The Inside Scoop: L'Occitane Foundation

Giving back has always been one of the tenants of the L'Occitane company. And since it's founding in 1976, the luxe bath brand has been dedicated to social outreach. To continue the trend the French company recently started the L'Occitane Foundation, a corporate entity that cultivates three programs that promote sustainable, free trade development, sight programs for the needy and the preservation of nature. And while the Foundation may have begun its quest a few years ago, it's now experiencing a full swing that we here at B&TB just had to share.

Here, the finale of three.

3. The preservation of nature's knowledge.

One of the reasons we love L'Occitane products so much is because of the natural and locally-sourced ingredients that promote the best in skincare. Totally moisturizing shea butter from Burkina-Faso, relaxing and pretty scented lavender from Provence and the goal to be 100% paraben free by 2009, are just a few of the au natural calling cards of the superstar brand.

And smarty-pants L'Occitane owner and founder Oliver Baussan knows that's what we al looove so much, so he has put aside some funds to regenerate local landscapes and promote sustainable farming.

One such effort is the restoration of almond groves across the south of France. According to company sources, the once lush region was teeming with lavender and almond plants, but in recent years has experienced a decrease in production. By promoting local farming efforts and educational programs, Mr. Baussan and the Foundation hope to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

Similar renewing programs are already in place in Africa and South America, thanks to the Foundation's partnership with numerous NGOs. And the Foundation also hosts specialized educational events at botanical gardens and natural museums around the globe, including New York's Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and the ethno-botanical conservatory museum in Salagon in Haute-Provence, France. Plans to create an international environmental educational CD ROM program are also in full swing.

For more info on this fantastique Foundation go to the company's Sephora site.

-Jenna Mahoney