The lavender’s camphor smell is easily recognized by humans and insects and it makes sure to smell nice in order to attract both. Once they are attracted, the pollinating insects, such as bees, transport the pollen from one part of the flower to another (from stamens to pistils) or from one plant to another, enabling the lavender to reproduce. Lavender perfumed products seduce both men and women who benefit from this natural process.
Organically grown lavender used by the Yves Rocher laboratories, is grown by diversified farms which maintain the tradition and Provencal savoir-faire of its cultivation in South-east France. Yves Rocher supports the responsible approach of its partner by backing French lavender producers. The flower withers, it is the signal to harvest. The sprigs of lavender are mostly harvested mechanically at the end of June/beginning of July over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. After that, the level of essential oil diminishes. Lavender is a vivacious plant and the plant stays in place for several years. They are productive after two to three years and their yield is at its maximum 2 years later before slowly decreasing. The lavender patches are then destroyed and rotation crops are integrated to regenerate the soil.
Active life, noise and pollution are all sources of permanent stress. Yves Rocher’s Botanical Beauty research has chosen the Lavandula angustifolia species, for its high quantity of top quality essential oil. Its relaxing and purifying properties have been recognized since the beginning of time.
Just after harvesting, the lavender sprigs are placed in a still and immediately distilled by our partners to recuperate the active substances. This ancient technique consists of passing steam through the plant to extract the essential oil. When it has gone cold, this mixture of steam and essential oil becomes liquid again. Only slightly soluble when cold, the oil and water separate and result in essential oil on one hand and lavender floral water on the other.
The essential oil and lavender floral water used by Yves Rocher laboratories in its Foot Beauty Care range come from a traditional savoir-faire and are organically certified. A relaxing and purifying moment.