Lip Oil: What is it + What you need to know

By now, you've either warmed up already to the idea of oils in skin care or may have some as staples in your skin care. People used to steer clear of oils because it was believed to be a comedogenic ingredient, but thanks to science, brands were able to harness the power of oils while making it comfortable and generally safe to use and suitable for almost any skin type.

We have cleansing oils for makeup and grime removal, face oils for deep nourishment, body oils for glow and hydration, hair oils for intensive protection and treatment, and nail oils for good nail health.

Are you ready to add another potential superstar oil in your routine?

Sisters in skin care, meet the LIP OIL.

WHAT IS A LIP OIL?

Around mid to late 2019, the beauty community was starting to discover lip oils and the magic they can do to the lips.

A lip oil is pretty straightforward: it's a lip product made up of a conjunction of nourishing oils to soften, hydrate, soothe, and treat the lips; some lip oils have a tinted formula, which makes them makeup, aside from skin care.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LIP OIL?

As mentioned, lip oil is skin care. Our lips don't have oil glands, thus it has poor moisture- retaining capacity and is very dryness- prone that's why lip oils, aside from being generally good for anyone who wants lasting hydration, is specifically ideal for severely dry lips because oils are excellent in the hydration department.

In the makeup aspect, lip oils can give a luscious, high shine finish; apply on top of freshly- scrubbed or tinted lips for a trendy yet easy summer look.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LIP OIL, LIP GLOSS, AND LIP BALM?

Lip gloss has the same moisturizing, makeup, and skin care properties of lip oil, but it can be heavy and sticky. Lip balm, on the other hand, doesn't really hydrate but lubricate and lip oil can do that plus hydrate to boot; now there's a difference between the two: lubrication only provides a temporarily relief to the symptoms of dryness such as flaking whereas hydration addresses the main issue; a lip oil can do anything a lip balm does and more...like treating the root of the problem so you'll have longer days of smooth, soft, flake- free lips. 

HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE LIP OIL IN YOUR MAKEUP AND SKIN CARE ROUTINE?

Lip oils are so versatile! You can use it as a prepping product, actual makeup, or a skin care treatment.

You can use it as a gloss substitute, most especially if you hate the heavy, sticky feeling of the latter, an overnight lip treatment, a 5- minute pre- lipstick treatment, or skin care base before lip balm.

WHAT ARE THE GOOD LIP OIL BRANDS OUT THERE?

To be honest, I'm just starting to dip my puckers in lip oil waters, but what I know is Clarins is one of the brands that first popularized lip oils in 2019, therefore Clarins Lip Comfort Oil is the most well- known and most recommended.

But a lot of brands are starting to come out with their own too.

For one, a bevy of Korean brands have been churning out lip oils such as The Saem Eco Lip Oil, Etude House Dear Lip Oil Tint, Goodal Camellia Vital Lip Oil, Nature Republic Kiss My Lip Oil, and Nooni Lip Oil to name a few.

As with luxury brands, we have Charlotte Tilbury, Ciaté, Kiehl's, and Hourglass to name a few.

Locally, brands like Revlon and Burt's Bees have finally unveiled their lip oil products.

I hope you have learned something new today and I also hope I have helped you in case you are starting to look at lip oils and what they can do for your lips!

Have you encountered lip oils already? What are your thoughts?