L’Occitane Winter Skin Care Sample Review

 

As you will see from my previous posts, there’s been a theme during this cold snap of how the winter elements can affect our skin. If you suffer from sensitive skin, be it from allergies or hormonal changes then you may find that the cold weather exacerbates your skin conditions even more. It is vital to choose skin care products that protect your skin from these elements and so it’s worth revamping your skincare during these cold months

L’Occitane has a range dedicated to sensitive skin conditions. Using ingredients that not only protect the skin but also to soothe conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dry and chapped skin etc, whilst at the same time feeding the skin with anti-oxidants and skin protectors. Such ingredients also give a barrier to guard against icy cold conditions, central heating, UV rays (which are deceptively strong, even in winter) and pollution.

Shea Miceller Water 200ml RRP £22

If you suffer from sensitive skin, it’s wise to choose a cleansing product that will get rid of dirt, grime and makeup without stripping the natural oils of your skin. Often cleansers contain harsh ingredients so that after make up removal, your skin may feel tighter. The Shea Miceller Water not only removes all the pollution and grime, but leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and supple. 

Naturally the biggest ingredient in this list is water however, where the Miceller Water really comes into play, making it a must have for sensitive skin is the quality of Shea, as well as other ingredients.

• Propanediol Glycerin - a non-comedogenic humectant derived naturally from corn sugar, this helps retain moisture so improves hydration, without clogging pores. 
• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract - anti-inflammatory this is an ideal ingredient for those with redness, skin irritation such as tight and itchy skin. It also helps stimulate collagen.
• Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Water - a fruit extract with plentiful benefits to the skin. It naturally exfoliates, leaving skin looking brighter and more radiant, as well as being anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. This ingredient is excellent for those who suffer with acne and breakouts. 

You only need a couple of pumps on cotton wool pads, swiped across your face and neck to leave your skin purified, free from makeup (it works well even on waterproof makeup) and feeling refreshed.

Shea Light Comforting Face Cream 50ml RRP £32

This light, non greasy moisturiser is ideal for those with sensitive skin especially if you are suffering from hormonal breakouts. Often we may find that our skin needs the hydration but creams formulated for such types leave them prone to breakouts. This light cream is non-pore clogging and won’t leave your face feeling greasy.

It contains 5% Shea Butter so gives 24 hour hydration and therefore ideal for combatting the winter elements of icy cold air and central heating. If, like me, you like to blast your car heating up then this is a must have to protect the skin from dehydration and developing fine lines. The Shea Butter is ethically and sustainably sourced from Burkina Faso (West Africa) & Ghana.

At L’OCCITANE, we believe in gender equality and empowering women to achieve their goals. Through our work in Burkina Faso, we’ve enabled the women who make our shea butter to gain more independence. Our Foundation has helped them to have access to microcredits, literacy programmes and education for their children. Every year, we sell fund-raising products to promote women’s leadership. These may seem like little steps, but they can make a big difference.

 As well as Shea Butter it also contains:-

• Octyldodecyl Myristate - an emollient that forms a barrier on the skin, protecting it from environmental elements and aggressors, without blocking the pores. It leaves skin feeling silky soft.
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - has a combination of fatty acids that really helps calm irritated skin, whilst also giving it nourishment. It has in it Vitamin E, which helps protect against UV rays and combats the signs of ageing.  It also has anti-inflammatory Linoleic acid that is beneficial to skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 

The consistency is like whipped cream, and you only need a small amount to cover the face and neck. Skin is left feeling supple and moisturised. It has 85 glowing reviews on the website with loyal customers stating ‘This lighter cream is nothing short of divine’, ‘Have used many many many products over the years and I cannot recommend this enough’.

Immortelle Reset Night Serum 30ml RRP £55

I have written about this before in depth however, when I put a call out for ‘Winter skincare’, this was also sent to me. It’s understandable why as this lightweight serum really is the ‘Holy Grail’ for anti-aging and leaving you waking up with skin, as if you’d had a facial. 

There is a whole range that is included in the Immortelle range (Helichyrsum, also known as the Curry Plant). Many of these reviews are on my previous blog posts. I was especially excited as I grow the Curry Plant in my garden (which made for a fabulous photo backdrop - it’s all cut back at the moment for Winter). Anyway so just what do the ingredients include that make it such a great serum?

• Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil - helps seal in moisture so skin is left feeling supple and nourished. 
• Helichyrsum Italicum Flower Oil - aka Immortelle, rich in anti-inflammatories, this healing oil not only protects from free radicals (sun exposure) etc however, also can help with scarring. It’s ideal to use if you have also spent too much time in the sun as reduces redness and skin irritation.
• Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract - this natural antiseptic (Marjoram) is often used as an essential oil in aromatherapy to help heal infections and prevent pimples and acne. It’s wonderful for hormonal breakouts especially teenage skin and menopause. 
• Acmella Oleracea Extract - this anti-aging fruit extract is a potent anti-wrinkle extract that helps delay the signs of aging by acting as a muscle relaxant. Indeed it is often compared as a natural anti-wrinkle injection alternative. 
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - as above this oil helps nourish and calm irritated, dry skin types. 
• Adenosine - another potent ingredient that is used in skincare to reduce the depth of fine lines and wrinkles. It is derived from yeast and not only naturally exfoliates but gives radiance and helps soothe sensitive skin types.

You only need a small amount of this clear, light weight serum applied to the face and neck in the evening. Please check out the reviews before you buy as I am certain you will be impressed by the 255 customer testimonials giving claims such as “From day one, I woke up and looked a few years younger’. I personally love the Immortelle range, as it’s ideal for sensitive skins but really does help give you that natural, smooth glow.

The products are all sustainably sourced, with ingredients being traceable and being cultivated and harvested without harming the environment. Many of their products can be used as ‘re-fills’ to help reduce packaging. All the above can all be purchased by clicking the link HERE