For nearly three decades, Hemporium’s natural skincare and haircare line—crafted with care by Renee—has brought the nourishing power of hemp to our customers. Join us as we celebrate her timeless work.
The story of our hemp skincare and haircare range began in 1998, when Renee, then the owner of a hemp shop in Cape Town, first formulated the products. In 2001, after stepping away from the shop, Renee remained dedicated to her craft, offering to continue producing the beloved range exclusively for Hemporium.
Her commitment has ensured that her original formulations have stood the test of time, remaining a cornerstone of our collection.
Reflecting on her journey, Renee shared her motivations for entering the hemp industry:
“I’d been deeply involved in liberation politics, and when I wanted to leave that terrain after a brief spell in parliament, various people believed I could get the hemp industry going in South Africa. Initially, my main passion was job creation, and I presented various scenarios to then Minister of Agriculture Derek Hanekom and our president Thabo Mbeki. But I soon saw it would take too long, and that for penniless me, there was going to be too much money and politics involved at a larger level. So, I decided to withdraw and focus on what I could produce myself at a sustainable and ethical level.”
Renee’s vision of sustainability and ethics became the foundation for her work with Hemporium, shaping the future of our skincare and haircare range.
Renee’s decision to use hemp for her skincare formulations was rooted in the incredible benefits of the plant. When asked what makes hemp so well-suited for cosmetics products, she answered, “The essential fatty acid profile! The absorbability… The way the skin simply sucks it up! The protein content and cooling properties, so that it assists to stop bleeding and cool burns or grazes.”
In addition to her love for hemp, Renee studied Ayurvedic cosmetology at the Mumbai Institute, incorporating these ancient principles into her formulations. This blend of hemp’s natural properties and Ayurvedic wisdom has made the range uniquely effective in nourishing and healing the skin.
As we look toward the future, Renee’s business remains proudly 50% Black-owned. Renee’s son, who has been a part of the business since childhood, will step into a leadership role in 2025. While he has focused on his music over the past decade, he is now ready to carry forward the legacy of Hemporium’s natural skincare and haircare line, honouring his mother’s decades of dedication and vision.
Though Renee will be moving on from the brand, her influence and commitment to sustainability, ethics, and the power of hemp will forever remain at the heart of Hemporium. We are excited for the next chapter, knowing her son will continue the family tradition of excellence and care.
As we celebrate 25 years of Hemporium’s natural hemp skincare and haircare range, we invite you to join us in honouring this remarkable journey. For a limited time, we’re offering a 15% discount on the entire range, both in-store and online. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting Hemporium and being part of our story.
