Lip balm and lip oil are both staples in the world of lip care, but while they may look similar on the surface, they serve slightly different purposes. If you’re looking to level up your lip routine, understanding the differences between the two can help you choose the right product for your needs—or better yet, know when to use both. Below, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about lip oil vs. lip balm, their benefits, textures, and finishes, plus how to decide which one belongs in your bag.
What Is Lip Balm?
Lip balms are a tried-and-true lip care product designed to help protect and nourish the lips. Typically solid or semi-solid in form, balms often use waxes, butters, and emollients to form a protective barrier on the skin. This barrier helps seal in moisture while shielding your lips from environmental stressors like wind and cold weather. Whether you're dealing with dry air or simply want to prevent chapping, lip balm is built to keep your lips feeling soft, smooth, and conditioned.
Benefits of using lip balm
Lip balms work double-duty by preventing moisture loss and providing soothing relief for dry, cracked lips. The thick, cushiony texture forms a barrier that helps lock in hydration, making balms especially useful in colder months or in dry climates.
Some lip balms, such as our Smushy Matte Lip Balm, also come tinted for a pop of color. This hydrating formula, featuring moisture-locking sugar lipid ceramides, comes in a dozen buildable shades (including a clear option) that glide on easily and leave your lips feeling soft, conditioned, and cared for.
What Is a Lip Oil?
Lip oils are lightweight, gloss-adjacent lip treatments designed to hydrate and add shine. Unlike thicker balms, lip oils are usually fluid and silky, gliding over the lips to provide instant moisture and a glassy finish. These oils are often packed with nourishing plant-based ingredients and are designed to help soften, smooth, and hydrate your lips without leaving them feeling heavy or sticky.
Benefits of using lip oil
What makes lip oils special is their ability to hydrate deeply while delivering a glossy, polished look. Their thinner texture absorbs more easily into the skin compared to a balm, making them a great option for daily use. Like balms, lip oils can come tinted or untinted. Our Fat Oil Lip Drip, for example, comes in 18 flexible shades that deliver a soft wash of color and intense shine. Plus, the non-sticky formula delivers up to 12 hours of hydration for smooth, nourished-feeling lips.
Lip Balm vs. Lip Oil: Differences and Similarities
Lip balm and lip oil may serve similar goals—hydration and care—but their formulations, textures, and finishes make them distinct. Here’s how they compare.
Texture and feel
Lip balm typically has a solid, waxy consistency and a thicker texture that stays put on the lips, which makes it ideal for protecting and sealing in moisture. Lip oil, on the other hand, has a liquid, smooth feel that’s lightweight and silky. Squeeze tube lip balms, like our Smushy Matte Lip Balm, are one exception to the rule. These hybrid formulas have the benefits of a classic balm but boast a lightweight liquid formula akin to a hydrating lip gloss.
There are also products that marry the benefits of both of these lip staples. Our Fat Oil Slick Clicks are one such example. The tinted lip oil balm is formulated with a trio of lip-loving oils (avocado, raspberry, and cloudberry) and provides a sheer wash of color with a shiny—never sticky—finish. The lineup includes 20 shades, from barely-there nudes to more pigmented pinks, berries, and browns.
Function and purpose
Lip balms are all about creating a moisture-sealing barrier. They’re great for protecting lips in harsh conditions and are often formulated with ingredients like beeswax or shea butter to condition and shield. Lip oils, such as our Fat Oil Lip Drip and Fat Oil Slick Clicks, work to deeply hydrate and add a high-shine finish that feels light and nourishing.
If you want a product that embodies the best of both worlds, we suggest picking up the Smushy Matte Lip Balm. It has the liquid texture of a lip oil or gloss but provides the protection and nourishment of a balm. Plus, the tinted formula also doubles as lip makeup, leaving the lips with a wash of color and a flattering blurred matte finish. Unlike thicker lipsticks, it won’t settle into fine lines or feel heavy on the lips, making it ideal for those who want color without the fuss of a full-coverage lipstick.
Finish and longevity
Lip oil gives a glossy or sheer finish that reflects light for a dimensional, high-shine look. Lip balms, by contrast, typically leave behind a natural or slightly dewy finish, depending on the formula. There are matte balms, too—our Smushy Matte Lip Balm is one such example. It’s formulated with mochi rice powder and provides a blurred matte finish without ever leaving the lips feeling dry or cakey. As for longevity, balms tend to stick around longer, while lip oils may need more frequent reapplication due to their fluid texture.
How To Choose Between Lip Balm and Lip Oil
Choosing between lip oil vs. lip balm doesn’t have to be a one-or-the-other situation. The best choice depends on your desired level of coverage, your finish preference, and even the weather. There’s room for both in a well-rounded routine—and knowing when to reach for which can help you get the most out of each.
When to use lip balm
Lip balm is your go-to when your lips need serious TLC. It’s ideal for:
- Dry or chapped lips
- Protecting your pout in cold or windy weather
- Times when you prefer a subtle or matte finish
When to use lip oil
Lip oil shines—literally—when your lips just need hydration and a little something extra. It's great for:
- Everyday hydration and nourishment
- Normal to mildly dry lips
- A glossy finish with lip-loving ingredients
Next Up: How To Get Perfectly Glossy Lips with Lip Oil.
We’d love to see how you use your favorite NYX Professional Makeup lip balms and lip oils in your routine. Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
Shop Lip Oil and Lip Balm Products
FAT OIL SLICK CLICK
Lightweight, buildable pigmented lip oil balm in click up packaging available in 20 shades.
Fat Oil Lip Drip
Hydrating tinted lip oil gloss in 18 shades.
SMUSHY MATTE LIP BALM
A soft-matte buildable lip color infused with mochi rice powder and sugar ceramides in 12 shades.
