Prequel GLEANSER NON-DRYING GLYCERIN CLEANSER FOR FACE AND BODY for oily skin
Glycerin
Inulin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for your oily skin, as cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium cocoamphodiacetate effectively remove impurities without stripping the skin. Glycerin provides hydration, which is supportive but not directly targeted at your oily shine concerns.
- Aloe barbadensis leaf juice offers soothing benefits, which are generally helpful but do not specifically address the primary concern of oily shine.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsThe thick jelly texture is often described as luxurious and hydrating. Some users, however, report difficulty rinsing the product completely, leading to a residual film.
Highlights
Extremely hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels moisturized”
- “never tight or dry”
- “leaves face soft”
- “bouncy post-wash feel”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “huge bottle size”
- “unbeatable price point”
- “lasts for months”
- “economical for body use”
Soothing for sensitivity Often Mentioned
- “no stinging”
- “reduced redness significantly”
Luxurious texture Sometimes Noted
- “thick jelly consistency”
- “cushiony feel”
- “rich lather”
- “glides over skin”
Leaves residue Sometimes Noted
- “hard to rinse”
- “leaves a film”
- “feels slimy”
- “slippery after-feel”
Breakouts/reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused tiny bumps”
- “triggered acne flare”
- “burning sensation”
- “clogged my pores”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump arrived broken”
- “leaks in transit”
- “messy dispenser”
- “pump stops working”
Texture dislike Rarely Noted
- “too thick/gooey”
- “hard to spread”
- “feels like glue”
- “requires mixing with water”
Sources: lovi.care, prequel-skin.com, target.com, reddit.com, byrdie.com, nymag.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Prequel Gleanser work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin by clearing away impurities without stripping away natural moisture. While it offers soothing and hydrating benefits, it does not specifically target oily shine or excess oil concerns. An oily skin type needs cleansers with ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to properly manage shine and support skin health.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium cocoamphodiacetate make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by effectively washing away impurities without stripping your skin. Glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice add gentle hydration and soothing comfort. Cleansers of this type that fit oily skin even better need ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to help manage oily shine and support skin health.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Inulin do for oily skin?
Inulin helps balance the skin by supporting beneficial microbiota, which keeps oily skin calm and clear. This ingredient is unlikely to clog pores and may improve overall skin barrier health. A product for oily skin needs ingredients that regulate oil while maintaining moisture without feeling heavy.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, 2025Antioxidants, 2025
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step to remove impurities without stripping your skin. Oily skin works best with cleansers that balance oil control and shine reduction alongside gentle cleansing ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and following with your retinol product once your face is dry. Using a gentle cleanser helps wash away dirt without stripping your skin, which may lower the dryness and irritation sometimes linked to retinol use.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Oily skin works best with cleansers that control extra shine while keeping the skin balanced.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog your pores or cause breakouts, as user complaints about breakouts and reactions are low. Oily skin still needs a cleanser that balances oil control with ingredients that clear away impurities without clogging.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes, as its gentle ingredients are generally well tolerated by thinner skin areas. A cleanser for oily skin of this type needs targeted oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage shine.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Why other cleansers fit oily skin better
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
Ingredients
Glycerin, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Inulin, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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