Keeping our skin moisturized was always a nonnegotiable in my household. Growing up, my mother would insist that my brother and I keep our skin properly hydrated, always rattling off “did you put on lotion?” before we headed off to school (or anywhere outside of the house, really).
So, naturally, as I became independent of my mom’s constant reminders in my teenage years and now as an adult, avoiding dry skin at all costs by way of body butters, lotions and salves has become a daily ritual that I can’t help but to indulge in. When I came across the internet buzz surrounding Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, I knew I had to get my hands on it.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may already be familiar with the massive following that Sol de Janeiro’s perfume mists and various creams and lotions have garnered, with the viral cream leading the pack. It has over 9,000 positive reviews on Sephora's website and has its fair share of dupes (see: Costco and Trader Joe's).
Billed as a “fast-absorbing body cream [that] helps visibly tighten and smooth skin with caffeine-rich guaranà while also delivering non-greasy hydration,” the cream has been marketed with the potential to smooth appearances of cellulite and soften unflattering stretch marks. But, does it actually deliver?
“The formula contains various seed oils, cupuaçu butter and guaranà, which can provide softness, deep moisturization and firming benefits to the skin,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. She explains that the caffeine present in the guaranà extract along with other stimulants can encourage blood flow “which may enhance the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin, potentially making it look and feel firmer.”
Another reason the cream has been so popular is its ability to hydrate and plump the skin. Wizemann notes that this is due to the cupuaçu butter, which “is an emollient recognized for its rich texture and moisturizing properties.” She says skincare formulations typically use it “to maintain moisture levels and make skin appear plumper and tighter, making it especially beneficial for skin that lacks laxity and hydration.”
My honest thoughts
Pros
- Amazing scent
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Soft sheen finish
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Firming results vary
- Pricey
My very first impression of the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream was that it has a heavenly scent and a smooth silky texture. It glides onto the skin, feeling airy and lightweight, while still delivering instant hydration. It makes my skin feel supple without leaving behind stickiness and has a sweet vanilla scent — not sickly sweet, like a dessert (which I’m typically not a fan of) but instead has nutty and buttery notes, probably because of the Brazil nut.
I also appreciated the longevity of the cream. Just a pea sized amount was able to cover my arm or leg, so I know I'll get good use out of the tub. Another plus is that the scent is long-lasting — as in all day long. I got tons of compliments and questions about the “perfume” I was wearing while using this.
After using it on my body for a period of four days, I didn’t notice any significant changes in the elasticity of my skin or see any visible smoothing of cellulite. But when tested by Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist in GH's Beauty Lab, she noted that the cream "contains light reflecting particles that creates a sheen on skin, temporarily blurring the appearance of cellulite, especially when I am in the sun and the light shines just right."
Another GH editor says the cream has been a great addition to her self-care routine. "Anything with a vanilla or pistachio scent is what I gravitate to,” said Group Deputy Director Michelle Manetti. “I will say, the cream smells amazing, and the scent lasts a very long time. I don't use it every day, but when my skin is feeling dry, it's what I turn to.”
She also raved about the brand’s Delícia Drench Body Butter, which she describes as having a “much creamier consistency and is seriously hydrating.” It’s a good option for those who are looking for a heavier moisturizer. “It also has that signature vanilla scent, but this time, it's not as sweet because it also has sandalwood,” Manetti said. “A little goes a long way, and if you use more than a dime size, it will take a while to really work it into your skin.”
Is Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream worth the money?
If you ask me, the reviews don’t lie. The Bum Bum Cream is an indulgent product that lives up to the hype. It smells amazing and some reviewers did notice the temporary appearance of firmer skin. Though it is pricey — you can find lotions on the market that are more affordable — I think that the long-lasting fragrance and the fact that it keeps my skin moisturized all day makes it well worth it.
It comes in three sizes, so if you're a little hesitant to drop $48 on the full eight-ounce tub, you can try out the 5-ounce or 2.5-ounce tubs that retail for $36 and $22, respectively. Plus, a little goes a long way so you’re not going to run out quickly — another way to get more bang for your buck. If you're looking for a moisturizer with a thicker consistency, the brand's body butter is also a great option.
Shop More Sol de Janeiro Products
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Refillable Body Cream
Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '59 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
