It’s hard to believe that it’s only been 10 years since Hempz “Cannabis Sativa Lotion” was first released to the tanning industry by Supre. The Hempz brand has become a household name and is today found in beauty shops, tanning salons and in all sorts of retail establishments all over the world. Dozens of copycat products have sprung up over the years to compete for the market Hempz created. Ten years later Hempz still continues to grow and innovate their unique products.
Supre had been a big player in the tanning salons in the 90s with such products as “Extreme”, the first high-end tube of tanning lotion designed for tanning salons. I guess it should have been no surprise when they broke new ground in 2001 with the use of Hemp Seed Oil and the large hemp leaf on the bottle of their new maximizers, just one new release in a growing stable of products at the time. Hemp products were a growing niche industry but had not yet crossed into mass acceptance. The new Hempz maximizer and hot maximizer were an instant hit. In 2002 when Hempz Moisturizer was released, there wasn’t a large demand for moisturizers in the tanning salons. But that was about to change.
Hempz Maximizers and then Hempz Moisturizer took off like a rocket and was soon found in tanning salons and beauty chains all over the United States. People couldn’t get enough and stores couldn’t keep it in stock. When California Tan decided to pull out of all beauty chains in order to shore up their tanning salon business, Hempz was already poised to take their place as the tanning lotion of choice. This gave them an inroad to launch a full line of Hempz natural hair care products which they did to great success. Today Hempz is a household name and is well known for its quality and innovative products.
The Hempz brand, now under the banner of Supre’s spinoff PBI group is comprised of several distinct categories. Hempz Body Care covers moisturizers, facial care products, shower gels, body scrubs, and lip balm. Hempz Couture is a full line of hair care products from moisturizing, color care and volumizing to styling products. Hempz Sun Care is a full line of tanning maximizers, bronzers, and advanced tanning lotions. Hempz Treats is a seasonal variation of its moisturizers but with different flavors for each season. Also available are SoTan tanning lotions and SoBronze Sunless, a full line of sunless products exclusively for the beauty industry.
From The Hempz Website: All Hempz products contain Pure Organic Hemp Seed Oil, one of nature’s richest sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), nutrients and vitamins that protect and condition the skin. Every product is formulated to heal and renew skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Hemp Seeds are rich in Vitamins E, C, B1, B2, B3, and B6. They contain about 25% protein, 30% carbohydrates, 15% nutrients, 15% key minerals and 15% fiber. Hemp is one of the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), with a perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Linoleic Acids, and contains 9 Key Amino Acids.
Hemp has been used for thousands of years to make a variety of items, including paper, rope, medicines and ships’ sails. In today’s eco-conscious landscape, Hemp is more prevalent than ever. It is a key ingredient in products for hair care and skin care. Hemp also is used for many other applications such as textiles, food, clothing and biodiesel fuel. Industrial Hemp has no illegal uses and is cultivated for commercial use throughout most of the world. It contains no THC.
Hemp is one of Earth’s most renewable resources, able to produce a full harvest within 120 days without the need for fertilizers or pesticides. That makes it perfect for today’s trend toward a healthy, green lifestyle.
Hempz has grown from a couple of tanning maximizers to a market force in 10 short years. It’s hard to say how far it will go in the next 10 but if the past is any guide, they will have a big and bright future ahead.
For More Information: Company Website