My Honest Review of Sol de Janeiro Body Wash (2025)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure here.

When I first tried Sol de Janeiro’s body washes, I was drawn in by their bold colors, playful names, and promises of turning a simple shower into something indulgent. Known primarily for the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, this brand has built a reputation for creating products that feel like a mini escape to Rio with every use. Over the past few months, I’ve been using four of their body cleansers—the Brazilian Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel, Bom Dia Bright Clarifying AHA BHA Body Wash, Beija Flor Renewing Body Wash, and Delícia Drench Shower Oil—to see if they live up to the hype. In this review, I’ll share my honest impressions of their packaging, ingredients, scent, texture, and overall performance, highlighting both the wins and the shortcomings. I even tried refilling the Brazilian Play bottle myself and compared scents side by side with their creams and mists to see how well they layer.

Packaging

Packaging is one area where Sol de Janeiro shines. Each body wash reflects its fragrance family through distinctive colors—vibrant yellow and orange for Brazilian Play, bright coral-pink for Bom Dia Bright, soft pink for Beija Flor, and muted purple and cream tones for Delícia Drench. This makes it easy to identify your favorite scent at a glance, and it adds a cheerful pop to any bathroom shelf. I also appreciate that most of their bottles are recyclable and that the brand clearly prints recycling instructions. For the Brazilian Play wash, they even offer a 1-liter refill pouch that uses significantly less plastic than buying a new bottle, which feels like a thoughtful nod to sustainability. I personally found refilling my smaller bottle from the pouch clean and easy.

In terms of size options, Sol de Janeiro is smart about catering to different needs. The travel-friendly 90 mL bottles are TSA-compliant and perfect for trying out a new scent, while the standard 385 mL bottles are the go-to for everyday use. The 1-liter pump bottles (available for Brazilian Play) are convenient for families or anyone who showers frequently. That said, not all products in the line offer refills or larger sizes—something I wish they would expand for consistency. One minor drawback: the Beija Flor body wash’s thick formula makes it hard to squeeze out of its bottle, which can be frustrating mid-shower, especially with wet hands.

Ingredients Analysis

One thing I’ve noticed about Sol de Janeiro is how it leans into “clean” and cruelty-free formulations. All the body washes I tried are vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free, which is a big plus if you’re ingredient-conscious. The brand highlights hero ingredients that align with each product’s focus:

• Brazilian Play uses a nourishing mix of Cupuaçu Butter, Coconut Oil, and Açaí Oil to hydrate and soften skin.
• Bom Dia Bright incorporates fruit-derived AHAs, vegan lactic acid, and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and clarify bumpy or breakout-prone skin.
• Beija Flor features Cacay Oil (a plant-based retinol alternative), flower acids, and vegan squalane to support skin renewal and suppleness.
• Delícia Drench relies on a Brazilian oil blend with passionflower seed oil, Brazil nut seed oil, prebiotic hibiscus, and bacuri butter to deeply moisturize and strengthen the skin barrier.

I like that each formula targets a specific need, almost like body “skincare.” Still, not every claim feels equally impactful. For example, while the Beija Flor wash includes impressive-sounding ingredients, I didn’t notice dramatic renewal results during my testing period, though a pregnant friend told me she liked it because the Cacay Oil felt like a gentle alternative to retinol.

Scent and Fragrance Profile

If you’ve ever sniffed Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, you know fragrance is their secret weapon. Each body wash has its own Cheirosa signature scent designed to evoke a mood:

• Brazilian Play (Cheirosa ’62) smells like pistachio, almond, salted caramel, and sandalwood—warm, sweet, and instantly recognizable.
• Bom Dia Bright (Cheirosa ’40) blends black amber plum, crème de cassis, jasmine blooms, and vanilla woods for a more sultry, floral feel.
• Beija Flor (Cheirosa ’68) mixes pink dragonfruit, lychee, Brazilian jasmine, and ocean air into a fruity-floral bouquet.
• Delícia Drench (Cheirosa ’59) offers velvet plum, sugared violet, vanilla orchid, and sandalwood, which feels softer and more romantic than the others.

All four smell gorgeous in the shower, but I noticed a few quirks. The Brazilian Play scent is a crowd-pleaser, though it doesn’t linger very long after rinsing unless I layer it with the matching cream or mist. The Bom Dia Bright wash is lovely but subtler, making it better for those who dislike overpowering scents. The Beija Flor wash was the biggest letdown; its scent feels off compared to the matching cream and mist—more like generic soap than a lush floral. By contrast, Delícia Drench’s fragrance is surprisingly long-lasting for a shower oil, which I enjoyed, and it even left my bathroom lightly perfumed after I rinsed off.

Texture, Lather, and Application

Each Sol de Janeiro body wash has a distinct texture that ties back to its purpose. The Brazilian Play is a true cream-gel—thick but easy to spread, creating a rich lather even without sulfates. A small dollop goes a long way, especially with a loofah. Bom Dia Bright feels like a lighter gel but still foams up nicely if you give it time to work on your skin. The Beija Flor wash is super thick and creamy but surprisingly inconsistent: sometimes it lathers, other times it barely foams at all, which can be disappointing. Delícia Drench starts as a silky oil and transforms into a gentle, milky foam under water—a very luxurious experience. I especially like that it leaves no greasy residue yet makes my skin feel nourished right in the shower, and it glides so smoothly that it doubles as a shaving oil on my legs.

Effectiveness and Performance

Performance-wise, Sol de Janeiro’s body washes mostly deliver on their promises. The Brazilian Play wash leaves my skin soft and hydrated without that tight, squeaky-clean feeling, making it great for daily use. Bom Dia Bright genuinely helped smooth rough patches on my upper arms after a couple of weeks, which impressed me. Beija Flor, on the other hand, felt nice on the skin but didn’t give me any noticeable “renewal” effects—and the inconsistent lather plus off-scent made it the weakest link. The star of the lineup for me is the Delícia Drench Shower Oil: my dry winter skin felt so moisturized after using it that I could skip body lotion entirely some days, and it doubles as a fantastic shaving oil. This makes it a standout option for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, especially in colder months.

Price, Size, and Value

Sol de Janeiro positions these body washes at the premium end of the market. A 90 mL travel size costs about $12, while the standard 385 mL size runs at $26. The 1-liter Brazilian Play bottle is $58, with a refill pouch at $50, which brings the cost per ounce down significantly. This tiered pricing clearly rewards loyalty—the larger you go, the more value you get. While some people might balk at the price compared to drugstore options, I found that a small amount of product lathers enough for a full shower, so a bottle lasts longer than expected. I also like that the brand offers discounts through subscriptions, student deals, and bundled kits like the “Jet Set” travel sets, which I personally used on a weekend trip and found incredibly convenient.

Brand Philosophy and Reputation

Sol de Janeiro isn’t just selling soap—they’re selling a joyful, body-positive experience. Inspired by Brazil’s celebratory approach to beauty, the brand encourages you to feel confident and indulge your senses. They’ve also made strong commitments to vegan and cruelty-free practices, and their sustainability efforts—like increasing recycled content and offering refill options—show they’re taking their environmental impact seriously. The brand’s parent company, L’OCCITANE, doesn’t have the same cruelty-free status, which might give some ethical shoppers pause, but Sol de Janeiro itself is certified by PETA. On major retailer sites like Sephora and Ulta, these washes average close to 5-star ratings, with customers praising the scents, textures, and results. The most common complaint? Price and, in the case of Beija Flor, inconsistent performance. I also noticed how active the brand is on social media, responding to reviews and encouraging customers to share their “shower rituals,” which adds a nice community feel.

Who is This For? (Recommendations)

If you’re looking to elevate your shower routine into a sensorial ritual, Sol de Janeiro’s body washes are worth exploring. Brazilian Play is ideal for normal-to-dry skin and anyone who wants the iconic pistachio-caramel scent. Bom Dia Bright suits those dealing with rough texture or body breakouts, thanks to its gentle exfoliating acids. Beija Flor might appeal to people curious about anti-aging ingredients like retinol alternatives, though its performance could improve with a reformulation. And Delícia Drench is a dream for very dry, sensitive, or winter skin, offering intense hydration and even working as a shaving oil. If scent longevity matters to you, consider pairing your chosen wash with the matching cream or mist for a longer-lasting effect—when I did this, the fragrance stayed with me for hours.

Final Verdict and Overall Rating

Overall, I’d give the Sol de Janeiro body wash lineup a solid 8.4 out of 10. If you’re willing to invest a little more in your shower routine, these products deliver a joyful, effective, and beautifully scented experience that stands out in the crowded body care market.