Here are the ten best L’Occitane products to add to your beauty routine! L’Occitane en Provence, also referred to as “the Occitan woman in Provence,” is a French beauty brand based in Manosque, France. It was founded in 1976 by Olivier Baussan, whose aim was to create a company that honors and preserves the traditions of his homeland, Provence. L’Occitane holds a special place in my heart, as it brings back fond memories of my summers spent in Les Issambres, a French village located on the coastline of the Bay of Saint Tropez, during my youth. In this article, I’ve compiled a list of ten L’Occitane products that have become cult favorites and achieved iconic status. It’s the ideal guide for those who are new to the brand and unsure where to begin their exploration.
About L’Occitane
Olivier Baussan started making essential oils from wild rosemary and lavender using steam distillation, which he sold at open-air markets in his hometown in Provence when he was only 23. The brand was named after the women of Occitania, an area that existed during the Middle Ages, covering southern France, northeastern Spain, and northern Italy. In 1976, Olivier Baussan revived the traditional art of Marseille soap-making in Manosque, another Provençal village, using an old soap factory donated to him. He manufactured vegetable oil-based soaps. The first L’Occitane factory and boutique opened in Volx, a village in Provence, in 1981.
Still to this day, L’Occitane uses natural, high-quality, traceable ingredients (most of them being from Provence and Corsica) to create products that are a pampering and sensorial delight. Every product is an experience for your senses as they blend nourishing textures with delightful aromas to elevate the ordinary bathing ritual into a sensorial experience. Keep reading to learn more about my favorite L’Occitane products.
This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!
10 Cult-Favorite L’Occitane Beauty Products
1. Shea Butter Hand Cream
The Shea Butter hand cream effortlessly glides on and quickly absorbs into the skin, providing relief and protection for dry and dehydrated skin. With a nourishing blend of 20% shea butter, honey, sweet almond extract, and antioxidant-rich vitamin E, it also boasts a delightful fragrance of jasmine and ylang-ylang essences.
2. Almond Milk Concentrate Body Cream
The Almond Milk Concentrate body cream is a new and improved version boasting up to 95% natural-origin ingredients. It has the same smooth texture as the original and is easily absorbed by the skin without leaving any greasy residue. This cream deeply moisturizes the skin, revealing a smoother and firmer appearance. Its subtle scent of fresh almonds lingers on the skin.
3. Intensive Repair Conditioner
The Intensive Repair conditioner helps detangle and smooth hair and envelops it in a protective veil. Its reformulation contains a repairing complex consisting of essential oils, including ylang-ylang, sweet orange, lavender, geranium, and angelica, with anti-breakage patented efficacy. It also helps smooth hair fibers, bringing vitality and shine. I adore using it in combination with the Intensive Repair shampoo.
4. Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum
The Immortelle Overnight oil-in-serum is a best-selling serum that works wonders for lackluster, fatigued skin, giving it a rejuvenated appearance in a matter of one night. It contains 5,000 golden bubbles preserving the powerful immortelle essential oil, which melts into the skin, leaving a nongreasy, lightweight feel. When used at night (when skin renewal is at its peak), this formula helps restore the skin from the detrimental effects of daily stressors.
5. Almond Shower Oil
The Almond shower oil transforms into a unique and indulgent foam, providing softness and nourishment to the skin. This product is enriched with almond oil and nourishing lipids, leaving a satin-like softness all over the body while imparting a delicate fragrance. I absolutely love this product; the fragrance is divine!
6. Shea Hands & Body Verbena Liquid Soap
The Shea Verbena liquid soap is formulated with a vegetable-origin foaming base. It effectively cleanses your hands while enriching them with shea extract for a soft and lightly fragranced feel. I also love the Extra-Gentle soap, which smells so good!
If you prefer the unparalleled scent of the authentic Savon de Marseille, I highly recommend one of the four founding members of the Union of Marseille soap makers founded in 2011: Fer à Cheval, Marius Fabre, the Savonnerie du Midi, or Le Sérail. Remember that the authentic Savon de Marseille is produced solely in Marseille or the surrounding region using the traditional cauldron method and exclusively with plant oils. It should not contain any fragrances, dyes, or preservatives.
7. Lavender Foaming Bath
I absolutely adore this product! The Lavender foaming bath is a luxurious soap that creates a lush foam in the bath while providing the soothing effects of Haute-Provence lavender. It leaves your skin feeling cleansed and supple with a light yet delightful fragrance. Encased in a brushed aluminum bottle that takes inspiration from the traditional fragrance essence bottles of the past, its scent will transport you to the rustic hills of Provence.
8. Immortelle Divine Cream
Packed with L’Occitane naturally-derived alternative to retinol, Immortelle Super Extract, the luxurious Immortelle Divine cream effectively fights the main visible signs of aging, including wrinkles, loss of firmness, and vibrancy. The cashmere texture melts into the skin to nourish and visibly smooth.
9. Almond Supple Skin Oil
Experience the luxurious softness and satiny-smooth finish of the Almond Supple skin oil, enriched with 50% almond oil. With regular use, this oil helps reduce the visibility of stretch marks and gives your skin a firmer appearance. Its fast-absorbing formula provides deep hydration and a delightful fresh almond and warm vanilla scent.
10. Cherry Blossom Bath & Shower Gel
My all-time favorite product from L’Occitane is the Cherry Blossom Bath & Shower Gel, which I’ve been using for years! With its delicate and fresh scent, this shower gel transports you to the cherry tree-dotted hillsides of southern France. The cherry note is accompanied by freesia, black currant, lily-of-the-valley, rose tree, amber, and musk.
Bonjour! I’m Léonce, the founder of Léonce Chenal, a blog dedicated to French fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. I’m French, and I'm originally from a small town near Annecy. I launched Léonce Chenal in 2018 while working as a data analyst in London to share my love of effortless French style. After living in Paris, London, and Amsterdam, I’ve now settled in the beautiful city of Bordeaux. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me baking pâtisseries, exploring hidden museums, or searching for the perfect perfume. I hope this space brings a touch of beauté to your everyday life!
Simply beautiful products! I’ve never tried the Cherry Blossom Eau De Toilette, I’ll certainly be trying it when spring arrives in Australia.
Thank you so much for sharing, I love your blog.
Kindest regards
Gabrielle
Thank you very much Gabrielle! Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette smells so good, it’s perfect for spring 🙂