Prequel

Prequel Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser.

Cleansers

About this product

A rinse-off facial cleanser from Prequel that contains 5% glycolic acid, made to gently exfoliate and cleanse the skin without leaving it dry.

Full ingredients

Glycerin, Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycolic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-10 Tristearate, Coco-Glucoside, Inulin, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum

Guru Score

78%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Glycolic acid in a cleanser sounds like a recipe for tight, squeaky skin, but at 5% and rinsed off after a short contact time, this one earns praise for exfoliating gently while the glycerin keeps skin from drying out. It's used from face to body, with shaving and body bumps getting a mention. The catch: skin that's sensitive to glycolic may only tolerate it weekly or every other week.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

What they liked

Gentle glycolic exfoliation in a rinse-off format
High glycerin keeps skin hydrated while cleansing
Does not leave skin feeling tight or dry

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

Type

CleansersLiquid

Key actives

AHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google →

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Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

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

The Budget Dermatologist

725k subs

✓Yay

"Another option for a cleanser is by Prequel, it's their Glanser. This has 5% glycolic acid in it. Another great entry point to trying this ingredient in your routine."

All 2 takes from The Budget Dermatologist

Anti-Aging on a Budget: The Morning Routine I Swear By!

"The one I'm using today is by Prequel. This has 5% glycolic acid in it."

How To Incorporate Glycolic Acid Into Your Anti-aging Routine! + Budget Product Recommendations

"Another option for a cleanser is by Prequel, it's their Glanser. This has 5% glycolic acid in it. Another great entry point to trying this ingredient in your routine."

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

✓Yay

"This is Prequel's newest cleanser, a Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser. [...] I have to be really careful with glycolic acid, but I think we can use it in a cleanser because you're getting short contact therapy, and it's also a high glycerin product, so it's more hydrating while you wash your face. [...] My skin does not feel dried out. I cannot believe I just used a non-harsh glycolic acid cleanser. Another wonderful addition to the Prequel brand, which has grown a lot."

Beyond50Skin

32k subs

✓Mixed

"This has glycolic which is great for collagen boosting but for me personally is slightly sensitizing. So I can only do this once a week and sometimes once every other week."

Dr. Sam Ellis

902k subs

✓Yay

"It's the one with the navy cap. It just has 5% glycolic acid, so you get this very gentle chemical exfoliation that's just like a little nudge for your skin. You can safely use it head to toe, and it works amazing for shaving."

SponsoredFounder's own brand

All 2 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis

How to Fix Dull, Crepey Body Skin | Firm Glowing Skin Tricks | Dr. Sam Ellis

Introducing Prequel's NEW Gleanser + Glycolic Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser | Dr. Sam Ellis

"This is Cleanser Plus Glycolic, our non-drying glycolic acid cleanser for face and body. It [...] has 5% glycolic acid. [...] Glycolic acid is the gold standard alpha hydroxy acid. It is a small molecule that's highly water soluble, and it penetrates the skin very well. It makes it great for things like boosting skin cell turnover, brightening the appearance of dark spots, and doing things like smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles."

What the evidence says.

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

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Prequel Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser?

A rinse-off facial cleanser from Prequel that contains 5% glycolic acid, made to gently exfoliate and cleanse the skin without leaving it dry.

Is Prequel Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser worth it?

Mostly yes. 3 of the 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 78%.

What is Prequel Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser's Guru Score?

Prequel Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 78%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.