L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil Review

I used to think shower oil sounded unnecessary.

A shower gel gets you clean, so why make it complicated? Then my skin started doing that dry, tight thing after every shower, especially on my legs and arms, and suddenly a gentler body wash made a lot more sense.

The L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is one of those products people talk about like a classic, so I wanted to know whether it actually deserved the fuss.

I used it for two weeks in the shower and bath to see how it felt, whether it left residue, how it worked after shaving and whether it was worth paying more than a normal body wash.

This is my honest review.

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is one of the nicest body washes I have used for dry skin.

It starts as an oil, turns milky with water and leaves skin feeling softer after rinsing. It does not feel like a greasy layer, and it made my skin feel much less tight than a standard shower gel.

I would not say it replaces body lotion completely if your skin is very dry, but it does make a noticeable difference to how comfortable my skin feels after showering.

You can use my Lookfantastic body care code LFTFNICOLAL for 20% off eligible products when accepted at checkout.

‍

‍

Why I tried it

My skin gets dry quickly, especially on my shins, elbows and arms.

A lot of shower gels leave me feeling clean but tight, and then I have to use loads of body lotion afterwards just to feel normal again.

I wanted something that would make washing feel less stripping without leaving me slippery or coated.

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil seemed like the obvious one to test properly because it has been around for years and people genuinely seem to repurchase it.

‍

What is L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil?

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is an oil based body cleanser that turns into a milky texture when mixed with water.

It is designed to cleanse the skin while leaving it feeling softer and more comfortable than a traditional foaming shower gel.

It has a warm almond scent and a silky feel, so it is very much a sensorial body care product.

For me, it sits somewhere between a cleanser and a body care treat. It still does the basic job of washing the skin, but it makes the whole shower feel softer.

‍

Texture, scent and first impressions

The texture comes out like a proper oil.

Once you add water, it turns milky and spreads easily across the skin. It does not foam like a normal shower gel, so that may take a little getting used to if you love bubbles.

The scent is warm, soft and almondy. It smells sweet without being too sugary.

I really like the scent, but it is noticeable. If you prefer fragrance free body care, this may not be your thing.

After rinsing, my skin felt soft rather than squeaky clean. That is exactly what I wanted.

‍

‍

‍

How I used it for two weeks

I used L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil most days for two weeks.

I tested it three ways:

As my normal shower cleanser
After shaving
In the bath

In the shower, I applied it to wet skin, massaged it in, added more water to make it milky, then rinsed.

After shaving, I used it as my body wash afterwards rather than before, because I wanted to see whether it would calm that dry feeling I sometimes get.

In the bath, I added a small amount to warm water. It made the bath feel softer, although I still prefer it as a shower product.

‍

My two week test

Days 1 to 3

The first thing I noticed was that my skin did not feel tight after showering.

With some shower gels, my legs feel dry within minutes. With this, my skin felt softer and more comfortable straight away.

It did not feel greasy, but it did leave a very light softness behind.

Days 4 to 7

By the end of the first week, my shins and elbows felt smoother.

Not magically transformed, but less rough. I also noticed I was using slightly less body lotion afterwards because my skin was not starting from that tight, dry place.

The almond scent lingered softly after showering, but it was not overpowering.

Days 8 to 14

By the second week, I understood why people repurchase it.

It made showers feel more pleasant, and my skin felt more comfortable overall. The biggest difference was after shaving. My legs felt softer and less dry than they usually do with a standard body wash.

I still used body lotion, especially on colder days, but I did not feel like I needed to run for it immediately.

‍

Does it leave the shower slippery?

A little care is sensible.

I did not find it made the shower dangerously slippery when I used a normal amount and rinsed properly, but it is still an oil cleanser.

If you use a lot, some residue can build up.

I would rinse the shower floor well afterwards, especially if you are using it in a bath or on smooth tiles.

‍

Does it replace body lotion?

For me, not completely.

If your skin is normal or only slightly dry, you may find you need less body lotion after using it.

If your skin is very dry, I would still follow with a moisturiser.

I see it as a way to stop your shower from making dry skin worse, rather than a full replacement for body cream.

‍

Can you use it after shaving?

Yes, and I really liked it after shaving.

It did not sting my skin, and my legs felt softer afterwards. I still used body lotion after drying off, but the shower oil made the whole routine feel less drying.

I would avoid using it on broken or irritated skin, but on normal post shave skin it worked well for me.

‍

Who is L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil best for?

I think you will like this if your skin feels dry, tight or uncomfortable after showering.

It is especially good if you enjoy body care that feels a bit more luxurious without adding loads of extra steps.

I would look at it if your concerns are:

Dry legs
Tight skin after showering
Rough elbows or shins
Post shave dryness
Wanting a softer body wash
A warm almond scent

‍

Who might not love it?

You may not love this if you want a very foamy shower gel.

It does not bubble in the same way, so if bubbles are part of the experience for you, this may feel strange at first.

You may also want to skip it if you dislike almond scents or prefer fragrance free products.

If your shower floor gets slippery easily, be careful and rinse it well after use.

‍

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil vs The Body Shop Almond Milk Body Wash

The Body Shop Almond Milk Body Wash feels more like a traditional body wash. It is softer than many shower gels, but it still has that familiar cleansing feel.

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil feels richer and more silky. It leaves skin feeling more comfortable on my body, especially when my legs are dry.

My simple take:

Choose The Body Shop if you want a more affordable almond scented body wash.

Choose L'Occitane if your skin is dry and you want something more nourishing feeling.

‍

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil vs Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil feels more practical and sensitive skin focused.

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil feels more luxurious and sensorial.

If your skin is very sensitive or you want something simple for the whole family, Bioderma may make more sense.

If you want your shower to feel more indulgent and your skin is mainly dry rather than reactive, L'Occitane is the one I would choose.

‍

Is L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil worth it?

Yes, I think it is worth it if dry skin is something you deal with regularly.

It is more expensive than a normal shower gel, but it also feels much nicer on dry skin. I noticed less tightness, softer skin after rinsing and better comfort after shaving.

With a discount code, it becomes much easier to justify.

Before ordering, I would check the Lookfantastic shower and body offers because L'Occitane offers can change.

‍

Where to buy L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil in the UK

You can usually find L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil at Lookfantastic, Sephora UK and selected beauty retailers.

Lookfantastic is my first place to check because my code LFTFNICOLAL gives 20% off eligible products when accepted at checkout.

If you are comparing body care prices, it is also worth checking Sephora body care savings before you buy.

‍

L'Occitane discount code

The current L'Occitane discount code I would try is:

LFTFNICOLAL

This gives 20% off eligible products at Lookfantastic when accepted at checkout.

Retailer exclusions can apply, so always check the basket before paying.

‍

FAQs

What is the best L'Occitane discount code right now?

My current Lookfantastic code is LFTFNICOLAL, which gives 20% off eligible products when accepted at checkout.

Is L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil worth it?

For me, yes. It made my skin feel softer and less tight after showering, especially on my legs and arms.

Is it good for dry skin?

Yes, dry skin is where I think this product makes the most sense. It feels much less stripping than a normal shower gel.

Does it leave the shower slippery?

It can if you use too much or do not rinse the shower floor properly. I did not have a major issue, but I would still be careful.

Can you use it in the bath?

Yes. You can add a small amount to bath water, although I personally prefer it as a shower oil.

Can you use it after shaving?

Yes. I liked it after shaving because my legs felt softer and less dry afterwards.

Does the scent last?

The almond scent lingers softly on my skin after showering, but it is not overpowering.

Does it replace body lotion?

Not completely for me. It helped my skin feel less dry after washing, but I still used body lotion when my skin needed it.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

My skin got on well with it, but it is scented. If you are sensitive to fragrance, patch test first.

How does it compare to Bioderma shower oil?

Bioderma feels more practical and sensitive skin focused. L'Occitane feels more luxurious and has a warmer scent.

‍

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is popular for a reason.

It made my skin feel softer, less tight and more comfortable after showering. It was especially lovely after shaving, and the almond scent made the whole routine feel a bit more special.

It does not replace body lotion completely for me, and you do need to be careful with shower residue because it is an oil. But as a body wash for dry skin, it is genuinely lovely.

Final rating: 4.8/5

If you are topping up your beauty bag, you can also check my Charlotte Tilbury beauty deals page for current makeup and skincare savings.

‍

Have you tried this shower oil, or are you loyal to a normal shower gel? Come and tell me on Instagram.

Kisses,
Nicola xxx

‍