L'Occitane Shea Butter Collection

L'Occitane could not have picked a more appropriate time to launch an extension to their renowned Shea Butter Collection. These new products are the answer to your prayers for skin going through the mill due to this zany, harsh winter we've been experiencing. I gave two products from the collection, 5% Shea Butter Cleansing Oil and 5% Shea Butter Light Comfort Cream a trial run during a month of a mixture of wind and rain, two flights, sunshine, freezing cold, open fires, snow and hail and found them the most comforting accompaniment for so many harsh conditions in such a short space of time. The ultimate test!

As one of the first ever cosmetic labs to develop a skincare range using shea butter, L'Occitane have spent many years utilizing this and perfecting its use in their products. Containing Omega Six, Karitene and Vitamin E, Shea butter is well know for making skin supple, smooth, and healthy looking while being an excellent hydrator and moisturiser. Their 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream, which I've mentioned in several articles, is my favourite all time hand cream so to see a whole new skincare range based around Shea Butter made me very intrigued indeed! 

Just before Christmas I was treated to the most unbelievable surprise by a truly amazing friend and her husband; a gift of flights to sunny Marbella to join them for a week just before Christmas in the most gorgeous holiday home in what could only be described as paradise. It was my first holiday in over five years, my first very first proper sun holiday and my first winter break ever. So, with only a few days notice, I got the unbelievable opportunity to leave the freezing cold of Ireland for the cloudless skies and glorious heat of the very south of Spain. It could not have been a better time or challenge to use a hydrating, comforting moisturiser and it turned out to be such a gift throughout the month that followed.

The day before I left for my travels I got the opportunity to trial and review two of L'Occitane's brand new products which just hit the shelves last week, January 15th. Having straight away slathered my face in the Light 5% Shea Butter Comfort Cream (€32) shortly after getting it it was love at first use and I immediately decided this was going straight into my luggage so I could enjoy it on holidays and it turned out to be my constant companion throughout.

I also used the gorgeous 5% Shea Cleansing Oil (€20) constantly for the past month and my skin really couldn't be happier. The cleansing oil, which is aided in the moisturising department by a good quantity of Shea Butter, is much like the L'Occitane's Almond Shower Oil (which is at least in my top three products of all time) in that you rub it in as an oil then lather it up and wash it off leaving your, very possibly traumatised by the weather and central heating, skin so soft, hydrated and smooth. I must say, both products make you feels so pampered every time you use them so I've been taking them out as a treat when I was to unwind a bit. They're so gentle and soothing which I always find helps no end when you're stressed. A little bit of pampering, no matter how simple, can really help you unwind and forget about your daily stresses.

The Light 5% Comfort Cream really is one of the most comforting things I've ever put on my skin. I used this through the wind and rain that was prevalent before I went away, then during the flight several times to combat the dry air, throughout the week in hot and sunny Marbella as I was going suddenly from freezing temperatures to sun bathing within 24 hours, then all the way back. Throughout Christmas I had the jar beside me by the fire, I put it on every night and after brisk walks in crazy cold conditions. This comfort cream does exactly what it says on the gorgeous glass jar. The cream smells so good and it's just so comforting and soothing. It's lightweight but feels so hydrating; it really would suit any age for a hydration kick. Your skin will gobble it up!  It is such a treat to use and is bound to be another L'occitane staple for years to come!

The new range also offers a Cleansing Milk (€20), Gentle Toner (€18) for more traditional style cleansing and toning but with the added moisture of Shea Butter; an Ultra Rich Comforting Cream (€34) containing 25% Shea Butter which is perfect for extreme weather conditions, very dry skin, and slightly older skin because it has such a huge Shea Butter content; and, finally, a 10% Shea Butter Lip Balm (€10) which is perfect for popping in your handbag and slathering on your lips to keep them from cracking during this ongoing harsh cold outside and dry heat inside.

I love this collection; it really is such a relief to find some high quality products to combat every weather condition an Irish winter throws at you. Add to this bunch L'Occitane's amazing 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream, which I've raved about here and here, and you'll be all set and protected from the hardest season on skin, and feel a bit pampered while you're at it!

L'Occitane's Shea Butter Collection just launched on January 15th and is available now from L'Occitane stores nationwide as well as at http://ie.loccitane.com/