Humanrace Skincare Review: I Tried Pharrell‘s Line and Here‘s My Honest Opinion

Hey there beauty lovers! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in skincare. So when I heard that music icon Pharrell Williams was launching his own line, Humanrace, I knew I had to get my hands on it ASAP. Pharrell has been a longtime style muse of mine – I mean, the man never seems to age! I was so curious to learn his skincare secrets.

Now, I know what you‘re probably thinking – another overhyped celebrity skincare line? I hear you. But after doing my research on the brand and testing the products for a few weeks, I can confidently say that Humanrace truly stands out from the pack. In this in-depth review, I‘ll be sharing my honest experience with the products and diving into what makes this brand so special.

The Ethos of Humanrace

Before we jump into the product reviews, I want to touch on the meaning behind the brand name "Humanrace." Pharrell has said he chose the name to represent his belief that "skin is a great equalizer – it‘s something we all have in common, regardless of race, gender, or age." His goal with Humanrace was to create a line of skincare essentials that would work for everyone.

I love this inclusive philosophy. So much of the beauty industry is about dividing us into narrow identities or "skin types." But at the end of the day, we all just want to feel comfortable and confident in our own skin, right? Humanrace keeps it simple with three core products – a cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer – that address universal skin concerns.

Another huge draw for me is the brand‘s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. The products are vegan, cruelty-free, and housed in eco-friendly refillable packaging. Humanrace is also dedicated to giving back, with a portion of proceeds funding organizations that support underserved communities. We love a socially conscious skincare moment!

The Three-Minute Facial

Okay, now let‘s get into the goods. The core Humanrace routine is billed as the "Three-Minute Facial" – an easy, daily ritual consisting of the Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Cream. Pharrell developed this regimen with his longtime dermatologist Dr. Elena Jones to "democratize" the typically pricey professional facial experience.

As a busy working mom, I am all about simplicity when it comes to my skincare routine. I was intrigued by the idea that I could achieve major results in just a few minutes a day. And spoiler alert: the Three-Minute Facial did not disappoint! Here‘s the rundown on each product.

Rice Powder Cleanser

What it is: A gentle powder-to-foam cleansing formula that purifies and brightens skin
Key Ingredients: Rice powder, snow mushroom, kaolin clay
My take: I‘ll admit I was skeptical about a powder cleanser at first. It seemed messy and like it wouldn‘t be able to actually, you know, clean my skin. But I was pleasantly surprised! You dispense about a dime-size amount of powder into your wet hands and it instantly transforms into this luxurious, milky lather.

The rice powder gently buffs away dead skin without stripping, while the kaolin clay sucks out impurities and excess oil. Snow mushroom (which we‘ll be talking more about later) adds a nice dose of hydration. After rinsing, my skin feels insanely soft and looks bright and refreshed. I like to use this in the morning to perk up my complexion before applying makeup.

Usage tips: Less is more with this cleanser. A little goes a long way! Start with a pea-size amount and add more if needed. Take your time massaging it in for at least 30-60 seconds for the deepest clean.

Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator

What it is: A resurfacing gel serum that gently sloughs off dead skin to reveal smoother, clearer skin
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lotus leaf, apple fruit extract
My take: Exfoliation is such an essential step for maintaining healthy skin, but it‘s easy to overdo it with overly harsh scrubs. I appreciate that this formula uses a blend of gentle chemical exfoliants to get the job done without irritation.

The star of the show is 8% glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that dives deep into pores to clear out gunk and boost cell turnover. Lotus leaf and apple fruit extract provide antioxidant protection and ensure the formula isn‘t too drying. With consistent use, I‘ve noticed a huge improvement in the texture and radiance of my skin. Old acne scars and hyperpigmentation have faded and my skin just looks more even and polished overall.

Usage tips: If you have sensitive skin, start by using this 1-2 times per week and slowly increase as tolerated. Always use an SPF during the day when using this product, as AHAs can make your skin more photosensitive.

Fascinating fact: Lotus leaf has been used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine to soothe inflammation and promote healing. Modern studies have shown that it‘s a potent source of antioxidants that can help protect skin from damaging free radicals and UV rays.

Humidifying Cream

What it is: A lightweight, deeply hydrating moisturizer that plumps skin with snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid
Key ingredients: Snow mushroom extract, hyaluronic acid, squalane, tiger leaf
My take: First of all, can we talk about the texture of this cream? It‘s unlike anything I‘ve tried before – so light and whipped, almost like a soufflé. But don‘t let the featherweight feel fool you, this stuff packs a major hydrating punch.

The magic ingredient is snow mushroom, a buzzy adaptogen that‘s been popping up in skincare lately. Snow mushroom has been shown to hold up to 500 times its weight in water, making it an even more powerful humectant than hyaluronic acid. It works by pulling moisture into the skin and locking it in for long-lasting hydration.

I‘ve been using the Humidifying Cream twice a day and have noticed a huge difference in the suppleness and bounce of my skin. It absorbs quickly with no greasy residue and wears beautifully under makeup. Even with my dry, flaky skin, I feel like this moisturizer gives me enough nourishment without the need for a separate serum or oil.

Usage tips: Apply a dime-size dollop to damp skin after cleansing and exfoliating. Take a few moments to really massage it in and let it absorb. If you‘re extra dry, you can layer a facial oil on top.

The Science of Snow Mushroom

The snow mushroom extract in the Humidifying Cream and Rice Powder Cleanser is one of the things that really sets Humanrace apart in my opinion. This unassuming ingredient packs a powerful punch – here‘s what the research says:

• A 2016 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that snow mushroom extract was more effective at increasing skin hydration levels than hyaluronic acid
• Another study from 2019 showed that snow mushroom has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that may help soothe, repair, and protect the skin barrier
• Snow mushroom contains polysaccharides, which are humectant carbohydrates that attract water into the skin and lock it in, resulting in long-lasting hydration

I asked dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., for her take on snow mushroom: "Snow mushroom is an incredible hydrator that works similarly to hyaluronic acid by pulling moisture into the skin. But snow mushroom actually has smaller particles than HA, so it may penetrate the skin more deeply. It also has the added benefits of reducing inflammation and free radical damage."

Given my positive experience with snow mushroom through Humanrace, it‘s definitely an ingredient I‘ll be keeping an eye out for in the future. Much like Pharrell‘s music, this soothing ‘shroom is an earworm I can‘t get out of my head!

What Sets Humanrace Apart

Celeb skincare lines are a dime a dozen these days, but I really do think Pharrell is onto something special with Humanrace. There are a few key things that distinguish this brand:

• Ingredient quality: No expense was spared in sourcing the highest quality, most efficacious ingredients. You can tell that a ton of research and care went into the formulations. Everything is dermatologist-tested and approved.

• Commitment to sustainability: These days, it‘s not enough for products to just perform well – they need to be ethical and eco-friendly as well. I love that Humanrace uses refillable packaging and clean, vegan ingredients.

• Inclusive philosophy: Again, I can‘t overstate how refreshing it is for a skincare brand to emphasize our shared humanity rather than divide us into limiting categories. More of this energy, please!

• Streamlined routine: In the age of 12-step routines, it‘s nice to see a line that strips things back to the well-executed basics. The fact that Pharrell and Dr. Elena took inspiration from professional facial treatments speaks volumes.

So, are the Humanrace products worth their somewhat hefty price tag? In my opinion, absolutely. The brand really delivers when it comes to quality ingredients, sustainability practices, elegant textures, and actual results. This is a fantastic option if you‘re looking to treat yourself to a skincare splurge that performs.

To break it down further, here‘s how the Humanrace products compare price-wise to some other notable celeb skincare lines:

Brand	Cleanser	Moisturizer
Humanrace	$32 for 4 oz.	$48 for 1.7 oz.
Fenty Skin	$25 for 5 oz.	$35 for 1.7 oz.
JLo Beauty	$38 for 4 oz.	$58 for 1.7 oz.
Kora Organics	$30 for 3.4 oz	$58 for 1.7 oz

As you can see, Humanrace falls about in the middle of the price range. But in my opinion, you‘re getting a superior product experience and supporting a brand with some serious integrity.

The Bottom Line

If you couldn‘t tell by now, I am beyond impressed with Pharrell‘s Humanrace line. The Three-Minute Facial products have completely transformed my skin in just a few weeks of use. My complexion has never looked brighter, smoother, or more supple. I‘m also just so in love with the brand‘s philosophy and commitment to clean, inclusive, sustainable skincare for all.

I know these products are a bit of an investment, but if you‘re in a position to splurge on a high-end skincare routine that actually delivers results, Humanrace is so worth checking out. And if you‘re not ready to commit to full sizes just yet, I highly recommend snagging the Discovery Set to test out the products first.

At the end of the day, all Humanrace marketing and celeb hype aside, you have to go with the products that make you feel your best. Skincare is such a personal journey. But I truly believe Pharrell has created something remarkable with this line.

I hope my review gave you some helpful insight into the brand and products! Have you tried Humanrace yet? I‘d love to hear about your experience – shoot me a DM on Instagram @skinfluencer. Until next time, go forth and glow!