Watch Pharrell Do His Morning Skin-Care Routine

“It’s been all these years, and Pharrell still hasn’t given us the keys yet...” Frank Ocean once lamented in reference to the rapper’s seemingly ageless complexion. At long last, the day has come: Today, Pharrell Williams is pulling back the curtains on his long-sought-after skin-care regimen. From next-level exfoliation to the philosophy he follows because Naomi Campbell says so, here, the 47-year-old rapper, producer, and fashion icon takes us through every step of his sacred routine.

It comes as no surprise that Williams has been tending to his complexion since his Neptunes days. “I started taking care of my skin a little over 20 years ago," he explains, crediting his awakening to longtime dermatologist Elena Jones, whom he collaborated with on his new skin-care line Humanrace, out this Wednesday, November 25. Naturally, his three-step system begins with his Rice Powder cleanser, which he pours into the palm of his hand, activates with water ("It comes to life in your hands!" he says), and kneads into his face to foamy effect. "Your face is only as good as the energy that comes from behind it," says Williams as he rinses off his face, before flashing a knowing smile at his wife, Helen Lasichanh, who is out of the frame. “My wife is in the background kiki'ing and haha'ing and all that," he laughs. "Full on distracting me! But I'm gonna focus.”

Next, he reaches for his Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, showing off its vivid green packaging, which was inspired by Japanese craftsmanship and features Braille dots for visually impaired individuals. "Exfoliate like a madman!" says Williams of his most robust skin-care step, adding that "removing those dead layers of skin as much as you can—that’s what keeps you fresh." As he spreads the creamy, exfoliating elixir across his phase, he offers a pearl of wisdom. "Naomi used to say it all the time, 'Pharrell, when you wash your face, you go upward, not downward—gravity!'" he explains. (Later he adds, “I’m a man, whose gonna tell me except the beautiful women that have been in my life?”) While cleaning off his face, he preaches the gospel of dedicated maintenance and using a wash cloth. "The routine is number one," says Williams "I don’t care what you doing—genes, genetics. It doesn’t matter. You’ve got to cleanse your face and use a cloth, people! All this hunga bunga cowboy caveman shit, that ain’t gonna do it, baby. That cloth is gonna help you exfoliate!”

Zeroing in on his gaze, Williams whips out out a set of glass vitamin C ampoules, breaks one open, and taps the supercharged serum around his eye area. “I always talk about humidity,” the Virginia Beach native explains as he spreads his Humidifying Cream over his visage. “I grew up around humidity in Virginia. It’s very humid there. Some people don’t like it. But I think that humidity is good for your skin.” Then comes an all-important layer of SPF. “Skin health is something I think everyone needs to pay attention to,” he says, noting the dramatic impact climate change is having on sun exposure. "We as Black people or people of color all need to be cognizant of the UV rays.” A quick swipe of Chanel Rouge Coco lip balm across the mouth is the final step. True to form, Williams signs off with a glowing complexion—and a stirring sentiment: “I’m grateful. I’m working on myself. Just like you.”

Shot at Mr. C Hotel in Miami - Coconut Grove