Is Humanrace the future of skincare?

Pharrell Williams’ coveted new skincare brand, Humanrace, has been quickly selling out ever since it launched in late November. That’s no surprise — Williams is an artistic and entrepreneurial legend, and his skin regimen has been somewhat… mythologized. (For real — there’s an on-going online discussion about whether or not he’s a vampire because he doesn’t show signs of aging.)

Williams has long said his skin’s youthful appearance is thanks to diligent cleansing and exfoliating. Now, he’s consulted with board-certified dermatologist Elena Jones to create a cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer as the flagship products of a skincare line that’s all about good, sustainable habits.

And Williams’ brand is about more than just a skincare ritual. Humanrace’s brand philosophy is deep; “Our approach to creating products of value is rooted in the rigorous methods of industrial design and driven by an intense focus on materials, development and craft.” At its core, Humanrace is about well-made products for a better world.

A refill system with recyclable packaging is one of the key innovations of this skincare line. Minimalist nest-and-egg packaging with a unique product insert means that Humanrace cuts down on unnecessary waste. After buying your first bottle(s), you can purchase a refill at a reduced cost to replenish your stock.

So, are Humanrace’s skincare products a want or a need? Here’s a closer look…

Humanrace Rice Powder Cleanser

$32 — An exfoliating cleanser derived from fruit, mushroom, and rice powder. It’s lightly buffing, designed to make skin brighter.

• Ingredient shoutout: kaolin clay, tocopherol, allantoin.

• Ingredient callout: none! This product meets our ingredient standards.

Humanrace Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator

$46 — This exfoliator features glycolic acid, an AHA which can help reduce hyperpigmentation and increase collagen synthesis.

• Ingredient shoutout: glycerin and glycolic acid.

• Ingredient callout: glyceryl stearate SE — you might want to avoid this if you’re acne-prone.

Humanrace Humidifying Cream

$48 — This moisturizer is designed to be deeply hydrating, with an extra creamy consistency that soothes skin.

• Ingredient shoutout: glycerin, squalane, niacinamide.

• Ingredient callout: glyceryl stearate SE and myristic acid — you might want to avoid this if you’re acne-prone.

Do I recommend you hit refresh on Humanrace.com until the restock? The bottom line: it’s probably not for everyone. Twice-daily exfoliation is too much — period. In other words, using all 3 products twice-daily probably won’t do wonders for your skin.

If your pre-existing skincare routine needs a good exfoliator, then I’d recommend the Rice Powder Cleanser — it’s my favorite of the three (and, as a bonus, it’s also the least expensive)! The other two are fine for some, but if you’re concerned about breakouts, avoid the exfoliator and the moisturizer.

For help treating acne, your first month of Curology is free. Just take a quick quiz and snap a few selfies — you’ll be matched to one of our in-house medical providers. They’ll prescribe a custom formula tailored to your skins’ unique needs, including acne, hyperpigmentation, and texture. It’s just $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping/handling on your first box, and you can add any other product from the Curology line at no extra cost.

Written by

Stephanie Papanikolas