This Skincare Line Starts at $14 and Gave Me Better Skin Than My Go-To Luxury Brand (2025)

The beauty-lover in me will always appreciate a luxury skincare product and the fun boost it gives one’s self-care routine. However, high price tags and fancy packaging alone don’t give you good skin; incredible formulas do. Over the years, I’ve learned that affordable products can be just as effective as pricey options—sometimes even better.

I was reminded of this fact when I discovered Prequel last year, a budget-friendly skincare brand founded by dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis, M.D. My first foray into the brand was through its currently waitlisted Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream. I fell in love with how moisturizing and comfortable it felt on my skin—and its $18 price for a massive 10-ounce tube (for reference, the average moisturizer is 1.7 ounces)—which prompted me to dive into the brand’s other offerings. As someone who tests skincare for a living, I have one or two products from many brands that stick out, but I noticed that nearly every launch I’ve tried from Prequel over the last year has made its way into my carefully curated skincare routine.

Each product is thoughtfully crafted to address a specific skin concern, using gentle but effective ingredients suitable for people with sensitive skin, eczema, and rosacea. The formulas are basic in the best way (no fragrance, dyes, etc.)—but yield visible results and feel just as sensorial as luxury options. Below, I’m sharing the standout items that have given me my best skin ever.

My morning skincare routine starts with this gentle cleanser powered by glycerin, a hydration-boosting humectant. The jelly-textured formula spreads across the skin seamlessly, gently removing excess oil and impurities. Even though it’s incredibly mild on the skin (it’s safe for sensitive and eczema-prone skin), my face feels thoroughly clean—but never stripped—after using it. I truly can’t see anyone not liking this gem—it’s hydrating enough for dry skin yet sufficient at breaking down grease on oily skin. Plus, it comes in a whopping 13.5-ounce bottle for just $18.

Hyaluronic acid serums are great for hydrating dry skin, but if you need something even more hydrating (but equally lightweight), I highly recommend this serum featuring polyglutamic acid. Polyglutamic acid holds even more moisture than hyaluronic acid, so it’s arguably more hydrating. This light, gel-like serum absorbs into the skin in seconds, leaving it feeling nourished and looking radiant. I like to apply this before my moisturizer for an added boost of hydration, and I appreciate that it layers beautifully with whatever cream I apply on top.

The first step in my nighttime skincare routine is always a makeup-melting cleansing balm or, more recently, this nourishing cleansing oil. It has the perfect texture—not too watery, but also not too thick and greasy. One pump breaks down my complexion and eye makeup, leaving my skin balanced and residue-free.

A good liquid exfoliating product is a skincare sleeper. Some might not consider it an essential step, but since I began testing this one a few weeks ago, it’s earned a spot in my daily routine. It smooths skin texture, improves hyperpigmentation, and boosts radiance, and the liquid format makes it simple to layer with other products. It’s formulated with gentle exfoliating acids—glycolic, mandelic, and lactic, to name a few—so it’s effective without irritating the skin.

Skin protectants are great for dry or irritated patches that need extra care. I love using this balm as the last step in my skincare routine in areas where I want to lock in moisture, especially overnight or before braving the freezing NYC wind. It features dimethicone, shea butter, and cica to create a protective barrier on the skin without feeling sticky or greasy.

I was introduced to this spray by fellow associate editor Caitlyn Martyn, who claims she can’t live without it. “It helps calm rosacea and redness, a damaged skin barrier, and breakouts; it purifies my skin after a workout when I can’t get to the sink right away; and it adds a heaping dose of hydration to my everyday skincare routine,” she says. I totally agree; it’s a universal skin solution that significantly improves redness and irritation.