Lavender

Discover the many benefits of the French lavender* plant! Some 2,000 years ago, it arrived in Provence with the Romans. French lavender now thrives in the region's hot, dry climate and is appreciated for its soothing and healing properties. Moreover, growing lavender has also become an essential element of the Provençal landscape and economy. Renowned for its beautiful lavender scent and numerous benefits, this plant has been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries.

Having entered into the composition of our products, lavender has remained a very dear ingredient to L'OCCITANE.
 

Lavender Uses

Lavender is part of our DNA Lavender is part of our DNA

Lavender is part of our DNA

Lavender has been part of the L’Occitane DNA for decades. We've been harnessing its benefits, using only fine lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, as it yields the very best essential oil. This lavender oil is protected by the PDO label – a guarantee of quality and traceability.
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Its Properties

We use lavender for its relaxing properties and exquisite scent in our body care products, which include our much-loved Foaming Bath and Eau de Cologne. Being part of a complex of different essential oils, lavender is also used as a key ingredient in some of our Aromachologie products.

Key Facts

  • Many Lavender flowers for few essential oil

    Distillation is carried out just after harvesting. 1 ton of lavender flowers yields 8 kg of essential oil.

  • A L'Occitane heritage

    The first lavender harvest reserved for L'OCCITANE took place in 1977.

  • Lavender growing conditions

    Fine lavender grows at an altitude of anything from 600 to 1,700 metres!

What Is Blue Gold Week?

The Blue Gold Week celebrates the harvest week of lavender sourcing from local cooperatives in the south of France.

Harvesting takes place from late July to August, when the intense heat causes the essential oil content in the lavender flowers to rise. Most harvesting is done mechanically. The lavender sprigs should be picked just before the flowers open, when they're at their most fragrant.

What Is Blue Gold Week? What Is Blue Gold Week?
How Does L'Occitane Contribute to Protect Lavender? How Does L'Occitane Contribute to Protect Lavender?

How Does L'Occitane Contribute to Protect Lavender?

Under threat from drought-like conditions and disease-carrying insects, lavender is in decline. Since 2012, L'OCCITANE has been supporting French research institutes in their efforts to find ecological solutions to save lavender. To contribute to the local economy, we source all our lavender exclusively from cooperatives in the south of France.

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JEROME BOENLE– In His Own Words

“Our farm specialises in the production of fine PDO lavender (Protected Designation of Origin - ‘AOC’ in French). This type of lavender is grown from seeds, and we order certified seeds from the French institute for perfume, medicinal and aromatic plants (iteipmai). We therefore grow our own seedlings, unlike hybrid and clonal lavender, which is grown from cuttings.
We start the seeds in our greenhouses, before planting the seedlings in our fields. We really know where our lavender comes from! "

*L’OCCITANE sources its supplies from cooperatives in Provence and the Bleu Provence distillery, and has established a multi-year partnership with the local supply chain, in order to guarantee minimum prices and volumes. In 2016, L’OCCITANE renewed its contracts for an additional four-year period, thus helping to maintain the cultivation of fine lavender on the plateau of Haute-Provence.
JEROME BOENLE– In His Own Words JEROME BOENLE– In His Own Words

Lavender Body & Fragrance Range

Lavender Eau de Toilette

75 ml

$120.00

NEW

Lavender Shower Gel

250 ml

$45.00

NEW LOOK

Lavender Body Lotion

250 ml

$55.00

NEW LOOK

Lavender Foaming Bath

500 ml

$59.00

NEW LOOK

Lavender Hand Cream

75 ml

$39.00

NEW LOOK

Lavender Foaming Bath Refill

500 ml

$52.00

10% off 2, 15% off 3+
Lavender Collection Lavender Collection

Lavender Collection

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Lavander: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the skincare benefits of lavender?

Lavender essential oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it beneficial in body care products. It can help soothe irritated or reactive skin, support the skin barrier and protect against environmental stressors. Its calming scent also has a well-documented relaxing effect, making lavender body care products such as shower gels, body lotions and foaming baths a popular choice for a soothing daily ritual or evening wind-down routine. L'Occitane Lavender Shower Gel gently cleanses the skin, while Lavender Body Lotion helps nourish and soften the body, leaving skin feeling smooth, comfortable and delicately scented.

What makes L'Occitane's lavender special?

L'Occitane uses only fine lavender, *Lavandula angustifolia*, sourced exclusively from cooperatives in the south of France. This variety is protected by a PDO label (Protected Designation of Origin), which guarantees both quality and traceability. It grows at altitudes of 600 to 1,700 metres, where the conditions produce a richer, more complex essential oil than the lower-altitude lavandin hybrid commonly used in mass-market products. This exceptional lavender is used in L'Occitane body care products, including Lavender Shower Gel, Lavender Body Lotion and Lavender Foaming Bath, to combine the benefits of Provençal tradition with nourishing and relaxing skincare rituals.

Is lavender suitable for sensitive skin?

Lavender is generally well tolerated and is often used in formulations designed for sensitive or reactive skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to calm redness and discomfort. That said, undiluted lavender essential oil can cause irritation for some people, which is why using it in a properly formulated product, such as a body lotion, shower gel or foaming bath, is a safer approach than applying the pure oil directly to the skin. L'Occitane Lavender body care formulas are designed to provide a gentle cleansing and nourishing experience, leaving skin feeling soft and comfortable.

Can lavender body care help with relaxation and sleep?

Lavender is one of the most researched botanical scents for its effect on the nervous system. Its aroma has been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote a sense of calm, which is why lavender body care products are commonly used as part of a bedtime routine. Using L'Occitane's Lavender Body Lotion, Lavender Foaming Bath or Lavender Shower Gel in the evening can help create a relaxing self-care ritual, leaving the skin delicately fragranced while helping signal to the body that it is time to unwind and prepare for a restful night's sleep.

How does L'Occitane support lavender farmers in Provence?

Fine lavender is under increasing pressure from drought and disease in Provence, and L'Occitane has been actively supporting French research institutes since 2012 to find ecological solutions. The brand sources all its lavender exclusively from local cooperatives, guaranteeing minimum prices and volumes over multi-year contracts. These commitments help sustain the livelihoods of Provençal farmers and protect the future of this iconic crop within the regional landscape.