Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil Review & Photos
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil ($42.00 for 0.25 oz.) is supposed to help lips look better both in the short-term as well as over the long-term by conditioning, hydrating, and relieving dry and chapped lips. The applicator is a “24-karat gold-plated, anti-bacterial palladium,” slanted and slightly curved tip. You lightly press to dispense the product to apply.
This lip treatment is a follow-up to Hourglass’ No. 28 Primer Serum, and it contains 14 essential oils, as well as vitamins A, B5, C, and E. It also includes Saliporine 8, which Hourglass says, in clinical studies, has shown to “reinforce the natural moisturizing factor of the skin and boost moisture levels,” Volulip, which in clincal studies has shown to “provide improvement in the appearance of lip shape, softness, volume, hydration, and youth for at least 69% of volunteers.” The third ingredient is K3 Viamerine, which Hourglass said in clinical studies was shown to “deliver deep hydration and reduce the appearance of depth in wrinkles.”
I’ve been using this for several weeks now, and I think this is the type of product that will work best (and will be most “worth it”) for someone who finds most products don’t work for them; for someone who suffers from dry, chapped, cracked, or peeling lips and truly needs a treatment. If your lips are fairly smooth with whatever lip care you’re using, this is going to feel lovely, but I don’t know if you’ll see dramatic improvement or truly feel it.
I deliberately wore some of the more drying lipstick formulas I’m aware of to essentially roughen up my lips so they would be cracked and peeling (I don’t recommend that, and I don’t think I’d go that far again), and then I tried this. I routinely reached for this over my regular lip balm (Jack Black) after a particularly long “lip swatching” session. I also used it when my lips felt and looked normal (soft, smooth, no cracking/peeling). Hourglass’ Lip Treatment Oil seemed to soothe, relieve, and repair my lips faster than my normal lip balms would when my lips were in a really rough state.
It always felt lovely on; slightly thick, somewhat creamy but not wet, with medium-weight. It had a very light tack to it, more from its thickness than anything else. It has a lemony, herbal scent and slightly herbal taste–it wasn’t a taste I was fond of but didn’t notice after a few regular uses. When I first started using this, I applied it in the morning and before bed (I usually am testing gloss/lipstick during the day). My lips were normal, and I really didn’t feel like it was doing anything more than what normal lip balm does for me. I didn’t like using it during the day as much, because I felt like it wasn’t very long-lasting and would disappear after two hours or so. Obviously, at this price point, frequent reapplication isn’t something the wallet wants to here.
That’s why I decided to give it more of a challenge, and then maybe, I’d see more of the restorative effects of the product–and I did. The wear time didn’t improve, but I noticed improvement within a few hours (especially in terms of making my lips feel more soothed and less discomfort) and saw more dramatic improvement after three to four days of using this three to four times a day. It also seems to relieve my lips when they’re normal but rubbed raw from swatching slightly faster than my normal lip balm (within two hours, as compared to three).
Based on my experience, it’s a product I’d recommend considering if you have lips in need of serious treatment, not simply routine care. It is absolutely hydrating and soothing even when lips feel good to start, but the efficacy was not much more (if at all) than I’ve experienced with other lip balms at varying price points. It’s also a product that can work well for anyone who has moderate lip concerns as a night-time treatment to help maintain good lip care. Now, if you ordinarily splash out for your lip balm, then it might just replace your current go-to. For reference: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment is $150/oz., Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil is $168/oz., Dior Creme de Rose is $108/oz., and La Mer’s Lip Balm is $156/oz.
Ingredients
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Amyris (Amyris Balsamifera) Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzoin Siam Absolute, Bois De Rose (Aniba Rosaeodora) Oil, Borage (Borago Officinalis) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis) Leef Oil, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cherry (Prunus Avium) Pit Oil, Clove (Eugenia Caryophyllus) Oil, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Geranium (Geranium Maculatum) Oil, Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Oil, Hazelnut (Corylus Americana) Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Oil, Kukui (Aleurites Moluccana) Nut Oil, Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Oil, Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonum) Peel Oil, Lithospermum Officinale Root Extract, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Olive(Olea Europaea) Oil, Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Peel Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Panthenyl Triacetate, Petitgrain (Citrus Reticulata) Oil, Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Roseum) Oil, Rose Hips Seed Oil, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sucrose Cocoate, Sweet Almond (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Vanilla (Vanilla Planifolia) Oil, Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata) Oil.
See more photos!
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil
I have type one diabetes, and as a result my lips are in tough shape. As in, they split in multiple places every time I smile. I bit the bullet and got this, and it is SO worth it. My lips are now what one night consider “moderately chapped”, but that is a world of improvement for me.
I feel obligated to point out that, as someone with moderate eczema that manifests year-round in dry, peeling, chapped lips, the only product that has worked for me is the Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment (gross name, I know). Slather some on in the mornings and at night, and be a bit conscientious about not wearing super-drying lipsticks several days in a row, and my lip ezcema is nearly always gone or unnoticeable. Don’t get me wrong, this sounds like a ridiculously fantastic product, but considering how pricey it is and the fact that so many people have chapped lips, I really wanted to suggest an alternative for those of us who find spending $100-150 per ounce on lip treatment a bit…much. The Blistex is about $2 on the CVS website for .21 oz, so that’s $10 per ounce, give or take. (For reference, a .21 oz tube lasts me about 3-5 months.)
You know what’s funny – Blistex always makes my lips worse 🙁 My friend loved it growing up, but it always did a number on me! I’m super happy that you’ve shared this, because it’s great to hear you’ve found something that really helps for you and may help others, too! 🙂
It can be kind of harsh, yeah. I just wanted to suggest it because some of the cheaper lip balms (Chapstick, anyone?) can be really good.
So nice it works for you! For my super sensitive post-accutane skin it is too much. I burnt my lips so bad using the blistex one :S
I lvoe it too! It is my most repurschased product EVER! Considering it’s not sold where I live, that’s saying a lot. I usually buy 5 everytime I go to the US because I never want to be without it. I ususally put it on at night and it keeps my lips from getting dehydrated as I sleep without being thick and goopy, as most night treatments tend to be. Whenever I get sunburnt or windburnt lips it is the only thing that provides instant soothing; I prefer it over medicated Chapstick because it is soft and creamy whereas the Chapstick tugs at my sensitive lips.
I”d never heard of anyone else who loved this Blistex as much as I did. I’m glad I’m not the only one 🙂
Thank you for reviewing this! I just got one last week on ebay (for 50% off) and I think it’s a pretty decent lip balm for my moderately chapped lips. That being said, I find the taste very medicinal. I don’t think I will repurchase it. Keep up the skincare reviews!
Wow!!! This sounds like a great product to try out. Though its kinda expensive but the formula is very impressive indeed. I love the idea of it that it hydrates and relieved dried and chapped lips. i’ll go and check this one out. The packaging looks so classy as well.
I tried this out at the end of a long day at my frighteningly dry office and I have to say that I felt the effects within minutes. I don’t know if I can wrap my head around the idea of a $50 balm (here in Canada), but the only other product I’ve tried that worked nearly as well was Nuxe Reve de Miel, which is a bit heavy for day time use. I think your review is spot on- if you’ve exhausted other (less expensive) options, this is something that you might want to consider.
I’ve been on Accutane for a month now and my lips are dying; I mean, peeling, chapped and painful. I’ve tried so many lip products so far. I’m almost tempted to get this since it sounds so intensive. Did you find it healed/prevented peeling lips?
It helped me, but I don’t have chronic peeling lips, so it was the result of really drying lipsticks!
While this may be an incredible product for most people, I did take notice of a few ingredients that some people have reactions to, so that is something to consider. Those same oils, however, are great for most, and I can see this working out for the majority, myself included. My lips primarily give me problems in cooler, drier weather, so I’ll probably check this out when Autumn rolls around.
I agree with you about the potential for reactions. It has several ingredients that are common irritants. I certainly couldn’t use it. It might be really good for some people whose lips are just extremely dry or irritated by weather or environment but aren’t sensitive to ingredients.
I noticed that too – some of the ingredients are those that do often cause problems (of course, any ingredient can be problematic for someone) but the eucalyptus oil and a few others jumped out at me. If this product were in the 25-30 dollar (Canadian) price range, I’d be willing to give it a try but to be honest, some of the cheap lip-chap products from the drugstore or from Avon and 2 great ones I have from Clarins do the trick for me. This is just too rich for my wallet.
I suffer from horrible cracked, chapped, peeling lips quite frequent and I have found that Eucerin Aquaphor works better than any product I have tried. It heels my lips almost overnight.
Plus, two travel sized tube costs about $5 at the drugstore.
As much as I would like to try this product because I think it would probably work for me, I am much for comfortable spending $5 on a product I know rather than spending $42 on another, just based on a review and the claims the brand makes.
Yes! I absolutely love Aquaphor for my lips. Burt’s Bees, Chapstick, Blistex, they all irritate my lips much more and make them peel.
That being said, I still want to try this product, since Aquaphor is a little on the lighter side and wears off pretty quickly. I’d love to have an overnight tackier treatment that could allow me to wake up to soft, smooth lips.
I completely agree with you. This product truly heals my lips faster than any lipsticks or lip-biting can destroy them… amazing! Unfortunately for my wallet, I’m hooked.
Thanks for the review! This sounds like a product that may help me in winter. I have naturally very chapped lips, have had since I was a child. I tried Blistex then and it did nothing for me, as did many other raved products. But by all means, the Blistex one is something everyone should try for themselves. If it may be your wonder product, the price tag makes it worth to merely try out.
In spring and summer, my lips stay in decent shape with Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream and the already mentioned Nuxe Reve de Miel (matte, while 8hr cream gives a glossy appearance).
In autumn and winter, I suspect due to heating, my lips are a constant nightmare though. I love to wear berry and plum toned lipsticks, and matte ones also, at that time of the year, and I constantly battle my lips’ condition. I may just want to give Hourglass a try next autumn!
Does anyone know of a website that delivers Hourglass to Europe? I have been interested in some of their other products for a while. Thanks!
Have you tried a shea butter based lip balm such as Deert Essence?It is inexpensive,all natural and very healing.
No, I haven’t! Will try and look for the one you mentioned, thanks!
I’d love to try it, but I”m not sure I could bring myself to spend $42 on a lip balm, especially when I can get a tin of Carmex at Target for under $1. Carmex is my holy grail healing lip balm. I used it when I was on Accutane, and it literally saved my lips. It doesn’t taste good, but that can be good, too, since I tend to lip and chew on my lips when there’s a tasty balm on them.
*lick and chew
If you have something that already works like 90%+ or better for you, I definitely don’t think you need to switch!
My lips have been dry and chapped with consistent annoying little lip peelings for YEARS. I regularly use Jack Black lip balm and like it a lot, but gave this a try a month ago to see if it was worth the cost (I was planning to return it if the effects were minimal)….I have noticed an improvement on my lips since I started using this! They are less chapped, less dry, and have less peelings over the course of a day. I was so excited to find something that worked so well for my difficult lips! I have only been using it at night before bed and again the morning, but after reading your review will start bringing it to work with me and applying during the day as/if needed. I also have found I am not needing to apply my JB lip balm as frequently during the day as I was before I tried this. I also should note, before trying this was also exfoliating my lips and using the sugar scrub on them at least 1 – 2 times a week, now I am only doing once a week, if that even. I hate the price is so steep, but for something that is effective I will continue to purchase! I an finding that I love and appreciate Hourglass products more and more! 🙂
Yay!! If it works, that’s what matters. I definitely think that it should be used truly as a treatment – so as needed, definitely before bed and the like – and hopefully there’s a (cheaper) lip balm that can help things along during the day!
how long would the product last using it a couple oftimes daily, a month or less? The tube look so small? I usually use Jack Black, Carmex, BBW Bigelow 8 hour lip treament
Hi Beck,
It contains the same amount of product as Jack Black. I’ve used mine for about six weeks, and I still have some left (but it’s hard to see how much is left, since it’s a opaque container).
I’ve always had dry, cracking lips and nothing ever seems to help. it does seem to come and go though, so I’ve never been great about sticking with something on a regular basis to see if it’d help. Vaseline, chapstick, Neutrogena, Chanel’s lip balm, Blistex – i’ve tried so many things at different price points that it seems pointless to try again. My wallet says NO, run away from this product, but my lips are drawn to it like honey 🙂 I wonder if I can try a sample of it at a store before I commit?
I can have very finicky, dry lips (and I can get eczema irritation and redness around my lipline too) and I just wanted to share some things that have helped me.
I actually find serums can really help with dryness and irritation around/outside your lipline. Applying lip balms/products outside your lipline can make your issues worse, in my experience, so now I apply a tiny amount of serum on the area just outside the lipline when I have redness there.
I also take an oral antihistamine tablet every day. I was advised by my doctor to start taking Loratadine every day, to help with my animal allergies when I started my new job as a trainee vet nurse. He also said it may help with my sinus issues (it didn’t in my case), but my eczema has decreased significantly. I don’t get rashes in the crooks of my elbows nearly as much, I can eat foods which used to set me itching, and my facial irritation and redness has all but disappeared. I find I don’t react to products as often, and when I do react, it’s not as severe.
In regards to lip products, I have never been able to use Carmex, Blistex, Chapstick, or anything in that family, because they irritate the heck out of my lips and lip vermillion. In my experience, multi-purpose balms work much better, because they are designed to soothe and hydrate your skin as well as your lips. When I say “work”, I mean, they hydrate long term, as opposed to feeling hydrating initially, then actually drying you out so you need to reapply. The only brands I know of that make balms like that are Trilogy (Everything Balm) and Antipodes (Saviour Skin Balm). Both brands are New Zealand brands, so I don’t know how available they are overseas.
Oddly enough, one of my favourite lip products is MAC’s Lip Conditioner (in the tube, I bought it to support Viva Glam when Ricky was endorsing it). If I’m not outdoors in the wind or sun, I find one to two applications of this a day keeps my lips in really good shape. It doesn’t make them supersoft-baby’s-butt, but it does keep them comfortable. If I’m outdoors, I do need to reapply more often – and I should really be using an SPF anyway, as unfortunately the Lip Conditioner in the tube does NOT have an SPF. I’ve never used Jack Black because it’s unavailable to me in Australia, but I would love to try it someday.
Thank you for sharing, Jade!! xo
All those ingredients in that itty-bitty tube? Geez!
Btw, I’ve used a Burt’s Bees with mango butter balm for about three years. Apart from the smell (reminiscent of fancy Fruity Pebbles), my lips have never been better.
NOTHING else has ever worked this well for me. After a couple of days of use, I went out and bought another, then after a week I bought two more. I keep one in my purse, one by my bed and one at my desk; the fourth one is a backup for whichever one runs out first. I know it’s a very expensive splurge for a lip product, but my lips regularly crack, bleed, split and peel. So gross! Fresh Advanced Lip Treatment helped a little, but only if I would apply it every hour, and even then my lips would still peel. Now my lips are finally healthy. I only use the lip oil when I’m at home, and when I go out I use Stila lip stain and then the oil on top and it looks amazing. I never want to be without this Hourglass lip treatment. My lips have never looked or felt better.
I’m so happy to hear this, Leah!
Christine how long did this last for you before it ran out? It doesnt seem like u get much product for the price, thank you 🙂
Hi!
I haven’t finished mine, but I do not use it every night or day – I pretty much just use it when I need extra, extra help! 🙂