Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash Review: Is This £23 Body Wash Worth it?

As a mum of three living in South East London, I’ve tried my fair share of body washes. But when everyone on social media started raving about Sol de Janeiro’s Beija Flor Body Wash, I had to see what all the fuss was about. Spoiler alert: it’s become a staple in our family bathroom.

Key Takeaways in this Review

The Good:

• Luxurious, creamy texture that feels like a spa treatment
• Contains gentle retinol alternative and vegan squalane for skin renewal
• Divine Cheirosa 68 scent with Brazilian jasmine and pink dragonfruit
• Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
• Leaves skin feeling soft and moisturised (not tight like some body washes)

The Not-So-Good:

• Premium price point (£23 for 385ml)
• Scent doesn’t last all day on skin unlike other Sol products (though that’s typical for many body washes)
• Limited lather compared to traditional sudsy body washes

If you’re looking to transform your daily shower into a mini spa experience and don’t mind investing in premium skincare, this is absolutely worth trying. The skin benefits and sensory experience justify the price tag.

What Actually Is Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash?

Right, let’s start with the basics. The Beija Flor Renewing Body Wash is part of Sol de Janeiro’s premium Brazilian-inspired skincare range. It’s not just your average body wash – this is marketed as a skin-renewing cleanser that combines gentle cleansing with anti-aging benefits.

The name “Beija Flor” means “hummingbird” in Portuguese, which is rather lovely when you think about it. And if you’ve read my Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream review, you’ll know I’m already a fan of the brand’s approach to making everyday routines feel special, and I also love the complementing Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream.

What Does Beija Flor Body Wash Smell Like?

Oh wow, where do I begin with this scent?! The Beija Flor features Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 68 fragrance, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Let me break down the scent for you:

Top Notes: Pink dragonfruit and lychee essence – giving it that initial fresh, tropical burst

Heart Notes: Brazilian jasmine, ocean air, and hibiscus – the floral heart that makes you feel like you’re in a tropical garden

Base Notes: Sheer vanilla and sun musk – adding warmth and depth

Honestly, it smells like a summer holiday in a bottle. It’s floral without being like something your Nan would wear, fruity without being too sweet, and has this sophisticated warmth that makes you feel utterly pampered.

My 13-year-old keeps “borrowing” it from my shower caddy, and I can’t blame her (even though she has plenty of products of her own!). It’s the kind of scent that makes you want to linger in the shower just a bit longer.

How Do You Use Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash?

Using this body wash is slightly different from your typical supermarket variety, so let me walk you through it:

1. Get your skin wet in the shower (of course!)
2. Apply a generous amount to your hands or a body sponge – you need more than you might expect because it’s quite thick
3. Massage it into your skin for 30-60 seconds – this is where the magic happens
4. Watch it transform from a cream into a rich, moisturising lather
5. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy feeling like you’ve just had a spa treatment

The key thing to remember is that this isn’t going to foam up like a typical body wash straight away. It starts as this lovely creamy texture and then gradually builds into a luxurious lather as you massage it in. Don’t be tempted to add more thinking it’s “not working” – trust the process!

Does the Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash Smell Last?

This is probably the most common question I get asked about this product, and I’ll give you the honest answer: the scent doesn’t last all day on your skin like a perfume would, or how I found the Bom Dia Bright body wash did, but that’s completely normal for a body wash.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

Immediately after showering: The scent is gorgeous and quite strong – you’ll definitely smell amazing stepping out of the shower

2-3 hours later: You can still catch whiffs of it, especially when you move or your skin warms up

End of day: The scent has mostly faded from your skin

However, if you want to extend the scent experience, I’d recommend layering it with other products from the Beija Flor range or using the Cheirosa 68 body mist afterwards. Adam always comments that the bathroom smells incredible for hours after I’ve used it, which is a lovely bonus!

Does Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash Have Retinol?

This is where things get interesting! The Beija Flor Body Wash doesn’t contain traditional retinol, but it does contain what Sol de Janeiro calls a “gentle retinol alternative” – specifically Cacay oil.

Cacay oil is derived from the seeds of the cacay tree and naturally contains high levels of retinol-like compounds. It’s brilliant because it offers similar skin-renewing benefits to retinol but is much gentler and suitable for daily use, even on sensitive skin.

The formula also includes:

• Vegan squalane for deep hydration
• Hibiscus flower extract for additional skin benefits
• Various moisturising ingredients to prevent that tight, stripped feeling

So while it’s not technically retinol, you’re still getting skin renewal benefits without the potential irritation that traditional retinol can sometimes cause.

My Honest Experience: 3 Months of Daily Use

I’ve been using the Beija Flor Body Wash for about three months now, and here’s what I’ve genuinely noticed:

Week 1-2: Mainly fell in love with the scent and luxurious feeling. My skin felt softer immediately after showering.

Week 3-4: Started noticing my skin looked a bit brighter and felt smoother overall. The dry patches on my elbows were definitely improving.

Month 2-3: My skin genuinely looks and feels better. It’s softer, more even-toned, and I need less body moisturiser than I used to.

The most surprising thing for me was how much it improved the texture of my skin. As a 40-something mum who’s often rushing about, I don’t always have time for extensive body care routines, so having these benefits built into my daily shower is brilliant. It’s worked well for my teen daughter too, and doesn’t seem to be harsh on her delicate skin.

How Does It Compare to Cheaper Alternatives?

Given that this costs £23 for 385ml, you might be wondering if it’s worth it compared to high street alternatives. I actually did a comparison in my Sol de Janeiro shower gel dupe review, but here’s my take on the Beija Flor specifically:

vs. Treaclemoon Brazilian Love (£2.99): The scent is vaguely similar, but the skin benefits and luxurious texture of Beija Flor are in a different league. This is a dupe of the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play shower cream.

vs. The Body Shop body washes (£8-12): Better ingredients and more sophisticated scent, but you’re paying a premium.

vs. Drugstore body washes (£1-4): Completely different experience – this is skincare disguised as body wash.

Is it worth the extra money? For me, yes, because I can see and feel the difference in my skin. But if budget’s tight, you might want to try the smaller 90ml size first.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This?

Perfect for you if:

• You love luxurious, spa-like shower experiences
• You have dry or dull-looking skin that could benefit from gentle renewal
• You’re already a Sol de Janeiro fan
• You don’t mind investing in premium body care
• You love floral-fruity scents

Maybe skip it if:

• You prefer very sudsy, foaming body washes
• You’re on a tight budget and happy with drugstore alternatives
• You’re sensitive to fragrances (though it is quite gentle)
• You prefer unscented products

The Family Verdict

I asked the family what they thought:

Adam: “The bathroom always smells amazing when you use that stuff, and your skin feels really soft.”

Son No 1 (14): “Mum, why does your shower gel cost more than my hair gel?” (Fair point, love!)

Daughter (13): “Can we keep sharing please?! It smells like our holidays.”

Son No 2 (8): “It smells like flowers and sweets mixed together!” (Pretty accurate description, actually!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, it’s been gentle on my sensitive skin and is free from sulphates and parabens.

Q: Can I use it every day? Absolutely – that’s how it’s designed to be used for best results.

Q: Will it help with dry skin? It’s definitely helped with my dry patches, though you might still want a separate moisturiser for very dry skin.

Q: Is it worth the price? If you see body care as an investment in your skin and daily self-care routine, then yes.

Q: Where can I buy it? Available at Sephora, Space NK, Boots, John Lewis, and online. I usually grab mine from Boots when they have offers on.

Q: Does it work for all skin types? Yes, it’s formulated to be suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Final Thoughts: Is Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash Worth It?

Look, I’m not going to pretend that £23 for a body wash isn’t a significant investment. But if you’re someone who appreciates quality skincare and wants to make your daily shower routine feel like a mini spa treatment, this is absolutely worth trying, or asking for as a birthday or Christmas present.

The combination of skin benefits, gorgeous scent, and luxurious texture makes it feel special every single time I use it. It’s become one of those little daily luxuries that brightens up even the most hectic morning rush.

Would I repurchase? I already have – I’m on my second bottle and have the 90ml travel size for holidays.

My recommendation? If you’re curious, start with the smaller 90ml size to try it out. If you fall in love (which I suspect you will), then invest in the full-size bottle.

Trust me, once you’ve experienced that gorgeous Cheirosa 68 scent and felt how soft your skin becomes, your regular body wash is going to feel a bit disappointing!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Have you tried the Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re interested in more Sol de Janeiro reviews, check out my posts on the Bum Bum Cream and Brazilian dupes.

You can read more of my beauty product reviews, including other Sol de Janeiro Products!