Versus

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant Versus CeraVe Healing Ointment

Facial Treatment
Body Lotion
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.

When to use

53 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
74% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
619 Routines
21% use in am
79% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Prequel Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant 17 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Light Scent (2)
ThrowMeAway's avatar

ThrowMeAway

5 months ago
Review

I don’t usually do well with silicones but this product doesn’t seem to bother me. I have no idea why. I use a very strong retinoid (tazortene) every night and needed something to help repair my barrier. There are not a lot of products available to help with barrier repair that are FA safe. I’ve tried a lot and after using this for months now, I think I’ve settled on this one. This definitely Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#light scent
alyssaklein's avatar

Alyssa Klein

5 months ago
Review

Originally bought as a multi use hydration serum for my eyes and lips, but it definitely tastes and smells weird if you put it near your lips!

#strong scent
#doesn't work

CeraVe Healing Ointment 22 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 21 ratings
Works Well (12) No Scent (10) Great Value (8)
sandrakao's avatar

Sandra Kao

10 months ago
Review

This is my holy grail for lip care. It's affordable and a tube lasts for ages. I apply it every night before bed and always wake up with soft lips. I have never had dried, peeling lips ever since I started using this.

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#no scent
michelle_mabelle's avatar

Michelle MaBelle

8 months ago
Review

TL;DR: Way better than Aquaphor. Affordable and really good for dry skin.

I picked this up in a pinch because my skin was dry in California and from traveling in airplanes. Was really pleasantly surprised. It’s about the same price as a tube of Aquaphor, but less greasy. My skin drank this up with no issues. I’ve been reapplying it frequently and it’s been helping. Not sure why it’s so much Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#no scent
#works well