Think of lip oil as a supercharged lip balm that not only hydrates, but also adds shine to your lips. Packed with nourishing oils and often boosted with vitamins and antioxidants, this handbag essential keeps the delicate skin of your lips healthy and moisturised on the go. Recently, 82°E has launched one that is also infused with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage. Fittingly named Pomegranate Sheen, it features pomegranate extract and ceramides as its hero ingredients.
To get some insight into its formulation, we chatted with Dr Rachna Rastogi, the R&D expert behind it. She tells us, “Pomegranate Sheen is nourishing and comes with SPF 15 PA++, providing sun protection benefits. This is a differentiator for our formulation.”
Ahead, we give you a lowdown on this new beauty buy, with more from the researcher.
What are its benefits?
- While the sun protection factor in the formulation defends the lips against UVB rays, the PA value (or the protection grade of UVA) protects them from the UVA rays.
- As pomegranate extract is an antioxidant, it defends the skin against free radicals. On the other hand, ceramides help replenish its natural lipid levels and lock in moisture. “In this formulation, we’ve used a ceramide-like material that prevents moisture loss and therefore reduces drying and flaking of lips,” Dr Rastogi notes.
- It offers similar nourishing benefits as a lip balm, along with high shine, hydration and a plumping effect. The researcher says, “Expert grading during our clinical studies reported a 34 percent improvement in lip volume, instantly upon product application.”
- Based on a consumer study done on 60 women, the lip oil is also known to improve the texture of your lips, showing results within a week.
When can you use it?
As for where it goes in your skincare and makeup routine, the 82°E lip oil can be swiped on instead of lip balm or over lipstick as it’s a clear formula with no added tint. Dr Rastogi shares, “You can apply it throughout the day, as per your requirement. Since the product also provides sun protection, it’s recommended to apply the Pomegranate Sheen Lip Oil at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to sun exposure.”
So, keep it handy during your AM routine, midday touch-ups, post-exfoliation or when you’re heading to the beach or hitting the slopes on a no-makeup day.
What’s the verdict?
Over the past two decades, the researcher’s work has centered on investigating skin and its associated mucosal surfaces. When asked how she’d make a case for lip oil, when lip balms and glosses have dominated beauty shelves for decades, she advised, “While lip oils have similar nourishing features as lip balms along with added shine, they also tend to form an occlusive layer on the lips that retains the inherent moisture.” So, if hydration, high gloss and plump and nourished lips is what you’re looking for this year, this 82°E lip oil may be worth a try.
