Non-Sticky Lip Oils: My Top Choices

Updated on October 15th, 2025

AD | Lip oils have been getting a lot of publicity lately. All my favorite brands have brought out lines of lip-staining sheer colors that give a glossy effect rather than the full, solid color of colored glosses or traditional lipsticks. Lip oils are advertised as being pretty but also practical thanks to the hydrating and nourishing ingredients in the oils that sink deep into the skin of your lips and keep them healthy. The question is: are lip oils all that they are made out to be? Do they deliver on aesthetic appeal and skincare at the same time? I will share my findings.

What Are Lip Oils?

Lip oils are lip care and beauty products with an oil-based formula. This oil base is said to give your lips a glossy finish and nourishment from the oils — the benefits of both a gloss and a balm in one chic product. The consistency of the lip oil varies from product to product, but generally, it lies between a lip balm and gloss.

What Are the Benefits of Using Lip Oils?

Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips do not have sebaceous oil glands, which means that they cannot produce natural oils to keep themselves moisturized. This is why lip care is so important. Using lip oils provides moisture and a barrier between a potentially harsh environment and your delicate lip skin.

My Favorite Lip Oils

• Best Overall: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil Hydrating and Plumping Lip Oil
• Too Faced Kissing Jelly Hydrating Lip Oil Gloss
• e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
• NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip

1. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil Hydrating and Plumping Lip Oil

$30

The best lip oil I have tried is the Clarins Lip Comfort range. I particularly enjoyed the Cherry shade because the color is classic, and it is such a versatile product to own. 

This formula has been re-made to include all of the most nourishing ingredients possible:

• Organic sweetbriar rose oil revives dry and dull lips, provides comfort if you have chapped lips or splits, and helps to plump your lips all day from your first use. I struggle with dry lips, so I appreciate this ingredient in particular.
• Jojoba seed oil contains vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties. This ingredient prevents free radical damage from pollution and boosts radiance for lovely color.

The oil-based formula is not thick and sticky like most glosses I have tried. I apply it to clean and dry lips: one swipe on the top and bottom lips and smush them together, and I am ready to go. If I really want to add some extra wow factor, I apply lip liner in a slightly darker cherry shade before applying the oil.

Favorite thing about it: My lips feel much softer after using the oil, even when it has worn away or washed off. The packaging is lovely and it does not drip or leak in my handbag.

2. Too Faced Kissing Jelly Hydrating Lip Oil Gloss

$22

Too Faced has been a hit-and-miss for me over the years, but this lip oil is brilliant. This oil is a jelly formula lip-oil gloss hybrid and comes in a range of shades, even blue, so everyone will find something they like. 

This formula includes sunflower and jojoba seed oil, which helps to soften, nourish, and revitalize lips in less-than-perfect conditions. I appreciate that the oil has a high-shine finish and the best bit is that each shade offers its own unique scent, including candy floss and bubblegum.

Favorite thing about it: This product can be used on its own or as a top coat for other lip products.

3. e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil

$8.00

Another favorite came from e.l.f., which is no surprise as the brand already makes a wide range of cost-effective and attractive makeup products. The e.l.f. lip oil has a high-shine finish at an accessible price point. Like all my other top choices, the formula is completely non-sticky, and the color is sheer and understated.

The ingredients in this formula are what make it so special:

• Squalane smoothes away chapped lips and gently exfoliates
• Avocado and jojoba oil deeply hydrate
• Pomegranate oil helps cell turnover, which keeps lips looking youthful

Favorite things about it: The oversized applicator is so soft and plush on my lips, and the minty fresh scent is quite unique among lip oils.

4. NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip

$9.00

NYX markets this product as an oil and gloss hybrid, but thankfully, it has all the good qualities of both products and none of the drawbacks of a gloss. The main advantages of this product are the thick, glossy look that the oil offers and the incredible 12-hour hydration that the formula provides.

The ingredients that I love are:

• Cloudberry oil, which contains vitamin C to brighten, firm, and plump the lips
• Raspberry oil helps the lips retain moisture
• Squalane, which soothes dry, chapped lips and gently exfoliates

Favorite things about it: There are 14 shades to choose from, and this product is both vegan and cruelty-free.

Lip Oils Are a Trend for a Reason

This trend is one I can get behind because the products are worth the hype. At least, these are. I will be carrying one of my favorite lip oils with me wherever I go.