Under a blazing setting sun at Island Oyster in downtown Manhattan’s Governors Island on July 10, Hempz – the skincare brand touting products made of 100% hemp seed oil – unveiled a new SPF and Beauty Actives Collection aimed at keeping skin calm, cool, healthy and smelling sublime.

Aligned with summertime, the brand introduced the launch of its dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic Broad Spectrum Ultimate Hydration SPF in 30 and 50 for face and body. Enriched with Vitamin C, its scent is the brand’s signature – Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon – which customers petitioned to make into a sunscreen, per Chief Marketing Officer Jen Weiderman.

The location for the product launch was apropos – not only for its staycation vibes with a lively patio bar overlooking a stretch of Wall Street’s stately steel structures and passing boats sailing the choppy, glittery waves of the Hudson River – but the island’s impressive history. The 172-acre arts and culture hub houses recreational activities and the New York Harbor School, known for its maritime-focused curriculum.

Hempz too shares an impressive history. The brand, known for its wellness-boosting products – some of which contain CBD – celebrated a quarter century in business last year.

History of Hempz

Since 1998, Hempz has encouraged consumers to turn over a “new leaf” when it comes to their body, bath, skin and hair care routines. Since before its founding in the revolutionary 1990s, hemp seeds were a mainstay of health food stores, but not beauty aisles. While once considered alternative, hemp-powered hydration grew from an independent gem to mainstream acclaim. Hempz claims it was the first to rattle the status quo by developing products with 100% pure hemp seed oil.

The brand’s OG product was its Original Herbal Body Moisturizer. Hailed for its ultra moisturizing properties and floral banana scent, it now the brand’s hero product and a cult-favorite among consumers in the present day.

“We’ve been around a long time, and we’re really known for our hydration with our hemp seed oil and amazing scents,” said Weiderman to a sizeable crowd of attendees last Wednesday night. “We have scents for every season and for every reason.”

She said the Hempz R&D team weeded out hundreds of scents before arriving at the few most suitable for the brand.

New SPF Line

Hempz’ new SPF products offer what the brand insists “intense hydration” while providing anti-aging benefits for optimal moisture retention and sun protection: they’re water- and sweat-resistant for 80 minutes before reapplication with no unwanted white cast.

Made wholly with pure hemp seed oil and shea butter, the lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs fast into skin, and is “reef safe” given its formulation without oxybenzone and octinoxate, officials said.

Hempz’ Sweet Pineapple and Honey Melon SPF 30 also comes in a lip balm carrying the same benefits.

Beauty Actives Collection

Aside from keeping parched skin quenched and happy, the brand took its tagline, “the secret is in the seed” into the creation of a Beauty Actives collection. The line focus on anti-aging benefits that extends beyond the face to include the whole body.

Hempz’ herbal body serum trio is ideal for after-shower and enriched with Vitamin C to brighten skin on the whole body.

Citrus Blossom aims to reduce hyperpigmentation, even skin tone and promote glowing, youthful skin. Ocean Breeze is formulated with hyaluronic acid to moisturize, protect and heal skin while providing anti-aging benefits in the form of “dramatic” hydration and firmer-looking skin with notes of hibiscus, palm grass and sugary watercane.

The Cucumber & Aloe serum contains ceramides and Vitamin B3 to improve elasticity and smooth skin. Formulated with notes of cucumber water, aloe and water lotus, this multi-benefit serum smooths skin’s surface and safeguards from water loss. The Sweet Jasmine & Rose serum contains plant collagen to help firm and moisturize skin to condition skin with notes of jasmine, tea roses and ripe fig.

Facial moisturizers include the Hydrating Daily Moisturizer with hyaluronic acid as a solution for problematic dry skin with a calming ocean breeze scent and Brightening Day Moisturizer with Vitamin C in a Citrus Blossom scent to brighten, restore and hydrate skin. The Hempz Smoothing Daily Moisturizer with Ceramides + B3 contains subtle notes of cucumber and aloe to smooth and hydrate.

Facial serums include the Hydrating Day Serum with Hyaluronic Acid with a calming ocean breeze scent; Brightening Day Serum with Vitamin C in Citrus Blossom scent. Hempz Smoothing Serum with Ceramides + B3 emit subtle notes of cucumber and aloe to smooth and hydrate.

For evening, Hempz Restoring Night Moisturizer with Retinol Alternative is ideal to restore worn skin to mitigate the appearance of lines and wrinkles with notes of lavender and chamomile.

The Hempz Ocean Breeze Gentle Facial Foaming Cleanser can be used morning and night. Formulated with shea butter and ginseng, it emits a clean scent of hibiscus, palm grass and sugary watercane.

Hempz’ new Broad Spectrum SPF is available at Ulta Beauty, Target, Amazon and hempz.com. The new body serums are available exclusively at Ulta and Hempz.com and the facial skincare products are online at Hempz.com and Amazon.