Skincare Secrets: Why Rationale Founder Richard Parker Truly Believes in Personalised Skincare

The cosmetic chemist went from being a classical musician to founder of luxury skincare brand, Rationale

What do you get when you mix a classically trained pianist and cellist with the world of beauty? The result is, apparently, a skincare brand.

But Richard Parker is no ordinary musician. While he was an accomplished performer and musical educator prior to his entry into the world of dermatological research, he soon became dedicated to skincare.

The cosmetic chemist is the brain behind luxury skincare label Rationale, which was founded in Melbourne, Australia, after dealing with his own skin concerns and problems, culminating in a passion for skin health and epigenetics to combat issues individuals face.

Merging science with beauty, Parker and the team at Rationale devoted years of research and study of the human skin. The study includes how lifestyle and the expression of our genes can affect how it reacts to different formulations and ingredients. It also led Rationale to discover the recipe to what one needs to protect and restore the skin’s natural luminosity.

“The vitality and beauty of human skin has always been my guiding light,” says Parker. “My vision to take our signature luminosity to the world is founded on our deep knowledge that every skin, while unique in its needs and goals, is built upon the same principles of radiant health worldwide.”

The brand recently made its international debut with two new boutiques opening in Singapore last month. Previously, Rationale was only exclusively available via dermatologists, plastic surgeons and cosmetic physicians for over 20 years, with 14 flagship stores in Australia, and a network of medical stockists in Australia and the UK.

We speak to the skincare expert to learn more about his “quest to pursue luminous skin for life” and how exactly he will achieve it with his current everyday skincare routine.

How long do you typically spend on your skincare routine?

Richard Parker (RP): My skincare ritual takes about six minutes a day. I follow the Rationale Essential Six philosophy, so it’s three steps, and three minutes, in the morning for daily protection, and three steps and another three minutes in the evening for nightly repair. Consistency and commitment truly are the keys to outstanding results that last a lifetime.

What is your skincare routine like for the day?

RP: I begin with a few drops of Rationale #1 The Serum to support skin resilience followed by Rationale #2 The Hydragel for antioxidant nourishment and water-light hydration. I finish my daytime regimen with environmental protection via Rationale #3 The Tinted Serum SPF50+. The Zinc Fusion not only offers incredible protection but is really wonderful for calming skin and activating radiance.

What is your skincare routine for the night?

RP: I begin by cleansing my skin with Rationale #4 The Cleanser. It’s a ceramide-enriched, creamy formulation that supports skin barrier function. Next, I apply two to three drops of Rationale #5 The Serum to rebalance my skin’s pH and amplify radiance. I then finish with Rationale #6 The Night Crème as my final step to support overnight renewal and repair.

What was the last skincare product that you bought?

RP: While an important part of my work involves personally testing all new formulations our Research Department has in development, I also see my Rationale Skin therapist for a monthly treatment and review of my current daily ritual. I trust my therapist implicitly and I always buy all of the products my therapist recommends!

Away from skincare, I love Frederic Malle and Cire Trudon fragrances, so they usually feature on the recently purchased list!

Are there any new skincare trends that you’re excited to try?

RP: Rationale is pioneering a new concept we call ‘Geocentric Delivery Systems.’ Inspired by our recent expansion into Asia, this hypothesis reflects our deep understanding that where you live and the environmental challenges you face, determine not only the skincare actives you need but how and when they are delivered to precise tissues and cells in the skin. I believe this is the true future of personalised skincare.

When did you start paying extra attention to your skin?

RP: I was not born with good skin genes—I inherited my mother’s vulnerability to the sun and my father’s tendency toward acne. From my teenage years, I dedicated my life to skincare research and creating superlative formulations that protect and repair environmental damage. Having created a skincare system that restored radiant health to my own skin, I am now fanatical about following my Rationale Ritual morning and night and sharing this knowledge with the world!

What’s one skincare must-have you’ve “influenced” others to purchase?

RP: I find myself continually encouraging friends, colleagues and family to have a Rationale consultation with one of our therapists or consultants. The profound knowledge that comes from this medically-inspired analysis and personalised skincare prescription is truly empowering. Since every skin is unique, it’s the one ‘must-have’ I insist on!

What’s a skincare product you can’t live without?

RP: It truly is about the Ritual. I’m going to bend the rules and say my personalised Rationale Essential Six Ritual is the one skincare ‘”must-have”—for morning and evening!

What’s the most important skincare step to you?

RP: For every Rationale client, myself included, it’s the daily ritual of the Essential Six steps that delivers luminous skin for life. Consistency, day-by-day is the key!

Where and what is your go-to facial?

RP: I have the rosacea gene, so my skin is somewhat sensitive to environmental challenges. I book in for a Rationale Cryogenic Facial every month. It is soothing and anti-inflammatory at both a cellular and whole body level. Thoroughly restorative and strengthening.

Is skincare the new self-care? What are your thoughts on this?

RP: I think most self-care comes down to mindfulness and an investment back into self. I’ve long believed that a daily skincare routine truly is a ritual in terms of a meaningful a personal, devotional act. Those few minutes each morning and evening that you dedicate to yourself and to your skin health are precious. Rationale clients look forward to those quiet moments; embracing the ritual of their personalised Essential Six steps. Of course, the regular practice of good skincare is self-evident. You can see in your own skin, day by day, whether what you are doing is working. It begins with the visible transformation—experiencing a return to skin health and radiance—and what follows is a renewed sense of confidence, even joy. It’s the ultimate in self-care, and the benefits are lifelong and life-affirming.

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What is one piece of skincare advice that you live by?

RP: Know your own skin! Then you will always know what is right and wrong for you. A Rationale consultation includes an analysis of your genetic tendencies and contributing factors in your physical, psychological and emotional environment. The knowledge you gain is profound and will always guide you towards the perfect ritual for your skin.

What is your beauty tool of choice?

RP: There are many wonderful physical therapies to support skin health and vitality including light-based and sonic devices, but these should only be used in the hands of a thoroughly trained experienced therapist or dermatologist. A good quality mask brush, however, is a thing of beauty!

Have you tried out aesthetic treatments? Why or why not?

RP: I have a gentle yearly laser treatment for my rosacea with my dermatologist, Dr Belinda Welsh, in Melbourne.

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skincare secrets rationale richard parker personalised skincare beauty tips skincare tips

Tatler Asia

Skincare Secrets: Why Rationale Founder Richard Parker Truly Believes in Personalised Skincare