I've recently finished up two cleansers from the brands Prequel and Remedy. I'm also a good ways through both of their oil cleansers as well, so I figured I would write up a empties/review/brand-impression. I think it would be a neat comparison since both brands are founded by US board-certified dermatologists who also happened to have YouTube channels.

TL;DR: Prequel > Remedy

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Prequel

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Gleansers

I've actually used up all three of their Gleansers (original, + Glycolic, and + SA). I like all three, but the one I just repurchased was the Glycolic version, as I find having some form of AHA exfoliation is best for my dry skin. I also enjoy using any of the Gleansers as a body wash. All of them are fragrance-free and a very mild scent.

My first impression of the original Gleanser was actually not that great, since I found the texture to be too "slimy." It almost felt like there was a film left behind, but in actuality it was just my skin being overly hydrated from the high glycerin content. It fully rinses off, yet leaves the skin feeling moist. It took a couple of washes for me to get used to the feeling, but once I did I was hooked. It's truly the most hydrating (without leaving a film) cleanser I've ever used, and it has supplanted my La-Roche Posay and Cetaphil cleansers as my favorite second-cleanser.

In terms of the differences between the three, I'll try and list who I think it'll be best for:

• Original: For really sensitive skin (say you're dealing with a sun burn or went too hard with the tretinoin/retinol products). It's really comforting and cushioning. It might take a bit to get use to the slimy feeling, but it almost feels like a hydrating mask while it's on. Rating: 3.8/5, would repurchase.
• Glycolic: For when you want a bit of quick-exposure exfoliation action. Obviously it won't exfoliate as much as a leave-on product, but it does just enough to promote skin-cell turnover for my dry skin. The texture of this cleanser has more of a cream-cleanser consistency and is less cushioning and less slimy than the original Gleanser, but still has the hydrating properties of the original. I will say it does slightly sting when my skin is overly sensitized (when I overdo it with my prescription tret). Rating: 4/5, have repurchased.
• SA: For people who benefit from a bit of salicylic acid in their cleansers. It's closer to the original texture than the Glycolic version, but slightly less slimy. This was fine for me, but I don't really benefit from salicylic acid products as I do glycolic so I personally wouldn't repurchase, but I had no problem using it up. Rating: 3.5/5, would not repurchase, but would recommend.

Like I mentioned before, I just placed a repurchase order for the Gleanser + Glycolic, and that has cemented itself as my go to second-cleanser. I would also repurchase the original Gleanser if I were dealing with super sensitized skin as well. I wouldn't repurchase the salicylic acid version as it's just not for me, but I can see it benefiting those with oilier skin types.

All three come in a pump bottle and I've had no issue using it all up without the need to open up the bottle and pour out the rest of the content when it gets to end.

Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil

Normally, I wouldn't purchase this product on its own since I'm perfectly happy with my Kose Speedy Cleansing Oil, but I got this as a bundle deal with one of my previous Gleanser purchases.

My favorite oil cleanser is still the Kose Speedy Cleansing Oil, but I'm not mad at the Pre-Gleanse either. It's a perfectly fine cleansing oil, but slightly more viscous and requires just a bit more effort to cleanly rise off compared to the Kose one.

Add to the fact that the Kose Speedy Cleansing Oil is usually about half the price of the Pre-Gleanse (especially if you can purchase it in Asia), it's a no-brainer.

That said, if, for some reason, I couldn't get my hands on Kose Speedy, I wouldn't mind picking up a travel-size Pre-Gleanse.

Rating: 3/5, would not repurchase, but would recommend.

Brand as a whole

I think I've tried almost all of Prequel's products short of any releases after 2025's Black Friday where I told myself to go on a low-buy to curb my consumerist habits. There are some misses, but mainly I have a generally positive view of the brand. While I don't like every product, I don't outright hate any of them either.

While the price of everything has gone up, I feel like their pricing is still relatively affordable (I don't think any single regular-sized product is over $30), and you essentially get free-shipping (in the US) if you purchase two regular-sized products.

I'm likely to try their new releases and I enjoy watching the founder's YouTube channel as well and have found the content on there helpful.

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Remedy

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For Pre-Cleansing

This is a cleansing balm with a pencil-sharpener-like dispensing mechanism, where you twist the top of the product and the cleansing balm is shaved in a ribbon-like way. It's a complete gimmick and a hassle to use in my opinion. While the dispensing mechanism didn't catch or break the product in odd ways it was just annoying to use. You still have to use your finger to scoop up the shaved product so it's only slightly better than just a straight-up jar (and man do I dislike jars).

The cleansing balm itself was meh, it didn't spread as easily as you would expect despite it almost melting on contact. I think I'm just not a cleansing balm type of person. I much prefer a fluid oil consistency.

There's a faint almost herbaceous/medicinal smell, but it's not really noticeable.

Rating: 1.8/5 would not repurchase, would not recommend.

For Cleansing (normal to dry skin)

I have the old packaging for this product, that comes in a squeeze tube. The new version is a pump bottle (with more product). Unfortunately, I really disliked this cleanser.

The biggest detractor was the scent. The product is fragrance-free, but whatever the ingredients are, they put off a strong scent. An olfactory equivalent to a flash bang that I just could not get used to. It smelled like a mixture of classic Dove and classic Olay.

This cleanser also provides a more traditional "stripped" feeling to the skin after washing, so despite the "normal to dry" skin label, it seems more suitable for normal to combo skin types.

Anyway, I relegated this to body soap and even then the scent would be so pervasive that I was struggling to use it up. I ended up decanting it to a hand soap dispenser and that helped with the scent, but it was still very much there.

Rating: 1/5 would not repurchase, would not recommend.

Brand as a whole

I've really soured on this brand, especially with how they're handling their copper peptide serum release. I really dislike how hard they're pushing this product on other platforms. First on TikTok shop, and now Target (after saying they would release it on their website at the same time as Target and then reneging on that).

TikTok is a non-starter for me, and I haven't been anywhere near a Target since the second Trump administration. I already side-eye brands that sell via Target (Prequel included, but at least they don't undercut their own website), but I find how hard they're pushing Target to be beyond distasteful. To the point where I've practically lost interest in the serum itself (despite being initially interested). I'll never understand a brand undercutting their own direct-to-consumer website, especially since it got big there first.

On top of that, a lot of the products that I've tried from Remedy have been misses. The only product I really liked was their shampoo, and it's the only one they've discontinued. If anyone has any recommendations for a fragrance-free ketoconazole shampoo that's easily accessible in the US, please let me know.

Their shipping also seems more predatory in terms of it only being free (in domestic US) over $50, but two products usually just comes slightly under that.

I think the Doctorly YouTube channel is a helpful resource, but the way this brand is being handled is giving me the ick. It's a shame, since I'm also getting my prescription tazarotene via Script Derm (which is now transitioning to Scriptable). Especially since you have to call them during business hours to even manage (let alone cancel) your prescription. I'm going to go through with my current refill, and see how I feel after. I most likely will just cancel and go with my regular dermatologist's recommendations.

Overall, I'm really getting turned off by this brand and its sister brand.

Edit: Grammar and phrasing, because English is hard.

Here are some empties I've collected and my thoughts on them! I've also included some of my thoughts on products I didn't have the mind to take a picture of and those I've given up on.

For reference:

• Skin type: Dry, Sensitive
• Season & climate: Hot, humid, and the only season is summer (and maybe one week of fall every now and then)
• All prices will be in USD.

Empties

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

Curel Intensive Moisture Care Deep Moisture Spray

It's a decent fragrance-free spray that hydrates well. This is actually my second of three 150g bottles that I had purchased in Japan from a Don Quijote a couple of months back. I can't remember the exact price, but I want to say it was around $12 or less. It serves its purpose with no fuss, and I enjoy the fine mist that the spray produces.

Product: 3.8/5, decent, inoffensive, does its job.

Packaging: 4/5, produces a fine mist without jamming, not too wasteful in terms of excess packaging, and comes in a nice 150g aluminum (almost like spray paint) can.

Price: ~$12 from Don Quijote, relatively economical for the amount of product you get

I already have and have opened another bottle, but after I use this last bottle up, I'm not so sure. Recently, I've been using the SkinSmart hypochlorous acid spray instead, and, while the spray isn't as nice, I find that it works just as well. Maybe I'll miss it once I use it up, and I'm not opposed to repurchasing it if convenient.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

I actually really enjoyed this fragrance and dye-free cream, but some major drawbacks for me are how ridiculously shimmery it makes my skin look and its gritty texture. It's moisturizing and nourishing without feeling too heavy, but I really hate how it makes my skin look.

I'm not even too offended by the texture because you can simply melt the "hydrating capsules" in between your hands before applying, but man I hate the shine. I understand the trend of "chok chok" and glass skin, but it was just way too much for me. I'm not even sure what causes it to be so shiny. After looking at the ingredients, I expected there to be mica or something similar, but there isn't.

It's just a shame, this could've been a decent product for me. One of the creams I can use without mixing as a final step for my dry skin.

Product: 2.9/5, it could've been so nice if it weren't so dang shiny and if it didn't have a gritty texture.

Packaging: 4/5, no nonsense 80ml tube with a flip-top.

Price: $20.57 from YesStyle (purchased back in Feb. of this year)

For $20 at it was already iffy on price for me, but now that I'm looking up prices today I see it ranging from $26 to $40 which lands it right into over-priced territory for me. Couple that with my drawbacks, I can't say I'll miss this product.

Would I repurchase? No.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream

On recommendation from Dr. Dray a dermatologist that's on YouTube. It's fragrance and dye-free and does its job. It's nourishing and gives me a temporary effect of not looking so dead, which lasts for a little less than an hour or so until you feel the moisturizing effect dry up.

Product: 3.5/5, it's nourishing and provides a temporary awake look to my eyes.

Packaging: 3.8/5, no nonsense 15ml tube with a screw cap. Can sometimes be difficult to screw open when you've some product on your hands (which I usually do once I get to the eye cream step in my routine).

Price: $23.53 at Target

While this product is a bit pricey, I like the effect enough to justify repurchasing it. I do see you can get it cheaper on Amazon though, so maybe I'll buy it from there next time.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm already on another tube.

Melano CC Essence

This is the product that got me into believing in vitamin C and is the only product with fragrance that I still use. It doesn't seem to be enough to irritate me, and the scent itself is a slight/mild citrus-y smell.

It just provides a nice brightening effect and I don't have to keep it in the fridge. This product will discolor over time, but the last three tubes I've used up haven't had that issue (but, if you can actually see it oxidize around the cap if you find some excess product around). I'm not sure what the vitamin C percentage in this product is, as it's not listed, but it's enough to cause your skin to flush if you use a niacinamide product like Holy Snail's Shark Sauce too close with it.

Product: 3.9/5, it gives me a temporary brightening effect next day and relatively calming.

Packaging: 3.8/5, no nonsense 20ml tube with a screw cap and an interesting dropper spout. Can sometimes be difficult to screw open when you've some product on your hands.

Price: Sub $10 from Don Quijote, can't remember the exact price, but it's pretty inexpensive.

I thought I had already purchased a few in Japan earlier this year, but I must've given them to some friends, as I can't find anymore. I may use this opportunity to try out Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow, although I'm still undecided, since I don't care to store products in the fridge (as they recommend). I'm heading back to Asia next month, so I'll just stock up some tubes there.

Would I repurchase? Yes, planning on it.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Extra-Dry Skin (pre-2023 reformulation)

Fragrance and dye-free gel moisturizer that does its job. It's not moisturizing enough alone for my dry skin, but I enjoy the light-weight texture and the hydration it provides. I usually mix in something nourishing like Geek & Gorgeous Happier Barrier cream to compensate.

Product: 3.5/5, it's nice and light-weight, people with normal to oily skin could probably use this alone, but it's definitely not enough for dry (or its claimed extra-dry) skin.

Packaging: 1/5, I hate jars so much >:(

Price: Around $10 each, purchased in a two-pack from Costco.

I've read online that this product was recently reformulated, and for the worst. My mom has stocked up on enough from Costco where this isn't a problem for me since I can just go over steal from her stash. That said, while I like this product, I'm not inspired to personally repurchase, especially not with its new formula. I'll use up what I have for now and continue my search for the perfect moisturizer.

Would I repurchase? No, I have enough backups.

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

Fragrance and dye-free light-weight oil cleanser that washes off cleanly. Does a good job removing sunscreen and make up.

Product: 4/5, no nonsense, works, and doesn't leave any residue.

Packaging: 3.9/5, a 230ml pump bottle that comes with a plastic stopper, so you can sort of travel with it.

Price: I think it was under $10 purchased from Don Quijote.

Simple, effective, inexpensive. I have no desire to look for another oil cleanser.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm already using another bottle.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Milk

Fragrance and dye-free emulsion that could be nourishing enough to serve as the final step for those of you with oilier skin. My dry ass needs more, but this serves as a nice nourishing addition to my skin care routine. Helps that the product contains urea as well, though that's not a major selling point for me.

Product: 4.1/5, no nonsense moisture.

Packaging: 3.7/5, a 140ml bottle with a flip top cap that can get quite messy if you don't take care to clean it after each use. Also, when you get low on product it can sometimes be too easier to over-dispense product.

Price: I think it was around $12 or $15 purchased from Don Quijote.

Even though I mix this with Curel Moisture Facial Milk (Intensive Moisture Care), if I could only choose one, I'd go with the Hada Labo product.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm already using another bottle.

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel Gold SPF50+ PA++++

Not pictured, I already threw away the old bottle before I thought to make this post.

I recently went back to this sunscreen after it felt like my face was lit on fire by La-Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50+ after I got over-zealous with my tret. I'm not quite sure what that sunscreen was reacting with, since I immediately washed it off and slapped on good ole reliable Skin Aqua with no burning or stinging.

Overall, the texture of this sunscreen is a slightly viscous fluid that sets with a slight sheen and no cast. I've walked and hiked with this in tropical climates and it stayed on even through sweat (though I still re-apply).

I've actually used both this and the regular formulation (the one in the white bottle with the gold cap), and they both work well. I prefer the gold one only because it's slightly more nourishing than the regular one but I wouldn't mind using either.

Product: 4.2/5, it's the one I keep going back to.

Packaging: 4/5, a 110g bottle with a narrow spout.

Price: Around $12 or $15 purchased from Don Quijote.

Rhoto got me in their grips.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm already using another bottle.

Given Up On

The Inkey List

I'm going to lump all the products I've tried from this brand into one because my opinion on all of them is mostly the same.

The products I've tried were incredibly underwhelming. While the products were fragrance-free, they all had moderate scents that irritated me. While it may seem economical at first, each individual product appears to be travel size. I didn't go in with high-expectations and I was still let down.

Products I've tried:

• Omega Water Cream -- Felt like a more emollient toner; relegated to foot cream.
• Retinol Serum -- Felt like the Omega Water Cream; relegated to foot cream.
• The Tired Eyes Duo -- Felt like a slightly more nourishing Omega Water Cream for both products; tossed.
• PHA Toner -- Did nothing for me, water-like consistency; I prefer Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down; tossed.

Would I repurchase? No, and I won't purchase from this brand in the future.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream Mist

Had the same issues as the cream: made my face look incredibly shiny. The product itself is fine, a moisturizing type of mist, but I can't overlook the shine. It also didn't help that the packaging cracked at the bottom about a month in, leaking almost half the product.

Product: 2.5/5, actually moisturizing, but I hate the shine.

Packaging: 1/5, cracked in a month; the mist itself is actually really nice and fine.

Price: $15.60 from YesStyle (purchased back in Feb. of this year)

Would I repurchase? No.