OUR VERBENA INGREDIENT
The Verbena Collection honours the long history of the herb with L’Occitane, transferring its cooling properties into a line of fragrances, body care and hair care – not to mention our limited edition range. In 1981, L’OCCITANE created its first product range with Verbena, thus claiming its iconic status. Its fresh and sparkling scent has lemony herb notes that are perfect for the summer!
Historically, Verbena was found in the south of France but over time hotter countries like Morocco began cultivating it and it died out in Provence. It was L’Occitane’s wish to replant and restore the verbena tradition in the region. Philippe and Magalie Mary, our trusted partners, welcomed the idea and started to cultivate the lemon scented plant in Jouques, in a natural green oasis. Thanks to this incredible terroir and the care given by our producers, this rare verbena has a unique olfactory note: crisp, green, powerful and citraillee.
Inspirational Producers of Verbena
From their first meeting on the lush tropical island of Réunion, to owning a farm amid the rolling hills of Provence, Philippe and Magalie Mary have lived a storied life together. Their shared passion for sustainable farming and Provençal herbs led the couple to cultivate their crop.
A while after meeting Philippe Soguel, Manager of Distillerie Bleu Provence, he put the couple in touch with L'Occitane and asked if they'd be interested in planting verbena. Philippe Soguel has been working with L'OCCITANE for many years, their relationship is based on trust and transparency. They were delighted by the opportunity and excited at the chance to grow not only something new but also a quality ingredient. Magalie explains that they felt “our personalities and values would match" and that it was “not only a business venture but also a human adventure between L'Occitane teams and us.”
"We like to discover new crops, and that's how our project to specialise in Verbena was born. As part of the new relationship, L'Occitane offered support with a team that came to help the couple at their first planting" says Magalie.
An Ingredient In All Forms
An Ingredient In All Forms
L'OCCITANE Verbena is formulated with the most pure and concentrated Organic Verbena extract from Provence grown on Ecocert-certified plots. The harvest begins just before the Verbena blooms, from May to mid-July. Verbena leaves are hand-picked and immediately steam distillated. Our Verbena ranges contain invigorating and soothing Organic Verbena extract, formulated to give a burst of freshness and revive the body, mind and spirit.
Benefits of Verbena
Also known as Lemon Verbena, Verbena provides a fresh citrus scent which has been used in perfumery, skincare, medicine and herbal remedies for decades. Lemon verbena perfume is a particularly popular scent that’s not only refreshing but also is proven to reduce stress and anxiety.
Aside from its fresh scent, Verbena nourishes the skin and helps it to retain its soft elasticity. It is particularly beneficial in treating scarring and acne, and has long been used as a treatment which calms down skin irritations as well as internal inflammation.
Meet Philippe & Magalie Mary, Verbena Producers
SUSTAINABLY SOURCED
We commit to respecting biodiversity, especially when it comes to Verbena. We use traceable, sustainably sourced ingredients; making sure that plants are harvested without harming the environment. No matter their field, we also treasure our relationships with creators who take care of our world, who find and unleashes its beauty, making each of our products more inviting and powerful.
