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19 best lip oils for hydrating a super-dry pout
Add colour, shine and hydration in one
While there will always be a space in our hearts (and make-up bags) for a classic matte liquid lipstick, now is the time for lip oils to shine (pun very much intended). Perhaps it's my new lazy girl, low-maintenance approach to beauty but comfort and condition feel so much more appealing than a bright, precision-applied colour right now. Though, if you see me rocking a bold red lipstick, no you didn't...
Sitting somewhere between a lip gloss and lip balm, these new heroes come with nourishing benefits that are very much welcome when you're spending most of your day inside – a hybrid of the two, if you will. So, if you're fed up with crusty lips, flaky bits and sore pout patches, yet still want a touch more glamour than that old tub of Vaseline can deliver, these are for you.
From Dior's viral and now iconic coloured oils that somehow add fullness, colour and hydration (we can thank the viral TikTok girlies for this one), to Summer Fridays' brand new repairing formula and even e.l.f.'s bargain buy that's under a tenner, these are the very best lip oils to keep permanently in your pocket for the foreseeable.
A few of the budget brands have attempted a lip oil but IMO, most fall short when it comes to the deep-hydrating aspects. Unsurprisingly, e.l.f. has well and truly delivered with this jojoba and apricot-infused offering, which comes in a whole host of shades.
My fave colour that I always get compliments on is 'Jam Session'; it's the perfect autumn/winter berry hue that looks beaut on both the palest and deepest complexions.
Holding my hands up, I have somewhat of an addictive personality (my TikTok screen time is a testament to this). However, as addicted as I am to the social media app, working as a beauty journalist means that I have a range of makeup, skincare, haircare etc. products on a constant rotation... meaning, there's little-to-no room for favourites and/or beauty addiction. I mean, someone's gotta be the guinea pig for you guys!
Having said that, one product that has been within reaching distance as of late is this honey-infused lip oil. Not only does the bottle make for immaculate bathroom shelfies but the silky (not sticky!) hydrating formula and uber-soft doe-foot applicator make for constant re-application throughout the day.
Plus, what originally launched as one clear shade, this lip oil has now manifested with an additional four colours! Whether it's a clear golden glow you're after, a shimmery pink fleck or a punch of orange mango passion, there's an option for all occasions.
Lady Gaga's beauty brand is one that stands out in the highly saturated cosmetics industry with not only pigment and gorgeous formulas but innovative ones, too.
And what makes this lip oil so different from the rest is its colour-changing properties. While there are a variety of shades, each one looks different on every user.
In other words, this means that while this lip oil formula delivers lightweight hydration and non-sticky shine with a cushiony feel, it also adapts to the pH balance of your lips making for transformative true-to-you tints.
If you’re after lips lookin’ as juicy and shiny as a glazed doughnut, the brand-new Huda Beauty Faux Filler Jelly Oil is your gal. These ultra-shiny oils, which can be used as a gloss too, layer on a thick yet non-sticky coating over the lips to create a full-bodied, kissable pout.
The formula also contains shea butter and peptides, so you can wear it alone to keep your lips soft n’ smooth for as long as you wear it. But the best way to oil up? They were made as the finishing touch to the new Lip Contour Stains so when you pair the two together, you’re left with a pigmented, glossy lip that lasts without budging.
Sitting within the mid-range price of lip oils, Kosas' formula is any glossy girl's dream. The sheen provides the appearance of a fuller pout and the vinyl slick improves firmness and hydration.
Cosmo's Senior Beauty Writer, Charlotte Bitmead says: "Merit's Shade Slicks provide the perfect wash of colour to pouts and are a game-changer for those who have chronically dry lips (aka, me).
"As lip oils go, I was surprised by how non-greasy these were and loved the healthy flush that the shade ‘Au Naturel’ provided."
The one that started it all, Clarins' universally loved offering (which is now housed in a more sleek-looking package) still can't be beaten. It's much more long-wearing than most and delivers deep-sinking moisture as well as a surprisingly pigmented veil of luminous colour (there are seven shades to choose from).
Cosmo's Senior Beauty Writer, Charlotte Bitmead says: "These Rare Beauty lip oils seemed to sell out pretty much immediately when they launched, so the hype was real. Lip tints are all the rage but the oiliness of these made them unique.
"It left a high-shine finish behind, which dried down to a 'just bitten' effect. Did I expect these to be slightly more pigmented? Yes. However, unlike most lip tints and stains, these didn't dry my lips out at all and were comfortable to wear."
Cosmo's Senior Beauty Writer, Charlotte Bitmead says: "As the name suggests, this is filled to the brim with cherry seed oil and Barbados cherry extract to help revive parched pouts. The applicator is the definition of plush and the finish leaves you with super juicy lips.
"It's clear once applied and isn't as sticky as other lip oils I've tried. Texture-wise, it's got the thickness of a lip gloss, but the hydration of an oil – a great hybrid if you ask me.
"It's not as much of an instant fix as Lip Recovery Mask (more on that later), but I noticed my lips were free from peeling and super soft after making this one a handbag staple."
Cosmo's Beauty Writer Elena Chabo Says: "I've never met a Gloss Bomb variant I didn't like, so when I heard about this lip oil take I wanted all of them immediately.
"They have the same unrivalled sexy shimmer of the traditional gloss but with a hydrating oil texture that makes lips feel so supple thanks to shea butter, vitamin E, passionfruit oil and plumping hyaluronic filling spheres. And sorry I can't not mention the delicious coconut and vanilla scent - smells like summer"
If a high-shine lip gloss had a baby with the comfort of a lip oil, it would be VIEVE's shimmer finish Lip Dew. With its chunky doe foot applicator, the nourishing, non-sticky formula gives a glistening shine in just one swipe. Though, we just wish it came in more than six shades! *Hint hint, Jamie.*
Nail that ultra-dewy, no-makeup vibe with Summer Fridays' *brand-new* nourishing tinted lip oil. It's formulated with a blend of nine (!!) different oils and fruit extracts to drench parched lips in hydration. While they can be worn alone, our favourite way to rock these is to layer the oils over lipstick for a vibrant, mirror-like shine.
NYX Professional Makeup Nyx Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip Gloss
Not only does this affordable, high-street lip oil rival the formulas of designer brands but it also has an iconic name, I mean 'fat oil' – SOLD. Think: fat perks, including a high-shine finish and non-sticky application.
Plus, the giant doe foot makes for comfortable (and almost... addictive) application. It truly is like a pillow to the lips.
Infused with nourishing jojoba oil and goji berry extract, these shiny lip oils pack a powerful hydrating punch. Plus, with the addition of cloudberry extract that's steeped in vitamins C and E (aka, all the goodness you could ever want from a hydrating lip product), this formula deeply moisturises the lips to keep them soft and supple all day. But the star ingredient? Literal crushed gemstones... wow. Shimmer, shine and soothe in equal parts.
The Queen of lips, Miss Kylie Jenner really nailed all there is to lip oils with this clutch-friendly sized product. As much as we do not like to conform to the hype of celebrity beauty brands, this lip oil really does have a deeply conditioned texture that combines the shine of a lip gloss with the moisture-sealing effects of a balm.
And if it's good enough for Kylie...
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir
We've all heard of CT's cult magic cream but did you know they have a magic lip oil, too? Well, this intensely hydrating treatment is an oil, lip balm hybrid with a glossy veil and ultra-soft, smooth finish housed with a super fun roller ball applicator.
Leave it to Ariana Grande to release a lip oil in the most beautifully aesthetic sheer pastel shades (read: lavender kiss, mint condition, raspberry drip and pickin petals). Plus, its cooling metal tip is what makes it stand out from the rest, allowing for a refreshing product load on application.
Dior has created many a cult product in the past few years but this iconic launch has found a new level of stardom. While it is the highest priced lip oil of them all, there's no doubt that the designer product sits within my top three faves thanks to its beautifully luminous finish and addictively soft doe-foot applicator. As much as my bank account wants to, I just can't deny it!
The five flattering shades all deliver a reflective shine but if you want to follow in the footsteps our the most-renowned TikTok IT girls, see to '015 Cherry'. You're welcome.
Part gloss and part oil, this cult hero from LA-based brand Tower 28 really delivers the best of both worlds. Apricot kernal and raspberry seed oils impart that ultra-nourishing moisture, while the sheer tinted shades bring a veil of face-brightening colour. A brand that delivers the best of skincare within makeup.
Member price: £20
This exceptional under-the-radar product is just one of so many reasons to sign up to Beauty Pie. Designed to make lips look fuller, it's richer than most oils – more like a balm – and sinks straight in to leave a glow that isn't quite 'glossy', but definitely radiant.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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