Cover L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream has a rich legacy of care. (Photo: L'Occitane)
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream has a rich legacy of care. (Photo: L'Occitane)
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The legacy of care behind the iconic L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, the globally loved product that supports the women of Burkina Faso
If you carry a bag, chances are you also carry a L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream.
The signature tube has long been a staple of handbags, desks, bedside tables and routines around the world, and no surprise—L’Occitane’s deeply nourishing formula, enriched with 20 per cent organic, fair-trade Shea Butter, is loved by thousands for the way it leaves hands moisturised, protected and restored. But the story behind the hand cream is more impressive still—the story of a community, their contributions and L’Occitane’s continued commitment to safeguarding their livelihood.
Above L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is made possible by the women of Burkina Faso, who have been harvesting and extracting the shea nuts for generations
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is made possible by the women of Burkina Faso, who have been harvesting and extracting the shea nuts for generations
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A legacy of care
The Shea Butter that enriches L’Occitane’s iconic product is made possible only by the women of Burkina Faso, who have been harvesting and extracting the shea nuts for generations. In the late 1980s, L’Occitane founder Olivier Baussan travelled to Burkina Faso and witnessed the women’s work and dedication firsthand, using labour-intensive techniques and methods that had been passed down through generations.
Inspired, Olivier returned home and sparked the development of the very first iteration of the now-beloved hand cream, asking his team to incorporate an extremely high concentration of Shea Butter into the formulation. His intention: to drive demand of Shea Butter, supporting the women of Burkina Faso and uplifting their livelihood. In 1994, the now-iconic Shea Butter Hand Cream came into the world—and today, 30 years later, one Shea Butter Hand Cream is sold every three seconds.
Above In Burkina Faso, women have worked with shea nuts for generations—and the result is known as 'women's gold'
In Burkina Faso, women have worked with shea nuts for generations—and the result is known as 'women's gold'
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L’Occitane’s Shea Butter range is now beloved across the world for its rich hydration and iconic, comforting scent, and the formulation that drove its success has helped over 52,000 women in Burkina Faso. Through L’Occitane’s mission of positive impact, the women are provided access to education and business training, diversifying their income and supporting the Burkina Faso families and communities.
Above Through L'Occitane's Shea Butter range, the Burkina Faso women have access to education, business training and diversified income opportunities
Through L'Occitane's Shea Butter range, the Burkina Faso women have access to education, business training and diversified income opportunities
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A formula that cares for you and the planet
Behind the luxury of its velvety touch, soothing finish and clean, comforting scent, The Shea Butter Hand Cream is also highly efficacious, with skin clinically proven to be 67 per cent more moisturised in seven days. Its formulation is gentle on the skin, making it perfect for everyone in the family, even children. And the care doesn’t end when the tube is finished—the 30ml hand cream tubes are 100 per cent recyclable, saving up to 5.6 tons of plastic a year. The larger 75ml and 150ml sizes come in 95 per cent recycled aluminium tubes.
Take a moment to care for yourself with the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, safe in the knowledge that your actions are helping others also.
Credits
Photography: L'Occitane
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