Can L’Occitane’s Facial Scrub Deliver the Perfect Balance for My Oily Skin?
Main Image – Courtesy of writer
I wrote recently about the Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage which costs £45 and didn’t meet my strict facial scrub criteria. I was looking for something luxurious and hydrating, which this balm certainly was.
But being a grain-free exfoliator, it wasn’t ‘scrubby’ enough for my skin, which is oily and sometimes sensitive but can take a bit of abrasion here and there. Just not the scratchy, harsh kind. I need something slap-bang in the middle – I know, tough crowd.
I also wanted more radiance than what the Gatineau gave me, so when I came across the L’Occitane Radiance Scrub (£32/$38), which isn’t grain-free but is also described as ‘jam-like’, I was interested in giving it a go. Because ‘jam-like’ implies that it is primarily smooth to apply, with the exception of a few seeds. A bit like, well, jam.
Would this finally give my complexion the amount of luxurious, hydrating, mild abrasion I was looking for on my (some might call, fussy) quest for smooth skin? Or would it fail to hit the mark – again? Keep scrolling to find out…
The product details
L’Occitane Radiance Scrub comes in a 75ml glass jar, screwed shut by a silver lid, with a cute red and white gingham tag, presumably as a nod to its ‘jam-like’ characteristics. It is described on the website as ‘a jam-like exfoliating mask that’s jam-packed with benefits.’ Also cute.
Apparently it can be used as two things. As a mask, left on for 3-5 minutes or as an exfoliator on damp skin, applied 1 to 2 times a week. Its main ingredient is Corsican Pomelo which contains natural fruit acid.
It promises to provide natural radiance as well as reduced impurities and dead cells. Smooth, glowy, hydrated skin, basically.
Image – Courtesy of writer
First impressions
The glass jar instantly had me at hello. Pleasing to the eye, weighty and even more promising once I unscrewed the lid. The orange ‘jam’ inside looks tempting – plus it smells like zesty orange – and I couldn’t wait to get it onto my skin.
I first used it as a scrub, after all that’s what had lured me in in the first place. I took a scoop with my finger, which was quite tricky to hold in place as the jam consistency makes it quite wobbly. I applied it to damp skin as instructed and massaged it around my face.
There it was. That lovely grainy-but-not-too-grainy texture I had been looking for. It felt mainly smooth, but I could feel a subtle exfoliation going on under the surface. Just the right amount for my skin which does need physical exfoliation but also reacts in certain areas if scrubbed too harshly.
I could instantly tell this contained the perfect cocktail of exfoliation (seeds) and hydration (jam) for my skin. Pure luxury.
A few days later I massaged it onto my skin and left it there for five minutes to use as a mask. After rinsing it off with water, I was pretty happy with the appearance of my skin.
Don’t get me wrong, my wrinkles hadn’t disappeared or anything (I wish). But my complexion just looked a little more at ease, slightly blurred (there’s the hydration) and yes, nicely radiant!
I applied my usual nighttime serum and moisturiser when my face was dry and went to bed a happy beauty editor. And rightly so because, the next day I saw a noticeable difference in how my makeup looked and lasted too.
Image – Courtesy of writer
My noticeably radiant results
Full disclosure: Because I have oily skin I do use other exfoliators. What can I say? Exfoliating makes me feel like I’m being productive in the adult acne department.
For example, not only do I use a chemical exfoliator occasionally, but the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is one I reach for every day. That one is to keep my breakouts at bay and can be mixed with my cleanser for consistent use.
It’s pretty abrasive but the mixing in with water or cleanser element works because I can monitor how much abrasion I’m giving my skin, depending on its status.
This L’Occitane Radiance Scrub, on the other hand, serves a different purpose. It’s more luxurious for a start and only needs to be applied 1-2 times a week. It provides way more hydration than the Dermalogica one plus, it doubles up as a mask.
The aforementioned Gatineau balm feels luxurious to apply (and smells great) but it didn’t leave me radiant, and it couldn’t give me that physical scrubbing element I like the feel and results of either. I guess you could say that with the L’Occitane, I get the best of both worlds and honestly? I really like it.
Image – Courtesy of writer
What other users are saying
Ever read a review and thought you must have written it? Truro writes, “a zingy and zesty fragranced scrub that does exactly what I need it to do. Left my face feeling fresh and smooth. Not harsh or gritty but there is plenty of exfoliant to give skin a good scrub. Easy to rinse off and leaves skin soft.” Yes – this!
Sarah writes, “smells divine – a lovely scent of summer each time I take off the lid! Nice light texture which is gentle on my skin.” Totally agree, particularly when used as a mask. Some feel like masks can weigh their skin down but this one feels light, despite packing a punch in hydration and radiance.
But each to their own – Helen didn’t find it grainy enough, which is completely acceptable. “As a scrub its lovely and zingy, not overly scrubby but nice to use. My face didn’t ‘radiate’ afterwards so wouldn’t splash out on the full-sized product.”
As I have discovered, everyone has their own scrub criteria, and I understand that some people might find this one a little too mild. It all depends on your skin type and skin behaviour but if you love a really scratchy, hard-working exfoliant you may want to aim for something a little grainier.
Overall value for money
If you treat this as a daily scrub, you will never be happy with the price. £32/$38 is far too much to spend on a 75ml jar containing a formula you use every day – it won’t last you more than 3-4 weeks.
Which is why using it once or twice a week, as instructed, is best. It’ll last you a much longer time and you won’t mind spending that sort of money on something you see as a weekly treat, that lasts.
It’s the sort of thing you’d want to include on your birthday gift list. Although I did see someone say on the reviews that it made for the perfect ‘stocking filler’, in which case I’d like to know the number of the very generous Santa Claus she’s talking to…
The takeaway
Hydrating, smoothing and pampering. Three words I use to describe L’Occitane Radiance Scrub and words I think sum it up perfectly. Whilst some might not find it abrasive enough for their skin type, this cocktail of ingredients works perfectly on my oily, sometimes sensitive skin.
You shouldn’t use it every day (it’s almost too good for that anyway) so seeing it as a treat once or twice a week is ideal. And when you do use it, your skin should feel comfortably renewed and your glow nicely restored.
I’ll never look at a jar of jam in the same way ever again.
Get Glowing!
