This winter, RATIONALE’s Founder and Director of Research, Richard Parker, takes six minutes to share his seasonal skincare rituals, favourite festive moments in New York, and the products he relies on to keep skin healthy, hydrated, and radiant throughout the colder months.
For those discovering RATIONALE for the first time, how would you describe who you are and the philosophy that drives your work?
I am a skincare researcher and cosmetic chemist. I founded RATIONALE 35 years ago in response to research revealing that 80% of facial aging is caused by the sun. Today, RATIONALE remains the world leader in solar skin protection and repair, which involves more than sunscreen and vitamin A. We are driven by medical research and this informs every decision we make and every formulation we create.
You’re spending more time in New York—what’s inspiring you most about the city during the holiday season?
One of my favorite holidays in the US is Thanksgiving, which is all about sharing a simple meal with those we love and expressing gratitude for all we have. Then of course there is the sheer beauty of Christmas…
Is there a restaurant or spot in the city that’s become a favourite?
I live on the Upper East Side, and one of my favourite places to eat and socialise is the Grill Room at The Lotos Club. It’s a private members club on East 66th St with an old-world charm and impeccable manners. I’m a regular for lunch and dinner. Casa Tua, a hot new Italian restaurant in The Surrey Hotel, is fabulous and buzzy. And of course, coffee at Goodman’s Bar … a hidden gem in the Menswear Store of Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue.
As the weather turns colder, how does your skincare ritual evolve?
My daily RATIONALE Ritual remains fairly constant throughout the year. In the morning, I apply #1 The Serum for immune protection, #2 The Light Crème for my daily antioxidant dose, then #3 The Tinted Serum Broad Spectrum SPF50+. At night, I cleanse with #4 The PreCleanse Balm and #4 The Cleanser, followed by #5 The Serum and #6 The Night Crème. But in winter I may add in an additional hydrator.
Which RATIONALE formulations are you reaching for most right now, and what makes them essential for winter skin?
During winter, especially here in New York, our skin lipids can freeze and evaporate due to the effects of cold, so I apply #4 The Crème every morning after steps 1 and 2, and before step 3, and at nighttime after step 6. And this year, I’m slathering myself in our beautiful new Illuminating Body Crème! This restores hydration and suppleness while alleviating that wintry dry, sensitive feeling.
As the year comes to a close, what are the small rituals or practices that help you slow down and reflect?
I used to love cooking, and I am fascinated by the art and science of food, but these days I rarely have time. So, I make time at Christmas! I start planning in October because I love Christmas so much. It’s equal parts food assembly—oysters, terrine,
cheese—and home cooking: roast chicken, beef Wellington, roasted vegetables, and, of course, Christmas pudding.
What’s your idea of a perfect festive moment—whether it’s a setting, a scent, a sound, or something on the table?
Christmas Eve with my family reading aloud a Christmas story, a play with carols playing in the background, and a Cire Trudon “Gabriel” candle burning. A grazing-style supper featuring handmade sausage rolls and trifle. And if we’re in New York and in luck…snow!
Looking ahead to 2026, what excites you most about RATIONALE’s next chapter in the US?
It’s incredibly exciting living in the US and seeing Americans respond to our world-leading solar protection and repair story. There are so many skincare brands here, but we remain the only line that addresses the major cause of skin aging (the sun) in a focused, co-ordinated, researched and documented way.
It is truly wonderful to see jaded doctors, journalists, and influencers respond so joyfully when they experience the RATIONALE glow and realise this is real. Our expansion online and through doctors, aestheticians, and department stores, particularly our wonderful partnership with Beauty Space at Bloomingdale’s, is especially
exciting.