Lip gloss was the gateway drug to a lifelong makeup addiction for many of us. But it’s easy to assume that clear lip gloss is another trend of the past, along with over-plucked eyebrows and chunky highlights. In reality, though, clear lip gloss can still be a versatile addition to your beauty routine.
Clear lip gloss is a basic that doesn’t have to be basic. Beyond the fruity, sticky lip gloss of your childhood is a whole world of glosses that have various features and even some juicy benefits for your lips.
- Choosing the Right Lip Gloss for You
- Top 10 Best Clear Lip Glosses 2026
- 1. Best Overall Gloss: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss
- 2. Best Budget Gloss: Broadway Vita-Lip Clear Lip Gloss
- 3. Best Premium Gloss: Buxom Full-on Plumping Lip Polish
- 4. Best Shimmer Gloss: Maybelline New York Lifter Gloss
- 5. Best Long-Wearing Gloss: e.l.f. Lip Lacquer
- 6. Best SPF Gloss: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Gloss
- 7. Best Plumping Gloss: NYX Filler Instinct Plumping Lip Polish
- 8. Best Tinted Gloss: NOONI Appleberry Lip Oil
- 9. Best All-Natural Gloss: Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Shine
- 10. Best Throw-Back Gloss: Lip Smacker Coca-Cola Liquid Lip Gloss
- Getting to the Bottom of the Tube: Common Questions About Clear Lip Gloss
Choosing the Right Lip Gloss for You
Clear gloss seems simple enough. But there are hundreds of glosses from dozens of brands flooding the market. The differences may seem subtle between them, but those subtleties can really affect your gloss experience. Here are a few things to consider when deciding what it is you’re looking for from a gloss.
Performance Features
You can expect more from your gloss than just a glassy finish. Most clear glosses like to boost their performance with some added benefits. Here are a few of the other benefits that modern lip glosses can bring to the table:
Moisturizing
The most common performance boost that brands have been giving their gloss is adding moisturizing ingredients. By adding nourishing oils and humectants into a gloss, the shiny lip candy also serves as a balm to help prevent dryness and peeling. Extra nourishing ingredients have found their way into many glosses.
Long-Wearing
Lip gloss isn’t exactly known for its longevity. In most cases, you’ll need to reapply frequently to keep a gleaming finish. There are a few glosses on our list, however, that have tweaked their recipe to be a little more long-lasting than your average gloss. You can’t expect the same all-day performance that you might get from a long-wear lipstick, for example, but these glosses can greatly reduce your number of reapplications.
Plumping
While the light-reflecting properties of lip gloss can already create the illusion of fuller lips, some glosses have been taking it a step further. They can contain any number of ingredients meant to boost your lips, eliminating creases, increasing circulation, and making them look subtly larger.
Shimmer
Adding a hint of frosty sparkle is a popular enhancement for lip gloss. Many brands will offer a clear and shimmer version of their basic glosses. It’s a festive bit of sparkle that can add extra dimension to your lips and can enhance the full look of your pout.
Tint
Some clear glosses will also add a hint of color into the mix. Rather than being a saturated opaque coating of color like lipstick, a tinted gloss still lets some of your natural color shine through. Typically, some of the pigment will remain even as the sheen fades with time.
Ingredients
Lips are a very sensitive part of the body. Even if you don’t typically have any allergic reactions to body products, the skin of your lips tends to be more sensitive, so you may want to take extra care when choosing which ingredients you want a product to have. Some people have no issues with these ingredients, so we’ve included a few products that contain them on our list. It’s up to you to consider what will be best for your skin.
Fragrance and Flavor
Many glosses will have some scent or taste. In some cases, this comes from the plant extracts in the ingredients. In many cases though, cosmetic companies will use artificial fragrances and color in their products. These can be irritating to those with sensitive skin or asthma.
Many glosses will use the ingredient saccharin to add sweetness without sugar. Some people enjoy this hint of sweetness, while others can find the aftertaste to be unpleasant. Critics are divided over whether or not it’s a safe alternative to other sweeteners.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a common additive in many glosses because it’s light, thin, and shiny. This makes it easier to formulate than thicker plant butters, like shea and coconut. However, mineral oil is a petroleum-derived material. Some dermatologists extoll its virtues as an emollient that locks in moisture, and in most cases, it’s relatively safe to use.
However, many people have concerns about whether it’s really doing our skin any favors. Unlike other plant-based oils that often bring anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and vitamins that can benefit your skin, mineral oil doesn’t have any of these additional benefits. It can also clog pores since it sits on top of your skin, rather than being deeply absorbed.
After carefully going through some of the most popular glosses on the market, we’ve narrowed it down to ten. Here are our favorites.
Top 10 Best Clear Lip Glosses 2026
1. Best Overall Gloss: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Size: 0.01 oz
- Performance: Moisturizing
- Vegan: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: No
Product Details
Revlon has produced a truly clear gloss with no extra color or shimmer, but they’ve infused it with some hydrating ingredients. Cupuacu butter, a close relative to cocoa, provides rich emollient qualities that make this gloss ultra-moisturizing.
Agave is another unusual ingredient found in this formula. It has been used for centuries in folk medicine for its healing properties. Moringa rounds out the ingredients with antioxidants and vitamins that can help prevent aging and damage to your ultra-sensitive lip skin.
The large applicator helps evenly distribute gloss all over your lips, and the non-sticky formula feels super light whether on its own or layered over a lipstick.
The Downsides
If you’re looking for a little extra pizazz, you might not be satisfied with how basic this gloss is. It is completely free from any pigment or shimmer. Revlon’s Super Lustrous Gloss line does have a selection of glosses with varying degrees of pigment, from sheer to intense, that have the same moisturizing benefits and glassy finish. If you’re looking for a great gloss with shimmer, you can also try our pick from Maybelline.
As a very light clear gloss, this doesn’t have great staying power. Eating or drinking can completely annihilate it, so be prepared to reapply after lunch.
Who It’s For
If your lips have been feeling dry lately, but you want more shine than your average lip balm can provide, this is a great option. It will help hydrate your lips while giving a beautiful sheen. This is also one of the best choices for layering over a matte lipstick to change up the look. This light, non-sticky gloss makes a great topcoat.
Pros
- Moisturizing formula
- Non-sticky
- Great for layering over lipstick
Cons
- Very basic
- Not long-lasting
2. Best Budget Gloss: Broadway Vita-Lip Clear Lip Gloss
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Size: 0.47 x 5
- Performance: Moisturizing
- Vegan: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: No
Product Details
For a scent to suit every mood at a low price, this set of five glosses combines nostalgia with a few grown-up features. The five glosses in the set are Rosehip Oil, Mint Oil, Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, and Mango Butter. And each gloss is infused with its respective plant extract.
The plant extracts add to the scent and nourishing properties of each balm (the mint creating a tingly sensation, for example), but there is no added flavor. All of the glosses contain meadowfoam seed oil in the recipe as a compliment to the other various botanical extracts. This oil is a natural emollient that helps lock in moisture.
This gloss has a thicker consistency than some, so it fully coats your lips with one swipe.
The Downsides
The glosses in this set are a bit stickier than some of the others on our list. This puts you in danger of having your hair become plastered to your lips if the wind kicks up suddenly. For a lighter, less sticky gloss, you might want to try our pick from Revlon.
The packaging of this product also has a few flaws. It’s hard to control the stream of gloss coming out of the applicator. This can easily lead to too much coming out at once. There can also be some leaks since the lid is hard to secure.
Who It’s For
For people who prefer a thicker gloss, this is a good choice. It also provides good value for the price by giving you 5 tubes of gloss. You can also enjoy sampling the different varieties to determine which one you like best. Since each one contains a featured botanical, you have the chance to see how each one interacts with your skin while enjoying a base level of moisture that this particular formula provides.
Pros
- 5 different plant extracts
- Good value
- Natural emollient formula
- No artificial flavors
Cons
- Sticky consistency
- Packaging issues
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Size: 0.15 oz
- Performance: Plumping and Shimmer
- Vegan: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Product Details
For a clear gloss that does a little extra, Buxom’s Plumping Lip Polish fits the bill. The gloss gives light coverage and a brilliant sheen as you might expect. However, there are a few unexpected ingredients that add extra plumping effects to this gloss.
The plumping is mainly achieved by using peptides in the formula. Peptides are short-chain amino acids that encourage your skin to boost its collagen production. Shorter chains mean quicker and easier absorption by the body. Complementing the peptides are vitamins a and e. These help moisturize and rejuvenate your skin as well.
By helping your lips create their own collagen and repair any damage, this gloss has an almost anti-aging effect. It also provides a polished shine with just a hint of light-reflecting shimmer.
The Downsides
While this gloss produces a mild tingly sensation when applied, the immediate plumping effects might be a little underwhelming for some users. That’s to the collagen-boosting effects, it can help to improve the look of your lips over time, but for a dramatic immediate impact, you might need to look elsewhere. For a different plumping formula that may work better with your lips, you can try our option from Nyx.
The gloss may also need reapplications fairly frequently to maintain its attractive sheen. It won’t stand up against eating and drinking for very long. Additionally, the price is fairly high, but the results can make it a worthwhile splurge.
Who It’s For
If you like a gloss that can help your lips become plumper and smoother, this is a great choice. The ingredients are gentle and unlikely to irritate you. Instead of making your lips artificially swollen, this gently coaxes your lips into being the best version of themselves. All while giving you a lovely shiny finish. And if you want to add sheer color into the mix, Buxom’s Lip Polish comes in dozens of shades beyond clear.
Pros
- Stimulate Collagen Production
- Vitamin enriched
- Subtle shimmer
- Improves lips over time
Cons
- Not dramatic plumping
- Needs frequent reapplication
- Expensive
4. Best Shimmer Gloss: Maybelline New York Lifter Gloss
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Size: 0.18 oz
- Performance: Shimmer, moisturizing
- Vegan: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: No
Product Details
Maybelline isn’t just for that classic pink and green mascara tube; they have been dabbling in higher-end formulations that feel distinctly modern. This Lifter Gloss is a shiny and shimmery concoction that gives your lips a boost of hyaluronic acid.
This ingredient has become the darling of anti-aging products due to its ability to boost your skin’s healing properties. It helps hydrate your skin and stimulate new cell production which can reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles. The company doesn’t claim that this is a plumping gloss but says that it will help your lips look fuller.
The gloss also includes coconut oil to help create a better texture and add moisture back into your lips. The tube comes with an extra-large applicator for easy coverage with this non-sticky gloss.
The Downsides
Overall, the ingredients for this product are quite unimpressive. While coconut oil and hyaluronic acid are great for your skin, the rest of the ingredients are pretty artificial. In particular, this gloss features artificial fragrance, which can be an allergy trigger for many people. It can also be overpowering in this gloss.
This gloss also has issues with staying-power as many do. Within a few minutes, it can start to fade. If you want a true shimmer that lasts more than 15 minutes, you may need to layer it on quite thick.
Who It’s For
This gloss frequently draws comparisons to Fenty’s lip gloss, but at a much lower price, so if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option with a similar look and feel, this could be your answer. It’s also something to consider if you feel like your lips have been developing fine lines. The boost of hyaluronic acid can help replenish them and make them look a little lusher and fuller.
Pros
- Boosted with hyaluronic acid
- Helps lips look fuller
- Non-sticky texture
Cons
- Many artificial ingredients
- Strong synthetic fragrance
- Not long-lasting
5. Best Long-Wearing Gloss: e.l.f. Lip Lacquer
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Size: 0.08
- Performance: Moisturizing, Long-wearing
- Vegan: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Product Details
E.L.F. has gained a huge following for creating versatile and high-performing makeup at a budget-friendly price. Their lip lacquer is no different. This clear gloss comes in at one of the lowest price points on our list but provides a high-end finish.
Infused with vitamin e, this gloss provides thick coverage that helps lock in moisture. It also is one of the longest-lasting glosses on our list. While it’s not impervious to a cup (or three) of coffee, it creates a sort of coating on the lips that maintains moisture and shine for a long time, at least by lip gloss standards.
This gloss isn’t weighed down with a lot of fragrance or added flavors. It has a very light and mild taste and smell. E.L.F. products are also free from parabens, phthalates, and a number of other unsavory additives.
The Downsides
The thick, coating effect of this gloss helps make it long-lasting, but it can also make it a little hard to apply. Especially if the gloss is cold, it can almost drag across the lips. This is a little uncomfortable and can make it hard to get an even application.
Some people may also find that this doesn’t have the high-shine finish they’re looking for. It’s more of a subtle sheen that looks great with a natural makeup look. This may not be enough to give you a glossy finish over a matte lipstick.
Who It’s For
When you want to look polished, but don’t feel like fussing with a full makeup look, this gloss makes your lips look great without extra color. Pair it with mascara and a tinted moisturizer for a fresh, low-maintenance look. It doesn’t need constant reapplication to keep looking fresh and feeling moisturized like some glosses, a definite plus.
Pros
- Vitamin e-infused
- Long-lasting finish
- Free from many harsh ingredients
Cons
- May be too thick to apply evenly
- Lacks high-shine finish
6. Best SPF Gloss: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Gloss
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Size: 0.35
- Performance: Tint, Moisturizing
- Vegan: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: No
Product Details
Neutrogena offers a gloss with sheer color in this Soother Gloss. The gel texture of this gloss gives a cooling sensation when you apply it, and it’s loaded with SPF 20. That combination makes this an ideal choice for summer days or even an afternoon on the ski slopes.
The gloss uses the humectant properties of vegetable glycerin to help your lips maintain their moisture throughout the day. It also includes cooling and hydrating cucumber extract along with soothing chamomile in the ingredients. A hint of menthol helps enhance the cooling sensation as well.
The gloss has a mild scent, though it contains no added synthetic fragrance, and a slightly sweet taste thanks to the saccharin extract in the ingredients. The color is very subtle, adding just a slight tint to complement the shine.
The Downsides
The texture of this gloss can be a bit sticky or tacky, even a while after applying. This can be a bit messy, leaving residue on anything you drink or anyone you kiss.
While some people like the nostalgia of a sweet lip gloss, the flavor can be a bit strong. It may not be the taste you want as a background note to anything else you eat. And if your lips are already cracked or peeling, the cool, tingling sensation can actually feel a bit stingy. Menthol can be harsh on very sensitive lips.
Who It’s For
If you spend a lot of time outside, particularly in windy conditions, you need to treat your lips to a combination of hydration and SPF to keep them happy. The thicker, tackier texture can actually be protective when you’re exposed to the elements. And the soothing plant extracts help prevent cracking and damage, all while keeping sun damage to a minimum.
Pros
- Has SPF 20