I’ve always tried to look after my skin. For over 10 years I have used a reputable department store brand cleanser, toner, moisturiser, morning and night. It seemed to do the job. However, since moving to Canberra where the humidity is lacking and the winters are cold and windy, I’ve found my skin has become dull, dry and dare I admit – a little wrinkly. This harsh weather coupled with the sleep deprived life of a mother, has been anything but kind to my skin, so last week I decided it was time to find something more hydrating and nourishing for my dry winter skin. I figured I’m not the only one with this problem, so I want to share my new winter skincare routine (which I am LOVING already – see video below) AND I have a Shea Skincare Ritual Giftpack to giveaway to one lucky reader from the kind the team at L’Occitane (valued at $146).
You might have seen my trip to L’Occitane on my instagram stories recently. Pictured above is what I picked up to sort out my dry winter skin (all facial products except the hand cream foot balm – anyone else get cracked heels in winter?!). Without wanting to sound cliche, I’ve actually loved the results I’ve seen in just a week! My skin feels more hydrated and radiant. Now if you’re not one to love reading about skin care, or your short on time and need a quick fix for your dry skin then do not fear I’ve given you a 35 second skin routine video and quick online shopping list below.
The QUICK online shopping list for products to repair & hydrate dry winter skin
The below are all L’Occitane (for the wondering uncultured like me, it’s pronounced Lox-ee-tahn) products (tip: spend over $100 for free shipping):
- Nourishing and Comforting Shea Double Cleansing – Shea Cleaning Oil to remove makeup & Shea Foaming Cleanser (more affordable if you buy as a duo pack here $46.40 instead of $62).
- Illuminating Scrub ($46)
- Immortelle Divine Extract ($140)
- Immortelle Divine Cream ($147)
- Divine Youth Oil ($132)
- Foot Cream (not shown in video, for dry feet, $44)
- Hand Cream (not shown in video, $44)
An investment in your skin
Now, all that is quite an investment in caring for your skin, yes. If you’re thinking – is it really worth it? Well your skin is something that you have your whole life, so you want to look after it as well as you can. So I encourage you to read on, as I was quite impressed with the research that has gone into creating L’Occitane’s products.
The Art of Double Cleansing
The technique of double cleansing has been inspired by Korean beauty rituals for clear skin. First, you cleanse to remove your ‘mask’ for the day – any makeup, moisturisers or impurities from the environment. I love using an oil to remove my make up because unlike other makeup removes it doesn’t dry your skin out. It’s made with 5% shea oil so it nourishes and hydrates my skin. The second cleanse is designed to be a deeper clean which removes leftover residue and prepares the skin for any following moisturisers or treatments.
L’Occitane Illuminating Scrub
You might be thinking, ‘but didn’t you use a scrub between the oil and cleanser in your video Amy?’ You’re right, I did. Once a week I will add the illuminating scrub between the two to buff away any dead skin cells. This is important to allow the subsequent moisturiser and treatments do actually do their job of nourishing and supporting the new layer of skin. This also helps smooth skin texture and helps make skin softer, brighter and tighter.
It is already a creamy texture so you can probably get away without using the foam cleanser afterwards if you’ve used the oil beforehand. Like I said, I only use all three once a week, other days of the week it is just the Shea Cleansing Oil and Shea Foam Cleaner duo.
The L’Occitane Divine Immortelle range
Made with Organic Immortelle from Corsica, this range smells amazing!
But what is Immortelle?
Immortelle is a flower that is known as the everlasting flower because it never fades, even after it has been picked. Immortelle’s essential oil is rich in active molecules with unique anti-ageing properties. The Corsican immortelle is the only variety that contains an incredibly high concentration of active ingredients and it’s discovery was patented by L’Occitane over ten years ago. This is what the little yellow flowers you see all over L’Occitane’s stores represent!
L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Extract
This extract is a serum with a gel-cream texture. It is designed to give a youthful appearance to your skin by helping improve elasticity of the skin. The extract absorbs very quickly into the skin and is best used when followed up with the Divine Cream to lock in the active molecules of it’s essential oils.
L’Occitane Divine Youth Oil
I mix this Divine Youth Oil with my divine cream for easy application. The texture of this oil is silky, non-oily and melts into the skin beautifully. My skin feels velvety after using the oil and helps give it a plump, radiant glow. Definitely something I will be continuing in my skin care routine for a long time to come. Absolutely LOVE this oil and it’s lovely glass dropper.
L’Occitane Divine Cream
The Divine Cream is lovely on it’s own, or mixed with the oil, as I mentioned I do. It is a lovely texture that melts into the skin but is still thick enough to address the affects of harsh winter weather on the skin.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream
Obviously this isn’t for your face but I wanted to include it in this winter essentials post because it is one of my go to products when winter rolls around and my heels start to crack. This product won the best foot cream for the 5th year in a row in the Instyle Magazine, Best Beauty Buys awards.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
The skin on your hands can also take a battering in winter and as you might have seen on my instagram recently, I also use the famous L’Occitane shea butter hand cream each morning before I start my work. This product has won many awards, including the In Style Best in Beauty award in 2015 and 2016 and is the number 1 seller. 
New Canberra Store opening
If you haven’t been to the new Canberra Beauty Centre yet, I highly recommend it – it is quite the experience. L’Occitane also have a brand new store here. Make sure you look up when visit – the roof is filled with the golden Immortelle flower! Go and try the hand massage too – AH-mazing.
L’Occitane Shea Skincare Ritual Giveaway
Goodluck! Winners will be announced in this post and on the Eat Pray Workout Facebook page.
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Amy Darcy
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