Sol de Janeiro Dupe: Treaclemoon Brazilian Love shower gel vs Sol Brazilian 4 Play shower gel

If you’re Googling “Sol de Janeiro dupe”, “affordable Sol de Janeiro body wash,” or “Brazilian 4‑Play shower gel review”, you’re in luck. I accidentally recently discovered the Treaclemoon Brazilian Love Shower & Bath Gel when I ordered a small travel bottle on my Tesco order just before going on holiday with a friend (as a change from Radox!). I quickly realised on opening that it smelled just like my 13 year old daughter’s bedroom AKA Sol de Janeiro products. So on believing I’d stumbled upon a much cheaper gem, I was excited to see if this dupe matched up to the original Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play shower Cream, and if saving you pennies was the way for forward, or if Sol is worth the splurge!

I’ve since discovered from my daughter that the Treaclemoon shower gel has already gone viral on TikTok and been labeled the ultimate dupe, while Sol de Janeiro’s luxe turn‑to brand already has a cult following thanks to its dreamy pistachio‑vanilla-salted‑caramel scent and skin‑loving formula (you can read my full review on Bum Bum cream here!).

So let’s take a look at how these two shower gels compare – including scent longevity, skin feel, ingredients, price, and what myself and my teen thinks!

About the Products

Treaclemoon Brazilian Love Shower Gel is a budget‑friendly UK take (around £3 / £1.99 – £3 in Boots, or via the actual Treaclemoon site) that many call the Sol de Janeiro dupe.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream‑Gel is a sulfate‑free cream‑gel (retailing around £21- 23 in the UK, so a lot more expensive) with cult status for its signature Cheirosa ’62 pistachio‑vanilla‑salted‑caramel scent, acai oil, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and skin‑hydrating ingredients.

Key Differences of the Shower Gels at a Glance

Treaclemoon Brazilian Love Shower Gel

Pros:

• Super affordable (under £3 for 500 ml) – great value

• Vegan, cruelty‑free, no parabens or silicones 

• Nice, bright scent reminiscent of summer

• Cleansing SLS base gives good lather

Cons:

• Scent doesn’t linger as long as Sol de Janeiro – fades shortly after drying

• Contains strong synthetic fragrances; may irritate

• Sulfate‑based; may dry out sensitive or dry skin

• Less skin‑loving ingredients than Sol de Janeiro

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Shower Gel

Pros:

• Signature Cheirosa ’62 scent that fans adore and often wear layered

• Sulfate‑free formula hydrates and heals skin with acai, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil

• Cream‑gel texture feels luxe in the shower

• Gentle for sensitive skin – no irritation or breakouts reported 

Cons:

• Much pricier (£21–23, yikes!)

• Harder to potentially find in the UK or Europe without shipping

• Slightly thicker, slower to rinse (but no residue)

Ingredients

Treaclemoon Brazilian Love

Treaclemoon’s Brazilian Love Gel lists around 21 ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Parfum, Citric Acid, Paullinia Cupana (guaraná) Fruit Extract, and perfumes like benzyl salicylate, coumarin, and the usual dyes CI 16035 & CI 19140. It’s vegan, cruelty‑free, sulfate‑based, fragrance‑packed, and free from parabens and silicones. The key functional players are sudsing agents and guaraná extract as a skin conditioning/fragrance booster.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play

The Brazilian 4 Play Cream‑Gel is sulfate‑free, featuring acai oil, coconut oil, and cupuaçu butter (rich in fatty acids and antioxidants) for hydration and elasticity – not stripping. Based on detailed reviews, the cream‑gel formula cleanses without irritation, hydrates, reduces dryness, and supports radiant skin even in winter.

What We Thought

I picked the Treaclemoon gel first, obviously drawn to the purse-friendly price, and then the familiar smell. In the shower, it sudsed well and left skin clean, but I needed body lotion right after (not a huge problem tbh as this is something that I would do anyway). The smell is pleasant but doesn’t stick around. Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian 4 Play felt a bit more dreamy, as it was a creamier texture, longer-lasting scent, and my skin felt soft and hydrated without layering lotion. I could actually smell it hours later if I didn’t shower again or moisturise immediately.

My teen is a huge fan of Sol’s scent as apparently it “feels expensive and smells soooo good.” She said Treaclemoon was nice for everyday summer use, especially when she’s not trying to impress her friends, and the only difference she noticed was how long the scent lasted on clothes or skin. She liked Treaclemoon for post-football, gym showers or holidays, but for feeling luxe? Sol de Janeiro all the way apparently!

Price & Purchase Details

• Treaclemoon Brazilian Love Shower Gel: -500 ml bottle £3 (on Treaclemoon UK site) or Boots price – £1.99–2.50; often goes viral as a budget Sol de Janeiro dupe. 

• Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Shower Cream‑Gel: – 400 ml bottle around £21–23 in UK/Europe; US pricing around $23. Usually sold via Sol website or beauty retailers. 

Treaclemoon wins on when it comes to more bang for your buck, but Sol de Janeiro wins on showering performance, luxury, and scent longevity. If you like Brazilian 4 Play Shower Cream, then you might like Sol de Janeiro’s Bom Dia Bright Body Wash too, or Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash.

Sol de Janeiro Dupe – Yes or No?

Is Treaclemoon Brazilian Love Shower Gel a real dupe for Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play?

• Sort of yes: The scent is reminiscent and fresh, and it’s definitely a smarter pick for everyday use or travel. It cleanses well and gives great value.

• Not quite: The texture, skincare ingredients, and scent longevity don’t fully match the Sol de Janeiro experience.

Should you buy Treaclemoon?

• Yes, if you’re after that tropical caramel‑pistachio vibe on a budget, and you don’t need long‑lasting fragrance or extra hydration. It would be a great stocking filler for sure!

Should you buy Sol de Janeiro?

• Yes, if you want a luxurious shower experience with lasting scent and hydration without layering body cream.

Tips Before You Buy

1. If you have dry or sensitive skin, go slow with Treaclemoon – watch for tightness from sulfates. Sol de Janeiro is safer if skin tends to flare up.

2. Want to smell like the signature Cheirosa ’62? Layer Sol’s body lotion or mist after the shower gel for extra longevity.

3. If you’re budget‑conscious, grab a small Treaclemoon bottle from Boots or the official UK site, like I did for going on my holiday.

4. For Sol de Janeiro newbies, start with a mini/travel size to test the scent and formula.

Our Final Verdict?

The Treaclemoon Brazilian Love Shower Gel vs Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Shower Gel showdown comes down to what matters most: price or pampering. Treaclemoon delivers fun, fruity, accessible vibes at an unbeatable price. Sol de Janeiro serves up luxurious, rich hydration and lifespan, with a scent that’s earned cult status.

If you’ve tried either- or both – let me know!

And if you’re hunting Sol de Janeiro dupes or care about affordable scented shower gels, Treaclemoon is definitely worth popping in your shopping trolley. But if it’s that long‑wear, pistachio‑caramel lushness you’re after? The original still reigns supreme.

See more of my beauty-related posts here!

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.