Now I need to start this review by admitting that I am a massive fan of this brand and although in my early days I thought the price point was often ‘quite’ high, it makes sense when you realise that the quality throughout the range is superb. Price-wise it is understandable when I realised you are actually not using so much product each time. My take now is that this brand is great value for money and quality does matter a great deal to me and my family! If I was banished to a desert island I’d insist on a huge box of L’Occitane to take with me – otherwise I might refuse to go!!!
Another reason I am a massive fan of this brand is that they are making huge strides in bringing in refills, changing packaging to help our planet. From 26th – 29th May the company have a Green Day Weekend where for each refill sold £5.00 will be donated to Surfers Against Sewage, one of the UK’s leading marine conservation charities who work on a variety of environmental causes, including plastic pollution and climate change. Green Day is hugely important to L’Occitane as it celebrates their key commitment to reducing waste. In its third year they have eco-refills available across 26 product lines, which is an increase from 11 since 2019 and their Green Day weekend is growing in popularity year-on-year. L’Occitane recently added their 26th eco-refill product, with their multi award-winning skincare product Overnight Reset Serum, saving an incredible 95% packaging weight compared to the original. L’Occitane can certainly celebrate their key commitment to Reduce Waste as it always sought to lessen its environmental impact on the planet.
I found it fascinating that L’Occitane’s founder Olivier Baussan was ahead of his time as in 1976 he encouraged his customers to refill and reuse their glass bottles, or return them to be recycled at a local recycling facility in Nice. Well he certainly was ahead of the pack on that one. L’Occitane first launched their eco-refills in 2008, are one of the main ways they reduce waste is because they use 85% less plastic on average than bottles, saving the company 200 tons of plastic a year. This makes a huge difference because plastic is invading our oceans and infiltrating our food chains, with 20 tonnes of plastic being thrown into the ocean every minute – hence their support for Surfers Against Sewage. With plastic taking around 1,000 years to degrade and worse still, never fully decomposing, we are running out of space on our beautiful planet to store this rubbish. L’Occitane aim to ensure that 100% of our bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic by 2025. Apologies for going into greater detail about refills but hopefully now you can understand my passion for L’Occitane as looking after our planet cannot continue to be ignored.
1. Almond Shower Body Oil
So, having explained where I am coming from it will come as no surprise I loved their almond range. This is an almond infused in shower body oil that is just so beautiful to use. It has a unique formula and such a rich almond oil composition which means that after using in the shower your skin feels nourished all day long. This sweet almond shower oil respects the hydrolipidic film of your skin so the softness of your skin is preserved and your skin is left feeling nourished and supple. Once in contact with water, this cleanser transforms into a delicate milky veil leaving you to just enjoy how it gently cleanses your skin so beautifully.
As you rinse off you are left with a subtle mouth-watering aroma of warm almonds and delicious vanilla which not only fills the air in the shower room it envelops your skin for a surprisingly cosy yet uplifting aromatic experience. That perhaps sounds a bit silly, but it does and makes showering a joyful experience rather than a chore!
I haven’t even bothered to count how many awards this oil has won, let’s just say lots and lots and totally so well deserved, I cannot wait for you to try this one. If your skin is delicate or sensitive you’ll still find this oil still works for you too. If you have a birthday coming up, my suggestion would be get this on your present list. I do often buy this as a gift for others, but must admit, they don’t always receive it……………………….!
250ml | £22 | uk.loccitane.com
2. Almond Shower Oil Refill
This is brilliant, L’Occitane have produced a refill for my favourite almond shower oil. Just to remind you this has a unique oily texture, this almond shower oil refill will leave your skin feeling nourished, plump and silky smooth for hours after use. It is an economical shower oil refill for the beauty of your skin and the preservation of the environment.
When in contact with water, this almond shower oil transforms into a delicate foam that gently cleanses and nourishes the body. Thanks to its unique oily texture and almond oil extract, it leaves the skin feeling plump, silky smooth and deliciously fragranced for a long time! This refill size, is cleverly designed and easy to pour and replenish your favourite product.
500ml | £35.00 | uk.loccitane.com
Taken from L’Occitane’s website:
At L’Occitane, we’ve been making solid and liquid soaps since 1980, when Olivier Baussan purchased the first soap making materials. Ever since the creation of L’Occitane, all our soaps have been made exclusively from plant oils using a hot process method, as this is the only method that guarantees a complete saponification reaction. Soap gets rid of bacteria and viruses, while also cleansing the skin. They are made up of a fatty substance mixed with an alkaline agent. The physical form of the soap (solid, liquid or paste) depends on the fats/oils and alkaline agents used to create it.
3. Shea Milk Sensitive Skin Extra Rich Soap
An ultra-rich bar soap, enriched with shea butter, which gently cleanses your skin.
Free from palm oil and formulated with a soft vegetal cleansing base, the shea milk sensitive skin extra rich soap is perfect for daily use. Rich in shea butter, its formula respects the balance of all skin types, even sensitive ones, and can be used on the face. Its intense and creamy foam leaves skin feeling clean, supple and soft, without drying it.
Made from 99% readily biodegradable ingredients, this soap is gentle for the environment. This shea milk soap produces a really rich, creamy lather that feels lovely on the skin, leaving my skin feeling clean but importantly without drying it.
100g | £8.00 | uk.loccitane.com
4. Gentle & Balance Solid Shampoo
Made with 98% readily biodegradable ingredients, this gentle sustainable solid shampoo promotes healthy hair and scalp.
Created with your hair and the planet in mind, the Gentle & Balance Solid Shampoo is made with 98% readily biodegradable ingredients. Entirely plastic-free, its packaging is from 100% recycled and recyclable paper making it the perfect beauty alley for caring for the environment.
Containing effective plant derived ingredients; cultivated with care for the environment and encapsulated in one sustainable and sensorial shampoo, the Gentle & Balance Solid Shampoo is ideal for all hair types and daily use. Its generous, luxurious foam delicately cleanses and washes away dirt, pollution and excess oils whilst protecting and maintaining your scalp’s natural balance. Enriched with essential oils of Lemon, Orange, Rosemary, Chamomile and PDO Lavender, its light, fluid texture offers a unique sensorial experience, while the exquisite fragrance awakens the senses.
Free from silicones and sulphates and formulated with a prebiotic natural sugar complex, it respects and maintains scalp eco system and PH while strengthening skin natural defences.
After you have washed your hair you’ll find it is left looking shiny, feeling supple, soft and delicately fragranced. You’ll also find this block lasts and lasts. There’s no plastic wrapping, it is sulfate free, with a lovely light perfume and easily portable for travel. I really loved this bar and how it benefits the environment too – it’s a winner!
