Last Updated on April 4, 2026 by omgbart
Three Products, Three Very Different Opinions
Back in 2020, or what I refer to as the first year of the pandemic, Pharrell launched a skincare line called Humanrace. Blame my finding Rihanna's Fenty Skin shockingly underwhelming, but I was not intrigued enough to try it. The beauty landscape moves fast and my criteria for new products has become considerably more selective since turning forty. Humanrace looked the part but never quite made the cut. Then I received The Cache Vol III from Blue Mercury, which included the Three Minute Facial Routine Kit. Since the universe insisted, here are my impressions.
Rice Powder Cleanser
Sadly, this one disappointed me. The ingredient deck is genuinely good: clay, rice powder, snow mushroom, and bilberry fruit extract form a solid combination of cleansing, purifying, and nourishing agents. Combined with water it generates a soft, creamy lather. On my skin though, it turned slightly grainy, smelled faintly dusty, and delivered a performance I can only describe as okay. It feels utilitarian in a package that looks clever. I actually love the dispenser mechanism and the fact that the container never gets clogged. But if I am going to commit to an unscented powder face wash, I want joy and results. I got neither.
Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator
Of the three, this is my hands down favorite. It is a creamy rinse-off mask that gently exfoliates and leaves skin smooth and genuinely glowing. What makes it interesting is the combination of glycolic acid at 8%, a 2% blend of fruit-derived alpha hydroxy acids, and a fusion of papaya, pumpkin, and pomegranate enzymes. Pharrell has cited glycolic acid as his personal hero ingredient, and at 8% it is doing real work here. Lotus Leaf Extract keeps the experience calm throughout: no tingling, no redness, just a radiant, freshly exfoliated complexion. This one has found a permanent place in my PM routine.
Humidifying Face Cream
This formula is inspired by some of Pharrell's favorite places, none of which I would voluntarily visit in summer. Humidity may be great for the skin but it is not great for my mood.
The cream feels quite dense, almost balm-like, though it never felt heavy on my combination skin. I would reach for it at night given its slightly occlusive nature, but it absorbs better than you would expect and I have had genuinely good results using it around the eyes. The INCI highlights are worth noting: snow mushroom, cica, and apple fruit extract cover soothing, hydrating, and antioxidant bases simultaneously. Niacinamide brightens and sodium hyaluronate plumps. It is a well-considered formula. If your skin leans normal to dry, you will get a lot out of this one.
Final thoughts
If your skin is sensitive and leans normal to dry, you will enjoy Humanrace considerably more than I did. The powder cleanser is well suited to purists and minimalists but I want more body from a cleanser. The enzyme exfoliator is the one I will actually repurchase. My skin looked and felt genuinely great after using it, and the eco-friendly refill option priced a few dollars below the original vessel makes that an easy decision. The face cream is probably not a warm weather product for my combination skin, but I would happily reach for it in winter or on any long haul flight.
You can find Humanrace including the Three Minute Facial Routine Kit ($146) at thedetoxmarket.com, bluemercury.com or thirteenlune.com.
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