As the proud Mum of a 13 year old girl, I would have to have been living under a rock to not have heard of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream the past few years. As one of the most popular beauty products around right now, I’m pretty sure we will look back on this era of beauty, and associate the 2020s with Bum Bum cream and Sol de Janeiro products in general. So, with so much of this stuff knocking about in our home (and the different varieties of bum bum cream too –  more of these later!), I thought that maybe this is something that I should get involved with and give a go.

But what did I think of the cream as a 42 year old beauty-product-loving Mum? And what exactly is Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream? Read my detailed review below to find out more, and discover if it’s worth the hype for both young and the more (ahem) mature lady!

So what exactly is Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream?

First thing’s first – let’s talk about what exactly is Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum cream, and what is involved. According to the official website, this little tub is “A visibly firming body cream with the irresistible scent of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla” and essentially promises to tighten, smooth, and hydrate your skin like nobody’s business, apparently all thanks to a dose of caffeine-packed guaraná extract, which gives your skin a firm, springy feel.

However, the skincare perks are just one of the cream’s charms, as what the cream is really know for is that distinctive scent: Cheirosa 62. This is the aforementioned pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla all blended to create a warm, sweet, beachy hug that predominately appeals to the younger market. 

It doesn’t stop at just the cream though, as this brand has gone all in, with matching perfume, body mist, body wash, and even other limited edition scents that seem to fly off the shelves. If you love sweet, fruity, dessert-like smells, then this Bum Bum cream is probably right up your street! It’s also worth noting that Bum Bum is actually pronounced ‘Boom Boom’ when it comes to this cream – I had no idea! 

Who Might Like Bum Bum Cream?

If you’re happy to spend a bit more on beauty products and love following viral trends, then Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum cream is made for you! My daughter loves quite strong scents, so if you’re already a fan of sweeter smells (think pistachio, caramel, or maybe the Victoria’s Secret Bare Vanilla spray) then I think you’ll like this. Having tried the cream on myself, I found that the smell is long-lasting, so it’s great if you’ve got an all day event or a big night out where you want to scent to stick around and not fade. It’s quite strong, so if subtle is more your thing, then slathering your body in Bum Bum cream isn’t for you.

What’s Actually In Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream?

Let’s break down what exactly is inside the SDJ tub — because this isn’t your average moisturiser.

• Guaraná Extract – This little powerhouse is loaded with caffeine, which gives your skin that firmer, more toned look (hello, smooth legs and bouncy bum!).

• Cupuaçu Butter – Super-hydrating and ultra-nourishing, this is what makes the cream feel so rich and buttery. Dry skin? Be gone!

• Coconut Oil – The OG moisturiser. It helps lock in all that juicy hydration, leaving your skin ridiculously soft and silky.

• Açaí Oil – Packed with antioxidants, it’s like a shield for your skin, helping protect against all the everyday nasties like pollution and stress.

Applying the Bum Bum Cream

So, when it came to trying this out for myself, I started with a small amount to see how easily it sank into my skin, and how much I would need. Ultimately I didn’t want to use more than I needed to, as after all, it’s not cheap! I could see how it might be easy to use almost a whole small tub when applying, which, let’s face it, isn’t sustainable unless you’re a millionaire! 

Did it Absorb Quickly?

I used a small bit initially, as was actually pleasantly surprised to discover that a little actually went a long way. It sank in easily without leaving white residue (the worst), and by using circular motions on my skin, it spread out quickly and easily. I was also pleased to find that it wasn’t sticky at all, or greasy – which is also awful!

The Main Benefits of Bum Bum Cream

So, what can you actually expect from this cult cream? First off, major hydration — we’re talking baby-soft, can’t-stop-touching-your-own-skin levels of moisture (again, something I was skeptical about but, really pleased once I’d tried it!). It really does also leave you with an unexpectedly gorgeous glow, which adds to the beach-friendly branding. And if you stick with it, you’ll start to notice a little firming magic happening too – which is ideally as someone in their early 40s! I’m sure my daughter doesn’t care about this so much at her tender age, but I guess what I’m saying is that there are Bum Bum cream benefits for all age brackets!

But Does It Really Firm and Tighten?

Okay, so let’s be real, using this cream (or any cream for that matter) isn’t going to replace your Pilates class, and it’s not pretending to. But what it does do is give your skin a noticeable little lift, apparently thanks to that caffeine-rich guaraná extract. It’s like a temporary tightening effect that makes everything look a bit smoother and perkier. Think of it as your skin’s version of a good push-up bra – just in lotion form!

Bum Bum Cream Scent Review

Okay, this might prove a wildly unpopular opinion here, but whilst I actually quite like the smell, I DO find it a little overpowering, as it’s possibly a bit sweet for me. As I mentioned before, the scent of Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream is a warm, sweet blend of that salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla, so you can see why it really appeals to teens and younger people in general. Let’s just say that I can smell my daughter before I see her, haha! 

The scent is made up of the following –

• Pistachio, Almond (Top Notes)
• Heliotrope, Jasmine Petals (Heart Notes)
• Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Sandalwood (Base Notes)

The fragrance of the cream does last for hours, so you definitely get your money’s worth.

A word on dupes, because I know that’s what half of you are here for. The Home Bargains Cheirosa body butter gets mentioned constantly as a budget alternative, and while it does have a similar sweet, warm vibe, it doesn’t quite nail the same complexity. It’s a bit flatter, and the staying power isn’t there in the same way. If you’re genuinely not sure whether you’ll like the scent, I’d say try it in a Boots or Sephora before committing to the bigger size, rather than gambling on a dupe that’s only sort of in the same postcode.

How does it compare to the rest of the Sol de Janeiro range?

If you’re trying to work out which Sol de Janeiro cream is actually right for you, here’s a quick breakdown. I’ve tried all three of these now, so this is based on actual use rather than marketing copy.

How Much Does Bum Bum Cream Cost?

As I said before, this stuff isn’t cheap. Pricing varies depending on size and retailer, and it’s worth shopping around as discounts do come up regularly.

So is Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream worth the Hype? My Opinion

So my answer to this, is a slightly reluctant ‘yes’! Only because I think it’s quite expensive for a body lotion, and the scent is quite strong for me personally. However, I can 100% see the appeal for people, especially youngsters like my teen, and I do enjoy the smell on others – it’s certainly not unpleasant! I also loved the feel of the product on my skin, and I did think that it firmed after use.

What the brand has done really, really well, is create an iconic scent that is SO recognisable. Whenever I smell it, I am taken back to the time when we first bought the mist from Chelsea Sephora on a family trip to New York from London in 2023 – it definitely gets in your head! If you love sweeter fragrances, this Bum Bum cream is for you, and yes, I do think it lives up to the hype.

There is nothing around at the moment beauty-wise that I believe is so ‘big’. Whether it continues to be so popular over the next few years remains to be seen, but once these teen girls get older, I can guarantee that they’ll be transported back to this moment in their lives whenever they get a whiff of that Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream scent!

Some Other Questions Answered:

Can you Buy Bum Bum Cream Dupes?

Absolutely! There are a plethora of dupe products available for those on a budget, and I’ve seen and smelt these at various stores. However, a bit like when you burn cheaper candles and the scent when burned isn’t strong at all, I can’t vouch that these cheaper creams would be as long lasting. It would be a bit of trial and error to see if a cheaper version would produce the same, long lasting-scented result.

Is Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream Suitable for Teens?

This is the main thing I was worried about when buying for my young daughter, as you don’t want to overload their youthful skin with too many products, especially scented ones. After some cautious use, we’ve actually found it to be fine, and my daughter’s skin is super-soft after using it on her body! I wouldn’t want to use a heavily scented product on young faces, but as a viral body lotion we’ve found this great quality with some great ingredients used.

What about using Bum Bum creams on older skin?

I’ve found it great on my forty-something skin as it has firmed it and made it super-soft. If you can handle the strong smell, I can definitely recommend using at an older age! There is also Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream which is good for mature skin, and the popular Bom Dia Bright Cream.

What other Bum Bum Cream scents are there?

There are other Sol de Janeiro scents out there – some of these are body mists, but some are creams too:

• Cheirosa 39 – Coconut cream, tropical orchid, toasted praline.

• Cheirosa 40 – A sultry floral mix: black amber plum, jasmine blooms, vanilla woods.

• Cheirosa 59 – Vanilla orchid, sugared violet, sheer sandalwood.

• Cheirosa 48 – Fruity gourmand: guava nectar, coconut water, sunlit orchid, a hint of lemon.

These keep popping up in Sephora and Ulta listings, so keep your eye of on these sites if you want to try them.

Sol de Janeiro Ingredients – are they natural?

Hmmm, yes and no. The cream features a blend of naturally derived, plant-based ingredients, but these are used alongside some synthetic components:

Naturally Derived Ingredients:

• Guaraná extract, cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, coconut oil, and Brazil nut oil are all from Amazonian plants and widely considered natural.

• The formula is paraben‑free, and free of phthalates and mineral oil .

• It uses plant‑derived emulsifiers and preservatives like methyl glucose sesquistearate and glyceryl caprylate, which are recognized as natural and safe.

Synthetic or Fragrance Components

• Contains fragrance additives  (parfum) and synthetic preservatives (phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol) plus perfuming compounds like limonene, citral, coumarin. These are commonly used in cosmetics but not “natural” per se .

• The mica powder adds shimmer, and whilst it’s naturally derived, it’s still a processed mineral

Is it only for your bum?!

Haha, no! Despite the cheeky name, Bum Bum Cream is definitely not just for your bum! 

You can use it everywhere: on your legs, arms, tummy, thighs and décolletage. Basically, anywhere you want soft, glowy, deliciously scented skin. The idea is that it started with the bum (because that’s where people often want smoothing and firming), but the formula is so popular that users use it head to toe (but not face).

Does Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Help with Cellulite?

Bum Bum Cream CAN help smooth and firm your skin temporarily by hydrating, plumping and adding a light shimmer. But while it may reduce the appearance of cellulite in the short term, it won’t make cellulite disappear. Consistency is key, and pairing it with healthy habits (like exercise and drinking lots of water) can help get the desired results.

Can Men or Boys Use Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream?

Absolutely – whatever floats your boat! 

How do you open the Bum Bum Cream Jar?!

• Twist, don’t turn it around – The jar has a typical “tighten-leftie-loosie” lid, so give it a solid twist counter-clockwise and it should pop right off.

• Find the hidden seal – Once the top cap is off, there’s a white inner seal that you need to peel up. Look for the little tab to grip .

• Warm trick for super-sealed lids – Can’t shift the lid? Try warming it a bit (running it under warm water for 30 seconds helps loosen things), then gently ease the seal out along the edges with a butter knife or your fingernail .

Is Bum Bum Cream Vegan-Friendly?

Yes! Which is great news for vegans. The Sol de Janeiro brand is PETA‑certified cruelty‑free and vegan, meaning none of their products are tested on animals, and no animal-derived ingredients are used, at least across their main body care line. It’s always worth emailing the company, or checking on their main website, just to be sure.

 

If you liked this post and found it helpful, you can also read some of my other beauty-related posts here!