e.l.f. Discovery
LIP OIL VS. LIP GLOSS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
By Maria Scenna
The newest trend in beauty right now is hydrating lip oil—but what’s the difference between a lip oil and lip gloss? Whereas lip gloss adds shine to your lips and has a heavy texture, lip oils also moisturize your lips and may contain nourishing ingredients that create a barrier between the delicate skin on the lips and environmental factors.
Lip oils lightweight, non-sticky formula are perfect for layering either below or over your lipstick or lip liner. Not only do lip oils give your lips a dewy super-shine, they may also help plump your lips with key ingredients like pepper and ginger.
Lip Oil vs. Lip Gloss: Which One Do I Choose?
You may be asking yourself, “Which one do I choose?” Although lip gloss provides a glossy shine to your lips, lip glosses usually have a thinner consistency than lip oils, sometimes resulting in less glossy goodness for your lips.
In addition to having a thicker consistency than lip gloss, lip oils are also often made of natural oils that penetrate deep into your lips to provide hydration that lasts for hours. Not only do they provide extra hydration, but lip oils may also offer healing properties due to the ingredients that can help improve the look and health of your lips throughout time.
With this being said, if you’re someone who prefers a thick, glossy look to finish off your makeup, you may prefer a lip oil! But if you’re someone looking for a lighter consistency, you may opt for a lip gloss.
What is Lip Oil and How Do I Use It?
Lip oil is a hybrid beauty product that crosses the boundaries between makeup and skincare. Aside from giving your lips a beautiful shine, lip oil may also nourish, soften and protect your lips from dehydration.
Lip oils are sometimes infused with jojoba, rosehip and coconut oils, all of which can help soothe dry lips. Apricot oil is one of the hydrating ingredients found in our Glow Reviver Lip Oil, which is a non-sticky treatment that may help moisturize lips while providing an ultra-glossy look. Its luxurious cushion doe foot applicator effortlessly glides over your lips to enhance your natural lip color with a wash of color.
What Does Lip Oil Do?
Lips are very thin and more permeable than the rest of your body because they don’t have sebaceous glands or sweat glands to create a protective hydrolipidic film. This means they may be more susceptible to external irritants like the cold, wind, UV rays, rain and pollution. As a result, certain lip oils are infused with Vitamin E, which may help reduce the effects of free radicals on your skin and protect your lips from external irritants.
Another benefit of lip oil is its ability to plump your lips. Certain lip oils are infused with Hyaluronic Acid, which may help rehydrate your lips. Other lip oils may be infused with ingredients that could help stimulate blood microcirculation upon application for an instant “plumped” effect.
Are Lip Oils Meant to Be Used on Their Own?
Lip oils can be worn on their own, with lipstick, or even paired with a creamy lip liner. You can also pair it with a lip shine for super glowy lips! We recommend first lining your lips with your favorite lip pencil. You should typically use a lip liner that will be a few shades darker than your lips. Then, apply your favorite lipstick and top it off with a lip oil.
Another reason we love lip oils is that they are very easy to use. If you decide to use it as a base under your lipstick, you’ll have a nourishing layer of protection and your lipstick will not only glide on smoother. With one easy swipe, you’ll have beautiful, hydrated lips!