This month sees L’OCCITANE’s third Green Day in support of Clean Coasts Ireland. Our coastline has never been more precious, or appreciated – this year we’ve found solace in our pier walks, calm on our beaches and peace in our sea swims. But it’s never been more important to look after our treasured natural resources. Especially when more than 12 million tonnes of plastic ends up in oceans every year.

Which is why L’OCCITANE is having its Green Day for the third time. From May 27 to 30, L’OCCITANE will donate €5 from the sale of each eco-refill to Clean Coasts to support their local programmes. The Clean Coasts programme works with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s seas, ocean, coastline, waterways and marine life. Clean Coasts are creating a tangible and immediate improvement to Ireland’s coastal environment through hundreds of beach cleans every year, mobilising thousands of volunteers and removing considerable quantities of marine litter from our coastline.

Loveliness with less waste

Reducing waste is a key commitment for L’OOCCITANE, and the brand is constantly searching for new ways to fight plastic pollution. The launch of the new Solid Shampoos is one example: each shampoo is the equivalent of two regular bottles of shampoo. They are €12 (available on ie.loccitane.com now), and last for up to 20 washes, so it’s a cost-effective way of washing your hair, too. I’ve been wary of shampoo bars as I wasn’t sure they would clean my hair as effectively, but have been really impressed with the softness (I used Intensive Repair, for brittle and damaged hair), and love the ease, the soft natural scent from essential oils and the lack of silicone and sulphate.

Another key initiative is the eco-refills. These are now available for more than 25 of your favourite skin, hair and bodycare products, including Almond Shower Oil, Lavender Foaming Bath and Almond Milk Concentrate (one of our favourite L’OCCITANE products ever – a luxurious summer essential). These eco-refill pouches were first launched back in 2008, and use an average of 85% per cent less plastic than regular bottles. So you don’t need to compromise on using your favourite products. And you will save yourself a few euro, too: for example, a glass jar of Almond Milk Concentrate is €46 for 200ml, and the 200ml refill is €39.

Now L’OCCITANE stores are back open and they continue to work with TerraCycle: bring in your clean empties (up to a maximum of ten) from ANY beauty brand for recycling (no glass or aerosols) and you’ll receive 10 per cent off a new full-sized product on the day. Find your local participating store here: www.terracycle.com.

This recycling ethos goes right back to the very beginning of L’OCCITANE: when founder Olivier Baussan first sold his products at markets around Provence during the 1970s, he encouraged customers to bring back the glass bottles for refills. And L’OCCITANE continue to constantly look for ways to reduce their environmental impact. You’ll find the brand uses bottles that are 100 per cent recycled PET and recycled plastic and by 2025 should be able to achieve its goal of using 100 per cent recycled plastic in all bottles.

While you’re in store, check out some of L’OCCITANE’s new summer arrivals: we recommend the beautifully cooling Verbena Granita Body Gel (€29), which has an incredibly refreshing texture and sinks into skin like an iced smoothie (keep it in the fridge – your skin will practically steam when you apply this on hot summer days). Don’t miss the new perfumed hair mists – such a light and easy way to wear scent on warmer days – and the men’s trio of eau de parfums, which make ideal father’s day gifts.

L’OCCITANE for less

Gloss readers can get 10 per cent off* full-price products from now until June 20 2021 both in store and online. Simply use the promo code THEGLOSS10 at the check-out at ie.loccitane.com or mention it in stores.

Keep an eye on www.cleancoasts.org for more information, and details of events throughout the year.

**10% OFF on full price products. Valid from 13th May to 20th June 2021. Offer excludes all discounted items and gifts, Overnight Reset Serum, Overnight Reset Eye Serum. One redemption per person. Offer cannot be exchanged for cash. Not to be combined with any other discount, promotion or gift card purchase. Valid at participating L’OCCITANE Republic of Ireland boutiques (excluding Kildare Village, independent retailers, department and airport stores). Valid online with promo code THEGLOSS10.