Finding the best lip products for you begins by understanding which formula best suits your needs. Whether you are looking for a product to deeply nourish your dry lips, add a high-shine finish, achieve long lasting colour, or simply enhance your natural pout, there is a lip product that is designed to target every one of these issues. From hydrating balms, oils and glosses to lip stains and lip sticks to give you colour. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best lip products across every category to help you discover the formulas worth adding to your beauty routine, whether you’re after everyday essentials or your new makeup kit favourites.
How to Choose the Right Lip Product
The best lip product ultimately depends on what you want it to do. If hydration is your priority, look for nourishing formulas packed with ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid or natural oils. For long-lasting colour, lip stains are ideal, while glosses create a fuller-looking, high-shine finish. Lip oils offer the perfect balance of hydration and shine, making them a great everyday option. If you’re spending time outdoors, don’t overlook sun protection. The lips are particularly vulnerable to UV damage, so choosing a lip product with broad-spectrum SPF is one of the easiest ways to keep them healthy and protected year-round.
| Want This? | Reach For This |
| Deep hydration for dry or chapped lips | A nourishing lip balm |
| A glossy, fuller-looking finish | A lip gloss |
| Lightweight hydration with a natural shine | A lip oil |
| Long-lasting colour that won’t budge | A lip stain |
| Sun protection for everyday wear | An SPF lip balm or SPF lip oil with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher |
What to Look For in a Lip Product (and What to Avoid)
Whether you’re shopping for a nourishing lip balm, a glossy oil, a long-wearing stain or an everyday gloss, the right ingredients will make all the difference in how the product works for your lips. Hydrating ingredients help keep your lips soft and quenched, while nourishing oils and barrier-supporting emollients help prevent moisture loss throughout the day. If you’re choosing a product for daytime wear, it is important to look for a product that includes an SPF as part of their formula. SPF is an often-overlooked step in lip care but is important to protect against UV damage for daytime wear. If your lips are sensitive or prone to irritation, fragrance-free or unscented formulas are the safest option. Refer to the ingredients guide below to see which ingredients to look for and be cautious with.
| Look For | Be Cautious With |
| Hyaluronic acid & glycerin – attracts moisture to help keep lips hydrated | Fragrance (Parfum) & flavouring – common triggers for irritation on sensitive lips |
| Shea butter, squalane & plant oils – nourishes and softens lips while reducing moisture loss | Menthol & camphor – may create a cooling sensation but can contribute to dryness and stinging |
| Ceramides & peptides – helps support the lip barrier and improve smoothness | Phenol & salicylic acid – can be overly drying on already chapped or delicate lips |
| Vitamin E – provides antioxidant protection while conditioning the lips | Essential oils, including peppermint and eucalyptus – may irritate reactive lips |
| Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ – helps protect lips from everyday UV damage | lumping agents such as capsaicin – can cause irritation or discomfort, particularly on sensitive lips |
Lip Balms
Lip balms are the foundation of any lip care routine, especially during the colder months when dry air, wind and indoor heating can leave lips feeling dehydrated and uncomfortable. The right formula does more than provide temporary relief — it helps lock in moisture, strengthen the lip barrier and protect against further dryness. Whether you’re looking for an everyday balm, an overnight treatment, a tinted formula or an SPF option for daily sun protection, there’s a lip balm designed to suit every need. Below, we’ve rounded up the best lip balms for every concern to help keep your lips soft, healthy and comfortable all season long.
Best For Dry and Chapped Lips: Rhode Peptide Lip Boost
Cold weather can quickly leave lips feeling dry, cracked and uncomfortable, making a nourishing lip treatment a winter essential. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment is formulated with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients that help replenish moisture while leaving lips soft, smooth and comfortable throughout the day.
RRP: $40, shop here.
Best for Hydration: Lanolips Ceramide Milkshake Balm Raspberry Crumble
If hydration is your top priority, choose a lip balm with barrier-supporting ingredients like lanolin and ceramides to help lock in moisture and prevent dryness. Lanolips Ceramide Milkshake Balm in Raspberry Crumble combines 90% lanolin, ceramides and murumuru butter to deeply moisturise while leaving lips soft, glossy and comfortable throughout the day.
RRP: $14.95, shop here.
Best with SPF: Naked Sundays PoutScreen SPF 50+ Lip Treatment
Your lips are just as vulnerable to UV damage as the rest of your skin, making daily sun protection an essential step in any lip care routine. Naked Sundays PoutScreen SPF 50+ Lip Treatment combines broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection with hydrating ingredients to help shield lips from the sun while keeping them soft, smooth and nourished throughout the day.
RRP: $35, shop here.
Lip Oils
Lip oils are the perfect middle ground between skincare and makeup, delivering lightweight hydration with a glossy, non-sticky finish. If you’re after pure nourishment, a clear lip oil is ideal for everyday wear or layering over other lip products. Tinted lip oils, on the other hand, offer the same conditioning benefits with a sheer wash of colour for an effortless, healthy-looking pout.
Best Clear Lip Oil: Poni Soft Slick Lip Oil
Poni Soft Slick Lip Oil delivers lasting hydration with a high-shine, glass-like finish, making it perfect for everyday wear or layering over lip liner and lipstick.
RRP: $14, shop here.
Best Tinted Lip Oil: Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil combines nourishing botanical oils with a sheer tint and luminous finish, making it an easy choice for anyone who wants hydration, shine and a subtle pop of colour in one product.
RRP: $46, shop here.
Lip Stains
Lip stains are the perfect choice for anyone looking for long-lasting colour without the weight or maintenance of a traditional lipstick. Designed to leave behind a lightweight wash of pigment, they create a natural-looking finish that stays put for hours with minimal touch-ups. There are two main types of lip stains to choose from. Peel-off formulas are applied like a mask before being removed to reveal long-lasting colour underneath, while liquid stains absorb directly into the lips and are often paired with a precision applicator, making them ideal for defining the lips or creating a soft, blurred finish.
Best Peel-Off Lip Stain: Smooche Peel Off Lip Stain
For colour that lasts all day, Smooche Peel Off Lip Stain develops into a long-wearing tint that resists smudging and transfer. It’s a great option for anyone who wants a bold lip without the need for constant reapplication.
RRP: $43, shop here.
Best Precision Lip Stain: Quick Flick 2-in-1 Double-Sided Precision Lip Stain
If you prefer a more defined look, Quick Flick 2-in-1 Double-Sided Precision Lip Stain features a fine-tip applicator for shaping the lips alongside a broader tip for effortless colour. The lightweight formula sinks into the lips for a natural finish that wears comfortably throughout the day.
RRP: $20, shop here.
Lip Glosses
Lip glosses are the ultimate finishing touch, adding instant shine while making lips appear fuller and smoother. Whether you prefer a crystal-clear gloss for layering or a tinted formula that delivers colour and hydration in one swipe, today’s glosses are designed to feel more comfortable than ever. Many modern formulas prioritise a lightweight, non-sticky finish, making them ideal for everyday wear without the tackiness traditionally associated with gloss.
Best Clear Lip Gloss: REFY Lip Gloss
REFY Lip Gloss delivers a high-shine, glass-like finish that layers seamlessly over REFY Lip Sculpt or your favourite lip liner without feeling heavy or sticky. The crystal-clear formula enhances any lip look while adding a smooth, glossy finish that lasts.
RRP: $30, shop here.
Best Non-Sticky Tinted Lip Gloss: Phie Peptide Lip Gloss SPF 30+
Phie Peptide Lip Gloss SPF 30+ combines a nourishing, non-sticky formula with SPF 30+ protection to keep lips soft, hydrated and comfortable throughout the day. Available in four wearable shades, it delivers a glossy finish that layers effortlessly over lip liner or lip stain for added shine and dimension.
RRP: $38, shop here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a lip oil and a lip gloss?
While both products add shine to your lips, a lip oil is formulated to include nourishing ingredients to help hydrate and condition your lips, making them ideal for everyday wear, especially for those who struggle heavily with chapped lips. Lip glosses are primarily designed to enhance shine and can range from crystal clear to pigmented finishes, although many modern formulas now include skincare benefits as well.
What’s the difference between a lip stain and a lip tint?
Lip stains are designed to leave behind long-lasting pigment that absorbs into your lips and resists fading throughout the day. Lip tints generally provide a softer, more natural and slight wash of colour on your lips with a lighter finish and may not offer the same level of longevity as a lip stain.
How do I stop lip products drying out my lips?
Start with a nourishing lip balm or lip treatment to keep your lips hydrated before applying colour. It is important to choose formulas that are enriched with moisturising ingredients such as shea butter, ceramides or plant oils. You can also gently exfoliate your lips once or twice a week as part of your skincare routine to help prevent dryness and create a smoother finish.
Closing Remarks
Whether you’re searching for a deeply nourishing lip balm, a long-lasting stain or the perfect everyday gloss, choosing the right formula can make all the difference. The best lip products combine performance with comfort, helping your lips look and feel their best every day.
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All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
