMS Beauty Legendary Lip Oil

This luxuriously glossy oil blends jojoba, rhatany seed and buriti oil to help visibly firm and smooth lips while coating them in a radiant-looking shine. Ideal for those who want a more cushioned, plumped look, this formula visibly volumizes the appearance of your lips while providing lasting hydration. Its botanical-rich blend offers barrier support while giving lips a subtle, healthy-looking glow that feels as good as it looks.

The best lip plumping oil

Kate Somerville HydraKate Pro-Collagen Lip Oil Elixir

Targeting dryness and early signs of aging, this innovative lip treatment features collagen-supporting peptides and moisturizing oils to visibly smooth and firm lips. It cushions lips with a rich, conditioning feel while supporting improved elasticity over time, making it an excellent pick if you want an oil that still feels incredibly soft and nourishing. With daily use, this unique formula delivers softer, more youthful-looking lips.

The best SPF lip oil

COOLA Organic Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil SPF 30

For those looking for optimal hydration and sun protection, this is the ultimate sun-shielding lip oil. With broad-spectrum SPF 30 and a nourishing blend of organic oils, it protects lips from UV damage while delivering a glossy, moisturized finish. It’s perfect for an afternoon skiing, a day at the beach, an outdoor adventure or anytime your lips need both nourishment and protection from the elements.

The best lip oil for rough texture

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Ever Glow Lip Oil

This conditioning oil glides on effortlessly, offering a sheer tint and glossy finish that flatters every skin tone. Packed with fatty-acid-rich oils, it helps soften dryness, smooth rough texture and restore natural luminosity. The lightweight, non-stick formula makes it an easy choice for anyone seeking a comfortable, hydrating lip oil that enhances your natural glow.

Interested in learning more ways to keep your skin hydrated in colder weather? Read about how to keep your skin hydrated this winter with Vichy on the LovelySkin blog.