I Committed to L’Occitane’s Immortelle 28-Day Divine Renewal Program and here’s what happened
By Alison Blackman
Renewal, it’s a beautiful thing.
If I tried every skincare product that was offered to advicesisters.com for review, and that promised skin would be renewed (over time), I’d never get any reviews completed. That’s just the reality of being a beauty editor and not being able to sample products for long periods of time. But the L’Occitane Immortelle 28-Day Divine Renewal Program is the type of regimen that works for all skin types and it seemed really promising. Results are expected in just in 28 days, so I guess that motivated me and I said “Yes, I’ll do it.”
The L’Occitane The Divine Renewal Program costs $140.00. That might seem pricey for a months’ worth of product, but consider that a facial that lasts only a hour costs that much as well, and probably won’t give you results that last as long.
To prove the point that the program is worth it’s weight in gold, it arrives packaged in a hard-sided, golden metallic box. Inside, there are four slots, each holding a strip with 7 little pull-apart ampules containing four different weeks’ worth of skincare oils designed to work with the skin’s renewal cycle.
The ampules look like tiny golden amphoras. Each have L’Occitane’s fabulous, organic *Immortelle essential oil (from the flower that renews itself) but each week the rest of the ingredients change within the ampules. The ampules are marked weeks 1-4 in white lettering which you can barely see, and that confused me at first (darker lettering would have been easier on the eyes). The ampules arrive in strips, but you can pull them apart so they’re great for travel. When I went on a press trip to Germany, I had no problem popping these into my travel bag and they’re completely sealed so they won’t leak or take up much room.
Here’s what each weeks’ ampules are supposed to do:
Week 1: Gentle Exfoliation. Pistacia lentiscus or “Mastic Tree” essential oil acts as a gentle exfoliator by encouraging the natural shedding process of the skin, leaving the skin feeling more soft and smooth.
Week 2: Hydration & Nutrition. A unique blend of 4 vegetable oils, combined with cistus essential oil, help nourish and hydrate skin.
Week 3: Balance. Myrtle and Rosemary essential oils, with rebalancing properties, contribute to the overall well-being of the skin.
Week 4: Renewal. Carrot, Cypress and Immortelle essential oils provide a solution to the visible signs of aging for a glowing complexion.
What initially surprised me was the generous amount of oil in each ampule that I had to smooth on my face. When you’re used to cream or lotion, oil feels slippery. It took a while to get used to using all of the oil, lightly massaging it in as instructed Most of it was absorbed quickly. Although it isn’t suggested, I liked massaging the residue into my hands. Over the 29 days, the skin on the top on my hands improved dramatically, along with the skin on my face.
Although I used my usual SPF and skincare products during the day, another product from L’Occitane that I adore and used during the 28 days was the L’Occitane Immortelle Intense Cleansing Foam (read review) because it is fun, foaming out of the can like shaving cream; it moisturizes skin; and it really cleans it, even if you are wearing waterproof, hard to remove, makeup.
Like most things, real commitment in a busy world is difficult, and there were a couple of days that I missed using an ampule, making my 28 day treatment into more like a 35 day treatment. I became fond of the night-time ritual, and missed doing it once the ampules were all used up.
But the change in my skin, while gradual, continues. The first week I didn’t see much change, but by the second week, my skin seemed brighter and clearer. By week three, it felt smoother. At the end of week four, I received some compliments on how great my skin looked from strangers (and I wasn’t wearing foundation). Weeks later as I’m writing this review, my skin still looks great. If my skin starts to look like it needs extra TLC, I’d seriously consider doing this again.
The Bottom Line: I’m the first to admit that I often skip a night moisturizer because I’m lazy or too tired. But the results after using this L’Occitane Divine Renewal Program for just 28 days convinced me I should try harder. I enjoyed using the program, and I miss it!
L’Occitane generally recommends using this special 28 day treatment twice a year, ideally with the change of the seasons (Winter to Spring, Summer to Fall). You can continue to maintain your skin (or as you’re going through the renewal process) with other products from the L’Occitane Immortelle skincare line. I’ve included a snip of all the products L’Occitane suggests that are complimentary to the treatment. The snip includes a price that also includes the 28-day Divine Renewal Program. This would be a very luxurious gift for a special mom (mothers’ day is coming). Given the cost of high quality skincare these days, it’s within the realm of reason for four full sized products and the 28-day renewal program.
*Immortelle is known as the everlasting flower: it never fades, even after it has been picked. Its organic essential oil is rich in active molecules offering unique anti-aging beauty results
For more information, Visit your favorite L’Occitane boutique or online at http://usa.loccitane.com
