Prequel Cleanser Review: Is It Really the #1 Choice?

Your skin deserves a cleanser that doesn’t strip away its natural goodness. If you’ve been searching for a face wash that truly hydrates while it cleanses, you’re in the right place.

The Prequel Cleanser, officially called the Gleanser, has become one of the most talked about products in the skincare community.

This review will walk you through everything you need to know about this innovative glycerin cleanser and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your skin.

Key Takeaways:

• Glycerin powerhouse formula: This cleanser contains 50% glycerin, which is significantly higher than most cleansers on the market. This high concentration provides intense hydration while effectively removing dirt, oil, and makeup.
• Clinically proven 24-hour hydration: Unlike traditional cleansers that can leave skin feeling tight and dry, the Prequel Cleanser delivers moisture that lasts all day long. Clinical studies show it maintains hydration for a full 24 hours.
• Safe for sensitive skin: The formula is fragrance-free, soap-free, and non-stripping. It respects your skin’s natural pH balance and works well for people with eczema, rosacea, and other sensitive skin conditions.
• Multi-purpose usage: You can use this cleanser on both your face and body. The gentle formula makes it perfect for removing makeup, cleansing morning and night, and even as a body wash for dry skin areas.
• Professional strength at drugstore prices: Developed by dermatologists, this cleanser offers professional-grade results without the luxury price tag. At around $18 for 13.5 oz, it provides excellent value for money.

Prequel Skin Gleanser Moisturizing Glycerin Face Wash

The Prequel Gleanser stands out as a game changer in the face wash category. This cleanser features a unique gel-to-foam texture that feels luxurious on your skin. When you pump it into your hands, you’ll notice the thick, clear gel consistency. As you add water and massage it onto your face, it transforms into a rich, cushiony lather.

What makes this cleanser special is its non-drying formula. Most cleansers work by stripping away oils, which can damage your skin barrier. The Gleanser takes a different approach. It uses gentle surfactants combined with that high glycerin content to lift away impurities while simultaneously hydrating your skin. Users report that their skin feels soft, clean, and comfortable after washing, never tight or squeaky.

The cleanser contains aloe vera and oat extract to calm and soothe irritation. These ingredients work together with glycerin to support your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Clinical testing proves it provides hydration that lasts through the entire day and night cycle.

Understanding Glycerin and Why It Matters for Your Skin

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts water to your skin. This ingredient pulls moisture from the air and from deeper skin layers to keep the surface hydrated. When you use a glycerin-rich cleanser like the Prequel Gleanser, you’re getting dual benefits: cleansing and moisturizing in one step.

Your skin barrier is like a protective wall. When this barrier gets damaged, you experience dryness, sensitivity, redness, and irritation. Glycerin helps strengthen and repair this barrier by maintaining optimal hydration levels. Research shows that glycerin also supports collagen synthesis and improves skin elasticity.

The 50% glycerin concentration in Prequel Cleanser is significant. Most cleansers contain only trace amounts of glycerin. This high percentage means you’re getting serious hydration with every wash. Your skin stays plump, supple, and healthy looking throughout the day.

Top 3 Alternatives for Prequel Cleanser

How to Use Prequel Cleanser for Best Results

Getting the most from your cleanser starts with proper technique. Wet your face with lukewarm water, not hot water. Hot water can strip your skin and cause irritation. Pump one or two squirts of the Gleanser into your palms.

Rub your hands together to activate the formula, then massage it gently onto your face using circular motions. Take your time. Spend at least 30 to 60 seconds massaging the cleanser into your skin. This gives the formula time to break down makeup, sunscreen, and sebum.

Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure you remove all traces of the cleanser, especially around your hairline and jawline. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Don’t rub, as rubbing can irritate your skin.

You can use this cleanser morning and night. In the morning, it removes overnight oil buildup. At night, it takes off makeup and daily grime. For very dry skin, you might prefer using it only at night and just rinsing with water in the morning.

What Real Users Say About Prequel Gleanser

Customer reviews reveal why this cleanser has such a loyal following. Users with rosacea report significant improvements within just a few days of use. The gentle, non-irritating formula helps calm redness and inflammation.

People with dry skin love how the cleanser doesn’t leave that tight, uncomfortable feeling. One reviewer mentioned staying on their first bottle for months, highlighting the product’s excellent value. The pump bottle design makes it easy to dispense the right amount without waste.

Makeup users appreciate how effectively it removes cosmetics without harsh scrubbing. The cleanser dissolves even stubborn products while being gentle enough for the delicate eye area. Some users note it works well for double cleansing as a second cleanser after an oil cleanser.

The texture gets consistent praise. Reviews describe it as luscious, thick, and satisfying to use. The foam feels cushiony and protective rather than harsh or stripping. Many reviewers say it’s become their favorite cleanser after trying numerous other options.

Breaking Down the Ingredient List

Let’s look at what’s actually in this cleanser. Glycerin takes the top spot, meaning it’s the most abundant ingredient. This high concentration is what delivers those intense hydration benefits.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate are gentle cleansing agents derived from coconut. These surfactants create the foam and remove dirt without being harsh. They’re much milder than traditional sulfates found in many cleansers.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice provides soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe has been used for centuries to calm irritated skin. Avena Sativa Kernel Flour (colloidal oatmeal) offers additional calming benefits and helps with itching.

Inulin acts as a prebiotic to support your skin’s natural microbiome. A healthy microbiome contributes to overall skin health and resilience. Glyceryl Glucoside enhances the hydrating effects of glycerin.

The formula is free from fragrances, essential oils, dyes, and harsh preservatives. This clean ingredient list makes it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.

Comparing Prequel Cleanser to Other Popular Options

When you stack the Prequel Gleanser against other popular cleansers, several differences emerge. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is another beloved option for dry skin. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid instead of high glycerin content. CeraVe has a creamier, non-foaming texture, while Prequel creates a light foam.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser offers niacinamide and ceramides for sensitive skin. It’s more expensive per ounce than Prequel but has a loyal following in the dermatology community. The texture is similar to CeraVe, creamy and non-foaming.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a classic drugstore option. It’s extremely gentle but may not remove heavy makeup as effectively as Prequel. Cetaphil has a thinner consistency and can be used with or without water.

The Prequel Gleanser offers a unique middle ground. It provides the hydration of cream cleansers with the satisfying cleansing power of foaming formulas. The high glycerin content sets it apart from competitors.

Who Should Use Prequel Cleanser

This cleanser works beautifully for dry and dehydrated skin types. If your skin feels tight after washing, this product can transform your cleansing experience. The glycerin delivers moisture while removing impurities.

Sensitive skin types benefit from the gentle, fragrance-free formula. People with conditions like eczema, rosacea, and contact dermatitis find relief with this cleanser. It doesn’t contain common irritants that trigger flare-ups.

Combination skin can also use this cleanser successfully. The formula balances by hydrating dry areas without making oily zones worse. It removes excess sebum without triggering more oil production.

Normal skin types enjoy the comfortable, clean feeling this cleanser provides. Even if you don’t have specific concerns, the gentle formula supports long-term skin health.

If you have very oily or acne-prone skin, you might prefer the Prequel Gleanser + SA (salicylic acid) version. The original Gleanser may not provide enough oil control for extremely oily skin, though many users with combination skin report good results.

The Science Behind Non-Stripping Cleansers

Traditional cleansers use harsh detergents that strip away your skin’s natural lipid barrier. This barrier consists of oils, ceramides, and other substances that protect your skin. When you strip it away, your skin becomes vulnerable to irritation, dehydration, and premature aging.

Your skin also has a natural pH level around 4.5 to 5.5, which is slightly acidic. Many soaps and harsh cleansers have a higher pH, which disrupts this balance. The Prequel Cleanser maintains your skin’s natural pH, supporting overall health.

Non-stripping cleansers work differently. They use mild surfactants that remove dirt and oil without destroying the lipid barrier. The addition of humectants like glycerin actually adds moisture during the cleansing process.

Research shows that maintaining your skin barrier leads to better long-term skin health. Your skin becomes more resilient, less reactive, and better able to regulate moisture levels. Over time, you may notice improved texture, reduced sensitivity, and a healthier glow.

Prequel Cleanser Variations: Finding Your Perfect Match

Prequel offers several cleanser variations to address different skin needs. The original Gleanser focuses purely on hydration and gentle cleansing. This is the best choice for dry, sensitive, or normal skin.

Gleanser + SA adds 1% salicylic acid to the glycerin base. Salicylic acid exfoliates inside pores, making this version ideal for acne-prone and oily skin. It helps prevent breakouts while still providing hydration.

Gleanser + GA includes glycolic acid, an AHA that exfoliates the skin surface. This formula promotes brighter, smoother skin and helps with texture issues, dark spots, and dullness. It’s suitable for normal to dry skin that needs gentle exfoliation.

Pre-Gleanse is Prequel’s oil cleanser for first cleanse in a double cleansing routine. It contains cica oil and rice bran oil to dissolve makeup and sunscreen. Use this before the Gleanser for thorough cleansing.

Each variation maintains the gentle, non-irritating approach that makes Prequel products special. You can mix and match based on your current skin needs.

Value for Money: Is Prequel Cleanser Worth It

Let’s talk about price and value. The Prequel Gleanser retails for about $18 for a 13.5 oz bottle. This price point sits between drugstore and high-end options. On Amazon, you can find the 2-pack of 6.75 oz bottles for around $32.

Compared to luxury cleansers that cost $30 to $50 or more, Prequel offers professional-grade results at accessible prices. The dermatologist-developed formula uses quality ingredients without the luxury markup.

The pump bottle helps prevent waste and makes the product last longer. Users report that one bottle lasts several months with daily use. This brings the cost per use down significantly.

When you consider the multi-purpose nature of this cleanser (face and body use), the value increases. You don’t need separate products for different areas. One bottle handles all your cleansing needs.

The formula also eliminates the need for additional hydrating products immediately after cleansing. Your skin retains moisture, so you might use less of your following serums and moisturizers.

Tips for Getting the Most From Your Cleanser

Start slow if you’re switching from a stripping cleanser. Your skin may need time to adjust. You might experience a brief purge period as your skin rebalances oil production.

Don’t over-cleanse. Washing more than twice daily can still disrupt your skin barrier, even with a gentle cleanser. Stick to morning and evening cleansing for best results.

Follow with appropriate products. After cleansing, apply your toners, serums, and moisturizers while skin is still slightly damp. This helps lock in the hydration from the cleanser.

Store properly. Keep the cleanser away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. The pump bottle protects the formula, but proper storage extends shelf life.

Consider double cleansing at night. If you wear heavy makeup or sunscreen, use an oil cleanser first, then follow with the Gleanser. This ensures complete removal of all products.

Adjust based on seasons. Your skin needs change throughout the year. You might use the original Gleanser in winter and switch to the SA version in humid summer months.

Where to Buy Prequel Cleanser

You can purchase Prequel products directly from the Prequel website. Buying from the brand ensures you get fresh, authentic products. The website often runs promotions and bundle deals.

Amazon carries Prequel Cleanser with Prime shipping options. This provides convenience and fast delivery. Check customer reviews and seller ratings to ensure authenticity.

Target stores and the Target website stock Prequel products. You can often find in-store deals or use Target Circle rewards for additional savings.

Ulta Beauty recently added Prequel to their skincare lineup. This makes it easier to purchase along with other beauty products and earn loyalty points.

Always purchase from authorized retailers to avoid counterfeit products. Fake skincare items can contain harmful ingredients or ineffective formulas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Prequel Cleanser if I have acne?

Yes, the original Gleanser works for mild acne, especially if your breakouts relate to dryness or barrier damage. For more persistent acne, try the Gleanser + SA version with salicylic acid. The gentle formula won’t irritate active breakouts.

Does Prequel Cleanser remove waterproof mascara?

The cleanser effectively removes most makeup, including regular mascara. For waterproof mascara or very heavy makeup, use an oil cleanser or micellar water first. Then follow with the Gleanser as your second cleanse.

How long does one bottle of Prequel Cleanser last?

With daily use twice per day, a 13.5 oz bottle typically lasts 2 to 3 months. The amount you need depends on whether you use it on face only or face and body. The pump dispenser helps control usage.

Is Prequel Cleanser pregnancy safe?

The original Gleanser contains safe ingredients for pregnancy and breastfeeding. The versions with salicylic acid or glycolic acid may require consultation with your healthcare provider. Always check with your doctor about skincare products during pregnancy.

Can I use Prequel Cleanser with other active ingredients?

Absolutely. The gentle formula pairs well with retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, and other active ingredients. Its hydrating properties actually support the use of potent actives by maintaining skin barrier health.

Will this cleanser make my oily skin worse?

The original Gleanser typically doesn’t increase oiliness. However, very oily skin types may prefer the Gleanser + SA version for better oil control. The key is that the cleanser doesn’t strip your skin, which can trigger excess oil production.

How does Prequel Cleanser compare to Cetaphil?

Both are gentle cleansers suitable for sensitive skin. Prequel has higher glycerin content and creates a light foam, while Cetaphil has a thinner, non-foaming texture. Prequel may feel more effective at removing makeup and oil, while Cetaphil offers extreme gentleness for very reactive skin.