Pre-Gleanse Face Cleansing Oil — Reddit Reviews
by Prequel
Updated November 10, 2026
Sunflower oil first cleanse dissolves sunscreen and makeup; breakout risk remains.
What the community says
An emulsifying oil cleanser for dry-face, nighttime first cleansing, especially after sunscreen or makeup. It suits tretinoin routines needing less friction, yet acne-prone or rosacea-prone users report bumps and flares despite thorough rinsing.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
- Breakouts and rosacea bumps reported, including after two separate trials
- Usually needs a second cleanser to remove oil thoroughly
- Too much becomes difficult to remove; use a very small amount
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
What TikTok says
From 14 TikTok videos3 sponsored, marked with outlined numbers
Several creators call the Prequel Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil soft and effective at removing makeup 123. Sponsored creators say it is non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin 45, and an ingredient check found no pore-clogging ingredients 6. One creator found it left a film over the eyes and barely removed water mascara 7, while another found it cloudier than a rival oil 8. Eye stinging and blurriness were reported with the new cleansing balm 9, and one sponsored creator advised against using it around the eyes 10.
Sponsored means the creator disclosed a brand partnership or the video ran as a paid ad.
Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.
Where to buy
Full ingredient list · 12
Prequel Pre-Gleanse Face Cleansing Oil ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, PEG-10 Isostearate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Lecithin, Tocopherol
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 125 mentions across 29 threads
Prequel Pre-Gleanse Face Cleansing Oil on Reddit, in one place — 29 threads from r/tretinoin, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more, summarized.
“AM: - Double Cleanse: Prequel Pre-Gleanse or Farmacy Green Clean followed by Hydrinity Prelude Cleaser”
Positive
“for the past few months, I focused on oil cleansing (the oil is like a magnet for all the dead skin shedding and helps so much with dryness)”
Positive
“PM: - Double Cleanse: Prequel Pre-Gleanse or Farmacy Green Clean followed by Hydrinity Prelude Cleaser”
Positive
“Evening Routine: • Prequel Cleansing Oil”
Positive
“their glycerin face wash and cleansing oil are both wonderful.”
Positive
“I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about prequel lately”
Positive
“I recommend Pond’s cold cream or Prequel oil cleanser”
Mentioned
“You will need an oil balm or cleanser to dissolve sunscreen at end of day”
Mentioned
“followed by a regular foaming or cream cleanser.”
Mentioned
“The gleanser and pregleanser are my favorite cleansers and all time”
Positive
“Almost everything I’ve tried from Prequel, I’ve repurchased.”
Positive
“my favorite cleansers”
Positive
“I came to it from the Prequel oil cleanser and used the same amount- it’s so hard to remove if you do that!”
Mentioned
“The oil cleanser is my holy grail, you just have to get used to using a VERY SMALL AMOUNT.”
Mentioned
“one or two pumps clears a whole face for me.”
Mentioned
“PM: Prequel oil cleanser”
Positive
“Prequel oil cleanser”
Positive
“PM: Prequel oil cleanser Medicube PDRN Pink Glutathione Capsule Foam Cleanser”
Positive
