Clap Along: Pharrell Williams’s Skincare Line Humanrace Lands at Mecca

Is it just us, or did Pharrell Williams somehow stop aging decades ago? The rapper, producer and Louis Vuitton Menswear creative director is 53 years old, but you’d never know it from his youthful complexion. In November 2020, he offered a clue to the origins of his seemingly timeproof looks with the launch of his skincare brand, Humanrace.

Developed alongside his dermatologist of more than 20 years, Dr Elena Jones, Humanrace was previously only available in Australia via the brand’s website. Now, the line has landed exclusively at Mecca stores across Australia and New Zealand, making it easier than before to get your hands on Humanrace’s signature green bottles.

“I have to say, it’s pretty exciting to see Humanrace launching in Australia and New Zealand. It’s a milestone,” Williams tells Broadsheet. “There’s a real understanding here that wellbeing isn’t something separate from everyday life, it’s part of how you live. That feels very connected to what Humanrace is.”

For Williams, skincare should be universal. “The name Humanrace says everything you need to know … It’s for all. It’s for everyone. That’s at the ethos of everything I do and create. I make things for humans.”

The range centres on the three-step routine Williams has followed for years: cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise. The Rice Powder cleanser combines kaolin clay (a gentle physical exfoliant), snow mushroom extract (a natural hydrator) and geranium extract to gently polish the skin without stripping it. “Years ago, Naomi [Campbell] introduced me to finishing my cleanse with ice-cold water. It’s a ritual that’s stayed with me.”

Williams’s biggest skincare recommendation, though, is exfoliation. The Lotus Enzyme exfoliator uses glycolic acid, fruit enzymes and lotus leaf extract to smooth texture and clear away build-up. “I’ve always talked about exfoliating like a madman,” he says. “It’s something I learned early on from my dermatologist.”

The routine finishes with the Humidifying face cream, formulated with snow mushroom extract, niacinamide and tiger leaf extract (aka centella asiatica), which is claimed to soothe redness and repair the skin barrier. More recently, Humanrace expanded the line with its 7D range, powered by seven molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for deeper, longer-lasting hydration.

As you’d expect from Williams, the packaging is as thoughtfully designed as the formulas themselves. The recyclable, refillable bottles resemble minimalist design objects more than conventional skincare packages. The sculptural green vessels have replaceable inner pods and braille embossed on the exterior to make the products more accessible.

“The products have to perform, but you have to show up too,” Williams says. “It’s the combination of the product and the ritual, over time, that makes the difference.”