In 1976 in an “Haute Provence” farmhouse, L'OCCITANE was born. Olivier Baussan, founder of L'OCCITANE, gathered blooms and herbs to extract their essences using centuries old distillation methods. His desire to maintain French Perfumery traditions coupled with his respect for nature helped him envision the future of L'OCCITANE. Olivier captured the region’s most subtle fragrances and blended them with natural ingredients to develop L'OCCITANE’s very first products based on essential oils extracted from local plants. From his rustic roots in Provence, Olivier dreamed of discovering new horizons, to travel beyond his native land and experience other cultures. In keeping with this spirit, L'OCCITANE has developed products using natural ingredients from all over the world. Some of our featured ingredients include the following:
Shea Butter
The sacred shea tree grows far from Provence in Burkina Faso, Africa. An incredibly rich, universal skin treatment, shea butter provides special and tender care for dry skin. Only the local women are entrusted with the secrets of shea butter preparation and only they benefit from its trade, which is why it is called “Women’s Gold”. L'OCCITANE’s long-standing partnership with this women’s cooperative assists them in building a stable future for themselves and their family.
Learn more:
Best Selling Product: Shea Butter Hand Cream
Ultra creamy, quickly penetrating hand cream is a world-renowned best seller. Leaves skin soft and smooth.
Lavender
The finest lavender in the world grows in the South of France, and is known for its calming, purifying effects. L’OCCITANE’s lavender yearly earns an A.O.C. label (controlled origin) that guarantees our essential oil meets the strictest growing, harvesting and processing criteria to product a superior ingredient.
Fabrice Tournel, Vice President of the Simiane Cooperative, Lavandula angustifolia, also known as fine lavender, produces the very best lavender essential oil from Provence. It grows at an altitude of over 800 meters, where it soaks up the all the benefits of the sun. L’OCCITANE sources its lavender essential oil from Sault and the surrounding areas and purchases almost 20% of the total production of A.O.C. lavender in Haute-Provence.
Learn more:
Best Selling Product: Lavender Organic Body Lotion
Relaxing and purifying lavender essential oil calms and soothes. Vitamin E and organic macadamia oil moisturizes the skin. Certified organic formula.
Almond
The almond tree has long been a symbol of the Haute Provence. So when L’OCCITANE decided to support a program to revive the cultivation of the almond tree in Provence, Jean-Louis Pierrisnard and his team wanted to look further than the well-known nourishing qualities of the sweet almond – famous for its nourishing properties. From the leaves to the pulp, they examined every part of the almond, and this is how they came to use the firming properties of almond proteins. This discovery allowed Jean-Louis Pierrisnard to develop a patented complex, along with the most delicious collection of contouring products in the world!
Learn more:
Best Selling Product: Almond Shower Oil
Luxurious body cleanser transforms into a softening lather, leaving skin satin smooth. Can be used as a moisturizing shaving base.
Honey & Lemon
Andre Neviere has about fifty beehives, which he inherited from his father. Around them is the Valensole plateau, where his bees gather pollen. From the first days of spring, rosemary and thyme can be found on the plateau. In the summer, it is covered with lavender. When Andre Neviere collects his honey, he does not bother with the cumbersome cosmonaut’s outfit intended to protect him. He does not worry about getting stung. He even says his bees are gentle. And then there is this exquisite honey. Mr. Neviere is no show-off, but how could anyone not be proud? As he says, it must be acknowledged that lavender honey is “the finest, one of the best honeys there could ever be”.
While enjoying some delicious snacks, L’OCCITANE discovered that honey also has moisturizing, softening and healing benefits – and when combined with lemons from Sicily, creates a blissful beauty ritual.
Learn more:
Best Selling Product: Honey & Lemon Delightful Cream
Indulgent multi-use moisturizer can be used on face and body. Leaves skin feeling soft, supple and comfortable.