Lip Gloss

Boom Gloss – $24

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (5 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Orange Oil, Vanillin

Problematic Colorings: None

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

Applicator Type: Squeeze Tube

The description of this product reads, “Sophisticated shine. Subtle tint. Ultra-hydrating formula. Made especially for women over 50, this is lip gloss like you’ve never seen it. In a neutral, translucent tint that flatters every woman, this is lip gloss all grown up.”

This new lip gloss from Boom (released in 2021) is a fairly thin and slightly shimmery clear product with virtually no stickiness.

The primary ingredient in the product is castor oil. It also contains several moisturizing ingredients, including squalane, sesame seed oil, and rosa canina fruit oil.

I’m a little concerned about the sesame oil in the product going rancid and so would suggest using up this gloss reasonably quickly.

The taste is a mild orange-vanilla, with artificial vanilla (vanillin) and orange oil mentioned in the ingredient list. Although I would prefer if if real vanilla had been used intead of the vanillin, I don’t really mind the taste of this gloss.

All in all, it seems to me that this is a pretty clean product.

I’ve found it to be especially nice to dab on over lipsticks that are too dry or matte for me.

Size: 0.27 oz.

Boom Rating: 4.7 Stars (1140 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Orange Oil, Vanillin)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil (3), Orange oil (5), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Vanillin.)

Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil, Kukui seed oil, Orange oil, Vanillin

All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Squalane, Sesame Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Silica Silylate, Kukui Seed Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Orange Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Vanillin, Mica, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide

Buy From Boom

Clinique Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss – $20

Overall Rating: (3 / 5)

Performance Rating: (3 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: None

Gloss Level: Very Glossy

Applicator Type: Doe-foot Applicator

The description of this product reads, “An ultra-cushiony, super juicy gloss that hugs lips with shine and all-day hydration. Finally, a gloss that feels as good as it looks. Coats lips with high shine and soothing hydration, all while delivering a pop of color. Satisfyingly smooth, super comfy. The nourishing formula takes care of your lips while you wear it. Hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture and leaves lips looking plump with hydration. A special blend of aloe butter, avocado butter, and shea butter helps condition lips. A unique mix of butters, waxes, and light-reflecting ester amp up shine, for lips that look bouncy and defined. The hourglass-shaped doe foot wraps around lips for super smooth and precise application, delivering the perfect slick of color. Like a hug for lips. Glides on effortlessly to an ultra-shiny finish that lasts all day. In 10 shades to complement every skin tone, lip tone, and mood, including universally flattering Black Honey Pop, a glossy take on our cult classic lip shade. Includes 4 shimmery shades: Brulee Pop, Rosewater Pop, Airkiss Pop, and Velour Pop. Hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture for lips that look plump with hydration.”

This new product from Clinique was released in 2022.

I bought it because I was hopeful that it would perform like some of the more expensive lip glosses that I have tried, and also because I like the Almost Lipstick Black Honey shade.

While I think that this lip gloss is tolerable in terms of its feeling clean enough to me, I don’t really like the formula very much.

While it is promoted as feeling moisturizing and inviting, I more feel that it is stiff and rather difficult to apply.

In addition, it tends to be pretty smeary and to look unappealing on my lips unless I apply it very carefully.

It’s also a little on the sticky side.

Although I am glad that the formula does not contain any fragrance, I would not say that it feels great to me in general.

All and all, I would not buy this product again.

Size: 0.11 oz.

Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (91%)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: No

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Phenoxyethanol)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Aloe Vera (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Tocopheryl Acetate (3), Titanium Dioxide (3), Blue #1 (7), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #22 (5), Red #28 (5), Red #30 (5), Red #33 (4), Yellow #5 (6), Yellow #6 (7)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Triisostearyl Citrate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Shea Butter, Microcrystalline Wax, Pomegranate Sterols, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avocado Oil, Phytosterols, Linolenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lauryl Pca, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleic Acid, Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride, Blue 1 Lake, Carmine, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Red 22 Lake, Red 28 Lake, Red 30 Lake, Red 33 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake.

Buy From Clinique

Fitglow Lip Color Serum – $42

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (5 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Vanilla Extract

Problematic Colorings: None

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

The description of this product reads, “An award-winning, all natural lip serum formula made with skin-nourishing ingredients that go beyond adding colour and hydration to lips. The plant-based gloss serum gently plumps without irritation. Organic Pomegranate Plant Sterols, Beet Extract, Vegetable Collagen and Antioxidants improve lip structure, diminish look of fine lines, and leave lips full and soft.”

This is an especially moisturizing lip gloss that tastes mildly of the real vanilla extract used in it.

I just have a mini version of the product (in the shade Nude) and have found it a little messy to use, with the color usually ending up outside my lip line.

I suspect that this would be more of a problem with the darker shades of this product.

This lip gloss does feel unusually good on my lips and tastes quite nice.

I nonetheless doubt I will be buying it in a full-size container, due to the high price as well as the messiness factor.

Size: 0.35 oz.

Fitglow Rating: 4.9 Stars (210 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Yes

EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl Acetate (3), Titanium Dioxide (3)

Fragrance Ingredients: Cocoa Seed Butter, Turmeric Root Powder, Vanilla Extract

All Ingredients: Shea Butter*, Coconut Oil*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Castor Seed Oil*, Vegetable Collagen, Carnauba Wax, Pomegranate Sterols, Beet Root, Beeswax*, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Turmeric Root Powder, Sunflower Seed Oil, Lecithin, Yeast Extract*, Tocopherol Acetate, Sorbic Acid, Vanilla Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides. *Certified Organic Ingredient.

Buy From Fitglow

Glossier Lip Gloss – $15

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Red #6, Red #21

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Very glossy

The description of this product states, “High shine without the stickiness. A comfortable, long-wearing lip gloss with a glassy finish. Fuzzy doe-foot applicator scoops up just the right amount of gloss, giving you instant shine in one swipe. Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil keep lips cushiony soft and moisturized. Comes in a variety of shades that all give an equally high-shine, glass-like finish that lasts.”

This lip gloss comes in four all-but-transparent shades and does not seem to have any taste or smell at all.

I’ve not found it to be irritating to my skin or to cause any other problems.

I wouldn’t say that it is exactly sticky, but it does seem to have a stiff quality that makes it noticeable on the lips.

It is fairly shiny and has a good bit of staying power.

I don’t see myself wearing this on a regular basis, but it does seem like a product that might be ideal for adding a final tiny bit of gloss on top of a matte lipstick (such as one from MAC) to give it a bit more of a contemporary look.

Size: 0.14 oz.

Awards: In Style Best Lip Gloss 2022

Glossier Rating: 4.4 Stars (1825 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Ingredients Rating: 5 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Red #7 (6), Red #6 (6), Red #21 (5), Titanium dioxide (3)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polybutene, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trihydroxystearin. May Contain: Sorbitan Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Red 7, Red 6, Red 21, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides

Buy From Glossier

HAN Tinted Lip Gloss – $16

♥ Lisa’s Choice

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (5 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Vanilla Extract

Problematic Colorings: None

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Slightly glossy

The description of this product reads, “Our lip gloss is formulated with antioxidant-rich argan oil to hydrate and treat lips with its high Vitamin E content. It is infused with ceramides and anti-aging super-fruit extracts and vitamins, as well as plant and vegetable pigments to benefit the skin. The PCR packaging helps to keep plastic out of landfills. Our lip gloss base includes argan oil to moisturize and hydrate lips. A nutrient-dense formula that delivers beautiful color from desirable natural sources.”

The product was reformulated in 2021 to include eliminate beeswax and coconut, and it now includes some “safe synthetics” rather than being all-natural as it was in the past.

I really like the product and think that the shade that I purchased (Nude Rose) looks really nice on me.

This lip gloss is not too thick or sticky or shiny, and it seems really clean to me.

A total of five shades (including two with a slight shimmer) are available. The version that I have is slightly milky and about the same shade as my natural lip color.

Natural moisturizers in the product include argan oil, castor seed oil and shea butter (all organic).

I’m quite interested in trying some additional shades in this.

Size: 0.23 oz.

Credo Rating: 4.5 Stars (88 reviews)

Credo Clean: Yes

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Yes

EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Grapefruit seed extract (4), Titanium dioxide (3)

Fragrance Ingredients: Acai oil, coconut creme, cupuacu butter, extract blend (acai, pomegranate, blueberry, cranberry, green tea, black tea), carrot root extract, rosa gallica flower powder, vanilla planifolia fruit extract

All Ingredients: Acai oil, argan oil*, coconut crème, tocopherol, shea butter*, cupuacu butter, beeswax*, extract blend (acai, pomegranate, blueberry, cranberry, green tea, black tea), ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin c), sea kelp extract, grapefruit seed extract, carrot root extract, rosa gallica flower powder (rose), titanium dioxide, mica, vanilla planifolia fruit extract. May contain iron oxides. *Certified Organic

All Ingredients: Argan Oil*, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Castor Seed Oil*, Octyldodecanol, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Shea Butter*, Cupuacu Seed Butter, Ceramides, Acai Fruit Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Carrot Root Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Powder, Beet Root, Vanilla Planifolia Extract. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica. *Certified Organic

Buy From HAN

Honest Gloss-C Lip Gloss – $15

♥ Lisa’s Choice

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red #7, Blue #1, Yellow #6

Applicator Type: Squeeze Tube

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “A hydrating, Vitamin C-infused plumping lip gloss that delivers a wash of glossy color without the sticky feels. Looking for a plumping lip gloss for smoother lips and lasting hydration? Honest has you covered with this lip product made without harsh chemicals for fuller and plumper lips. Infused with Coconut Oil to moisturize and nourish, and Hyaluronic Acid for long lasting hydration, this lip loving formula delivers high gloss shine without the sticky feels in 7 gorgeous shades. Made with Coconut Oil + Pomegranate Extract + Jojoba Seed Oil. Works for all skin types.”

I tried this reasonably priced lip gloss in the color Poppy Topaz (which seems to be a slightly orange red), and I really like it.

The ingredient list seems clean apart from a few artificial colors, and the product feels clean to me based on my experience with it as well.

It is a fairly thin formula that does not feel very sticky or goopy on my lips, but it still provides a moderate amount of shine.

The taste is a mild pleasant fruity flavor, which I guess is from the pomegranate flower extract.

The color is pretty without being too bright, and it works well on its own or over lipstick.

It is available in eight different shades, all of which look like they might be really pretty.

The main ingredients in the product are a combination of synthetics and coconut. The gloss also contains a few moisturizing ingredients (including cocoa butter, jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate), and it does feel good on my lips.

The Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) in the formula is stated as having the ability to make the lips look smoother.

In looking at the reviews on the Honest website, I unfortunately see a number of comments reporting that people had found their product to contain some kind of grit. My own product did not have that problem at all and so I think it must be a quality control issue.

The other reviews are almost all really positive, and so I hope that Honest has addressed the grittiness problem by now.

Size: 0.33 oz.

Honest Rating: 4.3 Stars (43 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified

EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #6 (7),

Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate flower extract

All Ingredients: Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Coconut Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Candelilla Wax, Cocoa Seed Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Seed Oil, Silica, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pomegranate Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Castor Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Red 7, Blue 1, Yellow 6, Manganese Violet.

Buy From Honest

Buy From Ulta

Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil – $26

Overall Rating: (3 / 5)

Performance Rating: (3 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: Mild (skin irritation)

Processed Fragrance: Orange Peel Extract, Tangerine Peel Extract, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Vanilla Extract, Ginger Root Extract, Limonene

Problematic Colorings: Red #7

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Slightly glossy

The description of this product reads, “A cushiony, tinted lip oil packed with plumping Hyaluronic Acid and major moisturizing properties that leaves lips soft, smooth and anything but sticky. Drench your lips in moisture, cushion them in comfort with this tinted lip gloss. Active levels of Hyaluronic Acid and a blend of powerful botanicals deliver deep hydration with each wear. Lips instantly feel fuller, smoother and softer with a natural, glossy sheen that blends to a wash of color. Experience a surge of smooth with Ilia Balmy Gloss.”

The product has a thin and slick consistency, without any stickiness at all.

The appearance is a little milky with a moderate level of color.

Although the texture is a little different than that of any other product that I have previously tried, it seems to me more like a liquid lip balm than a lip gloss.

Apparently the unusual texture of this product is in part due to the use of a moisture-boosting extract of a sea succulent called Salicornia Herbacea. Hyaluronic acid is also used.

Six shades are currently available. I have Only You (“neutral nude”), which is about the same color as my natural lips. I think that it looks pretty on me.

The ingredient list mentions real vanilla, citrus and ginger as contributing to the flavor. I have found the taste to be mildly pleasant and not bothersome at all.

Unfortunately, this product seems to be slightly irritating when used on my bare lips. I am guessing that this is due to the various processed natural fragrances in the formula.

It’s a little more tolerable for me when used as a topper for dry matte lipsticks (such as the ones from MAC or RMS).

I do think it looks nice over these sorts of lipsticks, providing a little bit of moisture and slip while still getting across a mostly matte vibe.

Size: 0.14 oz.

Sephora Rating: 4.6 Stars (380 reviews)

Credo Clean: Yes

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance, Problematic Color)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Grapefruit peel extract (4), Limonene (5), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6)

Fragrance Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, Orange peel extract, Tangerine peel extract, Grapefruit peel extract, Citrus junos peel extract, Citrus clementina fruit extract, Hedychium spicatum extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Ginger root extract, Limonene

All Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Orange Peel Extract, Tangerine Peel Extract, Trihydroxystearin, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Peel Extract, Citrus Clementina Fruit Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Ginger Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Limonene. May Contain (±): Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Yellow 5, Red 30

Buy From Ilia

Jones Road Cool Gloss – $22

Overall Rating: (4 / 5)

Performance Rating: (4 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild (Taste)

Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil, Menthol, Natural Flavor

Problematic Colorings: Yellow #5, Red #7, Red #27, Red #40, Carmine

Applicator Type: Squeeze tube

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “The task: build a better lip gloss. The result: an evolution of the form. Lightweight and ultra-moisturizing, Cool Gloss melts into lips to plump and awaken with natural peppermint. Never tacky, sticky, or heavy, Cool Gloss goes on and feels good. Can also be tapped onto cheeks for tint and high shine.”

The most obvious characteristic of these lip glossses is that they taste very strongly of peppermint, at about the level present in breath mints like Altoids. So those who are not peppermint fans likely should scratch this particular gloss off their shopping list.

The two colors that I own (Rosy and Pink Gold Shimmer) are both quite beautiful, and many of the other colors offered (11 total) also look very attractive to me.

Several of the colors are quite bright, with the color coming across pretty strongly on the lips.

The product has a moderately thin texture and a lot of shine, without any stickiness. The glosses all seem to be more more sheer than milky, and many contain a slight shimmer that I think is pretty.

Unfortunately the brighter colors tend to get pretty smeary on the lips when used on their own (even though that seems to be how Jones Road mostly suggests using them). I think they work better when I use them just to add a little dab of shine on top of a regular lipstick.

Putting on a brightly colored lip gloss with my finger also does not seem to me ideal. I would have strongly preferred a doe-foot applicator with this product.

The main ingredients are castor oil, coconut derivatives, and beeswax. Unspecified “natural flavor” as well as some artificial colorings also are mentioned on the ingredient list.

I am personally a big fan of strong peppermint flavor, but unfortunately I feel like I taste a little bit of bitterness underneath the peppermint in these glosses. I’m not sure what that is from.

In general I haven’t used these lip glosses very often because they do not taste very good to me and also because of the messiness factor.

Size: 0.49 oz.

Credo Rating: 4.2 Stars (76 reviews)

Credo Clean: Yes

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils, Problematic Colors)

EWG Product Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4), Natural flavor (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #27 (5), Red #40 (6). Also contains Carmine, Menthol.

Fragrance Ingredients: Peppermint oil, Menthol, Natural flavor

All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Cocoglycerides, Beeswax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Peppermint Oil, Shea Butter, Menthol, Candelilla Wax, Tocopherol, Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Natural Flavor, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Aluminum Calcium Silicate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Carmine, Tin Oxide, Iron Oxides, Yellow 5, Red 7, Red 27, Red 40

Buy From Jones Road

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss – $22

Overall Rating: (3 / 5)

Performance Rating: (3 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild (Skin Inflammation)

Processed Fragrance: Orange Oil, Vanillin, Limonene, Linalool

Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Yellow #5, Red #28

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Very glossy

The description of this product reads, “A lip treatment and gloss packed with hydrating active ingredients that visibly plump and protect, all while providing a juicy slick of color. Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Evening Primrose Oil and other botanicals work to hydrate, visibly plump, and protect the lips. Super comfy, never drying, tingle-free.”

According to Kosas, this lip gloss has the ability to increase the hydration level, plumpness, smoothness and firmness of the lips.

Whether my lips look plumper or firmer when using this product, I don’t know. It does seem to be moisturizing, though.

The main ingredients in the product consist of sunflower and coconut derivatives, “safe synthetics,” and castor oil. Smaller amounts of hyaluronic acid, evening primrose oil, avocado oil, shea butter and peptides also are used.

Eight shades of the product are currently available. I have tried Dip (“bikini nude”).

The product is moderately thick, quite shiny and a little sticky.

The ingredient list includes orange oil (which has a tendency to be irritating to my skin) and vanillin (which I would prefer in an ideal world to avoid unless I know that is derived from a natural source such as clove).

This formula is slightly irritating to my lips, especially if I put it right on my bare lips rather than over lipstick. Maybe this is intentional and associated with the “plumping” attribute of the product, but I don’t like it if so.

I also am not all that crazy about the taste of the product.

Size: 0.15 oz.

Sephora Rating: 4.0 Stars (267 reviews)

Credo Clean: Yes

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oil, Natural Fragrance, Problematic Colors, Vanillin)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Orange oil (5), Lactic acid (4), Limonene (5), Linalool (3), Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #28 (5). (Also contains Vanillin.)

Flavor Ingredients: Orange oil, Rosemary leaf extract, Vanillin, Limonene, Linalool

All Ingredients: Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Castor Seed Oil, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Rice Bran Extract, Silica Dimethyl Silylate; Caprylyl Glycol, Orange Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucomannan, Sunflower Extract, Lactic Acid, Mica, Evening Primrose Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Tribehenin, Trihydroxystearin, Vanillin, Limonene, Linalool. May Contain Red 7, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5, Red 28.

Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss – $25

♥ Lisa’s Choice

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red #28

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “Embellish your lips with a smooth non-sticky veil of colour whilst simultaneously replenishing them with nourishing oils and butters. This clever multitasking formulation functions as both medium to high pigment gloss and instant restoring treatment, cushioning the lips with emollient hydrators and leaving them as soft as silk. Lips feel smoothed and plumped long after application has worn off. The benefits of intense lip care fused with the fashionability of a truly Lucent lip colour. A gloss and lip care hybrid with key lip care ingredients including wild mango kernel butter, acai berry oil, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E oil.”

Lisa Eldridge is a UK makeup artist who is especially recognized for the subtle and complex colors used in her lipstick line.

The lip glosses also seem to me to have colors that are especially wearable.

She is somewhat famously known for having purchased Audrey Hepburn’s lipstick holder and then apparently having used the lipstick sample inside as the basis for a limited-edition lipstick called Go Lightly.

While the lipstick shade is no longer available, the company still sells a Go Lighty lip gloss, described on the website as an “insanely pretty ‘salmon pink’ coral shade inspired by one of the shades in Lisa’s vintage collection. Redolent of early 1960s Hollywood. The addition of subtle modern pink and golden pearls make this shade truly wearable and flattering for all.”

This is the shade that I tried, and I think that it looks really pretty on me.

I feel that the product applies easily without much smearing on the lips and that the taste is neutral and pleasant.

It also does seem to be good for my lips in terms of moisturizing them.

In general, I really like this lip gloss and would be interested in trying more colors.

Size: 0.15 oz.

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl Acetate (3), Titanium Dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #28 (5)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diisostearyl Malate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Triacontanyl Pvp, Sunflower Seed Oil, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Mica, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Cocoglycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Red 28.

(All information is for the Go Lightly shade.)

Buy From Lisa Eldridge

MAC Lipglass – $21

Overall Rating: (4 / 5)

Performance Rating: (4 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Vanillin

Problematic Colorings: Blue #1, Red #6, Red #7, Red #21, Red #28, Red #30, Red #33, Yellow #5, Carmine

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Very glossy

The description of this product reads, “A gloss in a wide colour range that can create a glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick, it’s the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It’s pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains jojoba oil to help soften and condition the lips.”

While I’m not sure if MAC Lipglass has ever been reformulated, it still has the sort of very thick, very sticky, very glossy consistency that I remember from 25 years ago.

Although this is not really what I personally am looking for in a lip gloss these days, from a toxicity perspective the product seems pretty good.

It has a pretty strong taste and smell of vanillin, but otherwise feels okay to me (actually better than a number of the other lip glosses from supposedly “clean” brands listed on this page).

The ingredient list suggests artificial colors and phenoxyethanol as being potential problems. The main ingredients are “safe synthetics” and jojoba oil.

I have the shade Love Nectar (“warm peach with gold pearl”) and think that it looks very pretty on me.

All in all, I think that this is a nice gloss at a reasonable price and that it could be a good choice for those who don’t mind the thick texture.

Size: 0.1 oz.

Ulta Rating: 4.4 Stars (760 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Unclear

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Phenoxyethanol, Vanillin, Problematic Colors)

EWG Product Rating: 3/4 (yellow)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Blue #1 (7), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #21 (5), Red #28 (5), Red #30 (5), Red #33 (4), Yellow #5 (6). (Also contains Vanillin, Carmine.)

Fragrance Ingredients: Vanillin

All Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Jojoba Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Carnauba Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coconut Oil, Babassu Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Alumina, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Propylene Carbonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride, Blue 1, Bronze Powder, Carmine, Copper Powder, Red 6, Red 7, Red 21, Red 28, Red 30, Red 33, Yellow 5, Yellow 6

Buy From MAC

Buy From Ulta

Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil – $24

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Blue #1, Red #7, Red #30

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “A slick of sheer color infused with rosehip oil and shea butter, for healthy lips all day. Adds a hint of color that’s somewhere between a lip oil and a light stain. Repeated use helps maintain your lips’ natural moisture levels over time. Rosehip oil and essential fatty acids encourage healthy barrier function and provide antioxidant benefits. Shea butter and grapeseed oils condition and soften lips. Jojoba oil creates a protective barrier to help to lock in moisture.”

Compared to the Merit lipsticks (which are mostly in the “mucky neutral” shade range), the Merit lip glosses tend toward clear colors but in a sheer formula.

So far I have just tried the color Marrakesh (“soft peach”). I think that is really pretty, in an understated but sophisticated way.

The other colors all look like they would work for me as well.

The texture is fairly thin and totally non-sticky, and I am not detecting any noticeable taste or smell when I use it.

Although the consistency is quite glossy, it more just makes my lips look juicy rather than overly shiny.

The ingredient list makes it seem that the product is quite clean (apart from a few artificial colors), and it does feel clean to me.

I have used this product on its own as well as over lip liner or lipstick, and it always has looked very nice (though I do need to use a mirror with it).

The primary ingredients are a mix of coconut derivatives and synthetics. It also contains a few moisturizers (including grape seed oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil and shea butter), and it feels really nice on my lips.

Size: 0.23 oz.

Awards: In Style Best Clean/Natural Lip Product 2022

Sephora Rating: 4.6 Stars (445 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil (3), Blue #1 (7), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #30 (5)

Flavor Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil

All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ceresin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Octyldodecanol, Grape Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Ethylcellulose, Isostearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Dilinoleyl Alcohol, Nylon-12, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Citric Acid, Iron Oxides, Blue 1, Titanium Dioxide, Red 7, Red 30.

Buy From Merit

Buy From Mineral Fusion

Mineral Fusion Liquid Lip Gloss – $8

Overall Rating: (4 / 5)

Performance Rating: (3 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Processed Fragrance: Thyme Oil, Rosemary Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, White Tea Leaf Oil, Honeybush Leaf Oil, Pomegranate Oil

Problematic Colorings: None

Applicator Type: Squeeze tube

Gloss Level: Slightly glossy

The description of this product reads, “Lush, sheer color glides on lips with a smooth, ultra-glossy finish. Sunflower Seed Oil and Vitamin E nourish to keep lips soft and supple. Infused with antioxidant-rich White Tea, Red Tea, and Pomegranate plus Vitamin C to protect delicate lips against free radical damage.”

When I first tried out this Mineral Fusion product, I thought that it was fantastic.

It seemed to be a very clean product in terms of both the ingredient list and how it felt to me.

It felt really good on my lips, and it looked very nice in an understated way.

I especially liked the fact that only natural flavoring ingredients (including real vanilla) are used in it.

Unfortunately, within only three months after being opened, the taste of the product changed to make it unusable to me.

I see that the second item mentioned on the ingredient list is sesame oil, which is notoriously unstable and goes rancid very easily. My guess is that this is what happened here.

Since consuming rancid oils seems to be generally recognized as posing more of a risk to health than many of the artificial chemicals that are used in cosmetics, this issue seems worth considering to me.

The ingredient list does mention some essential oils (such as thyme and rosemary) that might have somewhat of a preservative effect.

Still, since no synthetic preservatives (such as BHT) are used, I think that it’s best to assume that the lifespan of a product like this is going to be pretty short (such as just a few months) once the lip gloss is opened.

The product very well might last longer if stored in the refrigerator between uses, but I don’t know that many people would be inclined to do that (especially since lip gloss is often used when on the go).

While $8 is not necessarily that much money to spend on a product that will last only a couple of months, I am concerned that this product might go rancid even before it is opened, especially if it has spent a while languishing in the distribution channel.

I purchased my lip gloss directly from Mineral Fusion, which could have resulted in the product that I received being especially fresh.

With regard to other aspects of the product, it seems to me more like a liquid lip balm than a gloss. The texture is semi-matte and a number of different moisturizing ingredients are included.

The website lists six shades total, but I am not currently seeing any swatches or descriptions of the shades on the site. I have the shade Delicate, which is a sheer nude that is about the color of my lips.

Size: 0.37 oz.

Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.0 Stars (55 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Essential Oils)

EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified

EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract (3), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Thyme Oil, Rosemary Oil, Calendula Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, White Tea Leaf Oil, Honeybush Leaf Oil.)

Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina fruit oil, Thyme oil, Rosemary oil, Calendula officinalis flower oil, Vanilla planifolia fruit oil, White tea leaf oil, Honeybush leaf oil, Pomegranate oil

All Ingredients: Triisostearyl Citrate, Sesame Seed Oil*, Castor Seed Oil*, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Brassica Campestris Aleurites Ford Oil Copolymer, Coconut Oil*, Shea Butter Fruit*, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil*, Thyme Oil*, Rosemary Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil*, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil*, White Tea Leaf Oil*, Honeybush Leaf Oil*, Pomegranate Oil*, L-Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide. *Certified Organic

Roen Kiss My. Liquid Lip Balm – $26

♥ Lisa’s Choice

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil

Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red #27

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “A first-of-its-kind skincare hybrid lip gloss that has the high shine of a gloss with zero stickiness. Packed with nutrients and hydrating plant-based botanicals including mango seed butter, avocado, grapeseed and coconut oils. This lip gloss-lip balm hybrid soothes, nourishes and protects your lips.”

This new lip gloss is unusually good in terms of how easy it is to apply to my mouth without any messiness.

The product seems to go onto my lips without getting outside my lip line automatically, without my paying much attention or even using a mirror.

This is especially impressive since I have a darker color in this – Jude (“a deep warm brown”).

The color itself is really pretty on me as well.

The product has a pretty clean ingredient list, with only a few artificial colors and botanically derived flavoring agents (peppermint and citrus) being considered problematic by EWG.

This lip gloss does taste moderately of peppermint, but I have found that to be pleasant.

The product also feels good on my lips and looks good for a while after I put it on, even when I am eating or drinking.

Although I have been surprised at how much I have liked a number of the expensive lip glosses or lip oils that I have tried recently, I think that this one and the Lisa Eldridge one may be my favorites.

This one seems to be the clear winner in terms of the formula, but it may be that the Lisa Eldridge ones have more interesting and wearable colors across the board. I would have to experiment with more shades in both to know for sure though.

Size: 0.1 oz.

Roen Rating: 5.0 Stars (31 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Peppermint Oil, Natural Fragrance, Problematic Colors)

EWG Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4), Limonene (5), Linalool (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #27 (5),

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Hydrogenated poly C6-14 olefin, Avocado oil, Ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer, White meadowfoam seed oil, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Grape seed oil, Octyldodecanol, Peppermint oil, Butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer, Coconut oil, Mango seed butter, Camellia japonica seed oil, Sorbitan oleate, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl -hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium dioxide, Red 6, Red 27, Iron Oxide

Buy From Roen

Saie Liquid Lip Balm – $16

♥ Lisa’s Choice

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Red #7

Applicator Type: Squeeze tube

Gloss Level: Slightly glossy

The description of this product reads, “Meet our super cushiony crowd favorite. A moisturizing balm with a universal pink tint for a put-together look anytime. Our light, emollient formula nourishes dry lips. It’s lightly scented with a natural coconut infusion.”

This low-key liquid lip balm feels really clean to me and I have enjoyed using it.

The main ingredients are synthetics and beeswax, with squalane and jojoba oil providing some nice hydration.

The taste and smell both seem totally neutral, meaning that the product is pleasant for me to use.

The product is available in only one shade. It is about the same color as my natural lips and has a very slightly glossy texture.

I think this product feels similar to the Mineral Fusion gloss in terms of the texture and the look that it has given me, except that I have been using the Saie product for several months now and it still feels fresh to me. (The package does advise using up the product within 9 months, though.)

I usually use this on my bare lips rather than over lipstick.

While usually I prefer a doe-foot applicator to a squeeze tube, in this case it seems to matter less since the muted color and formula allow me to apply the product without needing to use my finger to touch it up.

Size: 0.14 oz.

Sephora Rating: 4.5 Stars (96 reviews)

Credo Clean: Unclear

Clean at Sephora: No

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Magnesium Hydroxide)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Magnesium hydroxide (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Beeswax, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Mica, Squalane, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Jojoba Seed Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Flavor, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Sorbitan Oleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Tin Oxide, Alumina, Magnesium Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7

Buy From Saie

Sephora Collection Clean Glossy Lip Oil – $12

Overall Rating: (4 / 5)

Performance Rating: (4 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Yellow #5, Red #7

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Very glossy

The description of this product reads, “A clean, glossy, non-sticky, hydrating lip oil that contains the shine of a gloss and a hint of tint. Watermelon seed oil hydrates lips. This lip gloss hydrates lips, leaving them feeling smooth, soft, and nourished. The texture glides on smoothly and evenly with a non-sticky feel. Its formula is fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin.”

Like the Sephora Collection Lip Mousse discussed above, this lip gloss is manufactured in Italy and distributed under the Clean at Sephora label.

The gloss has a very simple ingredient list and has not caused any irritation for me. It consists primarily of “safe synthetics” along with coconut derivatives, with a little watermelon seed oil to increase the hydration level.

Eight shades (including a clear one) are available. I have the Apricot (“pink nude”), which is similar to the natural color of my lips.

The texture of the product is fairly thin and non-sticky, and it provides a high level of shine. Only the brighter shades contain artificial coloring agents.

I am not tasting or smelling anything at all when using this product.

However, I am not finding myself feeling all that great about using it and would not purchase it again.

Size: 0.36 oz.

Sephora Rating: 4.4 Stars (196 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Rating (Ingredients): 1/5 (green/yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients (Blackberry): None

EWG Problem Ingredients (Cherry): Yellow #5 (6), Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients (Blackberry): Octyldodecanol, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Watermelon Seed Oil.

All Ingredients (Cherry): Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Disteardimonium, Yellow 5, Red 7, Titanium Dioxide, Watermelon Seed Oil, Propylene Carbonate.

Tarte Sea H2O Gloss – $19

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Vanilla Extract

Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Yellow #5, Blue #1, Red #28

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Very glossy

The description of this product reads, “Vegan creamy gloss feels like treatment balm. Lacquers lips in feel-good, non-sticky nourishment. Drenches lips in hydration for a soft & supple pout. Antioxidant-rich to help smooth appearance of lines. Mirror-shine finish makes lips look fuller & plumper. Plush applicator lifts & fills for a voluminous pout. Formulated without petrolatum or lanolin.”

This lip gloss from Tarte is pretty thick, sticky and shiny – not quite as much so as the MAC Lipglass, but pretty close.

While that is not really my ideal for a lip gloss these days, I will say that this one feels unusually clean to me.

The ingredient list consists primarily of “safe synthetics,” along with some artificial colors.

Although sodium saccharine is used, it does not seem to be as objectionable to me in this lip gloss as it has when used in foods such as soft drinks.

I especially appreciate the fact that real vanilla (rather than vanillin) is used.

I am finding the taste and the smell of this product to be mild but quite appealing, to the point where I am wondering why most other lip gloss manufacturers seem to have such a hard time creating something similar.

The lip gloss is currently available in 12 shades. I have Salt Lyfe (“cool mauve”) and think it looks nice on me.

Despite the fact that this lip gloss is more sticky than I would prefer, I use it periodically anyway just because it feels clean to me and looks nice.

Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (444 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Sodium Saccharine)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #7 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #28 (5), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Sodium Saccharine.)

Fragrance Ingredients: Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract

All Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, tridecyl trimellitate, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, polyglyceryl-10 diisostearate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, VP/hexadecene copolymer, silica, microcrystalline wax, octyldodecanol, trimethylolpropane triisostearate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sargassum pacificum thallus extract, water, calcium sodium borosilicate, coconut oil, diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, gardenia taitensis flower extract, isostearic acid, mica, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylmethacrylate, polylactic acid, sodium saccharin, tin oxide, tocopherol, vanilla planifolia fruit extract. (+/-): Red 7, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 28, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide

(Information is for the “Hang Ten” version.)

Buy From Tarte

Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly – $15

Overall Rating: (4 / 5)

Performance Rating: (4 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: Mild (taste)

Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor

Problematic Colorings: Red #22, Red #28, Red #40

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Very glossy

The description of this product reads, “Traditional lip gloss coats lips with a layer of shine, but can end up leaving lips dry underneath. Pass on that, thanks. ShineOn is a moisturizing lip treatment formulated with a unique blend of 5 nourishing oils to soothe and protect lips. ShineOn and on and on!”

These fairly affordably priced lip glosses were introduced a few years ago and seem to have become a quite trendy item since then.

The glosses are considered to be acceptable by the Clean at Sephora, Credo and European Union standards. They also are vegan, free of essential oils, and California Proposition 65 compliant.

The product consists mostly of “safe synthetic” ingredients, including polyisobutene, polybutene, ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer, and octyldodecanol.

Much smaller amounts of moisturizing oils (including rosa canina, raspberry seed and avocado) also are included.

Shades currently available include five tinted clear versions, five milky tinted versions, and two untinted clear versions (one with a gold shimmer). I have the Chill (clear) and Fire (“sheer orange”) versions.

The texture of the product is fairly thin and very glossy/shiny/slippery, without any stickiness. I like the way it feels on my lips.

Although Tower 28 states that they do not use any fragrances (natural or synthetic) in their products, they do list “flavor” on the ingredient list. When I inquired about this, a representative responded, “It’s a food grade flavor that’s used in the formula which gives the Lip Jelly its scent. 🙂 “

I then asked Credo if they would find out if the flavor was natural or artificial. Eventually they responded to me, “Thank you so much for your patience while our merchandising team spoke directly with Tower 28 and their suppliers. We have confirmed that their documentation is sufficient to categorize as a natural flavor.”

Despite this, I personally am not crazy about the taste of this product. I’m not sure if the issue is from the natural flavor or from other ingredients used in the formula.

While the taste has not prevented me from using the product on occasion, I don’t think that I will be buying any more of these lip glosses for that reason.

Size: 0.13 oz.

Awards: In Style Best Inexpensive Lip Gloss 2022

Credo Rating: 4.8 Stars (303 reviews)

Credo Clean: Yes

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Product Rating: 5 (yellow)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina oil (3), Natural Flavor (4), Red #22 (5), Red #28 (5), Red #40 (6)

Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, Rosa canina fruit oil, Raspberry seed oil, Natural Flavor

All Ingredients (Jelly): Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Apricot Kernel Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Rice Bran Extract, Sunflower Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Castor Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Flavor, Iron Oxides, Red 22, Red 28, Manganese Violet, Red 40

All Ingredients (Milky Jelly): Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Apricot Kernel Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Octyldodecanol, Rice Bran Extract, Sunflower Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Castor Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Flavor, Iron Oxides, Red 22, Red 28, Manganese Violet, Red 40

Buy From Victoria Beckham

Buy From Tower 28

Typology Tinted Lip Oil – $24

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Red #6/7, Yellow #5, Red #27/28, Blue #1/4

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “Enriched with squalane, jojoba oil and vitamin E, this oil subtly colors the lips and offers them nutrition, comfort and suppleness. Formulated with no nanoparticles, mineral oils and silicones. Light coverage, shiny, non-sticky finish.”

Typology is a French drugstore brand of cleaner beauty products that became available in the U.S. in early 2022.

Their tinted lip oils are available in five different shades and have a very clean ingredient list.

The product comes in a small glass bottle similar to a nail polish bottle, with a doe-foot applicator.

It contains a number of different moisturizing ingredients, including apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, squalane, and plum seed oil.

I have found the product to provide a pretty shine to my lips as well as some real moisturizing benefits.

The only ingredients that I see that are related to flavor are stevia and the seed oils. I find the taste to be pleasant and unobjectionable.

I have the shade Powder Pink (“natural color to intensify the shine of the lips”) and have found that it is about the same as my natural lip color. I would be interested in trying one of the other colors (red, orange or purple) just to see how it looked on me.

Although the price is relatively high, the amount of product provided is especially generous (well over twice that of the other products discussed on this page).

Size: 0.5 oz.

Typology Rating: 4.2 Stars (21 reviews)

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria

EU Compliant: Yes

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Magnesium Hydroxide)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Magnesium hydroxide (4), Red #6/7 (6), Titanium Dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #27/28 (5), Blue #1/4 (7)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Apricot Kernel Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Squalane, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Plum Seed Oil, Dextrin Palmitate, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tocopherol, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Barium Sulfate, Sunflower Seed Oil. May Contain: Red 6/7, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Yellow 5, Red 27/28 Lake, Blue 1/4

Buy

Victoria Beckham Posh Gloss – $28

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: None

Problematic Colorings: Yellow #6, Red #7, Blue #1, Red #6, Yellow #5

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Somewhat Glossy

The description of this product reads, “Mirror-like shine. No stickiness. Posh Gloss is the ultimate summer uniform, offering longwear lip care in a range of rosy browns. effervescent pinks, and colorless option that is so clearly Posh. High shine, full, healthy lips—the ultimate in longwear lip care with a mirror-like finish. Provides reflective shine while instantly filling lips and visibly smoothing texture and lines. The non-sticky, moisturizing formula protects the delicate skin of your lips to repair the barrier and prevent dehydration for healthier, more youthful lips instantly and over time. The result: An otherworldly shine. Fuller, smoother, healthier-looking lips with a high-shine, reflective finish that lasts.”

This higher-end product was introduced by Victoria Beckham in 2021. It is currently available in eight shades plus clear.

I have the shade Poolside (“a neutral rosy brown”) and like this product a lot.

The product is not too thick but goes on easily, providing just a little bit of shine without any stickiness.

I’m especially fond of the Poolside shade, which adds just a little bit of natural-looking color to my lips.

While some of the newer shades are a little brighter, my experience with Victoria Beckham is that all the colors are pretty muted.

I expect that is likely the case with the pinks and peaches in this line as well.

While I don’t think that the formula has been quite as good for me as the Roen one, I like this product a lot and think that it may be an especially good choice for those seeking out an elegant and understated look.

Size: 0.13 oz.

Awards: Allure Best of Clean Beauty 2022

Credo Clean: Meets Criteria

Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Aloe vera (3), Yellow #6 (7), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #6 (6), Yellow #5 (6)

Fragrance Ingredients: None

All Ingredients: Hydrogenated polydecene, diisostearyl malate, silica silylate, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, safflower seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dextrin palmitate/ethylhexanoate, black currant seed oil, tocopheryl acetate, linoleic acid, phospholipids, phytosterols, aloe barbadensis extract, caprylyl glycol, glyceryl caprylate. May contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides, yellow 6, red 7, blue 1, red 6, yellow 5.

Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm – $38

♣ Living Clean Superstar

Overall Rating: (5 / 5)

Performance Rating: (5 / 5)

Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)

Lisa Irritation Level: None

Processed Fragrance: Natural Fragrance, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol

Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Carmine

Applicator Type: Doe-foot applicator

Gloss Level: Somewhat glossy

The description of this product reads, “Gloss-meets-balm (treatment) that hydrates and protects. Translucent, tinted sheen. Tinted clean lip treatment that cushions lips with weightless, ‘juicy’ nourishment to hydrate and protect. Naturally derived pigments, squeaky clean ingredients, and an innovative gel-oil system impart an unforgettable pillowy, luxurious sheen. It’s on-the-go liquid color and hydration you can feel good about. Wear alone or layer over lipstick to add depth and shine without stickiness.”

Although this is an expensive lip gloss, I have enjoyed using it quite a bit.

I have found it to be pretty good at staying on my lips rather than smearing outside of them, as well as at holding up pretty well on my lips over an extended period of time.

The product has a clean ingredient list and feels good to me, with a pleasant lemony-type flavor.

(It’s my understanding that Westman Atelier is going to be removing the natural flavor/fragrance from this product and having it be unscented, but those ingredients are still listed on the website as of this writing.)

The main ingredients consist of a mixture of synthetic oils and castor oil, with a few skincare ingredients (including almond oil, jojoba oil and shea butter) also included.

This lip gloss is thick and sticky enough to have some staying power on my lips, without feeling annoying or drawing too much attention to itself.

Six shades are currently available. I have Garconne (“just bitten”), and it does make my lips look a little redder in a way that seems that it could be totally natural.

I also tried two other colors – Nana (“cool beige”) and Pipsqueak (“bright brick”) – in a sample package. I thought that both of those also looked very nice on me and that I would be happy to wear them if I had full-size versions.

Although the product has a relatively high price, the amount of product provided seems on the generous side compared to many other similar lip glosses.

Size: 0.21 oz.

Credo Rating: 4.7 (36 reviews)

Credo Clean: Yes

Clean at Sephora: Yes

Drunk Elephant Clean: No

EU Compliant: Meets Criteria

Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance, Problematic Color, Non-Organic Vegetable Oil)

EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)

EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural Fragrance (8), Limonene (5), Citral (5), Linalool (3), Citronellol (4), Red #6 (6). (Also contains Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Carmine.)

Flavor Ingredients: Natural fragrance, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol

All Ingredients: Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Dimer Dilinoleate, Castor Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Sweet Almond Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Mica, Natural Fragrance, Tocopherol, Shea Butter, Arcania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Manganese Violet, Red 6.