My love affair with the French Provence is no secret, and L’Occitane embodies its essence in every product. From the moment I tried their solid rose perfume years ago, I was hooked. Their products are a reliable choice, boasting beautiful packaging, luxurious textures, and, most notably, their unforgettable fragrances that quickly become addictive.
For this review, I’ve selected three tried-and-true favorites that I regularly indulge in, plus a new addition (at least to me) that I decided to test for the first time. All four belong to L’Occitane’s long-standing Almond line, one of the brand’s most beloved and best-selling collections. So, what makes this almond range so irresistible? Let’s dive in!
Almond Milk Concentrate – Firming Body Cream
This cream has been my companion countless times; I could probably measure my usage in kilograms. Unfortunately, I never thought to save the empty jars for potential refills, often discarding them in a minimalist frenzy. No worries, though—I switched to a pump bottle. The cream transferred seamlessly and works perfectly with the pump. If you’re focused on the product itself and don’t keep the original packaging, feel free to transfer the refill into any suitable pump bottle.
By the way, do you remember the light green Shaping Delight cream from 2012? It came in the same glass jar as the Almond Milk Concentrate. I adored it! That scent! Currently, the artichoke line, which includes a cream and scrub, occupies these jars and is said to replace the shaping line against cellulite.
The firming cream is as light as a feather, silky as moonlight, and leaves your skin velvety smooth. You’ll find yourself constantly touching your skin, marveling at how such a product exists. And the scent? It’s a blend of bitter almond kernels ground into powder, drenched in sweet almond milk, and sprinkled with pink almond blossoms. I even detect a fresh note, perhaps mint leaves lining the country roads of Provence.
In my opinion, the almond cream is one of the most amazing creations L’Occitane has ever made, and it’s easy to become addicted. Especially when you complement it with other products from the same line, making your clothes, bed linens, and bathroom smell like almonds. They should consider making a car fragrance too!
Almond Shower Scrub
It’s been ages since L’Occitane had their grape line. I loved it so much that when it was discontinued, I shed a tear. I even ordered it from abroad, chasing leftover stock worldwide! One standout product was the “gommage“, a dense paste that gently exfoliated the skin without any abrasive particles, leaving it luxuriously smooth and shiny. The almond scrub reminded me of that experience.
Of course, it’s a different product—the gommage was smooth and dense, while the almond scrub has a lighter gel consistency with finely ground almond shells. Yet, the result is similar: soft, smooth skin without irritation, even with firm pressure. I even use the almond scrub on my face; it’s gentler than any facial scrub I’ve tried, including the immortelle scrub from Olival, which, while nice, is coarser than L’Occitane’s body scrub.
The almond shower scrub is recommended for daily use. It cleanses the skin, stimulates circulation, and leaves a delightful fragrance. If you’re worried about daily exfoliation, rest assured—this isn’t your typical coarse sugar or salt scrub. L’Occitane’s almond scrub is a gentle, tender care product that also helps prevent ingrown hairs in areas like the underarms, bikini line, or legs. It’s perfect wherever you use hair removal methods and want to smooth the area and remove dead skin cells without the sting of salt or sugar.
To sum up, don’t expect this product to tackle rough skin on your heels—that’s not its job. For that, use a pumice stone and sugar scrub. The almond shower scrub is a gentle, feminine care product for beautifully radiant and silky body (and facial) skin.
My tip: Pair the almond scrub with dry brushing. Use a wooden brush with natural bristles to gently massage your skin before showering, then apply the scrub. It’s an incredibly pleasant routine!
And if you’re concerned about dryness (which won’t happen!), or simply want to extend your almond-scented session, definitely reach for the almond shower oil.
Almond Shower Oil
I have a hunch that the almond shower oil is L’Occitane’s number one product—most popular, best-selling, and perhaps the most well-known. And it’s no wonder! Unlike other shower oils, it doesn’t leave your skin greasy. Not at all. It works similarly to facial cleansing oils used in double cleansing. The difference is that facial oils are applied dry and then rinsed, while L’Occitane’s almond oil is applied to wet skin and then rinsed off.
Why does everyone love it? I believe it’s because it’s incredibly gentle on the skin, yet cleanses and scents it perfectly. As a bonus, you don’t even need to apply lotion afterward, as your skin remains beautifully supple and doesn’t feel tight. This saves time, especially when you shower late at night, eyes barely open, praying to make it back to bed.
I also appreciate that you don’t need much oil per shower (despite what you see in ads where someone pours a full palmful!). Even the 250 ml or mini sizes last surprisingly long.
Almond Delightful Body Balm
Now, onto the final product of today’s article—the almond body balm, which was a surprise for me, as I hadn’t tried it since its release in 2023. What immediately caught my eye was the adorable tin packaging. (Don’t you think every brand should have a cream in a tin?)
The balm’s scent is akin to the firming almond cream in the glass jar I mentioned earlier. The addictive sweet almond fragrance with a subtle hint of mint or bergamot will have you sniffing your hands repeatedly. In my opinion, these are some of the best-smelling body creams in the world!
Tip: If you find it awkward to pull out large cream containers in public, there’s a handy solution—they also offer small hand creams with the same scent that you can take anywhere. Currently, I have four mini creams from L’Occitane in my purse: neroli and orchid, shea butter, Lavande Blanche, and Glycine. But otherwise, I’m completely normal…
Question you might have had from the start: What’s the main difference between the cream and the balm, and how should you decide which almond moisturizer to have at home? I think the following comparison will help:
Delightful Body Balm
- Nourishment: Contains almond oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil—rich, nourishing ingredients.
- Texture: Thick, buttery consistency. It pleasantly nourishes the skin and forms a noticeable protective film. However, I wouldn’t call it heavy or greasy. You need much less of this balm compared to the lighter cream, so the 100 ml tin lasts a while.
- Seasonal suitability: Better for winter and colder periods, as it creates a protective barrier against cold and wind. Alternatively, use it at night to pamper your skin after a long day.
Milk Concentrate
- Nourishment: Like the balm, it contains almond oil, but also almond protein and almond seed extract for regenerative effects. Tapioca starch in the formula helps mattify the skin, possibly contributing to its silky feel.
- Texture: Light and velvety—significantly less dense than the balm and quicker to absorb. Ideal for summer or daytime use when you don’t want to wait for a richer product to sink in.
- Seasonal suitability: Perfect for spring and summer, or anytime your skin needs hydration without extra weight.
Both moisturizers are excellent, so the choice really comes down to your skin’s needs and your own preferences. If you’re after more nourishment and a protective feel, go for the balm. If you want something lighter and super silky, the milk concentrate is your best bet.
L’Occitane Almond: Final Thoughts
If I had to pick just two absolute favorites from the L’Occitane almond collection, they would be the firming milk concentrate and the shower oil. Both are iconic for a reason, and they’ve never let me down. But truthfully? Every single product in this article is a joy to use.
They all share that luxurious almond scent that makes you feel like you’ve just stepped out of a spa in Provence. Whether you’re layering them or using them on their own, they create a beautifully indulgent ritual that makes daily skincare feel like self-love—not just a routine.
And that, to me, is the real magic of L’Occitane.
*PR sample – chosen by me, loved (or not) by me. I picked it out myself, no arm-twisting involved. 🌞
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