If you’ve spent any time in the never-ending consumer wormhole of beauty TikTok, you may have noticed the recent buzz around lip oil – or if you’ve managed to avoid TikTok altogether (we praise you), then just know that influencer shopping app LTK has seen a 1,000% month-on-month increase in searches for it.  

But why is everybody so obsessed? These lauded lip saviours are big news, mostly because they promise to be more long-lasting than regular lip gloss, more hydrating than lipstick and more pigmented than a regular balm. While we know that putting oil on your lips may sound unpleasant, there’s a viral Dior product that’s winning over make-up lovers everywhere. 

Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil promises to give gloss and “deeply protect and enhance the lips, bringing out their natural colour”. But what does a beauty expert make of the recent lip oil phenomenon? Are they worth our time and money? And which are the best ones to try?

Dr Najia Shaikh is a GP, skin doctor and the founder of One Skin Clinic on London’s Harley Street. When asked where a lip oil falls in terms of categorisation, Dr Shaikh says that “in general, lip oils are more nourishing than lip balms”.

“Lip balms tend to carry ingredients, like petroleum, that instead of penetrating deep to moisturise, only coat your lips. This means you have to constantly reapply them as there’s no real moisturising going on.”

So how do lip oils work exactly? “When applied to the lips, oils penetrate deeply to moisturise and nourish the skin. This is as opposed to ‘coating’ the skin, which lip balms – like those containing petroleum do – meaning you have to reapply them constantly,” she explains.

“Additionally, many lip oils are formulated with moisture-replenishing and moisture-attracting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, to keep lips soft, smooth, plump and unchapped.”

The thought of a pigmented oil-based product may deter many from using lip oils, but Dr Shaikh attests to their efficacy, especially when the temperature decreases.

“Lip oils are a good way to provide moisture to the skin and avoid dry, chapped or cracked lips, which are more prevalent in the colder months. Aesthetically, lip oils are sometimes avoided as they can leave a shiny finish; however, the shine should fade quickly once the oil has penetrated the skin.”

Hyaluronic acid is a star ingredient to look out for when shopping for a lip oil, Dr Shaikh explains. “Make sure to look for an ingredient list that contains naturally sourced oils as opposed to synthetic variants, as these ingredients are said to mimic the lipid content of skin to protect, hydrate and accentuate lips.”

Many of us know how drying lipsticks and lip stains can often be, but Dr Shaikh says that “aesthetically, lip oils can be used as an alternative to lipstick when they include a coloured tint”. They will give a glossier effect than using lipstick on its own, though, she explains: “A tinted lip oil with top-tier ingredients can be a good two-in-one and help keep lips soft and protected without the need for having too many products – oils, lipsticks and balms – in your make-up bag.”

So with all of that in mind, here’s a mini round-up of some of our current favourites…

Images: Getty; product shots courtesy of brands