Pros
Loaded with ingredients to not only hydrate but plump skinMakes my face look so bouncy and fresh, but not overly shinyCons
Because the product is so lightweight, I find myself using a lot of it
One Cosmo editor says: “The hydrating and plumping effect this gives my skin is immediate, which is something that doesn’t happen that often in the skincare world. The formula plays nice with other products and has never once broken me out or caused any irritation either.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
One Cosmo editor says: “I like to give my face a true exfoliation once a week to really keep my skin clean and smooth. But most everything is way too strong for my sensitive skin. Then, I tried this Prequel Milk Peel: an effective yet surprisingly tender chemical exfoliant. Aside from its AHAs, the milky liquid is packed with glycerin and squalane, so it helps moisturize a little.”—BG
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One Cosmo editor says: “I thought cleansers could either be moisturizing and soothing or exfoliating and clarifying. Not both. But this fully proved me wrong—it foams up to a lovely lather that doesn’t dry out my skin but definitely helps break down oil.” —BG
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve been using azelaic acid to reduce redness for over a year now, and I fear my skin is starting to become intolerant of it. Suddenly, my skin stings when I put it on (but nothing else in my routine does this!). I wanted to see if this Prequel formula would help bring down the splotchiness and irritation on my face without causing irritation. I definitely need to keep using it more, but I can say confidently that this does not irritate my face at all. It actually feels so calming. I’ve even been using it as a spot treatment on really inflamed acne.”—BG
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One Cosmo editor says: “I love the idea of protecting my face at night with a barrier cream, but my acne doesn’t really agree. This gel, though, fixes all of that. It’s 20 percent glycerin to seriously moisturize and pull water into my skin, but the gel texture doesn’t feel heavy or clog my pores. I’ve been slathering this all over my face after moisturizer at night, and I wake up with baby-soft skin.”—BG
ProsLoaded with anti-inflammatory ingredientsSuitable for acne-prone skinConsHas a thick texture that can be hard to fully absorb
One Cosmo editor says: “There are a few soothing creams from other brands that I love, but they always break me out. Unfortunately, when my eczema flares, I’m forced to suffer with either scales or zits. Usually, I choose zits. But I found this Prequel cream that has eliminated that whole conundrum. It uses ectoin, urea, and allantoin to soothe reactive skin (like if I over exfoliate, if a pimple is seriously angry, or I have a patch of eczema on my skin). But it doesn’t break me out! Hallelujah!!”—BG
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One Cosmo editor says: “This is a staple in my shower. I use it on my face and body to gently cleanse and resurface skin for a smooth, glowy surface. It’s shockingly hydrating for a body wash—especially one that exfolliates—thanks to 20 percent glycerin in the creamy formula.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
One Cosmo editor says: “So many SPF lip balms feel unpleasantly thick and gooey or leave behind. a weird aftertaste, but this is delightful, so I actually don’t mind applying and reapplying it throughout the day. I end up using the clear one the most often since it’s the most functional for beach days and outdoor workouts, but the tinted options are gorgeous too.” —LB
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ProsMassages in without a whitecastLeaves a natural finish that is glowy but not shinyCons100 percent mineral, so the texture is a bit thicker
One Cosmo editor says: “I haven’t fallen in love with a mineral SPF like this in a loooong time. I’m addicted, I fear! People keep telling me my skin looks glowy, and it’s fully a result of this sunscreen, which happens to make my skin look dewy, but not sticky or shiny. It’s got 18 percent zinc oxide, which is a pretty powerfull amount that obviously protects my skin from the UV rays, but also is anti-inflammatory and soothing (a must for my acne-prone skin). There’s also bisabolol and antioxidants, both of which are skin-loving and turn this SPF into much more than sun protection. There’s also no white cast on my olive, light-to-medium skin (and I’ve forced my friends and colleagues with deeper skin tones to try it, and they agree).”—BG
ProsContains gentle exfoliants to help slough away dead skin on your feetLocks in hydration with urea and petrolatumConsMight feel a little sticky
One Cosmo editor says: “The baseline for my feet is cracked, calloused, and not fit for human eyes, but after using this cream every night for two weeks, the unthinkable happened: my heels were super soft and my callouses nearly invisible.” —LB
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
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