When it comes to your lips, there are loads of products to choose from — lip liners, liquid sticks, plumpers, and more. But are these products actually good for your lips, and do they provide any benefits beyond appearance? Or, are you better off with your faithful black and white tube of ChapStick? We get to the bottom of these questions by battling out two of the most popular products in the lip world: lip balm and lip gloss.

What is lip gloss?

Lip gloss is primarily a cosmetic product designed to give your lips a glossy finish. Note: According to the FDA, cosmetic products are used to alter a person’s appearance, but they don’t impact the human body‘s structure or functions.¹

Lip glosses are typically liquid or semi-fluid and may come packaged in a squeezable tube for applying directly to the lips. Some lip gloss tubes come with a doe foot applicator (a sponge-tipped wand) instead.

Lip gloss can add a high-shine top coat to give your favorite lipstick a glass-like finish. Or it can be applied on its own to add a shine to your natural lip color. You can also buy tinted lip gloss, which comes in just about every shade imaginable. From metallic shimmers to subtle pinks, these liquids add a pop of color and glossiness to make your lips stand out.

Okay, but what’s the difference between lip balm and lip gloss when it comes to ingredients?

Every lip gloss has its own combination of ingredients, but these are some common ones:

• Emollients moisturize and soften the skin. Synthetic and refined emollients include squalane and mineral oils. Lanolin and jojoba are natural, moisturizing emollients.

• Thickeners help keep the gloss on your lips. They include waxes, like ozokerite, and clays, like kaolin.

• Coloring agents, like dyes, pigments, mica, and iron oxide, create different hues and add sparkle.

• Polybutene and polyisobutene² act as binding agents to create a sticky texture.

Finally, the million-dollar question: are there benefits to lip gloss from a medical perspective? This can depend on the product formula.

Some lip glosses have benefits due to additional ingredients, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (for sun protection), and moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin or jojoba oil. Other lip glosses, however, may have pore-clogging ingredients that can lead to acne around your mouth.

We recommend carefully reading each product label to know what ingredients you’re applying to your lips. If you’re ever uncertain about an ingredient, Curology’s licensed dermatology providers are here to help.

What is lip balm?

Lip balm is generally meant to moisturize your lips and treat and help prevent chapped and cracked lips. Most lip balms are wax-like substances packaged in sticks, jars, or roll-on containers.

Things get a bit technical when it comes to lip balm product classification. Your standard lip balm is a cosmetic product. But a lip balm with active ingredients that treat a medical condition is both a cosmetic and a drug.³ An example is a lip balm that treats cold sores.

And, unlike lip gloss, lip balm is not typically a makeup product. It’s generally considered a personal care product and skin protectant.

Here are some common ingredients that may be found in lip balm:

(Keep in mind that this is by no means an all-inclusive list. Different lip balm brands will have their own product ingredients.)

• Beeswax and carnauba wax

• Cocoa butter, shea butter, and palm butter

• Petrolatum and petroleum jelly

• Lanolin

• Honey

• Plant oils like jojoba, almond, and avocado oil

• Vitamin E

• Hemp seed oil and castor seed oil

• Dimethicone

• Coloring and flavoring agents

Most lip balms are made to give your lips the care they need. But are there any disadvantages of lip balm?

Lip balms made with certain ingredients may harm your lips by drying them out instead of moisturizing them.⁴ And, like lip gloss, some ingredients in lip balms may be comedogenic, potentially clogging the pores around your mouth.

Check out our helpful list of common pore-clogging ingredients to avoid.

Lip balm vs lip gloss: which is better for my lips?

Because the purposes of lip gloss and lip balm can differ, your final choice will depend on your goals. Although some lip glosses have hydrating and protecting benefits, they’re more often beauty products. For healthy, hydrated skin, lip balm is probably your best bet.

The good news? You don’t have to choose one or the other. Applying lip balm regularly will keep your lips healthy and create a smooth canvas on which you can apply beauty products like lip gloss.

Wondering which lip balm is best for daily use? Dermatologists recommend applying a non-irritating lip balm throughout the day and before you go to bed.⁵ When outdoors, apply a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher every two hours. Add some gentle exfoliation to the mix, and your lip care routine will be good to go.

Take care of your lips with Curology

Getting your lips to pouty perfection shouldn’t be a game of trial and error. If you’d like expert advice on how to use lip balm, Curology is here to help.

Our dermatologists have developed an acne-friendly, non-greasy lip balm to soften and soothe your lips. It’s packed with all the good stuff, like natural butters, plant-based oils, and even SPF 30!

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Get your personalized skincare routine with Curology

Sign up for a Curology trial* and get your Curology lip balm along with other customized products picked for your skin goals. Take a quick quiz, send us some selfies, and kiss dry lips goodbye.

FAQs

Is lip balm better than lip gloss?

This depends on what you’re trying to achieve with your lip product. If you want to relieve dry or chapped lips, a lip balm can provide your lips with the hydration they need. But if your motive is more aesthetic, lip gloss can make your lips shimmer.

Is lip balm healthy for your lips?

Lip balms with the right ingredients moisturize dry lips and help protect them from the sun. But some lip balms may contain ingredients that can harm your lips and cause irritation. Keep in mind that everyone’s lips are different.

Lip balm vs ChapStick vs lip gloss: Are they the same thing?

Nope, and let’s make this distinction clear. ChapStick is one of many lip balm brands, like Curology and Burt’s Bees. Lip gloss is a makeup product that adds shine and color to the lips.

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P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

Melissa Hunter is a board certified family nurse practitioner at Curology. She received her MSN from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

*Cancel at any time. Subject to consultation. Results may vary.

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Our medical review process:  

We’re here to tell you what we know. That’s why our information is evidence-based and fact-checked by medical experts. Still, everyone’s skin is unique—the best way to get advice is to talk to your healthcare provider.

Our policy on product links:  

Empowering you with knowledge is our top priority. Our reviews of other brands’ products in this post are not paid endorsements—but they do meet our medically fact-checked standards for ingredients (at the time of publication).

Curology Team

Melissa Hunter, NP-C

Used alone or with lipstick, lip gloss can enhance any makeup style.

What is Lip Gloss?

Lip gloss is a cosmetic product used to add shine and sometimes color to the lips. It is typically a liquid or gel-like substance that comes in various formulations, ranging from clear and transparent to opaque and pigmented. Lip gloss is applied to the lips using an applicator wand or a squeeze tube, and it is often used as an alternative to lipstick or lip balm.

Lip gloss is designed to create a glossy and reflective finish on the lips, enhancing their appearance and giving them a fuller and more luscious look. It can also provide a moisturizing effect and help keep the lips hydrated. Some lip glosses may have additional features such as plumping effects or long-lasting formulas.

Lip glosses can come in a wide range of colors, from natural and nude shades to bold and vibrant hues. They are a popular makeup item and can be used alone for a subtle shine or layered on top of lipstick to add dimension and shine to the lips.

Advantages

Lip gloss is a popular cosmetic product offers several advantages for enhancing your lips and overall makeup look. Here are some key points highlighting the advantage of using lip gloss:

1. Shiny and Glossy Finish: Lip gloss provides a shiny and glossy finish to your lips, creating a plump and luscious appearance. lipgloss can make your lips appear fuller and more attractive.
2. Hydration: Many lip glosses contain moisturizing ingredients like oils and emollients, which help to keep your lips hydrated and prevent them from becoming dry or chapped.
3. Enhanced Lip Definition: Applying lip gloss to the center of your lips can create the illusion of fuller lips and enhance their definition, especially when used in conjunction with lip liner or lipstick.
4. Versatility: Lip gloss can be used on its own for a natural and fresh look or layered over other lip products, such as lipstick or lip liner, to add dimension and shine.
5. Easy Application: Lip gloss is typically easy to apply, often coming with a wand applicator or a squeeze tube. Its forgiving nature makes it suitable for quick touch-ups throughout the day without the need for a mirror.
6. Youthful Appearance: The reflective properties of lip gloss can give your lips a youthful glow, helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
7. Variety of Shades and Formulas: Lip glosses are available in a wide range of shades, from sheer to highly pigmented, and come in various finishes such as clear, shimmery, or metallic. This variety allows you to find the perfect shade and formula that suits your style and preferences.
8. Appropriate for Various Occasions: Lip gloss is suitable for both casual and formal occasions. You can choose a subtle shade for everyday wear or a more dramatic color for special events.
9. No Need for Precision: Unlike some lip products that require precise application, lip gloss applied more casually. lip gloss makes it a great option for those who may not have a steady hand for pre lipstick application.
10. Travel-Friendly: Lip gloss is often packaged in compact and portable containers, making it easy to carry in your purse or pocket for on-the-go touch-ups.

Remember that while lip gloss offers these advantages, individual preferences and skin types may vary. It’s important to choose a lip gloss that suits your personal style, skin tone, and any specific needs you may have for lip care and enhancement.

Disadvantages

Lip gloss is a popular cosmetic product that provides a glossy and shiny appearance to the lips. While it has its benefits, there are also some disadvantages associated with using lip gloss. Here are a few:

Sticky and Tacky Texture: One of the main drawbacks of lip gloss is its sticky and tacky texture. Many people find that lip gloss can feel uncomfortable and gooey on the lips, especially on windy days when hair tends to stick to the gloss.

Shortevity: Lip gloss tends to have a shorter staying power compared to other lip products like lipstick or lip stain. Gloss can easily transfer onto cups, straws, or clothing, which may require frequent reapplication throughout the day.

Hair Attraction: As mentioned earlier, the sticky texture of lip gloss can attract and trap hair, especially in windy or outdoor environments. This can be quite bothersome and can ruin the overall look.

Lack of Pigmentation: Many lip glosses provide a sheer wash of color rather than intense pigmentation. If you’re looking for bold and vibrant lip color, lip gloss may not deliver the desired effect.

Not Ideal for All Occasions: Lip gloss is often associated with a more casual or youthful look. It may not be suitable for formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated appearance is desired.

Touch-Ups Required: Due to its tendency to transfer and wear off quickly, lip gloss often requires frequent touch-ups, which can be inconvenient, especially if you’re on the go.

Potential for Feathering: Lip gloss can sometimes feather or bleed into fine lines around the lips, especially if you’re not using a lip liner or if the formulation of the gloss is not well-suited to your lip type.

Hygiene Concerns: Sharing lip gloss applicators or using them directly on the lips can raise hygiene concerns. Lip gloss tubes can also accumulate bacteria over time, especially if not properly cleaned.

Weather Sensitivity: Lip gloss may not hold up well in extreme weather conditions, such as hot or cold temperatures. Cold weather can cause the gloss to become thicker and less spreadable, while hot weather can make it feel even stickier.

Potential Allergens: Like all cosmetic products, some lip glosses may contain ingredients that could potentially cause allergic reactions or skin sensitivities in certain individuals. It’s important to check the ingredient list if you have known allergies.

Despite these disadvantages, many people still enjoy using lip gloss for its shiny finish and easy application. It’s essential to consider your personal preferences and needs when deciding whether lip gloss is the right choice for you.