Pigmented lip oils have emerged as one of the leading trends in hybrid beauty, combining makeup performance with skincare benefits. Merging pigment intensity with lipid-replenishing properties, they embody the shift towards multi-functional formulations that deliver both expressive colour and visible skin benefits. Whether offering a subtle tint or a more pronounced finish, these textures provide adjustable coverage, a glossy yet non-sticky result, and comprehensive lip care: hydration, plumping, suppleness and protection. Lips are nourished, smoothed and shielded from external aggressors such as cold weather.
Far from being a passing trend, pigmented lip oils represent the rise of makeup-meets-skincare , an approach that places skin health and lip barrier protection at the core of the makeup experience.
Why are pigmented lip oils winning consumers over?
Balms, glosses, lipsticks: once clearly defined by function, these categories are now converging into a new standard. Pigmented lip oils are changing the game. Consumers are seeking products that hydrate, add colour, plump and protect. They expect hybrid formulas that are easy to apply, comfortable to wear and visibly effective. All this, in a modern, lightweight and glossy texture, with zero stickiness.
What’s the difference between a lip oil and a lip gloss?
Lip oil: Formulated with natural plant oils, lip oils provide intense nourishment and reparative care, while deeply hydrating the lips. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, squalane, vitamin E, and other active ingredients, they help smooth, plump, and protect the lips. Their fluid texture offers a glossy, lightweight and elegant shine, without any sticky residue, ensuring long-lasting comfort
Lip gloss : Primarily formulated for its shiny finish, lip glosses have a thicker, often tackier texture, and offer little skincare benefit. Their role is mainly aesthetic, with no real moisturising or protective action.
This fusion of colour and care is precisely what places lip oils at the heart of evolving consumer expectations, where comfort, naturality and efficacy matter just as much as visual appeal.
Lips: a delicate area deserving targeted care
The skin on the lips has unique characteristics. Up to five times thinner than facial skin, it lacks sebaceous and sweat glands, and has no true hydrolipidic film. As a result, it dries out quickly, loses elasticity and shows signs of ageing more readily. This natural lack of lipids and water makes it especially vulnerable to environmental stressors.
In this context, pigmented lip oils offer a precise and effective solution.
Which actives ensure an effective lip oil formulation?
Formulated as genuine skincare products, these formulas include high-performance functional ingredients :
- Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration and visibly plumps the lips
- Vitamin E delivers antioxidant protection against environmental stress
- Biomimetic peptides stimulate collagen production to improve firmness and smooth fine lines
- Plant-derived squalane reinforces the lipid barrier, restoring comfort and flexibility without an occlusive effect
Plant oils: essential allies in hybrid beauty formulations
Alongside targeted actives, plant oils play a crucial role in the performance of lip oils. Jojoba, sweet almond, argan and plum oils are carefully selected for their richness in unsaturated fatty acids and their affinity with the skin’s surface.
Plum oil, in particular, offers dual functionality: lipid nutrition and a premium sensorial feel. Rich in omega 6 and 9, and naturally high in vitamin E, it supports suppleness, enhances application comfort and contributes to a silky finish without greasiness.
A natural plumping effect without compromising comfort
Some formulas also include natural plumping agents, such as guarana oil or standardised capsicum extracts derived from sweet pepper. These ingredients work by stimulating local microcirculation, delivering an immediate plumping effect with no irritation. Used at safe concentrations, they provide a gentle warming sensation and visibly enhance lip fullness from the first application.
How is colour achieved in a lip oil?
Pigmented lip oils rely on precise pigment dispersion, whether using mineral, micronised pigments or high-performance oil-based dispersions. This allows for fine-tuned colour control, from sheer, sophisticated transparency to more intense shades.
Available in elegant fruity tones like cherry, raspberry, coral or plum, these formulations offer a unique balance of performance, sensory pleasure and comfort. Their fluid, non-sticky texture makes them highly versatile, suitable for standalone use or layering, in line with the growing demand for hybrid beauty that blends care with colour.
Lip oils: a strategic opportunity for your bran
At Laboratoire Orescience, every formula reflects the unique identity of your brand. From the initial brief through to industrial scale-up, our R&D department supports you at every stage of development: ingredient selection, texture creation, pigment customization, and bespoke fragrance development. Every detail is tailored to deliver an innovative lip oil perfectly aligned with your brand positioning.
Considering a launch of a hydrating, plumping, tinted or soothing lip oil for sensitive lips?
Whatever benefit you’re targeting, our R&D team develops bespoke formulas designed to strike the perfect balance between efficacy, sensoriality and signature identity.
Send us your project brief, and let’s create a tailor-made formulation that will elevate your brand
