We asked dermatologist Michelle Henry to try the new Bliss Youth Got This pure retinol collection and give us an honest review. Here’s what she had to say.
Retinoids — the blanket term for any retinol product — are so powerful, they’re able to transform skin texture, pigmentation, and tone relatively quickly. But while the vitamin A derivative is known as a workhorse when it comes to maintaining a youthful, radiant glow, it’s also a powerful ingredient that can leave skin dry, irritated, and downright angry in the process — especially if you have sensitive skin. Which is enough to leave anyone conflicted: Does beauty have to be pain? New York City board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, M.D., says no — not anymore.
So are you ready to leave your fear of retinol — and aging — in the past?
“[Previously], you’d get what some people call ‘the retinol nasties,’” says Dr. Henry of the redness, dry skin, and sensitivity that traditionally harsh formulations would cause. “Winter hits and you can’t use your retinol anymore — if you’re not using the right one.” The result? You give up after a few fruitless weeks because you’re not seeing visible changes — only dry, peeling skin that can be painful to the touch. Dr. Henry explains, “Some people don’t stick with it because they’re not using more elegant formulations, or they’re using formulations that are just too strong for their skin. [But] those days are changing because there are retinoids out there formulated for tolerability.”
Dr. Henry suggests a simple solution: Instead of diving headfirst into a harsh product that’s all but guaranteed to cause irritation, look for one specifically formulated to offer hydration in tandem, like Bliss’s new Youth Got This lineup, which features a blend of pure retinol along with the brand’s skin-defending Prevent-4 Complex in both serum and moisturizer form. Unlike most retinoids, both products use stabilized, wrinkle-fighting pure retinol along with a curated blend of gentle ingredients like amino acids, peptides, squalane, and antioxidants to coddle and protect, leaving skin hydrated and glowing. That means you don’t have to pencil a few weeks of peeling and redness into your schedule just to feel proud of the complexion staring back at you.
Bliss’s Youth Got This collection features just two hero products: no extraneous steps to worry about. First is the Bliss Youth Got This Serum, which is silky to the touch and sinks right into skin, allowing for peak absorption of its active ingredients. In fact, after just one night, it leaves you glowing, and after four weeks, it’s clinically proven to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles even more. The serum’s youth-boosting formula doesn’t just tackle signs of aging — it may help prevent them, too. “This product builds up both your skin barrier and your environmental shield — so it is very protective,” Dr. Henry says.
Similarly, the Bliss Youth Got This Moisturizer diminishes and prevents the look of fine lines and works to counteract environmental damage — all while keeping skin looking youthful and dewy (not red and peeling). It delivers intense hydration and lends a healthy, radiant complexion. What’s to worry about there? “It’s a really potent wall of defense,” Dr. Henry says of the serum-and-moisturizer duo, which are meant to work together daily for skin-rejuvenating benefits and visible results.
The top-billed ingredients to thank: “Peptides and retinoids have some synergy,” says Dr. Henry, noting that the former are basically tiny protein fragments that allow cells to communicate more effectively. “Peptides help to stimulate collagen, as does the retinoid, so it’s going to give you that double boost of collagen, which is going to make it a really effective product,” she says. Meanwhile, “squalane is going to help to strengthen and fortify the skin barrier, helping to increase the tolerability” — especially because it’s plant-derived and bioidentical to the squalene our skin naturally produces, she says, adding that both antioxidants and amino acids are great for extra protection and hydration.
While many of us have always assumed the peeling was a necessary part of the process, we now know that’s not true. Retinoids don’t work by exfoliating the skin and sloughing off dead skin cells like AHAs do; instead, they enhance collagen production, encouraging skin smoothing and an evening of pigmentation.
“Gen Z’ers are a very smart population when it comes to skin care and beauty, and they are all invested in rejuvenation,” says Dr. Henry, who sees patients of all ages in her New York City practice. “They’re asking questions like ‘How soon can I start? What can I do early? What is preventative? What is maintenance?’ They’re willing to do the work, and they’re invested in that delayed gratification.” And she agrees: “Prevention is key.”
So yes, with the right gentle formulation like Bliss’s Youth Got This, you can incorporate retinol into your routine without any of the irritation or trepidation — with full confidence in how your skin looks immediately and in how you’re caring for its future.