I’ll admit it, I’ve tried more lip products than I can count. From sticky glosses to balms that vanish in minutes, the search for the perfect combination of shine and hydration has always felt like a compromise, until I discovered the BANILA CO Hydrating Lip Oil.

What drew me to try this product in the first place was its promise of long-lasting hydration paired with a luminous finish, and unlike other lip products that tend to sit on the surface, this one actually works.

The BANILA CO Hydrating Lip Oil isn’t your average lip gloss. It glides on with a light-as-air texture, sinks in quickly, and leaves my lips feeling nourished and smoother with each use.

It turns out there’s science behind this comfort. According to Henry Lau, General Manager of Beauty Edge Pte Ltd (the official distributor of BANILA CO in Singapore), “Lip skin is about one-third the thickness of the skin on the rest of your body, and it lacks the ability to regulate oil and moisture on its own.” This explains why so many products fail to keep lips hydrated. But BANILA CO’s formula is designed to penetrate deeply, not just coat the surface.

And the results speak for themselves: clinical trials showed a 97.87% improvement in lip keratin condition, a clear sign of restored smoothness and resilience. I don’t need numbers to convince me, though. I’ve seen the difference in the mirror.

What’s Inside The Tube?

At the heart of this product is BANILA CO’s Hydro 3 Essential Complex, a powerful blend of hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients. What I appreciate is how thoughtful the formula is. It combines:

  • Jojoba Oil for its quick-absorbing properties
  • Sunflower Seed Oil, rich in ceramides to reinforce the lip barrier
  • Squalene to lock in moisture
  • Hyaluronic Acid, which we all know is a hydration magnet
  • Panthenol to soothe and calm dry or sensitive lips
  • Peach Flower Extract for antioxidant protection and the most delicate, almost undetectable natural scent

These ingredients work together to form what the brand calls a “high-gloss aqua-holding oil layer,” sealing in moisture for up to 24 hours.

Vegan, Cruelty-Free, And Made For Everyone

One of the things I personally value in my beauty products is transparency and ethics. The BANILA CO Hydrating Lip Oil ticks all the boxes. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and carries the Italian V-Label Certification, an internationally recognised stamp for vegan and vegetarian products. Plus, it has undergone thorough skin irritation tests to ensure it’s safe even for sensitive lips (like mine, especially on dry or cold days).

It’s also worth noting that this formula doesn’t have that tacky feel glosses are known for. Instead, it’s silky and smooth, hydrating like a balm, glossy like a lip lacquer, and comfortable like nothing else I’ve tried.

Six Shades, Endless Possibilities

Another reason I’ve become a fan? The shades. There are six sheer-but-beautiful tints that enhance your lips without overpowering your look:

  • Bare Pink – a soft, natural pink that matches my “no makeup” days
  • Pink Sorbet – playful with a touch of shimmer
  • Juicy Coral – citrusy and summery, great for weekends out
  • Berry Coral – a romantic soft berry tone
  • Red Apple – classic red for an instantly fuller pout
  • Plum Mauve – rich, a little moody, and perfect for evening, and my absolute favourite shade ever

I like to wear my lip oils solo, but they also layer beautifully over lipstick without smudging or messing up the colour underneath. It’s the kind of multitasking product that slips easily into my handbag—and frankly, into my daily routine.

Where To Find It

If you’re looking to try it out yourself (and trust me, you should), the BANILA CO Hydrating Lip Oil retails for $24.90. You can find it at Watsons stores across Singapore, or shop online via BANILA CO’s official Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok stores.

So yes, I’ve finally found a lip product that doesn’t make me choose between comfort, colour, and shine. BANILA CO Hydrating Lip Oil may just be my new daily essential—and if you’re as picky with your lip products as I am, it might just become yours too.