The L’Occitane Lavender Cleansing Hand Wash leaves hands clean, fresh, and lightly scented. The gentle, non-drying lather won’t disturb the skin’s natural pH balance – just washed hands are left soft and comfortable. Lavender was one of the first flowers distilled by Olivier Baussan, the founder of L’OCCITANE. Known in Provence as “blue gold,” this plant is an aromatic tribute to the south of France. It is the fragrant soul of the region, the fruit of respectful labor. L’OCCITANE uses lavender that is sourced from farmers’ cooperatives in Haute-Provence. While exploring his native Provence nearly 25 years ago, Olivier Baussan created L’Occitane by capturing the region’s most subtle fragrances and blending them with natural ingredients. Using the traditional method of extraction, he developed L’Occitane’s very first products based on essential oils extracted from local plants. From his rustic roots in Provence, Olivier dreamed of discovering new horizons, to travel beyond his native land and experience other cultures. In keeping with this spirit, L’Occitane developed a humanitarian-partnership with African women. In the Burkina Faso village in Africa, the native women harvest Shea nuts and are the co-producers of L’Occitane’s complete Shea Butter Collection. Thus, it is a tale of Provence meets Africa on ethical grounds. Today, L’Occitane focuses on protecting the fading traditions and vanishing techniques that everyone should be enjoying. L’Occitane breathes new life into these authentic customs by recreating the genuine articles such as its famous “Marseilles Soaps” as well as the revival of its Verbena and Lavender Harvests each year.