Tinted oil, gloss, lip ink… which should you choose for your lips?

The first notable difference between tinted oils, glosses, and lip inks lies in their texture and the sensation they provide. The tinted lip oils offer an extremely lightweight and comfortable sensation, almost imperceptible on the lips. These products impart a slightly glossy finish while preserving a natural appearance.

Lip gloss, for its part, is distinguished by its thicker, more enveloping texture. It delivers intense shine but can sometimes produce a tacky feel, especially when applied in a generous layer. This sensation is not necessarily unpleasant and contributes to the “volume” effect that many seek with glosses.

Finally, lip inks are characterized by their fluid and pigmented texture. Unlike glosses, they dry quickly and adhere to the lip surface, creating a matte or satin effect depending on the formulations. The sensation is lighter than that of a gloss but less nourishing than that of tinted oils, and it can sometimes be useful to apply a lip balm in addition, to prevent dryness, especially in winter.

The tinted oil imparts a nourishing sensation, in contrast to the lip stain, whereas the lip gloss has a relatively sticky consistency.

Tinted oils, glosses, and lip tints do not yield the same finish. Tinted oils enable a subtle, buildable coloration. They deposit a light veil of pigment, ideal for a natural effect or for enhancing the lips’ intrinsic tone without creating an overly pronounced contrast.

The gloss, for its part, primarily emphasizes shine. Its color is often more intense than that of a tinted oil, yet it remains translucent and can be modulated according to the number of layers applied. Glosses are the go-to products for those seeking a highly luminous makeup effect that captures light and visually amplifies lip volume.

Lip stains, by contrast, have a high pigment concentration. They provide a vivid, uniform color payoff from the first application and ensure long-lasting wear. The shades can be matte or satin, depending on the formulation.

Lip ink delivers the most intense finish, followed by lip gloss, whereas the finish of lip oil appears more natural.

Staying power is a critical factor when selecting a lip product. Tinted oils, glosses, and lip stains differ significantly in this regard. In the case of tinted oils, they offer a lightweight texture and finish, but their wear time is limited: the color fades over the course of meals or lip movements, requiring frequent reapplication. Their strength thus lies less in durability than in the comfort they provide to the lips.

Gloss, for its part, offers an intermediate wear. Its thick texture adheres well to the lip surface, but its glossy finish is susceptible to friction and moisture. When in contact with a glass or a mask, the gloss can transfer easily. Nonetheless, certain recent formulas incorporate film-forming polymers that improve adhesion and prolong shine. As such, gloss emerges as an attractive choice for a brief luminous effect, but not for long-lasting wear.

Conversely, lip stains are distinguished by their exceptional durability. Thanks to their aqueous or semi-liquid texture, they penetrate slightly into the stratum corneum of the lips and deposit an almost indelible pigment. This mechanism, driven by the volatile solvents in their formulation, gives lip stains long-lasting wear that can last for several hours—even an entire day—without transfer or smudging. However, this very adherence is also responsible for the drying sensation some people experience after using a lip stain.

In terms of wear resistance, lip stain exhibits the highest performance, followed by gloss and tinted oil.

The comfort of application and the hydration provided are important factors when selecting a product for the lips, a naturally delicate area as it is virtually devoid of sebaceous glands, the organs responsible for producing sebum. Tinted oils are unbeatable in this regard. Their oil-based formula, often enriched with plant oils, strengthens the hydrolipidic film and reduces transepidermal water loss. Additionally, lip oils have an emollient and nourishing effect that helps prevent minor chapping.

Gloss, for its part, offers a more superficial hydration. Its viscous texture forms an occlusive film that temporarily traps moisture, but this effect is less pronounced than that of tinted oils. Some formulations attempt to counteract this by incorporating humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which help keep the lips more supple. Nevertheless, gloss remains primarily a shine product and belongs more to the realm of makeup than to that of skincare.

As for lip inks, they provide the least comfort due to their low lipid content. The volatile solvents they contain can exacerbate dehydration and create a sensation of tightness, especially on compromised lips. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a hydrating balm before or after lip ink application, in order to preserve the skin barrier and maintain tissue elasticity.

Tinted oils and, to a lesser extent, lip glosses, lie midway between makeup and skincare, whereas lip inks provide neither hydration nor comfort to the lips.

Even though they are sometimes confused, tinted oils, glosses, and lip tints are different products that are not formulated in the same way. The tinted oils rely on a base of plant-derived or synthetic lipids with strong affinity for the skin and capable of restoring the lips’ hydrolipidic film. These often include jojoba, castor, or almond oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids, as well as lightweight esters that provide a non-greasy finish. Tinted oils also contain dispersed pigments responsible for the color effect. Finally, tinted lip oils incorporate film-forming agents that aid in smooth product application and water retention in the skin. These ingredients also help thicken the oil formula, creating a silky, smooth texture that glides effortlessly over the lips.

Glosses, for their part, are formulated around a gelled or polymeric phase. Their viscous texture often comes from silicone- or cellulose-derived polymers that trap pigments and pearlescent particles while forming a glossy film on the lip surface. Mineral or plant oils are included in varying proportions to enhance the product’s slip properties. Some “treatment” glosses are enriched with humectants to improve application comfort. However, most remain designed for a luminous finish rather than a restorative effect.

Finally, lip stains rely on an aqueous or hydroalcoholic phase in which the pigments are dispersed using surfactant agents. Their light texture stems from the presence of volatile solvents, which evaporate rapidly to leave a thin colored film on the lips. This particular formulation—composed of water-soluble pigments, film-forming polymers, and one or more volatile solvents—is responsible for the long-lasting wear of lip stains, as well as their slightly drying effect on the lips, although some recent products are beginning to incorporate light hydrating active ingredients, such as pentylene glycol or lactate derivatives.

The formulation of each product dictates its texture, wear, and benefits: tinted oils are optimized for nourishment, glosses for shine, and inks for durable pigment retention.

The choice between a tinted oil, a gloss, or a lip stain primarily depends on your priorities regarding comfort, wear time, and finish. If your lips are often dry, we recommend opting for tinted oils, which both nourish and subtly color. Their natural finish is also ideal for individuals seeking a light makeup application. Glosses, on the other hand, target those desiring immediate volume and intense shine, though they may require reapplication throughout the day. Finally, lip stains are notable for their exceptional staying power: they suit anyone looking for a precise, transfer-proof result during the day.

Alternating products can also be a solution: a tinted oil by day to hydrate and protect, a lip gloss for special occasions, and a lip stain for days or evenings when lasting power is the priority. Summary table of the differences between tinted oils, glosses, and lip stains.

At Typology, we offer you an emollient lip oil available in six shades. Comprised of 98% naturally derived ingredients, it is vegan and formulated without nanoparticles, mineral oils, or silicones. This lip oil provides light coverage with a glossy, non-sticky finish. It contains several nourishing components that prevent lip dehydration while imparting color. Notably, it contains prune oil, jojoba oil and squalane in its formula, accompanied by vitamin E, whose potent antioxidant properties protect the lips from oxidative stress.