Who Needs Lip Oil? How to Choose the Best Lip Balm

Who Needs Lip Oil? How to Choose the Best Lip Balm

12 September 2025

 

Tired of dry, flaky skin getting in the way of your favorite lip looks? Worried about redness, inflammation, or transepidermal water loss? Sounds like you need to upgrade your lip care routine. The two most popular products to consider are lip oil and lip balm. While both are designed to nourish and hydrate the lips, they have different formulas and benefits. 

 

Here's how lip oil vs. lip balm compares:

 

 

Lip Balm vs. Lip Oil? What Matters is Lip Care

 

Lip balms are an everyday essential. They are formulated to nourish and hydrate the lips while leaving a supple finish. 

 

Lip oils are another ultra-hydrating lip care product. High-quality lip oils are designed to be lightweight and non-greasy. They also leave you with a glossy pout you can flaunt throughout the day. 

 

Lip balms aren't as shimmery or glossy as lip oils. So, many individuals choose this lip care product over others for everyday use.

 

Why Are Lip Oils So Popular?

 

Lip oils are popular because they're hydrating, nourishing, and fun to wear. Most are designed to leave your lips with a stunning shine and can replace your everyday lip gloss or lipstick.

 

Tints Needn’t Sacrifice the Benefits of Nourishment and Hydration

 

Both lip oils and lip balms are available in different colors and tints. However, there tend to be more tinted lip oil options because lip oils are seen as more of a makeup product than a skincare product. 

 

Leaning towards lip oil vs. lip balm because of the tinted appearance? Just because a product is tinted doesn't mean you need to sacrifice nourishment. Many lip balms are tinted and formulated with good-for-your-skin ingredients you can feel good about.

 

Why You Shouldn’t Replace Your Lip Balm With an Oil

 

While lip oils can be great for special occasions or date nights, they aren't designed to replace your everyday lip balm. Lip balms are jam-packed with nutrients that help keep your lips supple while protecting them from dryness and chapping.

 

Instead, consider incorporating both products into your routine. This will ensure you have an option in your purse or makeup bag for all occasions.

 

 

Choosing the Best Lip Balm

 

When looking for a lip balm to include in your everyday routine, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind to ensure you find a product that helps improve and maintain the delicate skin on your lips. Here's what you should look for in a high-quality formula:

 

• Clean ingredients


• Fragrance-free


• Non-sticky feeling


• Hydrating ingredients


• Ingredients that help prevent transepidermal water loss

 

At Augustinus Bader, we offer two different lip balms that check off all the requirements for a luxury lip balm. These products are our:

 

The Lip Balm


The Tinted Balm

 

Both are formulated to help nourish, plump, and renew the delicate skin on your lips. We've spent over 30+ years developing products and the TFC8® technology that powers them, so you can feel confident they deliver results.

 

What Do the User Trials Say?

 

During our 12-week Consumer Perception Study, we asked 55 participants to assess our lip balms for nourishment, smoothness, and hydration.

 

During our user trials, 100% of participants agreed their lips look and feel healthier and more resilient. All participants also agree The Lip Balm alleviates the feeling of dry, chapped, and cracked lips.

 

If you prefer the elevated appearance of lip oil but want something better for everyday wear, our The Tinted Balm is a great alternative. All three shades are universal to suit every skin tone. It’s the perfect go-to when you want to freshen up your look without doing a complete lip look. During our user-proven trials, over 98% agree their lips feel nourished, replenished, and renewed after using The Tinted Balm. Another 93% agree the tints are perfect for everyday wear.

 

What Does the Clinical Data Say?

 

We also put our The Tinted Balm through clinical trials. During our 24-hour clinical trial of 20 participants, hydration was clinically proven to last 24 hours. Participants also found hydration improved by 31.4% in 15 minutes. 

 

We also conducted a 28-day clinical trial of 20 participants for The Tinted Balm. During this clinical trial, lip plumpness increased by 15.1%, and lip hydration improved by 15.9% for participants.

 

The Ingredients Matter

 

When looking for new lip care essentials to include in your skincare routine, the ingredients in the formula matter most. You'll want to ensure your products have nourishing elements that deliver results. Keep an eye out for ingredients such as:

 

Shea Butter: Ultra-hydrating ingredient derived from the shea tree nuts. It helps nourish, hydrate, and condition the skin.

 

Castor Seed Oil: Commonly used in hair care products to help revive dry ends, castor seed oil can also help deeply hydrate the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss.

 

Vitamin E: Jam-packed with essential antioxidants, vitamin E is an ultra-restorative ingredient that supports barrier function.

 

Bisabolol: A soothing ingredient that helps reduce irritation and supports skin barrier function.

 

 

Lip Balm or Lip Oil? The Final Verdict

 

When comparing lip oil vs. lip balm, you'll find that both products are great for your everyday routine. However, if you can only choose one product, it should always be a lip balm. Lip balms are an everyday essential designed to hydrate and protect the delicate skin on your lips. While lip oil may make your lips glossy and supple, they don't typically have the nutrients to nourish the skin effectively.

 

At Augustinus Bader, we offer two different lip balm options. Both are formulated with nutrient-rich ingredients that deliver results.

 

Shop now to find the perfect formula for your lifestyle.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions on Lip Balms and Lip Oils

 

What is lip balm?

 

Lip balms are moisturizing balms that help plump, nourish, and hydrate the delicate skin on your lips. Most have a non-glossy or non-sticky formula that will keep your lips moisturized throughout the day. 

 

What is lip oil?

 

Lip oils are a glossy lip care product formulated to hydrate the lips while providing impeccable shine. 

 

What are the key differences between lip balms and lip oils?

 

Most lip oils are oil-based, and lip balms are wax-based. You'll also find that lip balms are better for treating dryness or flaky skin, while lip oils are commonly categorized as makeup, not skincare. However, this will depend on the formula and the ingredients in the product.

 

Can you layer a lip balm and lip oil in a lip care routine?

 

Yes, you can layer lip balm and lip oil. Applying the lip balm first and then completing your look with lip oil is best. This will help you achieve a supple, glossy finish.

 

A trio of plumping, tinted lip balms in three sheer yet buildable shades
$120.00
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