Women's Lifestyle September 21, 2026 0 Comments

The Untold Secret Behind TikTok’s Prequel Skincare Craze—And Why Your Skin’s Future Depends on It

Ever find yourself doom-scrolling through TikTok, only to have every other video shout about this skincare brand called Prequel? Yeah, same here. It’s like no matter where you look, someone’s raving about this dermatologist-founded line that promises the moon on a budget. As a beauty editor who’s seen more creams, cleansers, and serums than I probably should admit, I was skeptical. Could Prequel really live up to all the hype or is it just another shiny TikTok fad destined to fade? Spoiler alert: I dove headfirst into their products, and I’m here to spill whether this buzzworthy brand deserves a spot on your shelf—or if it’s just smoke and mirrors. Curious yet?

LEARN MORE

3 min read

If your TikTok For You page is anything like mine, then you likely can’t scroll more than a few minutes without seeing a video on the dermatologist-founded skincare brand Prequel. My job as a beauty editor requires me to test hundreds of new creams, cleansers, and serums every year—so the fact that Prequel immediately piqued my interest surprised me. Is this buzzy brand really worth it? Ahead, my honest thoughts on Prequel’s products and whether or not you should try it too.

What Is Prequel?

The brand is the brainchild of California-based dermatologist Sam Ellis and offers various products that Ellis designed to be medical-grade-adjacent. Most of the products focus on creating a healthy skin barrier while treating common concerns like pigmentation, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. According to the brand’s mission statement, the products are designed to have a “unique sensorial and tactile experience”—and reviews on TikTok agree with that wholeheartedly.

The products don’t scream groundbreaking from the outside, as they boast clinical-looking packaging. But inside, the bottles have buzzy ingredients you likely know and love, such as ceramides, squalane, and acids like glycolic and salicylic. The products are also fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and safe for most skin types, a triple threat that is hard to come by.

The Prequel Products I Tried

My gateway product into the brand was the Multi-Quench Hydration Serum With Polyglutamic Acid, which came in handy when my skin felt particularly parched. The bouncy formula is infused with peptides (a deeper hydrator than hyaluronic acid) and glycerin to support the skin’s moisture barrier. I was quickly impressed with the serum, which instantly plumped and hydrated my skin all day and still gave a quenched, supple look after I applied makeup.

The next Prequel product I tried was the brand’s viral Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil. I am an avid double cleanser, and fans of Prequel’s oil cleanser say it removes makeup in one fell swoop (while simultaneously softening the skin) and has a smooth texture that supports the brand’s mission to create products with a sensorial feel. The oil cleanser has a slew of antioxidants to nourish and protect, acids to unclog pores, and cica oil to calm skin rather than irritate it. TikTok was right: This luxurious cleansing oil has a soft, soothing texture that makes double cleansing a dream.

The last product I tried during my Prequel test was the Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer. This moisturizer has the hydrating properties of a thick cream, courtesy of ceramides and peptides, but the texture of a lightweight milk. It’s ideal for those who need a hefty dose of soothing hydration without excess grease or weight.

Final Thoughts

Prequel’s products feature hardworking active ingredients that are processed more effectively, such as the osmoregulation technology in the Multi-Quench serum, which helps regulate the skin’s water content to keep it balanced. The brand offers many effective products at a reasonable price point, but I think the real reason it has resonated is Ellis’s relatable, digestible skincare content. The dermatologist’s videos make you feel like you’re on FaceTime with your skincare-obsessed friend/expert.

Offering both immediate and long-term results, Prequel’s products are easy to use, even for skincare newbies, and provide a soothing, sensorial experience, all for under $30 a pop. This is one TikTok-popular beauty brand that is, in fact, worth it.

Looking for More Beauty Ideas?

Why Trust Harper’s Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.