L' Occitane & Santa Maria Novella: True stories of beauty
MANILA, Philippines – Nowadays, skincare companies are always on the quest for the latest technology and ingredients in hopes of creating miracle elixirs to solve all women’s beauty needs.
However, many of us forget the magic ingredients that lie in what is found around us in nature — they require no animal testing or complicated experiments. These are all-natural plants, flowers and herbs without the addition of fancy unpronounceable chemicals and these have worked for many centuries.
Tucked in the beautiful region of Provence lies the heart of the French company L’Occitane, while Florence is home to one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, Santa Maria Novella. These are two brands that believe in traditional and natural methods of producing simple, yet effective products for our well-being.
L’occitane En Provence
The man behind the brand: In 1976, Olivier Baussan wanted to create a company inspired by his hometown region, Provence, and celebrate Mediterranean well-being. The 23-year-old used steam distillation to make essential oil from wild rosemary and then sold these at open-air markets.
The roots: L’Occitane means “the woman of Occitania,” and all its natural products are made in Manosque, another Provencal village where Olivier discovered an old soap factory. Using traditional methods, he started creating vegetable-based soaps.
The start of a beautiful relationship: After his success in producing rosemary essential oils, Olivier then went on to explore other ingredients and preserving its cultivation methods. He discovered Shea butter from Burkina Faso in West Africa which he found out has incredible moisturizing, nourishing and protective qualities used by the natives. This butter is also called “Women’s Gold” because the harvesting of its fruits is performed solely by the local females. L’Occitane buys these butters at fair price and has been using this ingredient in many of its products for over 20 years.
Best sellers: It is no surprise that many of the products from the Shea Butter line have become the most popular, such as the Shea Butter Extra Gentle Hand Soap, the Shea Butter Body Lotion, and the Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream. L’Occitane’s all-natural line of anti-aging products called Immortelle, including the Immortelle Very Precious Cream, Immortelle Eye Balm and Immortelle Precious Protection SPF 20, have become a hit.
L’Occitane lovers: Nicole Kidman simply adores the Verbena Scented Scrub and Bath Salts, while Mary Louise Parker (of Weeds fame) can’t get on a plane without her Shea Butter Hand Cream.
Santa Maria Novella
The Genesis: When the Dominican friars in the 13th century were operating an infirmary, they soon began concocting herbal remedies made by the monks themselves in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.
Early creations: Many of their initial concoctions reflected the needs of the public at the time. In cases of plague outbreaks, the monks distilled a simple antiseptic of rose water to clean houses. Another tonic was a remedy for women who suffered from “fainting fits” which they called the “Vinegar of the Seven Thieves.”
Faithful follower: In the 16th century, the monastery’s pharmacy was run as a separate business, and started manufacturing perfumes. Its very famous customer was Catherine de’Medici, the queen of France. The pharmacy created a perfume for her Acqua della Regina or “water of the queen.”
Holy Grail products: The Body Milk lotion made with cocoa butter and avocado oil is perfect for all skin types giving you an ultra-moisturized feel without the greasiness. The unique Armenia Paper since the 16th century is exactly the same as it is today — it is a room perfume made from frankincense and myrrh to remove odors and works like an incense. The Vellutina vegetable soap enriched with jojoba oil and coconut oil is gentle enough for dry sensitive skin, which also can be used on the face to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize.
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L’ Occitane and Santa Maria Novella are available at Rustan’s Essenses
