Leila and the organic Provence tomato
Tomato vegetable oil – it might sound surprising! And yet, Provence tomato oil is packed with antioxidants and carotenoids for the skin; it’s wonderful for giving the skin a beautiful glow and combating premature ageing.
It is in Rémi Pécout’s tomato fields, located in the Aix-en-Provence region, that we meet Leila, a producer of tomato oil. A doctor of chemistry with a passion for her work, Leila explains the ins and outs of producing organic tomato oil and all its benefits for our skin.
Fact sheet on organic tomato oil from Provence
Production site: 60 km from Aix-en-Provence.
Production method: Extraction from organic tomato seeds using supercritical CO₂, an environmentally friendly extraction method that does not use chemical solvents
Type of farm: Organic and conventional.
The commitments of Leila, producer of organic Provençal tomato oil
In her search for a favourable, sun-drenched region in which to produce her tomato oil, Leila chose Provence. There, she works alongside Rémi Pécout, a farmer whose family has been in the business for more than three generations. Drawing on this heritage, Leila shares with us what drives her day to day:
Building on this heritage, Leila shares with us the goals that drive her every day:
“Our aim is to promote a short-cycle economy, to further showcase our Provençal regions and to support socially responsible farming”.
The idea behind this farm is to “create a virtuous cycle, and to support producers and local produce”.
The regions of Provence: the birthplace of the tomato
When the tomato first arrived in Europe, it was seen as a “magical plant”, and there were many superstitions surrounding it. Nobody dared to eat tomatoes, and this persisted for over three centuries!
“The tomato has gone from being an ornamental plant to the queen of the dinner table”
The spell was broken by some courageous people from Marseille who travelled to Paris in 1790 for the Fête des Fédérations and demonstrated how tomatoes could be used in cooking, particularly to mellow the flavour of meat. Subsequently, the use of tomatoes in cooking gradually became more widespread, and ever since, tomatoes have held a prominent place in our diet in their various forms.
The production of organic tomato oil from Provence
Organic tomatoes are planted every year from mid-April to mid-May. It takes 100 days for a tomato to ripen fully.
The tomato seeds are obtained by processing tomatoes intended for food use and separating them from the pulp. Whilst the pulp is used to make tomato purée or juice, the seeds are preserved. Supercritical CO₂ eco-extraction is used on the tomato seeds to produce a high-quality organic tomato vegetable oil. This process preserves the tomato’s valuable properties within the oil.
The result is a light, fluid oil with a beautiful orange colour and spicy, herbaceous notes reminiscent of sun-dried tomatoes. Its silky, penetrating texture feels very pleasant on the skin.
What are the benefits of organic tomato vegetable oil from Provence?
Healthy glow: thanks to its lycopene content, organic Provence tomato oil restores radiance to dull and tired complexions.
Youthfulness: Rich in lycopene and carotenoids with powerful antioxidant effects, it is ideal for combating oxidative stress and delaying the signs of premature skin ageing.
Nourishing and protective: tomato oil is rich in essential omega-6 fatty acids, including linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is a component of the skin’s ceramides and helps to replenish epidermal lipids. It is found in the hydrolipidic film, which helps to maintain the skin’s moisture levels. Linoleic acid plays a role in ensuring the proper cohesion of skin cells, thereby preventing dehydration whilst providing nourishing and softening properties.
Ideal for brightening the complexion whilst delaying the signs of ageing, tomato oil provides the skin with a cocktail of antioxidants. It helps to smooth out the signs of ageing, protects against the harmful effects of UV rays and gives the skin a healthy glow. A precious, targeted treatment for supple, nourished and protected skin!
Organic Tomato Skincare Oil from Provence
Tomato oil has antioxidant properties that are ideal for combating the signs of skin ageing. It is rich in saturated fatty acids, as well as omega-6, which help to protect and strengthen the skin’s barrier, moisturise the skin and give it a radiant glow whilst promoting a healthy, healthy-looking complexion.
Which skin types is it suitable for?
Organic Tomato Skincare Oil from Provence revitalises skin lacking radiance, as well as dry, dull and tired skin.
How should you use organic tomato oil?
Pour a few drops into the palm of your hand, warm it between your palms, then apply the oil to your entire face, neck and décolletage using a gentle massage.
