Meet the founder of Prequel, this year’s hottest beauty launch

Three cheers! The cult US skincare brand Prequel has landed in the UK, and it’s well worthy of hype. Billed as SpaceNK’s biggest arrival of the year, it has become the retailer’s fastest-selling brand of 2026 in the two weeks since launch.Founded in 2023 by New York dermatologist Dr Samantha Ellis, whose myth-busting skincare advice has made her a social media sensation, Prequel has achieved cult status by pairing clinical efficacy with sensory textures and accessible price points, proving as much of a hit with beauty editors as those managing rosacea, eczema and sensitive skin. I caught up with Ellis to talk about barrier health, skincare mistakes and the products she can’t live without. Good skin is healthy skin. And healthy skin is predictable and comfortable. Some have this baseline naturally, while for others it’s built with consistent skincare habits. Good skin is not flawless, but skin that lets you forget about it most days. Barrier health is the foundation of my approach, but I believe that the experience of using skincare matters too. When products are enjoyable to use, people are more likely to stay consistent, and consistency delivers results.The biggest mistake people make when it comes to their skincare routine is doing too much, too quickly. They often introduce several active ingredients at once because they think more products mean better results. In reality, this irritates their skin.Prequel came about because I was aware many of the products I was recommending to clients came with price tags that weren’t realistic for all. So, I decided to create a science-backed skincare brand that was accessible and enjoyable to use.The skincare rule we should all live by? Support your skin barrier first. A healthy barrier helps your skin function best, making it better able to tolerate active ingredients and defend itself against stressors. Pair that with sun protection and you’re giving it the best long-term care possible.Great skincare can improve hydration, appearance and overall quality, but it can’t change genetics or replace certain medical treatments.When it comes to my routine, I am low-key. You don’t need a 10-step routine to have great skin. I stick to a handful of products that I know work and use them consistently. PrequelWhat’s in my cabinet now? Prequel Gleanser (£20, Spacenk.com) my must-try, non-stripping, glycerin cleanser for the face and body; the Prequel Multi-Quench serum (£30, Spacenk.com), a multi-level, rehydrating formula with dual-weight polyglutamic acid, glycerin, osmolytes and ectoin, plus Prequel AM/PM moisturiser (£20, Spacenk.com). Then Rhode barrier butter (£36, rhodeskin.com), which is a great for deep overnight hydration, Haruharu’s Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit daily sunscreen SPF50+ (£16, Amazon.co.uk) and Vaseline (£1.80, boots.com) to lock in moisture and protect chapped skin.