Hampton Sun, the luxurious niche product that began with a loyal following on the exclusive East End of Long Island nearly 20 years ago, has broken into travel retail with a major listing with Avolta in 13 U.S. airports.
The luxury suncare brand has been listed with Avolta in Atlanta, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Tampa, Las Vegas, New York JFK, Newark, Houston, Minneapolis, Denver, Boston, Chicago O’Hare and Detroit airports.
Hampton Sun is the only luxury sun brand in the market, company founder Salvatore Piazzolla tells TMI in an exclusive interview shortly after the collection hit Avolta’s duty free shelves in August.
“Hampton Sun focuses on skincare first, merging skincare ingredients with SPF for high sun protection. Hampton Sun is a luxurious experience with high-tech formulations and exquisite packaging,” says Piazzolla.
Although new to the duty free channel, Piazzolla has been expanding into international markets for years.
“We’ve built the brand globally in resort very strategically around the world. We’re in luxury hotels and luxury cruise ships, and positioned in Las Vegas, which is an international hub. We have international exposure in the Middle East, Greece, the UK, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and other countries. This strategic positioning has built broad international exposure for the brand,” he says.
Hampton Sun’s breakthrough into travel retail comes at a time when interest in skincare has never been higher. The U.S. suncare market was valued at $14.35 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $25.85 billion by 2033, reports numerous sources.
Growing consumer awareness about the importance of protecting skin from harmful UV rays to prevent skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer is spurring demand for organic and natural sun care products.
In fact, skincare was the fastest-growing category in prestige beauty in the U.S. during the first half of 2026, led by body care and suncare, reported Circana last month. Sun care sales increased +19% as consumers continued to prioritize preventative skincare, said the research firm. Sunscreen products were also up both in dollar and unit sales in the mass segment during this time.
Hampton Sun has been positioned separately from anything on the market in terms of technology and performance since Piazzolla came up with the idea of a lifestyle brand that combined suncare with skincare in 2005.
“Sunscreen is highly regulated, and people want to know what makes our product different. We always took the approach of skincare first. We merge skincare and SPF together to give the consumer the utmost highest level of sun protection. We infuse the suncare with skincare ingredients and test for irritation, stability, everything you can think of. All this testing ensures that the products are effective. You will never burn plus you get the utmost luxurious experience because the texture, the feel, the effectiveness, and then the performance of the sunscreen really sets us apart. The esthetic of the brand, the hydration that it delivers into the skin, and the protection–it’s just truly a remarkable sun product,” he says.
Hampton Sun offers sunscreen for every type of sun data.
“We have all natural organic sunscreens, we have a whole range of mineral SPFs, we have sprays, lotions and gels, and then we have the UV Advanced SPF sun protection that have chemical filters for the person who wants longer lasting protection, like the golfer or tennis player or surfer. In addition, Hampton Sun is reef safe, reef friendly.”
Hampton Sun was recently boosted by a connection with businessman Rande Gerber, husband of the famous supermodel Cindy Crawford and father of model Kaia Gerber. Gerber discovered the brand while vacationing in Miami and was so impressed with the products that he ultimately partnered with Hampton Sun founder Salvatore Piazzolla.
Looking ahead, Piazzolla says that he plans to expand further in travel retail and, internationally, is particularly targeting Latin America.
“We’re very widely recognized here in the U.S. but just starting to tap into more international markets. The Latin community and Europeans visiting places like Nieman Marcus in Bal Harbour purchase Hampton Sun in bulk because it isn’t available in their own countries. So we see great opportunities ahead. We just don’t have that exposure yet.”
In conclusion, Piazzolla says that Hampton Sun is “all about the experience.”
“For years we’ve been trying to educate the consumer about the importance of wearing sunscreen, but products were very prescriptive, very generic, very pharmaceutical-looking. There was nothing special and glamorous about sunscreen. Hampton Sun comes along with this exquisite, beautiful packaging with unbelievable high technology formulations, and the consumer finally is getting it. For duty free and resort operators it is a way to elevate the guest experience. Especially when traveling, you are looking for luxury. Hampton Sun is the luxury brand.”
