Lip oils and lip balms have been used to protect and condition lips. Lip oils are the newest trend in lip care, and they are becoming increasingly popular for their nourishing and protective properties. Lip oils are a blend of nourishing and conditioning oils, such as vitamin E, jojoba, avocado and olive oils. They help to replenish and lock in moisture, while providing a glossy finish to lips. Lip balms are generally thicker than lip oils, and they are formulated with waxes and emollients to create a protective barrier on lips that helps to keep moisture in. Lip balms also come in a wide variety of scents and flavors. Both products can be used to protect against environmental factors like wind and sun, as well as to condition lips. However, lip oil provides an additional layer of nourishment with its blend of hydrating and conditioning oils. Read on to see which one is more suited to your needs
Lip balm has been a long-time favorite among people looking to condition and protect their lips from dryness and chapping. It contains natural waxes, oils, and other ingredients that help form a protective barrier on the surface of the lips. The main benefit of lip balm is its moisturizing and hydrating properties, which can help keep lips smooth and soft. A fun fact about lip balm is that some brands even add SPF protection to their formulas!
However, there has been some debate recently that lip balms only sit on top of the skin and doesn't entirely soak in. Some sources even state that traditional lip balms prevent your lips from generating it's own moisture, and the lips get dryer and dryer with more use. This is caused by certain ingredients in the formula like menthol. Everyone's skin reactions are different, so pay attention and see what ingredients work or don't work.
Lip oil has seen a surge in popularity lately and is becoming more widely available. Lip oils are typically made with lightweight, natural oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, and coconut oil. They also contain other nourishing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E to provide hydration and prevent moisture loss. Unlike lip balms, lip oils are usually not as thick or greasy, and they often feel more luxurious when applied to the lips.
Additionally, many lip oils come in a variety of flavors for an added dose of indulgence. A fun fact about lip oils is that they have a much longer lasting effect than lip balms - providing up to 24 hours of lip conditioning benefits!
When it comes to deciding which product is better for your needs, it all comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a quick fix for dry lips or something with sun protection, lip balm is likely the best option. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that offers more intense hydration and conditioning benefits, then lip oil is the way to go. Lip oils are especially popular right now due to their ability to provide long-lasting lip conditioner and hydration throughout the day. Additionally, lip oils don't require reapplication as often as lip balm and tend to last longer. Some lip oils even offer tinted shades to give lips a natural rosy color without the use of lipsticks or glosses. Some brands even add plumping and smooths lip lines as added benefits.
When it comes to choosing between lip oil and lip balm for your lips, it can be hard to decide which is the best option. Both products can offer hydration and protection to the lips, but they have different properties that make them unique. Lip oil is typically more lightweight than lip balm, making it ideal for those who want a subtle sheen on their lips without feeling greasy. On the other hand, lip balm is thicker and heavier, providing better coverage and protection from the elements.
In terms of lip conditioner, lip oil can provide better hydration due to its lighter texture. It can penetrate deeper into the skin, helping to reduce dryness and chapped lips. Lip balm can help to keep lips moist and prevent them from drying out, but it does not penetrate as deeply into the skin.
Ultimately, the choice of lip oil or lip balm will depend on the individual's needs and preferences. If you are looking for subtle hydration and a glossy shine, then lip oil may be the best option. However, if you need more coverage and protection from the elements, then lip balm might be the better choice. For those wanting a balance of both benefits, a lip conditioner containing both oils and balms can be a great choice. Lip balms typically have a lower barrier to entry because of its convenience sold at many stores and price points. However, it should be noted that lip balm formulations are often debatable and may not always truly nourish the lips. On the other hand, lip oils are more expensive, but they penetrate the skin deeper for true hydration. Lip conditioners are a great way to get the best of both worlds, offering the convenience and coverage of a lip balm with the nourishing effects of a lip oil.
Has the time come for lip balms to move aside and let lip oils get their shine on? You may have noticed that online and IRL, lip oils are popping up on pouts everywhere and seem to be the new hot item being launched by so many beloved beauty brands. But what does lip oil do, exactly, and how does it compare to your other lip care essentials?
First, know that lip oils aren’t the same as lip glosses or balms — though the lines can get a little blurry. As a general rule, lip oils aren’t typically thick and sticky like lip glosses can be; they’re thinner and offer the signature silky slip that you’d expect from an oil. That said, much like a gloss, they can come in a range of juicy tints. They’re also, well, oils, so they’re not as thick as a more solid balm.
With colder, drier weather circling the block, it’s important to properly moisturize and protect the delicate skin on your lips — regardless of how you choose to do it. So you may be wondering whether lip oils provide enough benefits for your skin and how they stack up against traditional lip balms. Read on for what dermatologists say about lip oils and whether they’re worth the hype.
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Using a lip oil can be beneficial because oils create a barrier that protects the skin on your lips and seals in moisture, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D. explains. Where lip oils may lack, though, is in their ability to actually add hydration to the skin. “Oils are not humectants, which means they do not have hydrating properties that are typically seen in traditional lip balms,” Zubritsky says. Lip balms, on the other hand, typically contain wax that acts as an occlusive to prevent moisture loss (similar to lip oils) but they also boast proven moisturizing ingredients, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, M.D. notes.
It’s worth noting that many lip oils may contain added hydrating ingredients in their formulas. For example, many products in this skin care category also contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that also has hydrating properties. Still, to ensure your pout is getting the moisture it needs, Zubritsky suggests pairing your lip oil with a lip balm that features heavy hitters like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, dimethicone — a protective emollient — or shea butter. Basically, if you want to get in on the lip oil trend without sacrificing all-important hydration, then a swipe of lip oil over a traditional lip balm to seal in the moisture is the move.
As for what to look for in a lip oil, Rabach favors argan, sunflower seed, and coconut oils in particular — three superstar ingredients. Zubritsky also recommends castor seed oil and hempseed oil — the latter being the non-psychoactive yet nutrient-, antioxidant-, and fatty acid-rich oil derived from the seeds of the cannabis plant. Also important: “Be aware of scents or dyes that can cause irritation,” Rabach cautions. Scroll through for some A-plus options to add to your beauty arsenal.
This antioxidant-rich conditioning oil from Rihanna’s beauty brand features a deliciously sweet cherry seed oil, wild cherry extracts, and Barbados cherry extracts for a delectably nourishing elixir you’ll want to keep slathering onto your pout.
With nourishing vitamins A, B5, C, and E along with a host of plant oils — like jojoba, sweet almond, rose hip, and olive oil — this option packs a lip-smoothing punch.
This tube contains a blend of apricot oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, the three of which go to work nourishing and protecting your lips.
If you’re looking for a wash of color, these generously pigmented lip oils feature camellia, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils plus vitamin E for some more glam hydration.
Available in four fruity flavors, this budget-friendly option features a hydrating blend of fruit extracts and vitamin E.
Lady Gaga’s beauty brand includes this plumping formula that uses vegan collagen, prickly pear oil, and plant-based squalane to nourish, enhance the appearance of volume, and deliver a high-shine finish.
Experts:
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist
Dr. Morgan Rabach, M.D., New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
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