Lip care reinvented: 2024 is the year of lip oils

For years, a small tube of Vaseline lip balm It was all I carried in my bags, from austere school days to college paperwork. I was decidedly anti-lipstick – it never looked good on my face, or so I think. It was only last year that I switched to a lip oil, courtesy of a friend who made me try a dainty little bottle of La Mior. And I was converted. I still have a long way to go before I consider myself a regular lip oil user, but I doubt I’ll ever go back to the good old days of Vaseline.

That’s the beauty business. Today, a new wave of lip care products is sweeping the beauty world, combining hydration with a hint of colour. Lip oils are fast becoming the go-to choices for those looking for both nourishment and a hint of pigment. And a lot of it has to do with what influencers call the ‘skinification’ of makeup. “Suddenly, there is a lot of awareness about makeup and the kind of ingredients used in it. People are trying to lean towards slightly more natural alternatives. Lip oils are a more natural alternative, while balms contain waxes and esters. Also, lip oils, unlike balms, tend to have more shine and a glossier finish. They also last longer on the skin. Hence, people are leaning towards lip oils,” shares Dr Janaki K Yalamanchili, Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician at Zennara Clinic, Hyderabad.

And there’s demand for it too. The Skin Diet Company, a superfood-based skincare brand under the direction of Harshita Rai Khetan, recently launched its Lip Barrier Oil, to cater to the growing lip care segment. “I have always stressed the importance of using products that actually benefit the skin. Since lips are much thinner than the rest of the skin (they have just 3 layers compared to 14), it is crucial to give them the proper care they need. That’s why I believe lip oils are the best solution. They don’t just provide surface hydration like balms, but nourish the lips from within. Lip oils are lightweight, really absorb into the skin, and offer long-lasting hydration without leaving behind a greasy residue. It’s the difference between masking a problem and actually solving it,” she shares. Her brand’s Lip Barrier Oil is enriched with tripeptides, acai berries, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid, making it multi-functional.

Then there is makeup minimalism that has come to the fore. An influence from Korean and Japanese skincare aesthetics has influenced the Indian beauty market to focus more on the skin, while simplifying beauty essentials. This was the inspiration behind Type Beauty Inc’s Lip Lustre, which has a formula that combines oil and gloss. Ananya Kapur, founder of the brand, explains why the market is ripe for lip care products. “There’s a reason lip oils are having a moment – they’re the perfect combination of beauty and care. Unlike heavier products, they glide on effortlessly, giving your lips that natural, healthy glow whilst nourishing them from within. This combination of care and cosmetic enhancement is why more and more people are swapping their lip balms for lip oils, as they heal from within and aren’t just a quick fix. Plus, it’s less pigmented than lipsticks and gives your lips the hydration they deserve – you’ll feel the difference in just a few hours.”

While lip balm still has its place in lip care routines, lip oil offers a more luxurious and effective solution for many people. In a world where we demand more from our beauty products, lip oils are rising to the occasion, offering both immediate and long-term benefits. They are, without a doubt, the new star of lip care.