Have you ever wondered what’s the difference between lip oil and lip gloss? That’s why we turn directly to experts for answers to this pressing beauty question. According to beauty experts, there are a lot of similarities and differences between the two. For example, lip gloss provides more megawatt shine and intense color effects, but often with a sticky surface, while a moisturizing lip oil coats lips with a subtle layer of color and shine. Essentially, each has unique advantages that make it a must-have for different reasons. Next, learn more about the nuances of lip gloss vs. lip oil.
What Is Lip Oil?
Lip oil is lighter than lip gloss but heavier than lip balm. Typically, they are formulated with at least one naturally derived oil or vegetable oil (most boast a combination of two or three different weights of oils for a soft feel), such as coconut oil, almond oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil, or jojoba oil along with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
Since lips do not contain oil glands, cosmetic chemist Jiang Jin says that lip oil helps keep lips hydrated. “To make lip oils feel comfortable and protective on the lips, ingredients such as polyglyceryl-2 isostearate and dimer linoleate copolymers are often used,” she explains. “To make lip oils feel less greasy, manufacturers often use a combination of esters, such as triisostearoyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer diminoleate, polybutene, diisostearyl malate, octyldodecanol, and polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate. ”
Another common ingredient is hydrogenated polyisobutylene (which also appears in a lot of gloss). Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, cosmetic chemists and co-founders of Chemist Confessions, say hydrogenated polyisobutylene is “one of the most commonly used ingredients in lip products because it provides shine while making lips soft.” ”
Although lip oils may provide more hydration and nutrients than other lip products, making them ideal for dry lips, they often lack dense pigment and can leave a clear color similar to a stain. That’s why essential oils can give your lips a natural, juicy look.
What Is Lip Gloss?
“[The lip gloss] makes the lips look shiny, almost vinyl,” Kim said. “It can also help lips look fuller because the shine factor is more intense than what oil provides. “However, not all lip glosses are created equal. Some are transparent, while others are highly pigmented with glitter or holographic pigment spots. According to King, the common denominator of lip gloss is polybutene, an ingredient that gives lip gloss a thick, ultra-glossy look. In addition to polybutene, most lip glosses contain a mixture of oils, pigments, and waxes. Lu added that lip gloss may use more thickeners and more pigments to improve its abrasion resistance. “But, again, it depends on the formula,” she added.
The Similarities
Raw Material
There is a lot of overlap between lip oil and lip gloss formulas. First of all, both products contain hydrogenated polyisobutylene and thickened polybutene, which soften the skin. This also applies to castor oil and mineral oil. Natural oils are also a key ingredient in many lip oils and lip glosses.
Moisturizing
The key moisturizing ingredients in most lip oils and lip glosses are natural oils (such as argan oil and coconut oil) and hyaluronic acid. However, Fu says lip oil moisturizes better than lip gloss, but each formula is unique. “There’s no guarantee that a lip oil is more hydrating than a lip gloss and vice versa,” she noted.
Gloss Factor
Both lip gloss and lip oil can give lips varying degrees of shine. In general, lip gloss is considered to be more radiant than lip oil because the formula is suitable for the lips, and the oil penetrates deeper into the lips to help heal and moisturize.
Volumizing Power
There are many lip oils and lip glosses that focus on volume. Many contain ingredients such as peppermint oil, cinnamon, and peptides that can temporarily add fullness to the lips. Pepper and ginger are also commonly found in plumping lip gloss and oil, Kim adds.
Layered
Lip oil and lip gloss can be worn alone or layered on top of other products, such as lip liner and lipstick. Applying shine or oil to other products can enhance the appearance of everything underneath it. For example, when you apply lip gloss to lipstick, you get more color effects. When oil is applied to lipstick, shiny stains are created.
Easy to Use
Lip oil and lip gloss are very easy to apply. Most come with a stick applicator. However, they may also come in packaging with balls or extruded tubes. These different forms allow the formula to be applied to the lips in a matter of seconds.
The Differences
Texture
Lip oil weighs less than lip gloss. On the other hand, lip gloss has more synthetic ingredients in its formula, which contributes to its thicker and more viscous appearance. Kim added that some lip glosses, especially those with stronger film-forming polymers (ingredients that make lip gloss sticky), can cause lips to feel dry over time.
Advantage
Lip oils can moisturize lips because they are often infused with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vegetable oils, and vitamin E. They also form a barrier between delicate lip skin and environmental factors. Lip gloss doesn’t usually offer this benefit.
Pigment
Lip gloss leaves more color on the lips because it contains a higher concentration of pigment. “They [provide] a more luscious, hydrated, high-shine formula,” Lou said. Lip oil, on the other hand, is much purer in color and gives your lips the perfect popsicle tinting effect.
Maintain Strength
One key difference between lip oil and lip gloss is how long they last on the lips. Because oils moisturize the lips, their effects usually last longer than lip gloss, which stays on the lips and often needs to be reapplied throughout the day.
At Last
When it comes to choosing between lip gloss and lip oil, there’s no right or wrong choice – it’s all a matter of personal preference. Choose a formula that delivers the benefits you want, whether it’s more hydrating and nourishing (with lip oil) or ultra-shiny makeup and more pigment (lip gloss may be the better choice).