Lip Oil Versus Lip Balm: A Guide to the Top 5 Differences that Influence Your Choice

Lip oils and lip balms essentially serve the same purpose – they help to hydrate, nourish and protect the lips, but they do it in slightly different ways. Lip balm, often available in a stick form, is an occlusive product, meaning it creates a physical barrier between the skin and the environment, preventing moisture loss. It often contains ingredients such as beeswax or petroleum jelly, which provide this shielding effect.

On the other hand, lip oil, which usually comes in a tube or a small bottle with a wand, is more of a treatment and has a similar consistency to a light face oil. The nourishing effect of lip oil comes from its rich mix of hydrating ingredients.