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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This looks delightful, I still haven’t tried anything from this brand though…
Kez | acaciasdreams.com
I have extremely dry skin and do the cleanse, tone, moisturise daily but my complexion is still dry especially in winter. I have only ever used L’Occitane Handcream and am eager to try their skincare products.
L’Occitane is wonderful, and doesn’t that illuminating exfoliator look absolutely gorgeous? The shea butter smell is also gorgeous.
I lather my skin with thick cream to avoid it from chaffing and drying out in the harsh cold wind.
I had used L’Occitane in the past, I would have to say about 15-20 years ago, but not as a mature woman with “real” skin care concerns. However after reading this my interest has been reignited!! Thank you!
The new Canberra store looks amazing. Can’t wait to shop when I’m there next.
My current skin care routine looks slapdash at the moment. I use a foaming facial cleanser in the morning with a daytime moisturiser and once a week a facial scrub. Since being injured and not using makeup I am not as conscientious about an evening cleanse, so winning this would rejuvenate both me and my skin! Thanks for the opportunity Amy!
I’m a firm believer in using natural skin products and love companies such as L’Occitane and Jurlique. This winter has been quite harsh on my skin and its feeling a bit dry. This article has inspired to me to make some changes to my routine for winter.
Currently, during the day, I use an spf moisturizer, and at night I use a gentle face wash, an eye cream, and a basic facial moisturizer (without spf). This works fine in summer, however in winter I often find I wake up with dry flaky skin – so I definitely think I need something more nourishing for winter, although it has been difficult to find something natural, effective and gentle! I think the Shea Butter range (and some of the other products you talked about) would be amazing to try out! Thanks for a great post 🙂
This would be an amazing opportunity to try and his well known brand first time , I have dry skin all year round
My current skincare routine definitely needs an overhaul. I use a foaming cleanser and a supermarket moisturiser and that’s it.
I usually just cleanse my face in the shower with a mild facial cleaner, then apply moisturiser.
My skin can be quite dry at times, and sensitive too.
I remove make up at night with micellar water then I apply either a night cream or an oil. I am 38 years old and my skin is starting to show signs of ageing (fine lines, dark circles under my eyes etc). I would like to try these beautiful products as they sound so nice and would pamper my skin!
What a lovely giveaway and the products look devine!
Wash my face with cleanser in the shower. Exfoliate once a week. I find that in winter I need to moisturise a lot more as my skin dries out too quickly.
I’m a genuine skin lover!! I have a beautiful skin routine down-pat, but am always looking to try different brands and products in the search the the perfect routine! At the moment I use a face wash, exfoliant, witch hazel toner, and face cream (day and night). I definitely need extra nourishment over the colder and drier winter months, so this giveaway would be incredible!
Thanks for entering Alex! totally recommend these products, they have made a huge difference. x
I could definitely use an overhaul of my skin care routine, this winter has just destroyed it! Especially my hands. I love L’Occitane products though, definitely think I’ll be heading into store to check out some new products now, thanks!
Your poor hands! Their hand creams are seriously luxurious. If you do decide to buy some L’Occitane products, it would be a huge help if you can purchase via the links in this post as it helps me continue to work with L’Occitane. xx
I have never tried this range before, it sounds luxurious and more than a bit fancy, being from France and all! I would love to try the shea butter foot cream especially as I’d like to see if it helps with my scars that I have from breaking my ankle, and I’ve also just had an ingrown toenail operation, the skins pretty rough on my feet and ankles at the moment, any help I can get I will gladly happily appreciate, plus all the other products would be amazing to try
Just saw your second comment hehe, that makes a bit more sense. Yes give it a go, so good! x
This would really help with my ankle and foot problems,
The foot cream do you mean? It certainly smells beautiful – lavender! Helps with dry skin too. x
I cleanse , tone and moisturiser twice a day and also use rosehip oil each evening before bed. I also exfoliate and apply a nourishing mask once or twice a week 🙂
Isn’t using an oil the best?! I think it makes all the difference. I even use it before I put on my foundation some days. x
Thank you for a fantastic giveaway!
Pleasure Dee – love offering awesome giveaways to my beautiful readers! x
My routine is very basic – just a cold water wash but with the harsh winter cold weather this year it wasn’t nearly enough
Hey Mick, hehe that is certainly the bare bones of a skin care routine 😉 If you only want to start with one or two products I recommend the cleansing oil and the moisturiser.x
Great thank you 🙂
My skin is definitely in need of some TLC – it has become quite dry this winter.
Oh no Sandy! Really recommend trying these beautiful products.x
I have tried the L’Occtaine hand cream (a freebie from a hotel) and love it. I have a real soft spot for Lavender. There isn’t a whole lot of room for this type of stuff in our budget so to win and give it a go would be amazing!
Aren’t hotel freebies the best! Especially when they are from a brand as beautiful as L’Occitane!
I love skincare routine inspiration!
Do you recommend this routine for the upcoming spring season too?
x
Visiting Canberra soon. Will have to visit the new L’Occitane store to replenish my favourite ARLESIENNE perfume . Would love to try L’Occitanne skincare products. I’m sure they would be perfect for my skin, dried as a result of weeks of chemo.
Currently its hap hazard. Some days (sundays) I go all out and others I am lucky to remember moisturizer.
I moisturise every day, but my skin still feels really dry. Any help would be appreciated!
Beautiful products, what a great give away!