“With Prequel, I knew I wanted a whole suite of various skin protectants with different actives, varying formats and different textures so people can truly find the right product for them…something they want to reach for and actually use.” - Founder Dr. Sam Ellis
The FDA’s Over-the-Counter (OTC) Monograph M016: Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use lists a number of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and combinations of APIs that “temporarily protect injured or exposed skin or mucous membrane surfaces from harmful or annoying stimuli, and may help provide relief to such surfaces.” The intended use, acceptable product formats, use level, and combinations of these APIs differ to a degree but the overall goal is to protect the skin from external aggressors and accelerate skin barrier recovery. We created the Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant to offer skin protection in a water-based lightweight gel.
Our Skin Utility Gel contains 20% glycerin as the API, an ingredient that can be found in both cosmetics and OTC products. At a cosmetic level it can be a humectant keeping skin hydrated and plumped to improve skin texture and appearance while soothing irritated skin. When used between 20-45% and purified for USP grade, glycerin can function as an API in OTC skin protectants. It supports the skin’s barrier function protecting it against wind, cold dry climate, and pollution. It prevents phase transition of the stratum corneum lipids to minimize transepidermal water loss and also creates a moisture reservoir in the skin. Learn more about the benefits of glycerin in our blog.
Formulated with 20% glycerin, a 5% Vitamin B Complex, and our bioactive soothing complex, our Skin Utility Gel helps alleviate discomfort, irritation and dryness to reestablish a healthier skin barrier. The Vitamin B Complex is composed of D-panthenol, panthenyl triacetate, and niacinamide. Dexpanthenol (D-panthenol) is the biologically active form of panthenol that hydrates, reduces skin irritation, and increases skin barrier recovery. Learn more about the benefits of panthenol in our blog. Our added bioactive soothing complex, which contains the flavonoid naringenin, has a multi-level mechanism of action that targets and mitigates irritation. It is clinically tested to reduce skin irritation, visual redness, and dehydration in 1 hour. This makes our Skin Utility Gel perfect for post procedural care as recommended by your physician.
The Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant is fragrance free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested, non-comedogenic tested, suitable for all skin types, safe for sensitive skin, safe for eczema prone skin, and non-greasy. It also received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the National Rosacea Seal of Acceptance, and National Psoriasis Seal of Recognition.
How Does the Skin Utility Gel Differ From the Skin Utility Ointment?
Both the Skin Utility Ointment Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant and Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant temporarily protect and help relieve chafed, chapped, or cracked skin. They both protect the skin from the drying effects of wind and cold weather. The ointment utilizes 45% USP Petrolatum as the API which can also temporarily protect minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. The oil solubility of petrolatum and viscosity lend it best to ointment and opaque emulsion formats which is great for nighttime slugging or very dry skin and lips. The Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant, like the Skin Utility Ointment, can also be used from head to toe but the Skin Utility Gel is a lighter water-based gel with 20% glycerin. It has a quick watery break on the skin and absorbs quickly allowing for layering of additional products on top. It also feels comfortable on skin for those with combination to oily skin.
Dr. Ellis envisioned a skin protectant platform with a whole suite of products for individuals who need skin barrier support to find a product format they love to use. With this goal in mind, Prequel created several skin protectant products that differ by format and API: Skin Utility Ointment, Skin Utility Gel, Skin Utility Balm, and Barrier Therapy Cream.
DISCLAIMER: All skin care articles are intended to help educate on specific ingredients and skin care topics. Our articles are written to be informative and informational. Any reference to a specific patient experience is not a medical suggestion for treatment. Please note that any Prequel products with referenced ingredients are formulated for Cosmetic Use Only and NOT intended as replacements for physician advice and/or pharmaceutical product recommendations.
