Over the years, I got to spend quite a bit of time in San Francisco conducting market research for various clients. Occasionally, I would stay at the W Hotel located on the “other side” of Market Street away from Union Square. The hotel had a cool, contemporary vibe. I remember there was a glass Buddha in each room that had a light inside that cycled through all the colors of the rainbow. Fun.
I Bought This, Affiliate Links
The bath and body products stocked by all the Westin and W Hotels, at that time, were from Bliss. The shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, and soap were all lemon-scented, and I loved them. As a result, I used Bliss body products as well as Bliss Facial Cleanser for several years after that. But I discovered that the Bliss Facial Cleanser contained exfoliating beads that didn’t break down, and as a result, they polluted the water and endangered fish. Also, the bath and body products contained parabens. So I stopped using Bliss products.
Fast forward a number of years, and not surprisingly, Bliss reformulated their product line to be more in tune with better-for-you-and-the-environment trends. Good news.
I noticed about a year ago that Bliss has an expanded facial skincare line that is sold in a kiosk at CVS. And CVS often includes coupons for deep discounts on Bliss among their long receipts and coupons. I was determined to try something new from Bliss. A few weeks ago, Courtney from Phyrra mentioned on Facebook that Bliss Ex-Glow-Sion Moisturizer was her current favorite. I was a little surprised because she mostly uses facial moisturizers that come in a tube or pump, so this must be a good one for her to enjoy a jarred moisturizer. I have had good luck with Courtney’s recommendations in the past, so I picked up a jar, and I’ve been using it on and off for about 3 weeks.
The packaging is cute. The plastic jar came in a nice recyclable box. And I liked the aqua and peach color scheme. The jar doesn’t come with a scoop, but I have plenty already so that didn’t bother me.
The cream has a very light fresh scent that disappears when I apply it. I was surprised when I read on the Bliss website that the scent is Lavender because it is so light. If I sniff really strongly, I can smell a faint scent of lavender, especially since I now know that’s what it’s supposed to be!
Here’s how Bliss describes Ex-Glow-Sion:
- This velvety, skin-brightening moisturizer with stabilized vitamin C takes skin from dry and lackluster to dewy and luminous in seconds.
- Advanced Shea Butter nourishes to combat dryness and flaking; powerful botanicals help recharge and protect
- Subtle iridescent sheen provides an instant, healthy glow
- Hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested
I hadn’t realized that the moisturizer contains vitamin C. That’s good. And here’s the rest of the key ingredients:
- Vitamin C: Visibly brightens for mega radiance
- Squalane: Plant sugar-derived moisturizer balances skin by improving water reserves and limiting moisture loss
- Aquaxyl™: A unique vegetable-derived hydrating blend helps renew skin’s moisture barrier to limit water loss
- Pro Vitamin B5: Seals in hydration by boosting the skin barrier and helps rejuvenate and revitalize surface skin cells
- African Shea Butter: Nourishes to combat dryness and flaking
- Rosemary, Lavender Flower and Green Tea Leaf Extracts: Known to act as an advanced free radical “clean up squad” to help mimic the body’s natural ability to fight free radical damage
- Cucumber and Pear Extracts: Nurture and protect skin
Bliss Ex-Glow-Sion is positioned as Super Rich Moisturizer for Dewy, Radiant Skin. I guess instead of Explosion, the name is Ex-Glow-Sion emphasizing the radiance. Got it.
The off-white cream is surprisingly lightweight to the touch but very rich and creamy upon application. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, but it definitely feels protective. To me, this is an excellent cold weather moisturizer or moisturizer for dry, desert-like conditions. The key descriptor here for me is “rich”. This is truly a moisturizer for very dry skin. When it dries, I feel like I have a protective coating on my face. I also feel like I might not need primer if I were going to wear foundation. I haven’t been wearing foundation, so I haven’t tested that out yet.
It does give my skin an immediate glow (shine), but I think that has more to do with the shea butter and the mica than the vitamin C. I like that it has barrier-building ingredients.
To be honest, I like Bliss Ex-Glow-Sion Moisturizer primarily as a night cream because of its richness and the fact that it doesn’t contain sunscreen. It’s especially handy when I’m looking for a one and done night cream that doesn’t require extra steps like essence and serum. I may go back to it for a daytime moisturizer in the winter to be worn with a separate sunscreen especially on cold, dry days when my skin can be easily chapped or dried out from wind.
Like all the reformulated Bliss products, Ex-Glow-Sion is cruelty-free and has no parabens, phthalates, SLS, or SLES. It’s a much better product line than it used to be.
Also, it is priced right. The 1.7 fl. oz. jar is $20-23 depending on where you buy it. You can buy it on the Bliss website where you can get 15% off the $20 price, at Ulta for $22, Target for $22.99, CVS for $22.99, and Walgreens for $21.99. At CVS, they always have a $12 off $25 spent on Bliss coupon, and you can use their 40% off coupons to buy it which is what I did.
CVS had two or three other Bliss moisturizers, and I would like to try them as well. Have you tried any of the new Bliss facial skincare products?
Ingredients: Water (Aqua) (Eau), Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Xylitylglucoside, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mica, Anhydroxylitol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Sodium Phytate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xylitol, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate Succinate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Isohexadecane, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
I’m so glad you like this one! It’s my favorite daytime moisturizer for my dry skin. I’ve been boosting it by adding the Paula’s Choice Peptides drops serum.
Courtney recently posted…KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm Review
This sounds like a really nice cream! The texture looks so rich and creamy!
Lola Seicento recently posted…March 2021 Skin, Body and Hair Product Empties Galore
I am so leery of anything with the word lavender since I’m very sensitive about it. I’ve noticed more Bliss at CVS though not the coupon you described. With the right coupons CVS can be a great place to try Bliss.
MarciaF recently posted…Fashion Flash rounds out the month with terrific posts that you’ll love to read
Bliss Ex-Glow-sion Moisturizer contains lavender oil. It would be a hard pass for you, Marcia. I am surprised that Courtney can use it because she usually avoids lavender.
Looks like this is something I need to look into since I live in the desert! The formula looks so nice and thick – and you mentioned light weight – SOLD! 🙂
Kristi V BeginNails recently posted…April Polish Pick Up: Red Eyed Lacquer I Love Being A Turtle
Oh my that texture looks absolutely divine! I normally have combo skin but ever since I started on tretinoin it’s been getting drier and drier, so now I even use products designed for dry skin. I might have to try this one!
Glamorable recently posted…Thoughts on the New NARS Air Matte Blush & Lipsticks
With a recommendation from both you AND Courtney, I must try this!!!!
I would say that Bliss Ex-Glow-Sion Moisturizer is a good one especially for winter or if your skin is very dry from sun. I like it, but I don’t love it. In fact, I want to try their Rose Gold or something like that other moisturizer, so when I get to it, I’ll let you know.
I’ve heard great things about this brand! I’ll keep an eye out for CVS coupons.
I loved using Bliss at the W! That moisturizer looks amazing.
Krystal E. recently posted…China Glaze Prairie Tale Ending