If your TikTok For You page is anything like mine, then you likely can’t scroll more than a few minutes without seeing a video on the dermatologist-founded skincare brand Prequel. My job as a beauty editor requires me to test hundreds of new creams, cleansers, and serums every year—so the fact that Prequel immediately piqued my interest surprised me. Is this buzzy brand really worth it? Ahead, my honest thoughts on Prequel’s products and whether or not you should try it too.
What Is Prequel?
The brand is the brainchild of California-based dermatologist Sam Ellis and offers various products that Ellis designed to be medical-grade-adjacent. Most of the products focus on creating a healthy skin barrier while treating common concerns like pigmentation, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. According to the brand’s mission statement, the products are designed to have a “unique sensorial and tactile experience”—and reviews on TikTok agree with that wholeheartedly.
The products don’t scream groundbreaking from the outside, as they boast clinical-looking packaging. But inside, the bottles have buzzy ingredients you likely know and love, such as ceramides, squalane, and acids like glycolic and salicylic. The products are also fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and safe for most skin types, a triple threat that is hard to come by.
What Prequel Products I Tried
My gateway product into the brand was the Multi-Quench Hydration Serum With Polyglutamic Acid, which came in handy during the dead of winter, when my skin felt particularly parched. The bouncy formula is infused with peptides (a deeper hydrator than hyaluronic acid) and glycerin to support the skin’s moisture barrier. I was quickly impressed with the serum, which instantly plumped and hydrated my skin all day and still gave a quenched, supple look after I applied makeup.
The next Prequel product I tried was the brand’s viral Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil. I am an avid double cleanser, and fans of Prequel’s oil cleanser say it removes makeup in one fell swoop (while simultaneously softening the skin) and has a smooth texture that supports the brand’s mission to create products with a sensorial feel. The oil cleanser has a slew of antioxidants to nourish and protect, acids to remove unclog pores, and cica oil to calm skin rather than irritate it. TikTok was right: This luxurious cleansing oil has a soft, soothing texture that makes double cleansing a dream.
The last product I tried during my Prequel test was the brand’s newest launch, the Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer. This moisturizer has the hydrating properties of a thick cream, courtesy of ceramides and peptides, but the texture of a lightweight milk. It’s ideal for those who need a hefty dose of soothing hydration without excess grease or weight.
Final Thoughts
Prequel’s products have hardworking active ingredients that are processed more effectively, such as the osmoregulation technology in the Multi-Quench serum, which regulates the skin’s water content so it remains balanced. The brand offers many efficacious products at a reasonable price point, but I think the real reason the brand has resonated is Ellis’s relatable and digestible skincare content. The dermatologist’s videos sound like you’re on FaceTime with your skincare-obsessed friend/expert.
Offering both immediate and long-term results, Prequel’s products are easy to use, even for skincare newbies, and provide a soothing, sensorial experience, all for under $30 a pop. This is one TikTok-popular beauty brand that is, in fact, worth it.
