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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant versus Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant .

Last updated on March 11, 2024. Published on March 23, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 1.

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 2.

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 7.

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 1.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 29.

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 31.

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant contains this as ingredient number 16.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

40% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 14 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Prequel Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 23 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant.

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