I bought the Prequel Gleanser to wash my face. Then I left it on for 5 minutes by accident. Now I have a new exfoliating mask that costs less than my coffee order.
The real flex? It doesn’t sting. Most acids this cheap feel like a chemical peel from hell. This one just… works. Quietly.
It’s a 13.5 oz drugstore cleanser with 10% lactic acid and 5% polyhydroxy acids. $18. The ingredient list reads like a $60 serum. I had to try it.
5-Minute Mask
Slap it on dry skin, wait, rinse. Dead skin cells surrender instantly.
Body Acne Savior
Rub it on your back, chest, or butt. Leave 2 minutes. No more bacne.
Makeup Brush Cleaner
Dirty brushes? Pump this on, swirl, rinse. They’re actually clean — no residue.
Photo: Amanda Wolbert / Unsplash
Lactic acid gently dissolves dead skin. PHAs hydrate while they exfoliate — rare combo. Glycerin keeps it from stripping you raw. No fragrance, no BS.
- 10% Lactic Acid: Smooths texture, fades dark spots
- 5% Polyhydroxy Acids: Exfoliates without irritation
- Glycerin: Locks in moisture so skin doesn’t freak out
- Aloe: Calms redness on contact
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
First pump — it’s a clear, viscous gel. Feels like thick aloe. Spreads weirdly slippery, then dries tacky after 30 seconds. Not cute as a mask if you hate sticky. But as a cleanser? Silky rinse-off.
Week 2: My forehead texture went from “sandpaper” to “baby smooth.” Unexpected bonus — my KP (those chicken skin bumps on arms) softened after 4 uses. Weird but true.
Photo: Maria Lupan / Unsplash
My pores look smaller. Not “Instagram filter” smaller, but visibly less clogged. My chin bumps are gone. My dry patches didn’t get worse — shocking for an acid cleanser. Still have some hyperpigmentation, but it’s fading faster than with my past serums.
Photo: Lesly Juarez / Unsplash
This is the rare drugstore find that does five things and does them all well. Not perfect — the sticky mask texture annoys me — but for $18, it’s a steal.