Introduction
Bliss may not dominate every bathroom shelf yet but skincare enthusiasts know it as the playful science backed brand that put spa indulgence into squeeze bottles and made it accessible. I have long admired its knack for pairing cheerful branding with formulas that punch above their weight so when the label teased a pore blurring elixir I was all ears.
With a name like Disappearing Act Serum the stakes are high. Bliss promises that its Niacinamide PC plus Pore Vanish Complex will make pores look half their size, leave skin smoother after a single use and keep things clean cruelty free vegan. The starring act involves niacinamide lending barrier support alongside mushroom, rosa canina and green tea extracts to dial down oil and environmental stress.
Curious whether this serum could live up to its Houdini aspirations I spent a full two weeks patting it onto freshly cleansed skin morning and night taking notes on texture, visible pore changes and overall complexion clarity. Consider this your backstage pass to see if the grand disappearance is worth your hard earned money.
What is Disappearing Act Serum?
Disappearing Act Serum sits in the pore treatment category, a corner of skincare dedicated to making enlarged pores look smaller by controlling oil, reinforcing the skin barrier and giving the surface a smoother feel. Unlike exfoliants that rely on acids to clear out pores, or primers that simply mask them, this product positions itself as a daily treatment that aims to gradually refine them while offering an instant soft focus effect.
The formula centers on 10 percent Niacinamide PC, a form of vitamin B3 known for supporting barrier strength, calming redness and helping regulate sebum so pores stay clearer over time. Bliss pairs that with its proprietary Pore Vanish Complex that blends mushroom extract to tighten, rosa canina to curb excess oil and antioxidant rich green tea to shield skin from environmental stressors. The brand claims you will see smaller looking pores after one application and noticeably smoother texture in a week, backed by its own consumer testing.
Used morning and night on clean dry skin, it is intended to act as both a quick blur and a longer play toward more refined pores. The formula is labeled clean, vegan and cruelty free and comes in a 1 ounce size, so expect about a month of twice daily use before you need to consider replenishing.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual pore refining serum for three full days before starting Disappearing Act and felt quite proud of my very official research protocol. Fourteen days seems long enough to judge any day-and-night treatment so I cleared the calendar and got smoothing.
Day one delivered what the brand promised: an almost instant soft focus veil that made the pores on my cheeks look filtered. Makeup went on without complaint and I did not notice my midday T-zone shine creeping in as quickly as usual. Still once evening rolled around the blur had faded and the familiar dot pattern on my nose peeked through again.
By day four the immediate blurring effect felt more reliable. I found that two pumps pressed in rather than rubbed gave the most even finish and kept the product from pilling under sunscreen. My skin stayed comfortable and I never experienced the tightness some pore treatments bring. Although I was watching closely I did not see a big overnight shrinking of pore diameter yet the surface felt smoother when I washed my face each morning.
At the one week mark I noticed the most measurable change: the cluster of enlarged pores near my left nostril looked less shadowed which made my overall complexion appear brighter. Friends who see me daily asked whether I had switched primers which I took as a small victory for the serum. Oil control improved slightly but I still needed a blotting paper most afternoons.
During the second week progress leveled out. Pores looked about the same size as they had on day seven and I would put the improvement at a modest but visible twenty percent rather than the dramatic half-size claim. Texture continued to feel silky and I appreciated the lack of redness or purging. However I kept waiting for that next jump in refinement and it never really arrived.
So did it work? Yes and no. The serum absolutely softens the look of pores on contact and delivers a gradual smoothing that is pleasant and reliable but it stops short of a magic vanishing act. I enjoyed using it yet the results fall just shy of displacing my existing favorites. I will likely finish the bottle then pass on repurchase though I would still recommend it to anyone seeking a gentle no-nonsense pore blurrer that comes with a side of skin barrier love.
Disappearing Act Serum’s main ingredients explained
The headline act is 10 percent Niacinamide PC, a stable form of vitamin B3 that helps tighten the look of pores by calming inflammation and encouraging a more balanced flow of sebum. Unlike harsher actives niacinamide can be paired with almost anything, so layering it with vitamin C in the morning or retinol at night is typically drama free. Over time it also fortifies the skin barrier, which may explain why I never felt dryness during the trial.
Bliss backs that up with its Pore Vanish Complex. Fomes officinalis mushroom extract is here for its astringent polysaccharides that give a temporary “shrink wrap” sensation while damping down shine. Rosa canina fruit extract, rich in linoleic acid, targets excess oil so pores stay clearer between cleanses. Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract contributes soothing catechins plus antioxidant protection against pollution that can lodge in pores and oxidize sebum, making them look even bigger.
The blurred finish you see right after application is mostly thanks to Polysilicone-11, a silky elastomer that sits on top of skin and scatters light. It is considered non comedogenic, meaning it should not clog pores, though anyone extremely sensitive to silicones might want to patch test. Supporting humectants like glycerin, propanediol and sodium hyaluronate pull in water so the surface stays plush rather than chalky. A neat lineup of amino acids mimics skin’s natural moisturizing factors and keeps the formula feeling flexible under makeup.
A few housekeeping notes: the serum is fully vegan and cruelty free. It contains no heavy oils or fatty alcohols ranked high on the comedogenic scale so breakouts are unlikely unless you are reactive to one of the preservatives (phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin are present at low levels). Niacinamide is generally viewed as pregnancy safe, but because every pregnancy is different always clear any new topical with a healthcare professional first.
If you sniff hard enough you will notice a faint herbal tea aroma which disappears within seconds. The pH sits in the mid 6s so it plays nicely with most routines without causing that telltale tingle. All told, the ingredient list reads like a greatest hits album for pore minimizers and barrier boosters, just be mindful that consistency pays bigger dividends here than a one night stand.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick tally of highs and lows after two weeks of use.
What works well:
- Instant soft focus finish that smooths pores without feeling heavy or greasy
- Gradual, noticeable refinement around congested areas with no redness or purging
- Lightweight silicone slip layers seamlessly under sunscreen and makeup while the vegan formula keeps skin comfortable
- Pairs easily with stronger actives so it fits into most routines without fuss
What to consider:
- Pore size reduction plateaus after the first week so results may feel modest if you expect a dramatic change
- Oil control improves but does not eliminate the need for midday touch ups on very oily skin
- The price lands in the mid range which may feel steep given the incremental gains
My final thoughts
Finding a pore treatment that delivers visible refinement without upsetting the skin can feel like a never-ending audition. After two weeks of disciplined use I would slot Bliss Disappearing Act Serum into the reliable supporting-act category. It offers a consistent soft focus effect, a gentle nudge toward smaller-looking pores and the bonus of barrier support, all of which justify my 8/10 rating. I would recommend it to friends whose pores read as “noticeable but not extreme” and who value a lightweight feel over aggressive exfoliation. If you already rely on stronger acids or prescription topicals and are chasing a dramatic pore reversal this may register as too polite, though it layers beautifully with those heavier hitters.
For context I have cycled through more pore refiners than I care to admit, so the bar was set at a seasoned height. Disappearing Act met that bar on texture and tolerability yet stopped short of stealing the crown. Should you crave alternatives I have had good luck with a handful of other formulas. Poreless Perfection Serum by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that balances oil and refines texture across skin types at a wallet-friendly price. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner remains a steady classic when you want something swipe-and-go that quietly reins in shine. Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum by StriVectin brings a bit more punch for those who enjoy a faster payoff while still avoiding irritation. Finally the Squalane + BHA Pore Minimizing Toner from Biossance melds gentle exfoliation with weightless hydration, making it a smart pick for combination skin that swings dry in patches.
Whichever route you choose remember a few housekeeping notes. Always patch test new products on a discreet spot first (sorry to sound like an over-protective parent but your future self will thank you). Pore size can look better yet nothing short of a dermatologist-grade laser makes changes permanent, so steady use and realistic expectations are non-negotiable. Armed with patience and the right formula your complexion can absolutely edge closer to that smooth canvas we are all chasing.