Does olive oil work as a lip balm?

The hackReplace your lip balm with that kitchen cupboard favorite, olive oil.

The testTikTok influencer Charles Gross is a fan of using pure olive oil — of any variety — as a DIY lip balm. It's an easy thing to try and, in theory, makes sense - the oil is a natural moisturizer and a common skincare ingredient.

J I simply decanted a little into a shot glass, and dabbed in with a finger in the morning instead of my usual lip balm. My lips felt smooth and nourished, but they absorbed pretty quickly and felt dry again a bit later - a pattern that continued throughout the day.

Traditional lip balms tend to combine an oil (often olive or coconut) with a thicker emollient like beeswax, which acts as a heavier layer to seal in moisture . (This is the basis of the recent skincare trend for "slugging".) So I tried olive oil again, left it on for a few minutes, then applied a layer of petroleum jelly on top. Did it work? Yes. But was it also a faff? Yes again.

The Verdict It's definitely a test to try, but I'm having a lot of fun applying regular lip balm - which isn't an expensive item - and I didn't experience the juicy lip satisfaction I get from a lick of the traditional stuff, which also keeps my lips hydrated for hours, adds a bit of color, and has SPF.