Humanrace
Humanrace is a premium direct-to-consumer skincare and body care brand founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, selling dermatologist-tested clean formulations, a subscription/refill program, and limited-edition adidas apparel collaborations exclusively through humanrace.com.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Humanrace does
Humanrace is a Los Angeles-based, direct-to-consumer skincare and body care brand operating as Human Race PW, LLC, founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020. The company sells dermatologist-tested, clean formulations — including the 7D Hyaluronic Acid gel line, the Three-Minute Facial trio (Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, Humidifying Face Cream), and body care (Humidifying Body Cream, Whiteclay and Charcoal body bars) — through humanrace.com at premium price points ranging from $19 to $156. Product development is overseen by Chief Dermatologist Dr. Elena Jones, MD, with proprietary features including multi-molecular 7D Hyaluronic Acid technology, a powder-to-foam cleanser activation system, and a refillable packaging architecture that reduces single-use plastic consumption by 53-75%.
The business model is multi-stream: (i) one-time DTC product and kit sales at unit pricing; (ii) a subscription and refill program offering 10% off recurring orders, early access to new products, and customizable delivery frequency (every 4-12 weeks); and (iii) limited-edition collaborations — primarily with adidas (Adizero EVO SL 'Earth' and 'Mars', EVOLUTION Pro footwear, archive running apparel) and Dover Street Market (Black Routine Kit) — that generate premium-priced drops and earned media. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer with international shipping via DHL Expedited Max and FedEx, and the customer base is positioned horizontally across all genders, ages, and ethnicities, with secondary emphasis on the growing Gen Z male grooming segment.
Operationally, the brand is founder-controlled and bootstrapped (no disclosed funding rounds or institutional investors), with a small team (11-50 employees), headquarters in New York, and a mailing address in Los Angeles. Competitive advantages center on Pharrell Williams' cultural equity, the Dr. Elena Jones clinical credibility layer, sustainability positioning via post-consumer recycled packaging, and access to high-prestige collaborators (adidas, Dover Street Market, Arita Porcelain Lab, Ultrasuede).
Humanrace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Humanrace
- Legal name
- Human Race PW, LLC
- Website
- https://humanrace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Humanrace is a premium direct-to-consumer skincare and body care brand founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, selling dermatologist-tested clean formulations, a subscription/refill program, and limited-edition adidas apparel collaborations exclusively through humanrace.com.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Humanrace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Skincare and Body Care
- NAICS
- Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging) (CRABAAAB), Natural/Organic & Clean Skincare (CRABAAAH), Men’s Facial Skincare (Cleansers, Moisturizers, Anti-aging) (CRABAGAD), Body Skincare (Lotions, Creams, Body Oils) (CRABAAAD), Skincare Sets, Kits & Travel Sizes (CRABAAAL), Sensitive Skin & Barrier Repair (CRABAAAG)
Keywords
Where Humanrace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Humanrace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Skincare and Bodycare Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of face care, body care, kits, and accessories through the humanrace.com e-commerce platform. One-time purchase model with products ranging from $19-$62 for individual items and $54-$156 for kits.
- Subscription and Refill Program: Recurring subscription model offering 10% discount on refills, early access to new products, and exclusive benefits. Subscription program delivers recurring revenue through refill purchases every 4-12 weeks depending on product and frequency.
- Limited Edition Collaborations: Revenue from co-branded limited edition products including adidas x Humanrace footwear and apparel collaborations, and Dover Street Market exclusive releases. Cross-promotional products drive premium pricing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Face Care Products - $45-$64 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Body Care Products - $19-$58 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kits and Sets - $54-$156 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Refill Program - 10% discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Humanrace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Humanrace designs, develops, and sells dermatologist-tested skincare and body care products directly to consumers via humanrace.com. Its offering spans face cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, body bars, body creams, routine kits, and a refill/subscription program, alongside limited-edition collaborative apparel and accessories. All formulations are positioned as clean, universal, and clinically validated across diverse skin types.
Product overview
Humanrace is a clean skincare and body care brand founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, offering dermatologist-tested products designed for all humans. The core product line includes the 7D Gel line (Retrograde Gel Cleanser and Mystifying Gel Moisturizer featuring 7D Hyaluronic Acid), the Three-Minute Facial line (Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Face Cream), and body care products (Humidifying Body Cream, Reenergizing Whiteclay Body Bar, Energy Channeling Charcoal Body Bar). Products are offered individually, as kits (Travel Kit, Discovery Kit, Three-Minute Facial Routine Kit, 7D Gel Facial Kit, Take a Moment Body Bar Kit), and as limited editions (Dover Street Market Black Routine Kit). The brand also offers collaborative athletic apparel with adidas (Adizero EVO SL 'Mars' and Earth, Running Jacket, Running Gel Short), apparel capsules (CATCH YOUR BREATH), and accessories (Ceramic Trays). Humanrace provides a subscription program with 10% discounts and a sustainable refill program that saves 53-75% plastic compared to new purchases.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 7D Retrograde Gel Cleanser A lightweight gel cleanser with 7D Hyaluronic Acid that removes dirt and impurities without stripping moisture, leaving skin refreshed and nourished. Designed for all skin types.
- 7D Mystifying Gel Moisturizer A lightweight gel moisturizer with 7D Hyaluronic Acid offering instant hydration and blue light protection, moisturizing both inner and outer skin layers.
- Humidifying Face Cream A rich moisturizing cream with snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid providing deep hydration, soothing skin, and locking in moisture for up to 12 hours.
- Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator A triple-action exfoliator combining 8% glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, and rice particles to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother, more balanced skin.
- Rice Powder Cleanser A daily powder cleanser that activates with water into a creamy foam, melting away buildup and impurities while lightly exfoliating to reveal softer, brighter-looking skin.
- Humidifying Body Cream A rich body cream with Bakuchiol and Peptides to nourish skin, enhance firmness, and strengthen the skin barrier while delivering deep hydration.
- Reenergizing Whiteclay Body Bar A gentle, soap-free body bar with Kaolin Clay, Shea Butter, and Jojoba Oil that cleanses and hydrates without stripping moisture, suitable for daily use on sensitive skin.
- Energy Channeling Charcoal Body Bar A gentle, soap-free exfoliating body bar with Charcoal Powder and Rice Powder that detoxifies, absorbs excess oils, and refines skin texture without stripping moisture.
- Three-Minute Facial Routine Kit A three-step routine kit containing Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Face Cream designed to be completed in three minutes morning and night.
- Black Routine Kit (Dover Street Market Limited Edition) A limited edition collaboration with Dover Street Market featuring Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Face Cream in 100% post-consumer recycled refillable black bottles.
- 7D Gel Facial Kit A two-piece set featuring the 7D Retrograde Gel Cleanser and 7D Mystifying Gel Moisturizer with 7D Hyaluronic Acid for deep, multi-weighted hydration across multiple skin layers.
- Travel Kit A curated set of four best-selling skin and body care essentials presented in a custom travel roll crafted from Ultrasuede, designed for maintaining skincare rituals on the go.
- Discovery Kit An introduction to Humanrace skincare with four travel-sized bestselling formulas in a portable format designed to restock the custom Ultrasuede travel roll.
- Take a Moment Body Bar Kit A kit combining the Reenergizing Whiteclay and Energy Channeling Charcoal Body Bars for gentle daily cleansing, exfoliation, and skin rebalancing.
- Ceramic Tray Large A hand-crafted ceramic tray from Arita, Japan, made at a porcelain lab with over 200 years of tradition, featuring hand glazing for ceremony in daily skincare routines.
- Ceramic Tray Small A smaller hand-crafted ceramic tray from Arita, Japan, made at a porcelain lab with over 200 years of tradition, designed for a selection of daily skincare products.
- Humanrace Long Sleeve A long sleeve shirt crafted from soft organic cotton made in Portugal, featuring CATCH YOUR BREATH embroidery, designed for late sunsets, early starts, or cool weather.
- adidas x Humanrace Adizero EVO SL 'Mars' A collaborative running shoe with Lightstrike Pro cushioning exploring the future of everyday movement, inspired by the rugged terrain of the red planet.
- adidas x Humanrace Adizero EVO SL Earth
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of subjects saw improved skin radiance over 8 weeks
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Humanrace
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Humanrace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Humanrace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- adidascoreadidas and Humanrace unveiled the EVOLUTION Pro, a $1,000 collaborative running shoe combining Pharrell's design language with adidas' performance engineering. The partnership includes the Adizero EVO SL 'Mars' and 'Earth' models featuring Lightstrike Pro cushioning technology. The collaboration explores the future of everyday movement under creative direction of Pharrell Williams.
- Dover Street MarketminorLimited edition Black Routine Kit designed exclusively in collaboration with Dover Street Market, featuring the same award-winning Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Face Cream packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled refillable black bottles.
- Particular (Ibiza)minorConceived with vibrant Jondal-based concept store Particular, the CATCH YOUR BREATH capsule collection celebrates recovery rituals at Jondal in Ibiza. The wearable reminder to slow down and reconnect with body and breath includes T-shirts, long sleeves, and rash guards made in Portugal from organic cotton.
- Ultrasuede (Japan)minorTravel Kit presented in custom travel roll crafted from Ultrasuede, a partially plant-based material from Japan with soft hand feel. The undyed material and innovative bonding techniques minimize waste during production.
- Arita Porcelain Lab (Japan)minorCeramic trays meticulously hand-crafted in Arita, Japan, from a porcelain lab creating beautiful ceramics for over 200 years. Attention to detail from bisque firing to hand glazing preserves the tradition of porcelain creation.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Humanrace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CeraVe: CeraVe is a dermatologist-developed mass-market skincare brand with hyaluronic acid and ceramide expertise (L'Oréal). Comparable on clinically-validated ingredients (especially hyaluronic acid) and broad consumer accessibility.
- Clinique: Clinique is an established dermatologist-developed skincare brand from Estée Lauder Companies. Comparable on the dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, universal-skin-type positioning that anchors Humanrace's clinical credibility claims.
Direct peers
- Versed Skincare: Versed is a clean, dermatologist-informed skincare brand selling through DTC and Target. Comparable to Humanrace on clean-ingredient positioning, treatment-focused product mix (glycolic, hyaluronic, peptides), and universal consumer targeting.
- Drunk Elephant: Drunk Elephant sells premium, dermatologist-friendly clean skincare through its own DTC site and Sephora. Directly comparable to Humanrace on clean-ingredient philosophy, premium price points, and clinical/dermatologist-tested positioning.
- The Ordinary (DECIEM): The Ordinary is a treatment-led skincare brand built around actives, serums, and clinical-grade ingredients at accessible pricing. Comparable to Humanrace on ingredient-led differentiation and treatment skincare positioning.
- Glossier: Glossier is a direct-to-consumer beauty brand with a strong millennial/Gen Z following, premium positioning, and inclusive brand messaging. Closely comparable in DTC-led growth strategy and lifestyle-driven brand equity.
- Necessaire: Necessaire is a premium DTC personal care brand focused on body, skin, and wellness with clean formulations. Comparable to Humanrace on premium DTC direct-sales motion, body care focus, clean-ingredient positioning, and refill/sustainability emphasis.
- Tata Harper: Tata Harper is a luxury clean skincare brand sold DTC at premium prices, emphasizing natural ingredients and clinical-grade efficacy. Comparable to Humanrace on premium clean positioning and dermatologically-validated claims.
Emerging players
- Honest Beauty: Honest Beauty is a celebrity-founder (Jessica Alba) clean beauty brand retailing through DTC and Amazon. Closely comparable archetype as a founder-driven clean beauty brand with universal consumer positioning.
- Vacation Inc. Vacation is a celebrity-founded, design-led, premium DTC brand expanding from sun care into adjacent personal care. Highly comparable on founder-driven brand-building model, lifestyle-led positioning, and premium accessible pricing architecture.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Humanrace social profiles
Digital presenceHumanrace compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Humanrace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Humanrace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Humanrace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Humanrace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Humanrace
What does Humanrace do?
Humanrace designs, develops, and sells dermatologist-tested skincare and body care products directly to consumers via humanrace.com. Its offering spans face cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, body bars, body creams, routine kits, and a refill/subscription program, alongside limited-edition collaborative apparel and accessories. All formulations are positioned as clean, universal, and clinically validated across diverse skin types.
Is Humanrace a public or private company?
Humanrace is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Humanrace founded?
Humanrace was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Humanrace based?
Humanrace is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Humanrace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Skincare and Bodycare Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription and Refill Program and limited Edition Collaborations.
Who are Humanrace's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CeraVe and Clinique. Direct peers are Versed Skincare, Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary (DECIEM), Glossier, Necessaire and Tata Harper. Emerging players are Honest Beauty and Vacation Inc..
Does Humanrace have an API?
No public API is recorded for Humanrace.
What industry is Humanrace in?
Humanrace's product category is Skincare and Body Care. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABAAAF, Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare, with a secondary code of CRABAAAB, Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging). Its NAICS code is 456120 and its SIC code is 2844.