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Prequel

Gentle Cleanser.

Prequel Gentle Cleanser
Cleansers

About this product

A glycerin-based facial and body cleanser designed to gently remove makeup and impurities while hydrating the skin.

Guru Score

81%

Yay

6 experts · Moderate agreement
6Gurus
5Yay
1Mixed
0Nay

What they liked

  • Glycerin-based formula hydrates while cleansing
  • Gentle enough for face and body
  • Fragrance-free and non-stripping

What they flagged

  • Stringy texture may feel unfamiliar
  • Can trigger sensitivities in some people

What the gurus are saying

The 50% glycerin content makes this an unusually hydrating cleanser, especially for dry skin, though it divides reviewers on its best use: some prize it as a facial wash, others find it truly shines as a body cleanser. Sensitivities have been reported by some, so patch-testing first may be wise.
Synthesized from 6 expert reviews · most recent take August 2025

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Yay
"Their cleanser is actually a glycerin-based cleanser, which is pretty rare to find. Lots of cleansers have quite stripping and drying surfactants in them, which is why it leaves us tight and dry. This actually doesn't. It really does work, but it uses that glycerin to break apart some of the dirt, debris, and makeup whilst also hydrating and nourishing. It's a really clever formulation. It's a really affordable price point for the quality, and it's just nice to see. And I think that this feels super luxurious. It gets the job done and it's a viral brand. So, you can still get a super popular product at a really affordable price if you shop strategically. And this is one of my personal favorites."
Yay
"Once you've done that, your skin is left hydrated, soft, even actually a little bit plump and just incredibly hydrated. I do not feel any of that like stripped, dry, tight type of feeling. I don't feel like my skin barrier has been tested, but my skin feels clean and refreshed. I was actually really impressed with this one. There have been some folks who have had some allergic reactions or some sensitivities to this cleanser, and this makes sense because anytime that we start to go into high percentages of certain ingredients, there's always going to be that risk for skin where it just could be too much. That doesn't mean that glycerin is a bad ingredient or that it on the whole is an irritating ingredient. It's just that when we pack so much into a product, that is always going to be a fringe issue, meaning that it's not going to affect like a wide group of people, but it's always going to be a concern. So it does give you pause a little bit like, is 50% glycerin going to be too much? Is that just for marketing alone for the splashy name and then that high percentage of the ingredient? It's definitely working for your skin. It's definitely hydrating it. It's definitely doing something different than most average cleansers on the market. And I did find it to be gentle and I didn't get an irritation from it."
Yay
"I finished up the Prequel Gentle Cleanser, really enjoyed that. Not only is it a great facial cleanser but it's also a really good body wash, and it's a pretty good value too. I honestly have to give props to everything I've tried from Prequel. While some of the things for me are not necessarily something I'd go back to, a lot of the products I have really enjoyed using, like they've been really good."
Yay
"My first suggestion is from Dr. Sam Ellis's line, Prequel. It's called Gentle Cleanser, meaning that it's a cleanser with lots of glycerin in it. I think it's a super cute name. This is a really great cleanser for most skin types, but what makes it especially great for people with dry skin is that it has this 50% glycerin in it. When you use high percentages of glycerin, not only is it really hydrating for your skin, but it's been shown to actually help improve your skin barrier. And even after you rinse it off, you still get that kind of benefit from it. So when you're using a cleanser like this, not only is it kind of fun and just an interesting texture to use, but it's actually nourishing your skin even after you rinse it off. It also cleanses your skin really well."
Mixed
"The Prequel Gentle Cleanser is made with fifty percent glycerin, it feels different, stringy in texture but it still foams up nicely and it's very gentle, gentler than most cleansers on the market. As a facial cleanser I expected it to be earth shattering and it actually felt familiar, similar to the cream and non foaming cleansers I already use, so I felt a little let down even though it's not a bad product, it's a great dupe for the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and it isn't limited to the face. When I took it into the shower and used it as a body cleanser, that is where it really came through, I have never tried a body cleanser like this in my life. It's a fully fragrance free, non stripping face and body cleanser and I really appreciated that gentle cleansing especially in the winter. So the hype did come through for me, but not as a facial cleanser, as a body cleanser."
Yay
"Cleanser is foundational to a skincare routine but it also has the potential to be irritating, which is why when formulating cleanser and now Cleanser Plus SA it was really important to create this super effective cleanser that's still really gentle on the skin and is non-stripping. Cleanser is our glycerin based cleanser and it was one of the first products that we launched at Prequel. Since then cleanser has become a beloved hero product within the Prequel lineup. It has gone viral so many times, it has sold out so many times, and I feel like using this product has really helped people appreciate the cleansing step within their routine. Cleanser is made with 50% glycerin, which allows it to be incredibly hydrating and nourishing for the skin. It also has this very special unique texture and it leaves the skin feeling supported instead of stripped."
SponsoredFounder's own brand
All 3 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis
Hyperpigmentation Morning Skincare Routine with Hydroquinone | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is a cleanser from my brand Prequel, and it's 50% glycerin, which is a humectant that helps draw water to the skin's surface but also helps protect your skin throughout the cleansing process so that you're not stripping away the natural fats or lipids that keep your skin nourished and supple. I love using this morning and night because it's so gentle. If you're craving a morning cleanse but you're worried about your skin getting too dry from it, this is great. I also love it for patients who have acne because their skin tends to get dry from the treatments they're on, and same thing for melasma and hyperpigmentation where we use things like retinoids which can dry out the skin. Having a Gentle Cleanser in your routine I think is super important. Normally after I wash my face it is super red, so the fact that my skin just doesn't get flared from this cleanser, I love it."
Dermatologist's Favorite Skincare Products of 2023! Vitamin C Serum, Sunscreens, & More
"The Prequel Gentle Cleanser, which is a glycerin-based cleanser with 50% glycerin, is just such a unique special cleanser. It's a very satisfying cleanser to use that's also really gentle. For years I've been trying gentle cleansers and yes they get the job done, they might take off a little bit of makeup, they keep my skin feeling good, but they weren't that enjoyable to use or I wasn't inspired to use them. The thing about this cleanser is it has this beautiful foam, it's like a little micro foam that isn't drying or stripping, so you still get that satisfying cleanse but then your skin is still so nourished afterward. In part that's due to the glycerin that's in there that's drawing water to the skin surface, but this also has inulin in it which has this nice moisturizing factor."
I Made a New Cleanser I'm Obsessed With! | Gleanser + SA | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Cleanser is foundational to a skincare routine but it also has the potential to be irritating, which is why when formulating cleanser and now Cleanser Plus SA it was really important to create this super effective cleanser that's still really gentle on the skin and is non-stripping. Cleanser is our glycerin based cleanser and it was one of the first products that we launched at Prequel. Since then cleanser has become a beloved hero product within the Prequel lineup. It has gone viral so many times, it has sold out so many times, and I feel like using this product has really helped people appreciate the cleansing step within their routine. Cleanser is made with 50% glycerin, which allows it to be incredibly hydrating and nourishing for the skin. It also has this very special unique texture and it leaves the skin feeling supported instead of stripped."

Frequently asked.

What is Prequel Gentle Cleanser?

A glycerin-based facial and body cleanser designed to gently remove makeup and impurities while hydrating the skin.

Is Prequel Gentle Cleanser worth it?

Mostly yes. 5 of the 6 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 81%.

What is Prequel Gentle Cleanser's Guru Score?

Prequel Gentle Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 81%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 6 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Prequel Gentle Cleanser best for?

Prequel Gentle Cleanser is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

Cheaper alternatives the gurus rate.

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