How to effectively choose a tinted lip oil?

Tinted lip oils are hybrid products, halfway between the gloss and the balm. They provide a hint of color while caring for the lips, nourishing them, shielding them from environmental stressors, and helping to alleviate sensations of tightness.

From a formulation standpoint, a tinted lip oil is an oil-phase monophasic system, meaning it contains only lipophilic compounds. It typically contains several vegetable oils, structuring waxes, color pigments, as well as small amounts of actives and preservatives. The vegetable oils nourish the lips while depositing a protective film that prevents dehydration and shields them from environmental stressors such as wind, cold, and pollution. The added actives can play different roles: plumping the lips, smoothing the fine lines around the mouth...

It is also important to pay attention to the nature of the ingredients. Some tinted lip oils contain mineral oils or waxes derived from petrochemicals. These compounds, although often used for their texture, provide no cosmetic benefit and their production is harmful to the environment. On INCI lists, they are identified under the following names:Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Cera Microcristallina, Ozokerite, Ceresin, Mineral Oil, as well as terms ending in-methicone and-siloxane. We also recommend avoiding tinted lip oils that contain dyes in the form of nanoparticles, such as titanium dioxide (CI 77891), classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” when inhaled—a situation that can occur when a product is applied to the lips.

Selecting a tinted lip oil should also be based on your individual needs:

• To restore your lips’ radiance and protect them from oxidative stress, opt for lip oils containing antioxidants such as vitamin E.

• To plump your lips, opt for lip oils formulated with active compounds that stimulate microcirculation, such as menthol or chili pepper extract.

• To combat chapping, choose lip oils rich in nourishing lipids, such as shea butter or mango butter, capable of restoring the hydrolipidic film.

By carefully examining the composition of your tinted lip oil, you ensure an effective treatment while avoiding ingredients that could be potentially undesirable for your health or the environment.

Before selecting a tinted lip oil, it’s advisable to determine the appearance you wish to achieve.

• If you’re seeking a natural and luminous effect, choose light, pinkish, or subtly sheer shades. These oils enhance the lips’ inherent color while depositing a thin film on the surface that yields a gentle glossy finish. This optical gloss effect increases the perceived lip volume without any tangible buildup—ideal for understated makeup. Some lip‐oil formulas even contain pearlescent particles to further intensify light reflection.

• On the other hand, if your goal is to enhance the color of your lips and add depth to your makeup, opt for more pigmented shades such as red, coral, raspberry, or plum. These richer hues help intensify facial expression without compromising lip comfort and hydration. That said, it’s important to note that tinted lip oils do not replace lipsticks and deliver lighter coverage.

The selection of a lip oil’s color depends as much on your aesthetic preferences as on the functional purpose of the formulation—whether to achieve a subtle, everyday enhancement or to impart a more pronounced chromatic accent.

Even though it is often overlooked, the applicator plays an important role in the sensory experience and the precision of application of tinted lip oils. It influences not only the ease of application but also the amount of product deposited and the uniformity of the finish on the lips. Several types of applicators can be distinguished:

• Soft foam tips : These are the most common applicators. Their slightly angled shape follows the natural curvature of the lips, allowing for precise and uniform application, even along the contours. They are ideal for fluid or highly pigmented textures, as they retain an adequate amount of product. Their softness furthermore provides a pleasant sensation upon contact with the lips.

• Integrated brushes : Certain models are designed with miniature integrated brushes. Thinner and more flexible, they afford enhanced application control, particularly for edge definition or the precise deposition of a thin layer of pigment at the center of the lips.

• Roll-ons : Highly convenient for application, roll-on lip oils hydrate and tint the lips while providing a gentle massage. However, roll-ons often offer slightly less precision, which can be problematic for highly pigmented shades.

Applicator selection is primarily determined by your application habits. Foam tips and brushes provide higher precision, whereas roll-ons deliver greater convenience.

Our emollient lip oil is composed of 98% naturally derived ingredients and is available in six different shades. It is formulated without nanoparticles, without mineral oils, without silicones and without beeswax, providing light coverage with a shiny, non-sticky finish. Regarding its composition, the emollient lip oil contains several naturally lipophilic ingredients, such as squalane, which prevents lip dryness, and plum oil, which nourishes the lips while delivering a subtle, pleasant fragrance. This formulation also contains jojoba oil, which forms a protective, hydrating film on the lips, and vitamin E, which shields them from external aggressors. Our emollient lip oil is applied using a foam applicator designed to deposit a generous, enveloping film over the lips.

• NOVAK S. & al. Titanium dioxide in our everyday life; is it safe? Radiology and Oncology (2011).

• BARBAUD A. & al. Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics: An overview mainly based on the current European regulations and the safety profile of these compounds. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2019).

• ADHIKARI R. & al. Vegetable oils-based cosmetics. Vegetable Oil-Based Polymers and their Surface Applications (2024).