Pharrell's Humanrace Skin-Care Products Review
I Tested Pharrell's Three-Step Skin-Care Line, and These Are My Unfiltered Thoughts
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I wasn't that surprised when I learned that Pharrell was launching his gender-free skin-care line, Humanrace. It made total sense that the singer would enter the space because his skin is flawless and has been a topic within the beauty industry for years. Pharrell created the three-step, genderless collection alongside his dermatologist of 20 years, Elena Jones, MD. But what I wanted to know was whether it would work for me.
When receiving the products, my initial reaction was that I loved how sleek the packageing looked. The bright green colour instantly caught my eye, and I loved the fact that the bottles featured brail to make them more accessible to everyone. The three-piece skin-care line comes with the Rice Powder Cleanser ($32), Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator ($46), and Humidifying Cream ($48), which all work together to help you gently cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin. All of the products also come with refillable packageing to help reduce the industry's use of single-use plastic.
If you're wondering whether the products live up to the hype, I tested them out first-hand to be sure. Read my unfiltered opinion on each one ahead.
Humanrace Rice Powder Cleanser Review
First, I started with the Rice Powder Cleanser ($32), which is packed with rice particles and fruit alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to whisk away dirt while gently exfoliating the skin. I removed the screw cap, placed a dime-sized amount of powder into my hands, and mixed it with a little water. While this isn't my first rodeo with a rice powder cleanser — I've used Tacha's Rice Polish before — the one difference I noticed right off the bat was that it didn't lather as much as I wanted it to. The product is fragrance-free, and when I applied it to my face, it had a bit of a chalky smell. What I liked was that it didn't strip my skin of its natural moisture or make it feel tight, which was a nice feeling.
While I thought the product itself did what it promised, I wasn't in love with the lack of lather because I tend to like my cleansers a little more sudsy.
Humanrace Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator Review
Next up, I used the Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator ($46), which combines a heavy hit of exfoliating acids — 8 percent glycolic acid and 2 percent fruit AHAs — to remove dead skin cells. I used the exfoliator twice a week, as directed, and I loved how gentle it was. I didn't feel any burning or tingling sensation like I do with most glycolic exfoliators. One thing to note with this product is that, while the cleanser and cream have a screw cap, this one is a pull cap. It took me a second to realise that, and I accidentally popped out the whole refillable section of the bottle. While it wasn't a big deal once I got the hang of it, the packageing didn't seem as intuitive as I'd hope it would be.
Humanrace Humidifying Cream Review
I finished the three-step routine with the Humidifying Cream ($48), which boasts ingredients like snow mushroom (to soothe) and squalane (to hydrate). I loved that the cream had a whipped feel to it — the formula felt moisturising enough to treat any dry spots but also lightweight enough that it didn't make my skin feel oily over the course of the day, which is something I deal with often when it comes to thicker face creams.
Overall, I liked the products and what the brand stands for. While I found myself navigating back to my regular go-to cleanser over the rice powder, I continued to use the exfoliator and the cream. If you're looking to build a beginner's skin-care routine, these three steps are a good start. Or, these products can also be easily interwoven into a more complex, multi-step skin-care routine, which is what I'll personally be doing.
While all the products are currently sold-out, you can sign up for updates on the website to keep track of the next drop.
