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Prequel

Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum.

Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum
Serums

About this product

A lightweight hydrating serum with 10% glycerin, polyglutamic acid, and ectoin, designed to plump skin and support hydration and barrier function.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

63%

Mixed

9 experts · Strong agreement
9Gurus
5Yay
3Mixed
1Nay

What they liked

  • Lightweight gel texture that layers easily
  • Long-lasting hydration through the day
  • Generous size at 1.7 ounces for the price

What they flagged

  • Heavy feel on sensitive skin types
  • Shiny finish may not suit oily skin

What the gurus are saying

This serum draws consistent praise for its hydrating power and lightweight gel texture, particularly among those with dehydrated skin seeking long-lasting moisture. The polyglutamic acid and ectoin work as humectants that pull water into skin, delivering visible plumping within hours, and the formula holds hydration through the day even for high-need skin. The main split: some find it pills on application regardless of how they layer it, while others experience occasional mild temporary discomfort that fades quickly. Those with oily skin may want to apply it under a moisturizer to manage the slight shine, but the short ingredient list and generous 1.7-ounce size at roughly $28 make it a solid pick for drier and sensitive skin types seeking affordable hydration.
Synthesized from 9 expert reviews · most recent take June 2026

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
~Mixed
"This is an incredible hydrating serum with 10% glycerin, polyglutamic acid, and ectoin, and it's affordable, 1.7 fluid ounces for $28. But I didn't find myself loving the way this feels, it feels a little heavy, and as a sensitive skin type I think I need something a bit more soothing. I can use it, but it felt like an additional step, so it just didn't fit into my routine very well, nor did I like the feel of it."
~Nay
"I've been trying so hard to love Prequel. I understand that basically one of the ingredients that Prequel revolves around is glycerin and I love that idea. I want to love it. It doesn't work for me. This is the Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. It doesn't matter what I do, doesn't matter how little I use, doesn't matter what layering, if I use it on its own, it doesn't matter. It pills on me no matter what. And that seems to be the case with glycerin products. In leave on products, it just doesn't work for me. And even if I wear it at night, when I'm just going to bed, the second I touch my face because I have a little scratch or like a cat hair, it pills. I just hate it. I hate it. And I want to love it and I want to love all of the products from Prequel, but for whatever reason, the vast majority of them just don't really work for me that well."
~Yay
"This one's got polyglutamic acid, which is great for hydrating your skin. We've got ectoine, which is a wonderful ingredient, is great for so many different things. It's great for protecting yourself. It's great for soothing your skin. It's great for barrier repairing. It is an amazing protecting ingredient that does pretty much everything. And it plays well with every other product you've got or every other ingredient you can possibly think of. We've got hibiscus extract. And then last but not least is Vitamin E, no fragrance in it. Really wonderful product from Prequel. They've got great stuff. And they're still pretty affordable, which is wonderful."
All 4 takes from No BS Beauty
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"It really does a nice job adding some moisture to skin. I would love to see it include a couple more soothing ingredients or beneficial ingredients, but it's got a short ingredient list, which is nice for sensitive skin. For what this product promises to provide excellent skin moisturization, improve the skin barrier and support the skin's natural moisturizing factor, I would say it pretty much does all of those things in a serum, especially with a short ingredient list. It's definitely geared towards drier sensitive skin types. Oily skin types might find it's a little bit too shiny of a finish, but if you apply it under moisturizer it's not going to be a huge issue. For acne-prone skin we've got carbomer and vitamin E, so not terribly bad for acne-prone skin. This is a full size which is bigger than most serums, 1.7 ounces, 50 milliliters, retails for about $28, although if you check out Prequel's site they sometimes have sales. A little bit of it goes a long way which makes it really affordable. I like the serum."
Prequel Skincare Multi Quench Plumping Hydration Face Serum Review, How to Use, and Dupes
"It really does a nice job adding some moisture to skin. I would love to see it include a couple more soothing ingredients or beneficial ingredients, but it's got a short ingredient list, which is nice for sensitive skin. For what this product promises to provide excellent skin moisturization, improve the skin barrier, and support the skin's natural moisturizing factor, I would say it pretty much does all of those things in a serum, especially with the short ingredient list. It does all of those things and it's definitely geared towards drier, sensitive skin types. Oilier skin types might find it's a little bit too shiny a finish, but if you apply it under moisturizer it's not going to be a huge issue. For acne-prone skin we've got carbomer and vitamin E, so not terribly bad for acne-prone skin. This is a full size which is bigger than most serums at 1.7 ounces, 50 milliliters, and it retails for about $28, although if you check out the Prequel site they sometimes have sales, so it might be worth checking that, especially since a little bit of it goes a long way, which makes it really affordable."
The Best Hydrating Facial Serums - Fragrance Free- There’s One for Everyone!
"This one's got polyglutamic acid, which is great for hydrating your skin. We've got ectoine, which is a wonderful ingredient, is great for so many different things. It's great for protecting yourself. It's great for soothing your skin. It's great for barrier repairing. It is an amazing protecting ingredient that does pretty much everything. And it plays well with every other product you've got or every other ingredient you can possibly think of. We've got hibiscus extract. And then last but not least is Vitamin E, no fragrance in it. Really wonderful product from Prequel. They've got great stuff. And they're still pretty affordable, which is wonderful."
Ectoin: The Skincare Ingredient You’re Not Using (But Should Be) + My Favorite Products
"This one's got poly glutamic acid, it contains ectoine, hibiscus extract, Centella, which is a great soothing ingredient, as well as ceramides for barrier repair. This was one of Prequel's first products when they first came out. This one's got more of a shiny, radiant finish to it. A little bit of this one goes a very long way and it has no scent. The packaging is really nice and this is 1.7 oz, which is the largest out of all of them. So really nice option. No scent, really wonderful brand."
~Mixed
"It's definitely unique to this product. The discomfort is not significant and it's very mild and it doesn't last very long. It's short-lived. There's no accompanied redness. I haven't had any peeling or irritation. I have found that it's average in its performance as a hydrating product. I don't think it is as good for me or I don't enjoy it as much. I don't get as much wow factor from this."
~Yay
"This is a lovely serum that they came out with re recently. I always want to call this quench, but it's multi-quench. Super hydrating serum. So far, I'm loving it. And I definitely think it's going to be on sale on Prime Day."
~Yay
"I was surprised by the hydration that it does bring to the skin. And I think what really struck me about it was the long lasting hydration. That's something that I really key in on because I do often suffer with dehydration. If you have higher hydration needs, your skin demands a lot of hydration because it's going through dehydration, transepidermal water loss, and losing hydration throughout the day. Something that feels really hydrating for folks with not dehydrated skin doesn't work past 12 p.m. for dehydrated folks. So you need something that lasts longer in the skin, that works harder for you. I have those high hydration needs and I'm very clued into hydration that lasts till the end of the day. And I felt like this lasted till the end of the day."
All 2 takes from Kelly Driscoll
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"This is the Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. I've really been enjoying this. This is poly glutamic acid. There's ectoin in here, which you know is one of my favorite kind of lowkey favorite ingredients for dehydrated skin. And I definitely am feeling a touch of dehydration lately in my skin. So I've been playing around with this one. It's got this really great lightweight gel texture and I'm trying to strike a balance between my light gel textures and some more creamy moisturizing layers."
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"I was surprised by the hydration that it does bring to the skin. And I think what really struck me about it was the long lasting hydration. That's something that I really key in on because I do often suffer with dehydration. If you have higher hydration needs, your skin demands a lot of hydration because it's going through dehydration, transepidermal water loss, and losing hydration throughout the day. Something that feels really hydrating for folks with not dehydrated skin doesn't work past 12 p.m. for dehydrated folks. So you need something that lasts longer in the skin, that works harder for you. I have those high hydration needs and I'm very clued into hydration that lasts till the end of the day. And I felt like this lasted till the end of the day."
~Mixed
"This is the Multi-Quench. It has polyglutamic acid. It gives you 48-hour hydration. It has glycerin. It has ecotin. The reason I bought this product is because of ecotin because I think ecotin is a really nice skin-loving, barrier-loving ingredient. Does it plump your skin? No. Does it hydrate your skin? Yes. Is it a must-have? No. I'm going to use it, finish it, and I'm not going to repurchase it. But if you're someone who uses hyaluronic acid, like a basic hyaluronic acid, then this is a much more superior formula. If you like hyaluronic acid, then you can obviously think about getting this product. It's a good, superior kind of product. I like it."
~Yay
"I am a big fan of my Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. This uses polyglutamic acid, which not only helps draw water to the skin surface and plump it immediately, it also helps with skin barrier support and repair."
SponsoredFounder's own brand
All 9 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis
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"Applying a hydration serum because this is going to instantly plump the skin. Serums that have hyaluronic acid are really good at doing this. The Prequel Multi-Quen Serum is also very good at doing this because it uses poly glutamic acid, but these are molecules that essentially draw water to the surface of the skin. So, it's going to fill in those little fine lines, make the skin look more hydrated and juicy, and that's instant prettiness in my book. These tend to work the best when you apply them to damp skin. So, right out of the shower is a great time to apply them, and then you follow it with your moisturizer and then your sunscreen if it's during the day."
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"I am a big fan of my Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. This uses polyglutamic acid, which not only helps draw water to the skin surface and plump it immediately, it also helps with skin barrier support and repair."
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"If you're using the Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum, I would clean my skin, apply that, then go in with retinol, and then moisturize on top."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Polyglutamic acid provides this very unique plumping ability of the skin that I haven't seen with all of my hydrating serums. I love hyaluronic acid and use many products that have it, but I've realized over the years in talking with patients as well as my followers that people are looking for hydrating serums that bring something new. Some people do have a sensitivity to hyaluronic acid or it's not their favorite ingredient to work with, so giving people another option that still gives all the results of a beautiful hydrating serum is really what's happening here. What really takes Multi-Quench to the next level is the inclusion of osmolytes, which are molecules that regulate water retention within cells to prevent dehydration. When used on the skin, osmolytes restore water balance, provide immediate and long-term hydration, and support skin barrier function. The specific osmolytes within Multi-Quench are ectoin, arrol, and betaine from Wild Rosella. Our serum is also made with 10% glycerin for added humectant properties, and the thing that makes Multi-Quench so special is you get this deep but lightweight hydration that literally everyone can benefit from."
6 Skincare Hacks I Would Do NOW for Better Skin in 30 Days | Dr. Sam Ellis
"My go-to hydration serum is from my brand Prequel, it's the Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. And instead of using hyaluronic acid, which is pretty typical in hydration serums, this one uses poly glutamic acid, which has an even better ability to hold on to water in the skin. It also offers barrier support, so you're not just getting this robust skin plumping and skin hydrating ability, you're also making the skin healthier. And I actually think of, like, all the Prequel products, when I forget my Multi-Quench, like if I don't take it with me on a trip, I miss it the most."
My Real Routine: What I Tell Patients vs. What I Do Myself | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love a good hydration serum. I think that's something I've gotten more into as my skin has matured a little bit, started to show more signs of sun damage, because not only does it help my dryish, rosacea prone skin to have more hydration, but it also makes my skin look plumper immediately, and I love that kind of satisfaction. It's the whole reason I developed the Prequel Multi-Quench Hydration Serum. I wanted something that I could layer under my moisturizer that would give me a little added immediate plumpness and improve the health of my skin. So, it was like two birds, one stone, one extra step, but totally worth it for me."
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Plumping Hydration Serum from my brand Prequel Multi-Quench, which is very quickly becoming our bestseller, has won multiple Beauty Awards this year for the hydration category and it's $28 for 1.7 oz and it's gorgeous and effective and gives you that instant juicy oomph to your skin."
Make Your Retinoids Work BETTER | Easy Retinol Hacks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I will often take my Prequel Multi-Quench hydration serum and put a layer of that on first before I go in with my retinoid. Even though I've been using retinoids for so long I still have rosacea and sensitive skin and I like having a little bit of a buffer. Plus I like that instant hydration and plumping I get from the serum while I'm sort of waiting for those long-term results of my retinoid. And then in addition to that that serum gives a slight bit of slip to the skin so that when I go in with my retinoid it's much easier for me to easily distribute a small amount of product and just ensure that it's getting everywhere that I want it to go."
How to Treat Crepey Eyes Like a Dermatologist | Dr. Sam Ellis
"When my brand Prequel launched Multi-Quench, which is our plumping hydration serum, so many people DM'd me about putting it up under their eyes and how much it helped the appearance there."
~Yay
"I've been starting to become a very big fan of Prequel products. I haven't tried everything but everything I really really love. My current favorite Prequel product is the Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. I actually tried it out because of my friend Pensmith Skincare, she's an expert aesthetician and I literally trust everything she says. She raved about this so I have been using it ever since I heard her talk about it and I've really been loving it. I applied this after the liquid exfoliant and it just kind of plumps the skin. It makes it feel and look very nice."
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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum?

A lightweight hydrating serum with 10% glycerin, polyglutamic acid, and ectoin, designed to plump skin and support hydration and barrier function.

Is Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 63%.

What is Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum's Guru Score?

Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum holds a Guru Score of 63%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 9 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum best for?

Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

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