L’Occitane Shea Butter: A beauty secret from Africa to Provence

It was in Provence, south of France, where I had my most recent epiphany. Born and bred in a polluted urban jungle where billboards, dusty roads and garbage daily clutter my consciousness, I felt a glimpse of the paradise in my next life when I went to Provence, the hometown of L’Occitane.

Provence is a hilly region where, for one week last year, I stopped to smell the flowers. The whole landscape is perfumed by lavender fields, olive groves and lush vineyards. "Where I grew up, when the lavender is in bloom, the earth looks as if it is mirroring the sky," said Olivier Baussan.

Baussan is the founder of L’Occitane, that French line of body, skincare and fragrance products made from mostly natural ingredients harvested in Provence.At the L’Occitane factory in Provence, I saw how locally-grown flowers, fruits and herbs formed the base of L’Occitane, that unique brand focused on the well-being of men and women alike.

Lavender is the soul of Provence – and L’Occitane – Baussan said during our visit.

What serves as L’Occitane’s soothing balm is shea butter. It is an ingredient discovered by Baussan in Burkina Faso, Africa, in the 1980s.Also called "women’s gold," shea butter has long been used in Africa as a balm to heal damaged skin, as well as massage babies.Made from the shea fruits harvested by women from majestic shea trees, shea butter is the magical ingredient in L’Occitane’s skin protection line made in Provence:

100 % Pure Shea Butter–This most powerful natural moisturizer coming directly from the fruit of the African shea tree has no additives. It protects, nourishes and moisturizes dry and sensitive skin.

Shea Butter Hand Cream–A super-smoothing and best-selling synergy of shea butter, honey and sweet almond extract, blended with jasmine and ylang-ylang essences, heals dry or dehydrated skin. Anti-oxidizing vitamin E gives even the most hardworking hands a fresh beginning.

Ultra Rich Body Cream–This pampering concentrated cream boosts the skin’s moisture and lipid level.

Shea Mom & Baby Balm–A magical butter for massaging, nourishing and soothing babies’ skin. Mom can use it during and after pregnancy to soothe stretched, irritated skin. It can be used as an everyday skincare product.

Foot Cream–With antiseptic lavender essential oil to purify, and anti-inflammatory arnica to reduce redness and irritation, it’s a prescription for the relief and comfort of the feet.

Body Lotion–This daily moisture solution for dry skin, in a non-breakable squeeze bottle ideal for shower and travel, nourishes, moisturizes and protects skin.

Extra Moisturizing Cold Cream Soap–Gentle enough for babies and children, it is enriched with cold cream and nourishing shea butter.

Ultra Rich Hair Cream–This nourishing and softening hair treatment, rich in shea butter, repairs and protects dry and damaged hair.

Hair Conditioner–Here is extreme nourishment for extra-dry and over-processed hair, gentle enough to be used every day.

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L’Occitane products are available at Essenses in Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower, Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu, Alabang Town Center and Robinsons Place Manila.