L’Occitane En Provence Christmas Gifting

 

I know we are still in Autumn however, Christmas will soon be on us, and as a single parent I’ve always had to be super organised before the big day. If I tell you that I have wrapped most of the kids stocking presents then, believe it - as I have. 

This year for my reviews I’m starting off with one of my favourite brands for Christmas gifting - L’Occitane En Provence. Everything from the packaging to the superb deals to be had make this my go to when gifting for friends and family. 

This year the packaging has reverted to the  flagship ‘yellow and gold’ packaging that everyone associates with L’Occitane - it’s simple, classy but has that luxury feel with the gold embossed pattern, that make even the boxes a keepsake. 

Almond Oil Body Care Gift Set RRP £45

Beautifully presented, L’Occitane’s Almond Oil collection is a gift that any gender, age would love to receive. 

Wrapped up in an abundance of their signature yellow tissue paper, the recipient will receive a full size 250ml in both Almond Shower Oil and their best selling Almond Supple Skin Oil. 

Both products are ideal for those who have dry skin, dehydrated skin and who need some extra pampering. The Shower Oil is award winning for a reason, it’s unique concept of enriching the skin first with Sweet Almond Oil, which on contact with water turns into a softening milky base, leaves skin hydrated and nourished.

Ingredients include:-

• Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil - high in Vitamin E, excellent for scarring, helps combat signs of aging, improves acne and skin elasticity. 
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil - smoothes and nourishes dry skin types. It also contains vitamins A, E and D. 
• Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil - antibacterial and antiseptic, helps combat breakouts and acne, as well as reducing inflammation. 
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - anti-inflammatory owing to large properties of omega-6 fatty acids, which help smooth the skin. 
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract - helps prevent flaky, rough skin. 

The Supple Skin Oil has similar ingredients and also contains Squalene, a lipid produced naturally in the body. It helps protect dry skin, leaving it baby soft. 

Fresh Hand Cream Trio RRP £30

Featuring 3 of L’Occitane’s best selling hand creams in travel 30ml size, in Shea Butter, Almond Delicious and Verbena Cooling. Each one brings its own benefits with ingredients that help nourish dry, rough hands. 

Ideal for anyone who likes gardening, exposes their hands to environmental factors such as wind, water, chemicals etc.  Not only do they soften rough hands, but also nourish brittle nails and cuticles. Both the Shea and Almond are ideal for hairdressers, nurses and protect the hands from these environmental elements.

The Verbena Cooling has ingredients such as Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Thyme Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, ingredients that are refreshing and anti-bacterial. This unique hand cream is ideal for men, those who work with their hands, especially weight training. Its special formula helps reduce swelling and also reduces sweating!

Surprise Crackers Collections RRP £30

Oh I did love opening these - what a fantastic idea for not only a gift but to put on your Christmas table. Each one contains miniatures of the best selling products from L’Occitane. 

Included in the box are 4 crackers comprising of:-

• Flyers De Cerisier Perfumed Shower Gel 35ml & Perfumed Hand Cream 10ml
• Verveine Shower Gel 30ml & Verveine Cooling Hand Gel 10ml
• Shower Oil Cleansing & Softening 35ml & Almond Delicious Hands 10ml
• Sensitive Skin Shower Cream 35ml & Dry Skin Hand Cream 10ml

Each one is formulated for a different skin condition, such as dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin and so there really is something for everyone. 

They make great travel sizes to put in hand luggage or in your gym bag, and are ideal for a long weekend away. Whilst you can gift them as one box, I would personally divide them and gift separately for perfect stocking fillers for less than £10!

You can view all of the L’Occitane range by clicking the link HERE or by viewing my TikTok live @askmollybeauty. 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Intense Moisturiser / Vitamin C Eye Glow Serum

 

I have written about the Vitamin C range before, and if you scroll down to around January 2024 you’ll see my review of this range. However, I always like to refresh my reviews especially during different seasons, especially when ingredients can play their part depending on environmental factors such as the sun. 

The Vitamin C range is my absolute must have if I’ve been travelling, been out in the sun and noticed that my skin needs a boost, an injection of glow especially as air conditioning has left it looking drier and duller than normal, and due to the fact I’ve recently suffered with Covid!

Vitamin C Glow Boosting Intense Moisturiser 50ml RRP £22

Ideal for dry, dehydrated skin that suffers with age spots, pigmentation, the ‘Intense’ version of the Vitamin C Moisturiser, has a thicker consistency than the other creams. It’s ideal if you have been out in the sun, suffering with dullness and uneven skin tone. Often being in the sun can trigger pigmentation and the role this cream plays is to brighten and even out the skin tone.

You only need a small amount massaged into the face and neck. It sinks in immediately and whilst leaves skin looking radiant (see below), it doesn’t leave it feeling greasy. 

Ingredients include:-

• Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter) - acts as an emollient so is very nourishing, soothes skin irritation, gives skin a natural glow. 
• 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid - this active is a powerful antioxidant that intensely brightens the skin. It also boosts collagen and makes skin look more plump and youthful. 
• Squalane - non pore clogging, gives skin a boost of hydration whilst also acting as an anti-inflammatory so helps reduce acne, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions.
• Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba) Seed Oil - smoothes skin, prevents flakiness and so ideal if you have been out in the sun. It also improves skin elasticity so skin looks firmer and can help reduce the effects of sunburn and chapped, dry tight skin. 
• Citric Acid - renews skin cells, acts as a gentle exfoliator so eradicates blocked pores, reduces bacteria and fights skin infections. 
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder - calming and soothing, helps with redness and ideal again if you have been out in the sun. 
• Palmaria Palmata Extract - otherwise known as sea lettuce flakes derived from seaweed, this is ideal for sensitive and irritated skin types. It contains many essential fatty acids that offer natural protection from free radicals and environmental aggressors such as the sun and pollution. 

Vitamin C Eye Glow Serum 10ml £18

You only need a small amount, literally a single drop patted underneath each eye to see the immediate effects of this brightening eye serum. 

It’s ideal if you suffer with dark circles, puffiness whether caused by sleepless nights, poor sinuses, ill health or if you are just prone to tired looking eyes. 

I have applied too much in this photo (I actually used the product on both eyes), but you can see it gives immediate luminosity. It gives 12 hour hydration, contains the all important Vitamin C for skin radiance and is suitable for sensitive eyes and those who wear contact lenses. 

The other key ingredients include:-

• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - contains Vitamin E that really helps brighten dark circles and dark spots. 
• Bakuchiol - has excellent anti-aging benefits that help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps eliminate puffiness so ideal if you suffer from sinus or sleeping issues. 
• Caffiene - stimulating, this ingredient helps tighten the eyes reducing wrinkles and swelling by constricting blood vessels. 
• Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract - aka Camu Camu Fruit, that helps reduce inflammation and contains potent amounts of Vitamin C, so helps to brighten the under eye area. 
• Sodium Hyaluronate - a humectant so attracts moisture to the area, skin is left hydrated and moisturised.

Both products are vegan, and use nearly 100% natural origin. You can purchase from The Body Shop nationwide stores or online by clicking the link HERE

Rosalique Anti-Redness Skincare

 

I received these products when I was away in Marrakesh a few weeks ago, it was my first break as a single mum with a friend sans kids for over 10 years! We only went for 4 days but it was utter bliss. However, I wish I had received these before I travelled, as they would have been perfect for my cabin bag!

This range is formulated for all skin types however, the products work really well for those who suffer with redness, inflammation and sensitive skin types. 

3 In 1 Balm Cleanser 100ml RRP £29.99

My favourite of the range is definitely this 3 In 1 Balm Cleanser, as a busy mum I love a multi-purpose product. It’s also brilliant to take on the plane. Often before I get onto a plane, I go to Duty Free and ply on the hydrating serums, as the air conditioning on the plane really dehydrates the skin. Top tip, never apply a cream in Duty Free unless it’s from a pipette bottle. The products that are in jars are filled with bacteria from people dipping their fingers in!

With the 3 In 1 Balm Cleanser, you can apply a fine layer before your flight or once on board, then simply wipe off with a wet wipe at the end of the flight (your skin will love baby soft and plumped up)! Simply shake the bottle a little to mix the formula together and apply a fine layer to your face and neck. 

In the photo it’s difficult to tell, but my skin is gleaming from just 5 minutes of leaving this on. Of course you can also use it to remove all makeup including waterproof makeup, just massage with circular motions into your face and remove with a damp cloth. 

The cleanser hosts a huge cocktail of ingredients that help soothe the skin, and as mentioned above are specifically ideal for those who suffer with redness from rosacea/couperose/eczema and hormonal flare ups. Such ingredients include:-

• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil) - reduce fine lines, soothes irritated skin and helps reduce appearance of scarring. 
• Candelilla Cera - a wax derived from the Candelilla Plant that acts as an emollient, thus very nourishing for dry skin types. 
• Hydrogenated Olive Oil - anti inflammatory, hydrating and rich in Squalane and vitamin E so help prevent moisture loss and reduce scarring. 
• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter - anti inflammatory and helps relieve itchy skin conditions. It also contains vitamin A and E which help protect the skin from environmental aggressors. 
• Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil - soothing and prevents irritation from conditions such as eczema. 
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract - cooling, soothing and healing. 
• Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract - wound healing and calms inflammation, whilst also improving the elasticity. 
• Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract - also known as ‘Balloon Vine’ is very beneficial for those who have dermatitis and psoriasis due to its anti inflammatory compounds. It’s often been used as a natural steroid, due to its calming effects. 

Soothing Night Cream 50ml RRP £34.99

From the same range is this calming night cream, that not only helps with skin sensitivity but also reduces dark circles. It has many active ingredients including the IBR-CalmDeAge®,’an up-cycled date seed extract’ that is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Derived from Date Palm seeds, it is rich in polyphenols and helps constrict blood vessels to minimise redness. It is an excellent ingredient to help with dark circles and give radiance to dull skin complexions. 

Other active ingredients include:-

• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - contains Linoleic Acid and vitamin E to help protect and strengthen the skin’s barrier from environmental pollution and aggressors such as the sun. Linoleic Acid is good for sensitive, acne prone skin as doesn’t block the pores. 
• Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter - full of fatty acids that help plump the skin. It contains the vital ‘skin vitamins A, C and E’ that help protect the skin whilst reducing fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Panthenol - otherwise known as provitamin B5, this acts an emollient moisturising the skin and also a humectant so draws water to the skin. It plays a huge part in skincare for keep skin supple and youthful. Again it is an excellent ingredient for its soothing and calming properties. 
• Ascorbic Acid - aka vitamin C, this helps brighten the skin, gives radiance to dull skin and helps fade dark spots and pigmentation. 

3 In 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula 30ml RRP £29.99

With an SPF50 for UVA and UVB this is a must have for those who are looking for excellent sun protection, whilst reducing the appearance of redness. The green tinted cream glides on effortlessly, and counteracts any redness. 

Whilst you may be alarmed by the colour, it simply blends in to your natural skin colour. It’s difficult for me to show as I have quite an olive skin tone however, green counteracts any redness and simply makes it disappear. You can see below how it has just blended in to my natural colour. 

You can use it instead of your moisturiser or after your moisturiser. You only need a tiny amount on your ring finger to pat into any redness or you can use a brush. It can be used as a tinted moisturiser, primer to help make-up stay all day or as a colour correcting concealer to take away any redness from rosacea, pimples etc. 

However, not only does it act as a cosmetic product it also has many ingredients that help correct skin conditions. 

Some of the ingredients are found in the other products such as Panthenol and Shea Butter however, it also includes 

• Titanium Dioxide - an SPF making this an excellent all round moisturiser for preventing aging. 
• Glycerin - hydrating and moisturising. 
• A-Bisabolol - derived from Chamomile, this aids in reducing dark spots and helps promote wound healing. It calms the skin from sunburn and also helps even out skin tone. 
• Zeolite - detoxifies the skin, drawing out pollutants and is antimicrobial so helps reduce bacteria. It also helps absorb excess oil so ideal if you have an oilier complexion. 
• Urea - acts a humectant to draw moisture to the skin, so skin is hydrated and smoother. It also helps exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells so skin looks brighter and smoother.

All the products are vegan, cruelty free and you can see for yourself the five star reviews on Amazon. You can purchase by clicking the link HERE

Tata Harper® Superkind Refining Cleanser 125ml RRP £79

Throughout my career as a Beauty Editor, one of the questions I was often asked was ‘what skincare product should I spend my money on and what should I save my pennies on’? My answer is still the same which is, spend on serums and eye creams but save on cleansers and toners. So when I’m reviewing a ‘cleanser’ that costs £79 I need to find out why you, the consumer, should spend that money on essentially a product that you are just ‘washing off’.

Firstly, a look at the ingredients. The top ingredient is Calendula Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice (organically grown). This immediately stands out amongst a ‘normal cleanser’ where the top ingredient is often Aqua. 

Calendula is otherwise known as Marigold, and in skincare it acts as skin soothing ingredient, ideal for acne, eczema and inflamed skin conditions. It helps promote wound healing by increasing blood flow to the skin, it helps with hydration making skin appear plumper and retaining moisture. It also has strong anti-inflammatory benefits so ideal if you suffer with tight, itchy and irritated skin. 

Other ingredients (note not in order), such as Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, which is anti-bacterial and ideal if you have acne prone skin, as reduces swelling and redness, which also helps with psoriasis and dermatitis. It stimulates collagen so helps regeneration and cell renewal. It is often used in after-sun as helps alleviate itching and sunburn. 

However, the special ingredient for me, personally is the Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder. A finely milled powder which gently exfoliates the skin, leaving it feeling incredibly smooth and full of radiance. It sloughs away dead skin cells but without scratching the surface of the skin. Often in exfoliating products, ‘beads’ are used that are far too harsh for the face. However, Rice Powder is gentle enough to use on all skin types including sensitive. 

Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract has many benefits for the skin including helping to lighten pigmentation and dark spots. Full of salicylic acid that helps to naturally refine skin tone with its astringent properties. The natural sugars also gently exfoliate the skin, reducing oil production and clearing pores. 

Pyrus Malus (Apple) Seed Oil, again helps give the skin radiance with its natural sugar exfoliants.  However, Apple has several vitamins such as A, C and K that help protect the skin from environmental pollution such as sun radiation, smoke and pollution. 

Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract - Chamomile, soothing, wound healing and again used in many sunburn remedies. It can also help lighten blemishes and even out skin tone. 

You only need a very small amount as the product gently emulsifies. The Rice Powder gives almost an micro-dermabrasion effect without the harshness of a full on dermabrasion. Work it into the face and, as it’s so gentle into the neck, concentrating on areas where you may have large pores such as nose and chin. 

Simply rinse off with warm water, and you will notice an immediate difference. I tested on the back of my hand for the photos, and it left it feeling super soft.

Having reviewed this cleanser, it cannot be categorised as just a ‘cleanser’ more of a skin treatment, which brings me back to my original quest. Why should you spend £79 on a cleanser? That is because it is not. It’s also vegan and most of the ingredients are from organic farming, with 100% of ingredients are from natural origin. 

If you go on to the Space NK Website by clicking the link HERE you will see the hundreds of five star reviews from happy customers. 

 

Olverum Bath Oil 60ml RRP £28

 

I only wrote about this British brand a month ago however, last week I had a press release ping into my email to say that the brand Olverum had been granted a Royal Warrant by his Majesty King Charles ‘a mark of recognition for it’s long-standing commitment to quality, care and craftsmanship’. A much deserving award due to the ingredients used and the sustainability on how they are sourced. 

One of their best selling products is the heavenly scented Bath Oil, filled with essential oils from plants and fruits. The cocktail of potent and heady oils include:-

Siberian Fir Needle Oil

Calms inflammation, soothing, helps calm the nervous system, cleansing, reduces acne, calms the mind. 

Rosemary

Stimulating, excellent for circulation, gives mental clarity, ideal for tension relief, promotes skin circulation, combats acne, helps stimulate lymphatic drainage and thus prevents cellulite, anti-inflammatory, reduces redness.

Maychang Fruit Oil

Uplifting, calming helps with anxiety and can lift depressive moods, helps with conditions such as eczema, anti-septic and supports the immune system. 

Lavender 

Calming, soothing, helps promote good sleep, wound healing, treats acne, mentally reduces anxiety, anti-microbial, reduces eczema, reduces the appearance of scars, fights bacteria. 

Geranium 

Hormone balancing, antiseptic, full of antioxidants, balances sebum production, helps prevents breakouts, fades dark spots and pigmentation wound healing. Is an uplifting scent that produces a well-being effect. 

Eucalyptus Leaf Oil 

Head cleaning, stimulating, helps clear foggy mind, anti-inflammatory, good for respiratory conditions such as colds and sinusitis, natural pain relief for aching muscle and joints, stress relieving. 

Lemon Peel/Lime Oil 

Both these oils have astringent and toning properties and are good for circulation. Natural exfoliants, help keep skin smooth, clarifying, kill bacteria, rejuvenating and brightening. Full of vitamin C, adds radiance, increases elasticity and anti-fungal. 

Juniper Fruit

Rich in vitamin C, ideal for skin cell renewal, anti-inflammatory, helps soothe inflamed skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, hydrating, detoxifying and deep cleansing. Good for arthritic pain and rheumatic aches and pains. 

You only need a couple of drop of the Bath Oil to fill the room with the delightful aromatic scent. It’s like stepping into a spa that really clears the head. Ideal after a hot day, after sports, if you are unwell or just need a pick-me up. Vegan and cruelty-free. You can purchase by clicking the link HERE