ECO-PRENEURING

The story of L'Occitane. An eco-friendly company that creates great products in harmony with Mother Nature.

For over 25 years, L'Occitane has been using authentic and natural products, and rigorously selects ingredients with the greatest respect for Man, animals and the environment. All of the cosmetic products are formulated with the most natural ingredients available: pure essential oils and (preferably organic) vegetal extracts used as active ingredients. The selection of natural and traceable ingredients is the very core of the company's product development.

According to L'Occitane:

• We never test our products on animals.
  
  
• No animal product or by-product is used in the manufacture of our products (except for honey and milk).
  
  
• Our product names are written in Braille.
  
  
• In accordance with our commitment to human rights, we guarantee that none of our products are manufactured using child labour.
  
  
• Local support and sustainable trade: L'Occitane supports traditional methods of production. We give priority to local suppliers, in order to support the local employment market, and also to maintain the high quality associated with Provençal products (AOC Lavender, AOC Olive Oil, organic Verbena).
  
  We maintain fair trade links with Burkina Faso, where L'Occitane purchases shea nuts direct from the local women's co-operative.
  
  
• All of our bags are manufactured with paper from seaweed exclusively taken from the Venice lagoon, thus demonstrating our support in the fight against pollution associated with algae.
  
  
• AOC (Controlled Origin) ingredients: the lavender and olive oil used in our products are of Controlled Origin from Haute Provence.
  
  
• All of our emulsions and foaming bases are of vegetal origin.
  
  
• We never use synthetic ingredients unless specifically required by law, or where a natural alternative is unavailable.
  

CAPTURING SIMPLICITY

While exploring his native Provence 25 years ago, Olivier Baussan created L'Occitane by capturing the region's most subtle fragrances and blending them with natural ingredients. Using the traditional methods of extraction, he developed L'Occitane's very first products based on essential oils extracted from local plants.

From his rustic roots in Provence, Olivier dreamed of discovering new horizons, to travel beyond his native land and experience other cultures. In keeping with this spirit, L'Occitance developed a humanitarian partnership with African women. In the Burkina Faso village in Africa, the native women harvest Shea nuts and are the co-producers of L'Occitane's complete Shea Butter Collection. Thus, it is a tale of Provence meets Africa on ethical grounds.

Today, L'Occitane focuses on protecting the fading traditions and vanishing techniques that everyone should be enjoying. L'Occitane breathes new life into these authentic customs by recreating the genuine articles such as its famous "Marseille Soaps" as well as the revival of its Verbena and Lavender Harvests each year.

Haute Provence is a region in France where the harsh landscape and uncertain climate can only be illustrated by a magnificent and resounding oil painting. However, unlike a still painting that is a moment captured in time, Haute Provence is very much a vital region. It is full of life and creativity with an underlying will to preserve the memory of its traditions and customs.

The landscape is covered with a blanket of blue lavender and a sea of luscious green plants. The hills are rich with sage, juniper, thyme, lime blossom, and luminous narcissus. This patchwork of green encompasses an entire spectrum of vivacious colour. The sun-drenched air is filled with the perfumes of the countryside.

It is clear to see how L'Occitane's founder, Olivier Baussan, at age 23 was able to exercise his enthusiasm for nature's most precious treasures to create a cosmetic company based on essential oils and natural ingredients.

The year was 1976, and L'Occitane's tribute to this historical region of southern France began on a very small scale with the production of essential oil-based shampoos.

The name L'OCCITANE means "the woman from Occitania", - Occitania being the region we today know as Provence. It represents the heritage of this primitive, vibrant region and celebrates the culture of the people who live there.

It is the powerful respect for Mother Nature and all of mankind that is the driving force and philosophy of the company. L'Occitane stands true to its longstanding commitment to both humanitarian aid and its fight to protect the natural environment. Because of L'Occitane's high regard for the planet, the company does not participate in any type of animal testing.

Unique & Authentic Products

With Haute Provence as a canvas, there is no surprise in discovering L'Occitane'S unique ability to create innovative products. L'Occitane is the first company to use essential oils as active ingredients. Today, the unparalleled collection is derived from these highly effective oils. The line includes skin care, fragrances, bath and body products, make-up, men's products, hair care, soaps and a remarkably extensive home collection.

Moreover, L'Occitane is the first company to use Shea Butter, an incredibly moisturizing and nourishing ingredient derived from the African Shea tree. Obtained from the Burkina Faso community in Africa, L'Occitane has established a collaboration with the women of the village to ensure that the highest quality Shea Butter is harvested for the company's vast product collection. This project is by no means a form of charity, but an arrangement rooted in mutual respect.

One of the most important breakthroughs has been the ability to incorporate soothing Shea Butter into its soaps. All L'Occitane soaps are composed of a profusion of natural ingredients, shapes, colors and fragrances. They are blended with a light, vegetable-only soap base and enriched with essential oils as well as active plant and mineral ingredients.

For those who want to remember and others who want to learn, L'Occitane has created an Eco-museum at Volx in the Alpes de Haute Provence. The purpose for the museum is to relate the history of the soap manufacturing process and to prevent the old techniques from disappearing

Simple And Rustic Packaging

Beginning with nature's most precious essential oils, L'Occitane carries its tradition and heritage over to the very containers that hold and protect them.

The packaging is simple and authentic. A forerunner in recycling, L'Occitane conveys this thoughtful spirit through the use of its silver metal tubes and brown-corrugated paper products.
In a quest to make its products available to a broad spectrum of the population, L'OCCITANE is in the process of incorporating Braille on all of its boxes and containers.

The visually impaired represent a category of people for whom access to consumer goods is often very difficult. The use of Braille on the packaging represents L'Occitane's dedication and effort towards improvement in all areas.

Stepping into a L'Occitane boutique is like stepping into the heart of Provence. The fragrant scents are charming, the colors - warm and welcoming, the vintage furniture - inviting, and the warmhearted staff - gracious and welcoming. L'Occitane boutiques are the very essence of what can only be - Provence.

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