There are a few differences between lip glosses and lip oils, including their benefits, texture, level of pigmentation, and ingredients.
Benefits: Lip oils are designed both to help hydrate the lips and give them a subtle reflective sheen. Lip glosses, meanwhile, are designed primarily to give the lips shine-while some formulas may hydrate, that's not their main purpose.
Texture: Lip oils tend to feel lighter on the lips, while glosses-particularly full-coverage varieties-can have a thicker, richer texture.
Pigmentation: Lip glosses can run the gamut from totally untinted to pigment-packed. Lip oils, meanwhile, may provide subtle color, but it's typically on the sheerer side.
Ingredients: By definition, all lip oils contain oils (such as squalane, avocado oil, or other plant oils). Gloss may contain oil, but it isn't a requirement.
Lip Oil vs. Lip Gloss: Similarities
Lip glosses and lip oils are both liquid makeup products that leave the lips with a glossy-looking finish.
Formula: Lip glosses and oils are both liquid makeup products and typically come in a tube with an attached applicator.
Finish: Both lip glosses and oils boast a shiny finish, though glosses may be slightly more reflective than oils.
