Everything Worth Buying From the Viral Skincare Brand Prequel (Yes, We’re Getting All the Ads Too)
Including an actually good mineral sunscreen.
One of the first dermatologists I interviewed after becoming Cosmo’s beauty editor was Samantha Ellis, MD. I’d fallen in love with her YouTube channel, where she explained skincare, procedures, and virtually every skin concern in the easiest-to-understand way. So when I had questions about various skincare stories I was working on, she became a go-to. This was all before she launched her now-uber successful brand, Prequel. Not shockingly, Prequel became one of my favorite brands, too.
It started with the O.G. Gleanser, a non-drying glycerin-based face wash; the Skin Utility Balm for slugging; and the Urea Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk. Since they’ve reimagined these core classics and moved into hand and foot care, hydrating serums, sunscreen, and more. I’ve tested many of the brand’s products for Cosmo’s beauty awards (and just because I’ve fallen in love with Prequel—I wanna test every new thing that comes out). The ethos is simple: derm-developed products with a solution focus that are safe for a variety of skin concerns. But they’re also housed in chic, minimal bottles that make things feel less clinical and stuffy. Consider it a modern take on a derm brand.
With 27 products in the lineup now, there’s a lot to choose from. I compiled my top favorites, and polled Cosmo beauty director Lauren Balsamo (another huge fan of the brand) for her top recs too.
Best Deal
Pros
- Loaded with ingredients to not only hydrate but plump skin
- Makes my face look so bouncy and fresh, but not overly shiny
Cons
- Because the product is so lightweight, I find myself using a lot of it
One Cosmo editor says: "The hydrating and plumping effect this gives my skin is immediate, which is something that doesn't happen that often in the skincare world. The formula plays nice with other products and has never once broken me out or caused any irritation either.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Pros
- Cosmo Acne Award winner
- Combines exfoliants with hydrators to offset potential dryness
- Gentle enough for weekly or even biweekly use
Cons
- Have to get used to patting it into your skin (versus traditional swipe-on toners)
One Cosmo editor says: "I like to give my face a true exfoliation once a week to really keep my skin clean and smooth. But most everything is way too strong for my sensitive skin. Then, I tried this Prequel Milk Peel: an effective yet surprisingly tender chemical exfoliant. Aside from its AHAs, the milky liquid is packed with glycerin and squalane, so it helps moisturize a little."—BG
Pros
- Cosmo Holy Grail Award winner
- Exfoliates with salicylic acid, but feels extremely gentle and moisturizing too
- Works really well as a body wash for acne
Cons
- Might be a bit too hydrating for very oily skin types
One Cosmo editor says: “I thought cleansers could either be moisturizing and soothing or exfoliating and clarifying. Not both. But this fully proved me wrong—it foams up to a lovely lather that doesn’t dry out my skin but definitely helps break down oil.” —BG
Pros
- Cosmo Acne Award winner
- Calms down inflammation and splotchy skin without irritating
- Very lightweight texture
Cons
- Not hydrating on its own for very dry skin
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve been using azelaic acid to reduce redness for over a year now, and I fear my skin is starting to become intolerant of it. Suddenly, my skin stings when I put it on (but nothing else in my routine does this!). I wanted to see if this Prequel formula would help bring down the splotchiness and irritation on my face without causing irritation. I definitely need to keep using it more, but I can say confidently that this does not irritate my face at all. It actually feels so calming. I’ve even been using it as a spot treatment on really inflamed acne.”—BG
Pros
- Completely sinks into skin with no residue
- Doesn't contain any pore-clogging ingredients
- Pretty hydrating for such a thin formula
Cons
- Definitely opt for the original version if you have very dry skin
One Cosmo editor says: “I love the idea of protecting my face at night with a barrier cream, but my acne doesn’t really agree. This gel, though, fixes all of that. It’s 20 percent glycerin to seriously moisturize and pull water into my skin, but the gel texture doesn’t feel heavy or clog my pores. I’ve been slathering this all over my face after moisturizer at night, and I wake up with baby-soft skin.”—BG
Pros
- Loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
Cons
- Has a thick texture that can be hard to fully absorb
One Cosmo editor says: “There are a few soothing creams from other brands that I love, but they always break me out. Unfortunately, when my eczema flares, I’m forced to suffer with either scales or zits. Usually, I choose zits. But I found this Prequel cream that has eliminated that whole conundrum. It uses ectoin, urea, and allantoin to soothe reactive skin (like if I over exfoliate, if a pimple is seriously angry, or I have a patch of eczema on my skin). But it doesn’t break me out! Hallelujah!!”—BG
Pros
- Exfoliates without stripping
- Skin feels hydrated after washing off
Cons
- Bottle can get a little messy
One Cosmo editor says: “This is a staple in my shower. I use it on my face and body to gently cleanse and resurface skin for a smooth, glowy surface. It’s shockingly hydrating for a body wash—especially one that exfolliates—thanks to 20 percent glycerin in the creamy formula.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Pros
- Has a neutral scent and taste
- Moisturizes and softens lips as it protects
- Comes in clear and a tinted version
Cons
- I wish there were more tinted shades!
One Cosmo editor says: “So many SPF lip balms feel unpleasantly thick and gooey or leave behind. a weird aftertaste, but this is delightful, so I actually don’t mind applying and reapplying it throughout the day. I end up using the clear one the most often since it’s the most functional for beach days and outdoor workouts, but the tinted options are gorgeous too.” —LB
Pros
- Massages in without a whitecast
- Leaves a natural finish that is glowy but not shiny
Cons
- 100 percent mineral, so the texture is a bit thicker
One Cosmo editor says: “I haven’t fallen in love with a mineral SPF like this in a loooong time. I’m addicted, I fear! People keep telling me my skin looks glowy, and it’s fully a result of this sunscreen, which happens to make my skin look dewy, but not sticky or shiny. It’s got 18 percent zinc oxide, which is a pretty powerfull amount that obviously protects my skin from the UV rays, but also is anti-inflammatory and soothing (a must for my acne-prone skin). There’s also bisabolol and antioxidants, both of which are skin-loving and turn this SPF into much more than sun protection. There’s also no white cast on my olive, light-to-medium skin (and I’ve forced my friends and colleagues with deeper skin tones to try it, and they agree).”—BG
Pros
- Contains gentle exfoliants to help slough away dead skin on your feet
- Locks in hydration with urea and petrolatum
Cons
- Might feel a little sticky
One Cosmo editor says: “The baseline for my feet is cracked, calloused, and not fit for human eyes, but after using this cream every night for two weeks, the unthinkable happened: my heels were super soft and my callouses nearly invisible.” —LB
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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