If you have dry skin, you know that the struggle is real when it comes to finding a gentle cleanser for dry skin that doesn’t make your face feel taut and uncomfortable.
It can be tough to find the best cleanser for dry skin. So it’s no surprise to feel overwhelmed when faced with countless products all claiming to be the best. Bring in the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser, a product that skincare Twitter has been raving about. This mild purifier pledges to hydrate as it washes away dirt, and is a potential game-changer for anyone with dry skin.
Oh, and speaking of moisture, did I mention that glycerin is a humectant? This means it draws moisture from the atmosphere into your skin, which contributes to its being hydrated and plump. In this review, we’re going to look extensively at the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser to see if all the hype is justified, including the ingredients, the packaging, user reviews, and more.
Did You Know?
The pH of your skin is naturally acidic — some place about 4.7 to 5.75. A highly alkaline (high pH) cleanser can throw your skin barrier out of wack, subsequently causing dryness, irritation, and even acne. “Skin friendly, pH-balanced cleansers such as the Glycerin Cleanser are ideal and support the skin’s natural acidity.”
Also Read: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser Review: A Gentle Face Wash for Dry Skin
At a Glance: What You Need to Know
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Product Name | Prequel Glycerin Cleanser |
Skin Type | Best for dry and sensitive skin |
Key Ingredients | Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Chamomile Extract |
Texture | Lightweight gel |
Fragrance | Light, natural scent |
Cruelty-Free | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
pH Level | 5.0-5.5 |
A Closer Look: Prequel Glycerin Cleanser

The Prequel Glycerin Cleanser, often referred to as the “Gleanser,” is a popular skincare product known for its gentle yet effective cleansing properties and high glycerin content. Here’s a breakdown:
- A cleanser that can be used on both the face and the body.
- Enriched with 50% glycerin, a powerful humectant that draws and holds water in the skin.
- Also includes other soothing and hydrating ingredients, such as inulin, arginine, oat extract, and aloe vera.
- Formulated to be fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, allergy-tested, and non-comedogenic – for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, dry skin, eczema, and skin with rosacea.
- It has a gel or jelly consistency that feels silky and cushiony as it lathers.
Key Ingredients and Their Functions
Understanding what your skincare is made up of is of utmost importance, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. The Prequel Glycerin Cleanser formulation is a thoughtful blend of moisturizing, calming , and gentle-cleansing ingredients.
- Glycerin: As the star ingredient! Glycerin is a potent humectant that attracts water from the atmosphere and deeper layers of the skin into the superficial stratum corneum, plumping it up and preventing dryness. It’s so hydrating, your skin will be drenched in moisture while washing, making the risk of stripping it and damaging your barrier close to nothing!
- Allantoin: A known skin protectant and conditioning agent, allantoin soothes and protects. It soothes irritation, optimizes the healing process, and leaves skin feeling soft. It will soothe dry, irritated skin and provide comforting relief from redness and discomfort.
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract: Sourced from the leaves of the tea plant, softens and conditions the skin. It is also anti-inflammatory, so it can help soothe redness or irritation, which makes it good for sensitive skin.
- Bisabolol: Baby Rights aside, chamomile’s bisabolol is a fantastic soothing agent, decreasing skin inflammation and irritation for some aww-inducing comfort.
First Look: My Thoughts on the Packaging
The Prequel comes in a large, sturdy plastic bottle that has a pump on it. It is simple and practical in design and extremely easy to use. The clean, minimal white bottle with clear, straight-to-the-point messaging and branding, bringing forward the name and key benefits.
Another positive is that the pump dispenser makes for a sanitary and waste-reducing, but more accurate product dispensing. This is especially handy for in the shower or times when hands are water-soaked. The solid pump provides even distribution to prevent you from splurging!
Who Should Try This Cleanser?
Gentle as it is, the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser is suitable for all (almost all, that is!) skin types, but it shines in certain areas:
- Dry Skin: Its primary target. If your skin feels tight or dry after washing your face, then this product was made to moisturize you back to comfort.
- Sensitive Skin: For people who are reactive to fragrances or harsh ingredients. The minimalist, calming blend makes it a safe option for cleansing.
- Impaired Skin Barrier: For those with a barrier that has been compromised due to over-exfoliation or environmental stress, this cleanse assists in helping to restore the barrier to prevent further stripping whilst adding hydration.
- Normal to Combination Skin: Even if you’re not normally dry, this is helpful — particularly if you’re using actives such as retinoids (more on those later) that can add some sensitivity to your skin.
- Strong Actives Users: Brings balance to dry or irritated skin caused by retinoids, AHAs, or BHAs, supporting barrier health.
- Post-Procedure Skin: Essential for sensitive post-dermatological treatments, skin hydrates and soothes in a non-irritating way during the restorative processes.
How I Use It for Best Results

To get the best hydrating results from the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser’s unusual consistency, use the following technique:
- Begin with Dry skin: Dispense 1-2 pumps to dry hands. Massage onto dry skin and enjoy as the gel transforms into a hydrating oil that dislodges makeup, sunscreen, and buildup without being diluted too soon.
- Gently Massage: Quickly massage the cleanser between your palms, and then gently apply it to your dry face. Gently rub in small circular motions for 30-60 seconds. Watch as it turns from a thick gel to a luxurious oil, melting away pore-clogging impurities.
- Emulsify with Water: Add a bit of lukewarm water to your hands, and massage as before. The cleanser will transform into a rich, creamy lather for easy, thorough rinsing.
- Wash it Off: Wash your face, washing away every last trace of your homemade cleanser with lukewarm water. Your skin, soft and hydrated here without any tightness.
- Pat Dry: Rinse your face with lukewarm, not hot, water and then blot your face dry with a soft towel, don’t rub.
Pair It With
For best result, pair this hydrating facial cleanser it with Prequel Skin Utility Balm and the hydrating moisturizer.
User Reviews: What People Are Saying
The Prequel Glycerin Cleanser has extensive rave reviews, with many people calling it the “best cleanser for dry skin,” especially if you have dry, sensitive, and/or easily irritated skin. Its unique mildness and non-stripping function are often considered to be the main benefits.
It’s the texture that users can’t stop talking about: a thick gel that dissolves into a silky oil on contact with dry skin, then emulsifies into a milky lotion when mixed with water. It melts away light makeup and sunscreen without having to do any harsh scrubbing. The post-rinse sensation is constantly highlighted – that skin is left softer, more plump and more moisturised, with no sensation of tightness whatsoever. It’s the top contender for retinoid users or those battling weakened skin barriers.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Cleansers
When it comes to the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser, it can help to compare it to other heavyweight cleansers vying for your love. Mini face-off with a couple of other gentle cleansers: Here are two other non-traditional facial cleansers you might not have considered.
Feature | Prequel Glycerin Cleanser | CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser | La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser |
---|---|---|---|
Key Ingredients | Glycerin, Aloe Vera | Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid | Glycerin, Niacinamide |
Skin Type | Dry/Sensitive | Normal/Dry | Sensitive |
Texture | Lightweight Gel | Creamy | Creamy |
Makeup Removal | Mild | Mild | Mild |
Fragrance | Light, Natural | Fragrance-Free | Fragrance-Free |
Mini Cleanser Face-Off
While all three cleansers are designed for dry and sensitive skin, the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser stands out for its unique combination of hydrating ingredients and lightweight texture.
Want deeper insights? You can read the full reviews of CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser for a more detailed comparison to Prequel Glycerin Cleanser in actual use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Perfect to use on sensitive skin.
- Glycerin and aloe vera, included for moisturizing.
- Formulated without sodium or sodium chloride.
- Its texture is lightweight and cool when applied to the skin.
- Maintains skin’s natural acidic pH, supporting a healthy barrier.
Cons
- It is on the more expensive side in terms of cleansers.
- At select retailers and the official website
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Adding to Your Routine?
Prequel Glycerin Cleanser is an amazing product for anyone who has dry, sensitive, or sensitized skin. It knows so damn well about delicate skin.
For loads of people, especially if you’re someone you’re asking your gentle cleanser for, dry skin to do is to hydrate your skin and fill in some barrier holes. The prequel glycerin cleanser is absolutely one of the best gentle cleansers for dry skin, indeed . Prequel has achieved the unthinkable with a science-informed, skin-respecting product. So if you’re looking for a cleanser that is kind to dry or sensitive skin, the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser gets my stamp of approval.
FAQs
Is the Prequel Glycerin Cleanser good for all skin types?
It was created with dry and sensitive skin in mind, but if you have normal or combination skin, you could still find the creamy formula appealing.
Is this cleanser suitable for makeup wearers?
Yes! The Prequel Glycerin Cleanser also works to gently take off light makeup. For heavier makeup, you may need to use a makeup remover before this.
Is the cleanser cruelty-free?
Yes, Prequel is cruelty-free, and it does not test on animals.