Shea Butter

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Organic Immortelle

Immortelle is a flower that never fades, even when picked. Its Latin name, Helichrysum, means "golden sun" – like its magnificent golden flowers. For Corsicans, it is a flower symbolic of the maquis (the fragrant scrubland of Corsica), with a captivating scent.

The Balagne region is also known as "the garden of Corsica". In 2001, at the heart of this fragrant region, L'OCCITANE discovered this extraordinary wild plant. The immortelle has medicinal properties known in Mediterranean traditions: anti-bruising, anti-inflammatory (more effective than arnica), and healing.

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Traceability

Ever since the remarkable anti-aging properties of the immortelle plant were discovered, the picking of wild immortelle has become increasingly common. When the flowers are picked in accordance with sustainable guidelines, this actually "cleans up" the maquis and indirectly helps to prevent fires. However, the volumes harvested do not allow for a sustainable supply of immortelle. This is why, in 2004, L’OCCITANE launched a large-scale immortelle plantation, covering 50 hectares, in Corsica, using organic farming methods. In 2011, six growers/distillers cultivated and distilled organic immortelle in the Balagne region and eastern Corsica. Quality and traceability can be guaranteed, from the harvesting to the distillation of the flower. All our partners are committed to working with L’OCCITANE over the long term.

Stephan Francisci was the first to start this new adventure. He now cultivates 10 hectares for L’OCCITANE between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio. “Each flower cultivated saves a wild plant of the maquis.” Pascale Chérubin, based in Ghisonaccia, is a biologist professor and owns 5 hectares. “This flower has done well for me. I always felt that the whole of Corsica was concentrated in the immortelle, with its spicy smell.”

Did You Know?

• The flowers are picked in the morning and distilled the same day, in the evening, to extract all their constituents.
• 1 hectare provides enough land to produce 4 tons of flowers, which yield 8 kilos of essential oil.

Patented Effectiveness

L’OCCITANE has registered four patents, which attest to the innovative nature of our research and the remarkable effectiveness of our skincare products made with immortelle from Corsica.

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Organic Myrtlefrom Corsica

A symbol of life, myrtle can live for up to 300 years and is able to grow back after a fire. On Corsica, the "Island of Beauty," wild myrtle is distilled to produce "Angel Water" (the distillate of the leaves and fruits). This aromatic water is prized by Corsican women, who use it to enhance their beauty. It reveals an incredible softness on the skin and leaves it delicately perfumed – as if caressed by the breath of an angel.

Traceability

We source our myrtle from Corsican distillers. Myrtle grows wild in Corsica and is harvested from August to October. The green stems of the myrtle bushes are distilled to produce both the essential oil and the floral water – known as Angel Water. Myrtle berries, meanwhile, are used to make the famous myrtle liqueur.

Effectiveness

Myrtle and immortelle come together in a divine combination. Thanks to the extraordinary powers of longevity of myrtle, L'OCCITANE has been able to create a new Immortelle range for all women who insist on the very best for their skin.

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The landscape of Burkina Faso is interspersed with majestic karite trees – the source of shea butter. In this region, the hot winds carry dust and fine sand, which can be very drying for the skin. The women of Burkina Faso traditionally protect their skin, and that of their children, against harsh environmental elements by applying shea butter daily. Organized into cooperatives, they use traditional methods to harvest the fruit of this sacred tree. They extract and dry the nuts, grind them to make a fine paste, and transform the paste into shea butter – a universal and irreplaceable beauty product. This explains why their skin remains so beautiful, supple and elastic.

Thanks to the EFT label, the women’s groups can now provide a guarantee for international clients. It also provides a sustainable basis for their emancipation. L’OCCITANE has also taken part in an "industrial accompaniment" program, which involves training a man or woman from Burkina Faso in our techniques and expertise at the L'OCCITANE site in Manosque. This year we had a record shea butter order: over 500 tons!

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Traceability

In the early 1980's, L’OCCITANE set up a joint-development program with the women of Burkina Faso. "Thanks to the incredible success of our Shea Butter range, which is known and loved throughout the world, the number of women producing shea butter for L'OCCITANE has gone from an initial group of less than 100 (20 years ago) to over 15,000 today!" Olivier Baussan, founder of L’OCCITANE.

Did You Know?

L’OCCITANE wants to go further than a trade business. It ensures that the women of Burkina Faso reap the full benefits of their work by purchasing the butter directly from them in situ. A fair price is paid, which covers the production costs – including environmental and social costs – and leaves a margin for investment. L’OCCITANE prefinances each harvest by up to 80% and helps the women’s groups with production, export and finding new outlets. In 2003, we set up the organic network, which is more lucrative for the producers.

Foundation

Created in 2006, the L’OCCITANE Foundation supports projects that give women greater autonomy and promote their economic emancipation, creating literacy centers, providing access to micro credits, or bearing the cost of medicines and treatments. In 2009, we decided to "professionalize" the women’s groups by obtaining the “Fair Trade” label for their shea butter.

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ECOCERT

The European control and certification body ECOCERT SA has developed the EFT “Ecocert Fair Trade” label, with four main objectives:
• Social responsibility
• Economic solidarity
• Environmental responsibility
• Transparency of information and respect for the consumer
*Standards available at www.ecocert.com

Effectiveness

Shea butter is a beauty balm ideal for dry to very dry skin. It restores hydrolipid film for skin that is softer, more supple and more comfortable.

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Almond

The almond flower, which typically blooms between February and March, is one of the earliest of the year. Fields are covered with pink and white blossoms, creating a beautiful sight.

In Provence, the almond tree was a strong symbol of the regional landscape until the early 20th century. But from the 1930's onwards, the cultivation of almond trees was abandoned, threatened by the mechanization of agriculture and the introduction of new and more profitable crops. The almond tree became scarce in the region. L’OCCITANE wants to put this emblematic tree back where it deserves to be on the Provencal landscape, and so it purchases its almonds from producers in Provence.

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Traceability

By using almonds grown in the south of France, L'OCCITANE supports the almond-growing business and the families it employs, such as the family farm of Mr. Jaubert, an almond grower on the Valensole plateau, in the Alps of Haute-Provence.

"To this day, I have planted 10,000 almond trees – my contribution to helping the planet. The trees teach us wisdom and respect. If you look after them well, they will thank you and give good yields." – Mr. Jaubert

Did You Know?

Thanks to its deep roots and its leaves, from which very little moisture evaporates, the almond tree is highly resistant to drought. It is adapted to our region and gives excellent yields.

Patented Effectiveness

L’OCCITANE developed an exclusive complex with almond proteins to help smooth and nourish the body. It contains almond proteins, silicium and essential oils of immortelle, palmarosa and peppermint.

Almond Delicious Hands

Enriched with Almond milk and Almond oil, this silky-smooth cream helps to nourish and soften the hands while enveloping them with the subtle and mouthwatering scent of fresh Almonds. Our non-greasy formula has a creamy texture, perfect for hydrating hands throughout the day.

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Verdon

In 2010, for its new men’s range, L’OCCITANE drew on a completely new source of inspiration: an extraordinary valley, with a rare and protected, rich natural environment that is home to over 2,200 plant species. Its name is the Verdon valley. A spectacular sight in Haute-Provence, the Verdon river has carved out an exceptional natural environment, offering a unique setting for outdoor activities. Sea-buckthorn, genepi, mint and spring water are brought together in ultra-fresh formulas for men, to capture the invigorating sensations of outdoor water sports!

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Traceability

“It was important for me to respect the plant’s purity and authenticity, so I chose to grow it organically!,” said Eric François, genepi grower in Vars, in the Hautes-Alpes region. The three organic ingredients in this range come from Haute-Provence:
• The peppermint comes from organic cultivations set up in 2011 in the Verdon region, in Allemagne-en-Provence, by Christian Gaudemard.
• The sea-buckthorn is harvested in the Drac Valley by Mr. & Mrs. Reynier, who have been sea-buckthorn growers for 30 years.
• The genepi is grown by Eric François, a man with a passion for plants, in Vars, at an altitude of over 2,000 meters.

Did You Know?

The new Verdon range was created in accordance with L’OCCITANE’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy.
• Both the plastic and glass bottles are made from 100% recycled bottles (and there are no boxes).
• They have screw-on caps and pumps, which can be removed from the bottles before recycling.
• The labels are made from the same material as the bottles (PET), so as not to hinder the recycling process.

Patented Effectiveness

L’OCCITANE has developed a patented complex of active ingredients that work together in synergy. Organic ingredients from Haute-Provence provide the perfect response to the specific needs of men’s skin.
• Thirst-quenching: sea-buckthorn water leaves skin feeling incredibly comfortable.
• Energizing: sea-buckthorn oil gives the skin an invigorating boost and a healthy glow.
• Protective: genepi extract strengthens the skin’s resistance to harsh environmental conditions, to protect its youth.
• Purifying: peppermint essential oil, combined with zinc, leaves skin matt and perfectly clear.

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Organic Cade

Cade, or wild juniper, grows wild in the scrubland of Provence. In the past, shepherds who held the secret to distilling cade wood used its precious oil to protect their faces and hands from the wind and sun. They cut branches of wild juniper and a large fire was lit, which caused the wood to exude a thick oil with protective and fortifying properties. It was also used to treat animal wounds. This distillation of cade wood traditionally accompanied sheep and goat breeding.

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Traceability

The cade that we use comes from one of many picking areas in the Alps of Haute-Provence, near the village of Le Chaffaut. The trunks are cut up into small chips and then distilled to produce cade essential oil, which is certified organic by Ecocert.

Fascinated by plants and a connoisseur of cade wood, Jean-Louis, cade pick for L'OCCITANE, walks through the Alps of Haute-Provence, looking out for cade bushes hidden in the scrubland. With his trained eye, he finds it easily and picks it for L’OCCITANE. "Cade reminds me of my childhood and the smell of this very particular wood, which my father used in his workshop, in Thiers."

Did You Know?

The harvesting of cade wood contributes to the upkeep and protection of the scrubland in Provence. Cade is a shrub whose rapid growth can be detrimental to other plant species and can also increase the risk of forest fires.

Patented Effectiveness

L’OCCITANE has developed a patented complex that meets the specific needs of men’s skin. In addition to its purifying and invigorating properties, it also helps to strengthen and protect the skin.

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Organic Angelicafrom the Drôme

Angelica is a surprising plant. This age-old umbelliferous plant is known for its remarkable vitality: it grows incredibly fast and can reach a height of two meters in May, when it comes into flower. Its secret lies in its thick, deep roots, which act like water channels, drawing up all the water it needs to grow.

L‘OCCITANE was particularly interested in the moisturizing and revitalizing properties of Angelica. The Angelica range is ideal for women who want to boost their skin's radiance.

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Traceability

L’OCCITANE sources its angelica from Frédéric Nivon’s farm in Lapeyrouse Mornay, in the Drôme region. "Angelica is a surprising plant that never ceases to amaze me, even after growing it for 12 years."

70 years ago, his grandfather set up a farm near the village of Lapeyrouse Mornay, in the Drôme region. Mr. Nivon carried on the family business, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. For 12 years, he has grown Angelica, and the remarkable vitality of this plant continues to amaze him. In 2005, the angelica that he grows for L’OCCITANE obtained organic certification. In accordance with organic requirements, no fertilizers or chemical pesticides are used. Organic angelica essential oil and angelica water are extracted from these roots.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Also called "Angel Grass" or "Holy Spirit Root", angelica roots were worn as a protective amulet to avert evil spells and bewitch sorcerers with their pleasant smell.

Patented Effectiveness

For the first time in cosmetics, the L’OCCITANE laboratory patented the combination of two extracts taken from the heart of angelica roots for their effectiveness on both skin hydration and vitality.
• Angelica water boosts the skin's natural hydration.
• Angelica essential oil improves skin vitality, so that skin stays beautiful, longer.

Lastingly moisturized and revitalized, skin looks plump, smoothed and radiant.

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Rose

In ancient times, Mediterranean women would use oils in which rose petals had been steeped, to perfume their skin and keep it fresh and beautiful. Both legendary and timeless, the rose has become the "queen of flowers" and an endless source of creativity for perfumers. Its many facets inspired a collection of three Eaux de Toilette, in every shade of femininity, from the most romantic to the most mysterious and captivating.

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Traceability

Our perfumers use Rose Centifolia absolute from Grasse, Rose Damascena concrete from Morocco, and Rose Damascena essential oil from Turkey and Bulgaria.

Did You Know?

The difference between the absolute, the concrete and the essential oil:

• The essential oil is the volatile aromatic substance extracted from a botanical source. It is a true concentrate and, in the case of rose essential oil, is obtained through steam distillation of the freshly picked flowers.
• The concrete is obtained through extraction using volatile solvents. It takes 300 to 400 kg of flowers to produce 1 kg of rose concrete, and 4 to 5 tons to produce 1 kg of essential oil!
• The absolute is the essence prepared from the concrete by extraction with alcohol.

Eau de Toilette, Floral Rose

The delicate freshness of a bouquet of roses, the velvety softness of dew-kissed petals. In Provence, a legend tells of how the daughters of the Count of Forcalquier were as beautiful as the roses they cherished – the Grasse rose, the Bulgarian rose, the Moroccan rose and the Turkish rose. Each one of these daughters married a king, and so it was that Marguerite, Eléonore, Sancie and Béatrix became the four Queens of Forcalquier. Their favorite roses are blended together in the Eau des 4 Reines – a beautifully fresh, delicate and velvety scent.

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A.O.P. Lavenderof Haute Provence

Also known as "blue gold," lavender is an aromatic tribute to Provence. It is the fragrant soul of the region, the fruit of respectful labor. In accordance with tradition, every summer, young Provencal villagers go hiking on the sunny hills to pick wild lavender at high altitudes. During the harvest period, they set out for several days in the open air, and at night, they get together to share the secrets of this summer flower with relaxing and purifying properties. In Provence, it is fine lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, which yields the purest essential oil, renowned for its delicate perfume. It is very different from the lavandin perfume, with its camphor smell.

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Traceability

We source our essential oil of P.D.O. fine lavender from Haute-Provence directly from farmers' cooperatives in Sault and the surrounding area. The P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) label guarantees a very high-quality product, since the relevant criteria are very strict:
• To obtain the P.D.O. label, the essential oil must be produced by steam distillation (not with solvents) using only the flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia P. Miller, or Fine Lavender.
• Production is geographically limited to a few French départements.
• Plantations must be in this area, at a minimum altitude of 800 m above sea level.
• The essential oil must be virgin: no substances or products can be added to it.

In Lagarde d’Apt, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, Martine Rayne, who was born into the world of lavender, continues the work of her ancestors. "On our land in Lagarde d’Apt, there has always been wild lavender. Every year, we harvest it to keep the seeds and maintain the diversity of this fine lavender. Each young plant is different – and this is one of the secrets of its exceptional characteristics."

Did You Know?

• The A.O.C. label (now the P.D.O. label) was created in 1981 to protect French products in the face of competition from foreign sources. It guarantees a very high-quality product.
• It is important not to confuse fine lavender with lavandin, which is a hybrid made by crossing lavandula officinalis with spike lavender, and which yields an essence used mainly for products that are mass produced on an industrial scale (e.g. cleaning products, washing powder, mass-produced beauty products).

Eau de Cologne, Fresh Aromatic

Lavender Eau de Cologne
Brightened by the radiant freshness of citrus fruits, the Lavender Eau de Cologne is a fresh and light fragrance with a lingering, captivating, woody musky trail. This sunny cologne is a celebration of summer that captures all the luminosity of Haute-Provence.

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Verbena

Verbena is a shrub that is typical of the Mediterranean basin. People from the south of France are very familiar with this plant. In June, as baskets are filled with the freshly harvested green leaves, the markets in the Mediterranean area are heavy with the scent of Verbena. Its fresh, lemony fragrance is carried for miles around. When summer arrives and the weather gets hotter, verbena leaves are used for herbal iced teas or tangy sorbets. This refreshing sensation is at the heart of the Verbena collection – a vibrant, radiant range to revive both the body and mind!

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Traceability

Rémy Margiella, an organic farmer with much experience in medicinal plants, planted a hectare of organic verbena in Tulette, in the Drôme Provençale region. The floral waters and macerated oils are made from the dried leaves and are used in the products in the L'OCCITANE Verbena range. "We harvest verbena twice every year: first in early summer, and then again in early autumn."

Did You Know?

Verbena, also known as "the enchanter's plant", was a favorite plant with magicians – who used it to make love potions. Verbena is considered a universal remedy, hence why it is also called the "cure-all" herb.

Eau de toilette, Hesperide Vert

A refreshing lemony scent, loved by everyone! Verbena Eau de Toilette draws its inspiration from Mediterranean markets, where the refreshing scent of freshly picked green verbena leaves fills the air. This delicate and subtle fragrance revives both the body and mind.

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Cherry Blossom

"Flying in the first breeze of spring, Cherry Blossom is so rare and precious." - Olivier Baussan

The cherry tree is part of the Provencal landscape. It is widespread in the Apt region, in Luberon, and changes colors with the seasons – making it a source of inspiration for artists. Pure white in spring, bright red in summer, soft green in autumn. L'OCCITANE celebrates the poetic beauty of the beautiful white, fleeting cherry blossoms, which last for just a few days in early spring.

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Traceability

The cherry extract that L’OCCITANE uses in its Cherry Blossom products comes from Luberon. Cherries are traditionally harvested in this region to make candied fruits.

Eau de Toilette, Fruity Floral

This feminine, harmonious Eau de Toilette evokes all the softness and freshness of a breeze of flowers in the springtime.

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Peony

The peony is a very popular flower that grows naturally around the Mediterranean Basin. Long before it became famous as an ornamental plant, as far back as ancient times, the peony was a renowned medicinal plant. A symbol of beauty, it offers a dazzling show of colors and scents every spring. This flower with a thousand petals inspired the new fragrance and make-up collection by L’OCCITANE.

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Traceability

To understand the fragrant secrets of this flower, L’OCCITANE established an exclusive partnership with a nurseryman, Jean-Luc Rivière – a man with a passion for peonies, whose family has devoted itself to breeding and cultivating them for 160 years, in the Drôme region of France. Following Mr. Rivière’s advice, L’OCCITANE developed a natural extract of peony root, which perfumes all the products in the collection.

“We’ve fallen in love with the peony in all its incarnations,” says Jean-Luc Rivière, nurseryman in the Drôme region.

Did You Know?

• The peony reveals its beauty to those who deserve it… In a nursery, it can take 5 to 7 years to go from planting the peony to seeing it first bloom!
• Up to 60 flowers can blossom from a single peony plant. The largest flowers can have a diameter of 30 cm!

Eau de toilette, Green Floral

The generous floral scent of a peony blooming in the green freshness of a nursery on a spring morning. This Eau de Toilette captures the subtle aura of the peony in a rich floral fragrance with hints of green freshness. It blends fresh and bright notes with a multitude of peony petals and leaves behind a soothing scent softened by sandalwood and white musk.

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Milk & Honey

In Provence, "Oh Bonne Mère!" is often used in speech to end or break up a sentence. It expresses surprise, relief, joy, a stroke of good luck or, most importantly, kindness. In Marseille, the famous basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, set upon a rocky hill, is known locally as "la Bonne Mère." The "Bonne Mère" (the statue of the Virgin Mary on top of the bell tower) would guide sailors and was believed to protect the soap makers of Marseille, who held her in particular esteem. It is the most important place in the hearts of all the people of Marseille. This universal, maternal image inspired a new range, which celebrates gentleness, generosity and the family spirit.

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Bonne Mère Collection

These products for daily use can be shared by everyone. There's a shower cream, a soap (made with certified-sustainable palm oil), a hand wash, and a universal cream that can be applied from head to toe. Plus everything has been made with the planet in mind. The only difficulty lies in choosing between the two delicately scented versions. But if you can't agree, the solution is clear: indulge in both!

Sustainability

Products with delicious milky textures, gentle on the skin and on the planet. Held in generous bottles and tubes, the Bonne Mère range takes L'OCCITANE's environmental commitments one step further. The bottles are recyclable and made from at least 95% plant-based, renewable plastic. With hypoallergenic formulas, generous sizes, and skin-neutral pH levels, our formulas also have no parabens and no phenoxyethanol.

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Did You Know?

• The honey used in the Bonne Mère products comes from Jean-Denis Daumas, a beekeeper in Manosque, who has followed in the footsteps of his father. He has almost 1,000 beehives in Haute-Provence. Honey is recommended for its softening and soothing properties.
• To welcome the new additions to this collection of daily care products, the BONNE MERE soaps are now made with RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, based on the highest criteria for traceability.

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Botanist's Glossary

The ingredients used in our products are the inspiration behind the true stories of L’OCCITANE. Our glossary includes some 150 plants used in our formulas, each marked by its scientific name and an illustration. Additionally you will find a description of each plant and information about its properties and related Mediterranean traditions.

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