Did a bit of a body care haul at L’occitane last Thursday. Bought some shower oil and body oil, both which I’ve never tried before.

In order to qualify for this gift-with-purchase (still valid at time of post),

I had to purchase something from the Shea Butter collection. As I already have a shea butter hand cream and wasn’t keen on getting yet another tub of body butter, the sales assistant recommended the cheapest thing in store – the extra-gentle soap. Since I haven’t used soap bars in ages (and also because I’ve already spent a bomb in store), I was sold.

Description:

Formulated with a 100% vegetable base and enriched with Shea Butter, with nourishing properties. Allows to use daily. Non-irritating; suitable for men, women and children. Available also in the fragrances: Cinnamon – orange, madreselva, milk, lavanda, and verbena.

Ingredients:
Sodium Palmate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Aqua/Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Parfum/Fragrance, Glycerin, Palm Kernel Acid, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Linalool, Limonene.

I can’t remember the last time I used a bar of soap in the shower. I rejoiced when shower creams were introduced in the house by my mother many, many years ago. I still remember her words – “Shower creams aren’t cheap, but at least it’s better than having you children ruin good bars of soap by leaving them soaking in water!” 😛

The L’occitane soap does not have an overpowering scent of lavender, but leaves a soft, lingering scent after the shower. It also lathers up well.

Unfortunately, that’s all which is good that I can say about the soap. It just reminded me of what bars of soaps I used to use felt like – it left the skin feeling squeaky clean and really tight. I thought it would be different, seeing that it was described as extra gentle. I left the shower with the skin feeling dry and bleh.

Is it something I’d repurchase? No, definitely not. I’ve got a long way to go with the soap, and once it’s finished, I’d be glad to return to my moisturising shower creams. In fact, I reckon I’ll alternate between this and shower cream. Don’t think I can take a month of squeaky, dry skin, especially in the winter.

L’occitane’s Extra Gentle Soap is available at L’occitane stores and counters at leading departmental stores, and is priced at AU$8.95 for 100g.

What I like about it: Pleasant scent of lavender.

What I do not like about it: Leaves the skin squeaky clean and feeling awfully tight and dry. Not my thing.