The story behind Bliss skincare begins in 1996 when Marcia Kilgore founded the first Bliss spa in New York City’s Soho. The brand expanded over the years, opening more spa locations and eventually developing a line of clean, cruelty-free skincare products to allow customers to recreate the spa experience at home.

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?

In this review, we’ll discuss the brand’s best selling products, key ingredients, Bliss skincare reviews from real customers, and more. Like all of our reviews, we’ll cover the science that supports (or doesn’t support) the ingredients used in these products so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing Bliss skincare products.

Is Bliss Skincare Worth The Money?

A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.

In our opinion, Bliss Skincare products deliver value for money, but take a look at other brands that don’t require you to sacrifice your precious money.

We recommend brands that are committed to developing clean yet effective products.

One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.

Carrot & Stick intro bundles deliver great value for money because you can bundle 3 full-size products worth up to $240 for $88.

What’s Inside Bliss Skincare?

Bliss’ formulation philosophy is simple: what’s not in the product is just as important as what’s actually in the product. The brand formulates the Bliss skincare products without over 1,300 harmful ingredients, including phthalates, formaldehyde, triclosan, parabens, and more. Bliss partners with the most responsible ingredient suppliers and follows the strict European Union standards — the highest in the world for skincare safety.

As for the ingredients that the brand does use in their products, we noticed that each Bliss skincare product contains a unique mix of key ingredients. With that being said, there are a few ingredients that show up in several products throughout the collection, and those include vitamin C, peptides, and glycolic acid.

Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.

Instead of using pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Bliss uses 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid in their skincare products because it has better stability. It’s in Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Moisturizer.

But our favorite antioxidant serum is Carrot & Stick The Concentrate. It contains a multitude of plant and marine antioxidants to help defend against visible aging and free radical damage. Use it every morning.

Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness. 

While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.

This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size. 

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Moisturizer contains a patented signal tri-peptide that visibly boosts skin’s natural elasticity.

If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin. It also has skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Glycolic Acid
The final key ingredient that you’ll find in several Bliss skincare products is glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs). AHAs exfoliate the skin by targeting corneocytes (dead skin cells that make up the stratum corneum) in a process called corneocyte desquamation. By enhancing their breakdown and increasing the separation of skin cells, the rate of cell turnover is increased, leading to smoother, brighter skin and a more even complexion.

Everything Else

Fragrance
One thing to note is that nearly all of the Bliss skincare products contain synthetic fragrance ingredients. The use of synthetic fragrance ingredients can be a problem because the brand can use a proprietary blend of chemicals to create the fragrance, and they do not have to disclose which chemicals they use on the label. They are allowed to list this blend as “Fragrance (Parfum)” on the ingredient list.

A 2018 study by Women’s Voices for the Earth discovered that in over 3,000 chemicals reportedly used for fragrances, 1,242 were chemicals of concern – and that included at least 7 possible carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents. Fragrance ingredients also have the potential to cause skin irritation and sensitivity. This is something to keep in mind before purchasing Bliss skincare products. 

What Are The Top 10 Best Bliss Skincare Products?

Bliss offers a variety of products for every step of your skincare routine, including cleansers, makeup removers, toners, serums, moisturizers, eye care, masks, and more. Below we’ll give you the breakdown of the top 10 best Bliss skincare products.

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Moisturizer

• One of the brand’s most popular products
• This moisturizer is formulated to visibly brighten skin while delivering hydration
• It is also said to protect collagen and defend skin from future free radical damage
• The form of vitamin C in this moisturizer is 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a stable vitamin C derivative
• Additional brightening ingredients include niacinamide and licorice root extract
• Non-comedogenic
• Contains fragrance

Bliss Clear Genius Toner + Serum

• Combines the benefits of a toner with a serum to purify pores, tone skin, and deliver concentrated ingredients without over-drying or irritating skin
• Includes Bliss’ proprietary CLARITY 5 COMPLEX with BHA (salicylic acid), witch hazel water, niacinamide, zinc PCA and cica
• Witch hazel contains a high concentration of tannins, which can lead to sensitization for some people
• Alcohol free and non-comedogenic

Bliss Bright Idea Serum

• This brightening serum features the highest concentration of vitamin C plus tri-peptide to brighten, diminish the look of dark spots, and visibly firm skin
• The form of vitamin C in this serum is 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a stable vitamin C derivative
• Additional key ingredients include licorice root extract, squalane, and vitamin E
• Non-comedogenic
• Contains fragrance

Bliss Glow & Hydrate Day Serum

• Hydrating serum that is said to help improve dullness while diminishing pores and blemishes
• The formula includes a high concentration of niacinamide, a multi-tasking ingredient that is proven to reduce inflammation, dryness, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkling
• Additional key ingredients include aloe, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E, and licorice root extract
• Contains fragrance

Bliss Renew & Smooth Night Serum

• Resurfacing night glycolic acid serum that is said to visibly transform dull skin to brighter and smoother overnight
• Contains a six-acid blend of glycolic acid plus gluconolactone (polyhydroxy acid) and four different fruit acids (sugar cane, lemon, orange and apple)
• These exfoliating ingredients help to remove dead skin cells, leaving skin brighter, smoother, and healthier
• Contains fragrance

Bliss Rose Gold Rescue Cleanser

• Rose water facial cleanser formulated with gentle ingredients to remove dirt, makeup, and excess oil without drying out the skin
• The formula includes surfactants (like cocamidopropyl betaine and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine)
• A surfactant molecule contains one end that is hydrophilic (attracted to water) and one end that is lipophilic (attracted to oil). This allows surfactants to attract and suspend oils, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin and wash them away
• The pH of this cleanser is between 4.5 and 5.5, which is about the same as your skin’s pH
• Contains fragrance

Bliss What A Melon Watermelon Mask

• An overnight facial mask that is said to remove dead cells and toxins for a refreshed, dewy complexion
• One key ingredient in this mask is watermelon fruit extract, an antioxidant-rich fruit extract the replenishes vitamins and minerals as it improves the moisture barrier to help prevent dehydration and water loss
• Additional key ingredients include electrolytes (magnesium aspartate, copper gluconate, zinc gluconate), rice bran extract, cucumber fruit extract, oat kernel extract, and sodium hyaluronate
• Contains fragrance

Bliss That’s Incredi Peel Glycolic Acid Pads

• Single-step, no-rinse peel pads that gradually release glycolic acid overnight to target fine lines, discoloration and imperfections for smoother, brighter skin by morning
• Spa-strength formula – with 10% glycolic acid – inspired by thousands of Bliss Spa facial peels performed by the brand’s skin experts
• Texture and tone is noticeably improved after just one use
• The pads also include witch hazel, a natural astringent
• Witch hazel contains a high concentration of tannins, which can lead to sensitization for some people

Bliss Pore Patrol Hydrator

• Lightweight facial lotion that hydrates skin all day while keeping pores and oil in check
• Willow bark visibly tightens pores and refines texture, while Brazilian sea water helps keep skin balanced, and aloe vera neutralizes shine
• The formula also contains the hydrating ingredients sodium hyaluronate and panthenol (provitamin B5)
• Preps skin for makeup application
• Contains fragrance

Bliss Micro Magic Microdermabrasion Scrub

• Microdermabrasion scrub that polishes away dead cells and clears pores, leaving skin softer and smoother
• The main exfoliant in this scrub is volcanic pumice, a mild exfoliant that purifies and cleanses, removing dead outer layers of skin cells. It does not dissolve in water, allowing time to massage and improve circulation as it exfoliates
• Additional key ingredients include kaolin clay, aloe, panthenol, vitamin E, and chamomile flower extract
• Contains fragrance

Where to Buy Bliss Skincare Products?

Bliss skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third party online retailers, such as Ulta, Target, Amazon, and more.

You can also purchase Bliss skincare products in the Bliss spas, of course, or in stores throughout the US (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target, Ulta). The brand has a store locator on their website so you can find a location that sells Bliss skincare products near you.

What is The Bliss Return Policy?

The Bliss return policy states, “We always hope you love all things Bliss, but should you be less than happy with your Bliss brand product purchase, return the unused portion of the product in its packaging to us within 30 days for a refund. Keep in mind that all web orders must be returned to Bliss directly and not a spa location. If an unused product is returned between 31-60 days, you can receive a Bliss gift card for the purchase price of the product.”

Is Bliss Cruelty Free?

Yes, Bliss is 100% cruelty-free and PETA-certified. They never test their products or ingredients on animals.

Bliss Skincare Reviews

Bliss skincare reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Moisturizer, which has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars after more than 4,300 reviews.

The positive Bliss skincare reviews for this moisturizer mention that it does help to improve skin brightness and promotes a glowing complexion. For example, one review says, “I love this moisturizer, it’s a multitasker for sure. Super hydrating plus so beneficial for the building blocks of collagen. This one is a bit on the heavier side for me so I only use it in the mornings during the winter, otherwise I use it on alternating nights with my retinol. My skin is glowing, love it.”

There are some negative reviews for the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Moisturizer that mention it doesn’t blend well, and other reviews mention that it is way too thick and leaves an oily residue on the skin.

For example, one Bliss skincare review says, “Yikes. I’ll cut right to the chase, I am a skincare snob and it takes a lot to impress me, BUT this product is the worst. My face had more oil than Saudi Arabia following the application of this. If I could give it zero stars I absolutely would. Not only was I an oil maniac, but a super sweet breakout followed. If you have acne prone skin I would not put this on your face EVER. For me it was probably due to the large amount of coco-caprylate which is a known comedogenic agent that my skin constantly revolts from.”

Other Bliss skincare reviews point out that the fragrance in these products is overwhelming. For example, one review says, “I’m just not going to put something with so much fragrance on my face. I cannot recommend this to others because I don’t think I want to jeopardize people’s skin.”

Our Verdict

Overall, we would recommend Bliss skincare products if they didn’t contain fragrance, but sadly most of them do.

Pros

• Products contain evidence-based ingredients (vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate, glycolic acid, etc)
• Packaged in opaque bottles that protect delicate ingredients
• Cruelty free
• Many positive Bliss skincare reviews

Cons

• Nearly all products contain synthetic fragrance ingredients

What Are Some Alternatives to Bliss Skincare Products?

There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that’s effective and safe.

If you’re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.

Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives.

Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.

References:

Molecules. 2018 Apr; 23(4): 863.
Women’s Voices for the Earth “Unpacking The Fragrance Industry” 2018