Beauty Brand Breakdown: Prequel
- Jennifer Carlsson
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
Back to Basics, Backed by Science
Founded in 2023 by board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis, Prequel is a U.S.-based skincare brand focused on what many beauty consumers have been increasingly seeking: clarity, credibility, and consistency. The name “Prequel” reflects the brand’s mission; to provide the foundational first steps of a skincare routine, setting the stage for long-term skin health rather than chasing trends or offering quick fixes.
Prequel is featured in Mintoiro’s Skincare Trend Forecast 2026 as a brand to watch; a great example of the Science-Driven Efficacy macro trend. At a time when product fatigue and overcomplicated routines are leading many users to pare back, Prequel’s streamlined, no-fuss approach feels both timely and strategic.
Science Without the Noise
Prequel’s product lineup is deliberately concise, offering core formulas built around proven actives such as niacinamide, PHA, squalane, and peptides. But what sets the brand apart is how it presents these ingredients. Instead of dense, jargon-heavy marketing, Prequel emphasizes ingredient transparency and clear communication. Each product is designed to be easy to understand, easy to use, and easy to trust.
This approach reflects a deeper cultural shift: consumers increasingly expect not just efficacy, but explanations; they want to know what’s in a product and why it works. Prequel delivers on that expectation without condescension or over-simplification, positioning itself as both professional and approachable.
Clinical Design, Friendly Tone
The brand’s visual identity matches its clinical credibility: the packaging is minimal, clean, and modern, with an aesthetic that balances medical precision and everyday warmth. Unlike the sterile look of many science-backed brands, Prequel’s visual world feels welcoming and considered, with soft colours, structured layouts, and typography that communicates clarity rather than trendiness.
This design language also supports the brand’s accessibility goals. Prequel is not trying to create a “cool girl” brand or cultivate exclusivity; it’s about access to expert-driven skincare that feels usable and non-intimidating, whether someone is a skincare novice or a long-time enthusiast.
Efficacy as Emotional Security
Although the brand positions itself around simplicity, its formulas are far from basic. Prequel delivers on high-performance results for common concerns like dullness, texture, uneven tone, and early signs of aging; but does so in a way that feels stable, supportive, and non-disruptive. In an industry where aggressive actives and "miracle claims" dominate headlines, Prequel instead offers a sense of reliability and balance, something that resonates with a generation of consumers burnt out on overstimulation.
This philosophy fits squarely within the Science-Driven Efficacy macro trend, where brands built around credibility, clear function, and gentle innovation are thriving. Prequel’s positioning avoids both the clinical coldness of some dermatologist brands and the overly glossy storytelling of influencer-first labels; landing in a space that feels grounded and thoughtful.
Final Thoughts
Prequel reflects a larger shift in the skincare market: away from hype, toward habit. Its foundation-first philosophy, straightforward design, and science-led formulas mark it as a brand tuned into what today’s consumer actually wants; products they understand, can rely on, and feel good using every day.
For beauty professionals and brand strategists, Prequel serves as a compelling case study in how to communicate credibility and effectiveness without sacrificing accessibility or emotional resonance. To explore more brands driving this evolution—and the macro trends shaping skincare in 2026; read Mintoiro’s Skincare Trend Forecast 2026, where Prequel is featured as one of the standout names reshaping the future of evidence-backed beauty.
