Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream Review

Key Takeaways

Summary: Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream is a luxurious, sulfate-free body wash that delivers serious hydration whilst enveloping you in the most gorgeous pistachio-caramel scent. Yes, it’s pricey, but a little goes a long way, and honestly? Sometimes us mums deserve a bit of luxury in our daily routine.

Best For: Anyone craving a spa-like shower experience, fans of gourmand fragrances, and those with dry or sensitive skin who need extra moisture.

Skip If: You prefer unscented products, have a tight beauty budget, or aren’t keen on sweet, dessert-like fragrances.

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Today I’m going to take a look at this gorgeous shower cream that’s been causing quite the stir in the beauty world. As a mum of three who barely gets five minutes to herself in the shower (thanks, kids!), I’m always on the hunt for products that make those precious moments feel a bit more luxurious. Enter Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream – and yes, that name did make me double take the first time I saw it.

If you’ve been reading my blog lately you’ll know that I’m absolutely obsessed with Sol de Janeiro products at the moment (late to the party, I know). You might remember my reviews of their Beija Flor Body Wash and Bom Dia Bright Body Wash, and I even did a comparison with a budget dupe of Brazilian 4 Play in my Treaclemoon vs Brazilian 4 Play post.

But this Brazilian 4 Play has become my absolute favourite, and I’m about to tell you exactly why.

What Makes Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Special?

This isn’t just any old shower gel, guys. The Brazilian 4 Play is a sulfate-free, moisturizing shower cream-gel that deeply cleanses and hydrates to leave skin irresistibly soft and silky. What sets it apart is that gorgeous Cheirosa 62 fragrance – the same scent that made their Bum Bum Cream so iconic.

The formula is packed with plenty of Brazilian beauty ingredients: Cupuaçu Butter (the Amazon’s answer to Shea Butter), Coconut Oil that quickly melts into skin to soften and moisturize, and Açaí Oil which is antioxidant-rich and helps protect skin from environmental aggressors.

As someone who spends half her time running around and dealing with the lovely British weather, my skin definitely needs all the protection it can get!

What Scent is Brazilian 4 Play?

When it comes to this shower cream scent, the Cheirosa 62 scent profile includes top notes of Pistachio and Almond, middle notes of Heliotrope and Jasmine Petals, and dry notes of Vanilla, Salted Caramel, and Sandalwood. In Portuguese, “cheirosa” literally means to smell incredibly delicious, and honestly, they’ve nailed it.

Think pistachio gelato mixed with salted caramel, with just a hint of that gorgeous vanilla warmth. The fragrance was rich with notes of salted caramel, sandalwood and jasmine, and was more appealing than many shower gels we’ve tried.

The scent isn’t too overpowering either, and it’s sophisticated and gourmand without being sickeningly sweet. Perfect for us grown-ups who want to smell gorgeous but not like we’ve raided the kids’ sweet stash. The shower cream isn’t as strong as the perfume mist, which IMO suits me perfectly.

How to Use Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel

Using this is honestly one of the highlights of my day (yes, my bar for excitement is quite low these days!). Simply work into wet skin, gently massaging as you go, and the cream-gel will transform into rich, luscious froth as you go.

Here’s my step-by-step routine:

1. Start with wet skin – I always make sure I’m properly wet before applying
2. Use a small amount – A small amount of the shower gel is sufficient to wash your entire body, so don’t go mad with it (your wallet will thank you!)
3. Massage gently – Applying the body wash with massaging motion helps the hydrating ingredients absorb more completely into your skin
4. Watch the magic happen – It transforms from a cream into this gorgeous, rich lather
5. Rinse thoroughly – And prepare to feel like an absolute goddess!

I noticed that I got a better lather with a loofah or shower puff than with bare hands, so it is worth having either on hand. I also use a gentle body brush, and it works brilliantly too.

What is Brazilian 4Play Used For?

This multitasking wonder is brilliant for so much more than just cleansing. The Brazilian 4 Play is both a moisturiser and body cleanser, keeping the skin hydrated and youthful-looking.

Here’s what it does:

• Deep cleansing without stripping your skin
• Intensive moisturising – honestly, some days I can skip body lotion afterwards
• Works as a shaving cream – This lathering wash also makes an excellent shaving cream
• Provides antioxidant protection from environmental nasties
• Leaves you smelling absolutely divine for hours

According to the Mayo Clinic, gentle cleansing and moisturising are key to maintaining healthy skin, especially as we age. This does both beautifully.

The Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s geek out a bit about what’s actually in this bottle:

Cupuaçu Butter: This Amazonian superstar is chock full of fatty-acids, Phytosterols, and Polyphenols to lock in moisture and help support skin elasticity. Basically, it’s like giving your skin a big drink of water.

Coconut Oil: This multi-tasking ingredient has been loved by Brazilians for centuries for its healing and antimicrobial benefits. It melts into your skin beautifully without leaving any greasy residue.

Açaí Oil: An antioxidant-rich super fruit that helps protect skin from environmental aggressors like pollution, keeping skin vibrant and youthful. Perfect for us London dwellers dealing with city life!

The fact that it’s sulfate-free is a massive win too. According to Harvard Health Publishing, harsh sulfates can strip your skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

My Honest Experience 

I’ve been using this for a while now, and I genuinely really like it. It leaves my skin soft and perfectly clean without any dryness. It lathers up well with a bath puff and rinses off easily with no residue.

What I Absolutely Love:

• The scent is just chef’s kiss – it makes my morning shower feel like a mini spa session
• My skin feels properly soft and moisturised afterwards
• It’s so nourishing and gentle that it was even beneficial to sensitive, eczema-prone skin
• A little really does go a long way
• It doubles as a brilliant shaving cream when giving your legs a once over
• Sometimes I noticed the fragrance lingering all day, but on average, the scent lasted an hour or two after showering – so not too overpowering

What I didn’t:

• It is pricey – there’s no getting around that
• If you’re not into sweet, gourmand scents, this might not be for you
• The bottle design, whilst pretty, can be a bit slippery in the shower (okay, so I’m clutching at straws here!)

How Does It Compare to Other Sol de Janeiro Shower Products?

Having tried quite a few from their range now, I can honestly say this is my favourite. The Beija Flor has that lovely tropical mango scent, and the Bom Dia Bright is gorgeous for summer mornings, but there’s something about the Brazilian 4 Play that just feels more luxurious and grown-up.

While it shares the same scent as the Bum Bum Cream, it’s more subtle and not as sweet, which I actually prefer. It’s sophisticated pistachio-caramel rather than full-on dessert mode.

Is It Worth the Investment?

Look, I’m not going to lie to you – this isn’t budget-friendly. But as a mum who rarely splurges on herself, I’ve found this to be absolutely worth it. We also appreciated that this body wash helped us save time in our morning routine by allowing us to skip applying body lotions after showering.

That’s a massive win when you’re trying to get three kids ready for school whilst simultaneously remembering whether you’ve brushed your own teeth!

While this Sol de Janeiro shower gel is pricey, we found that a little goes a long way: after two months of use, we were barely halfway through our standard-size bottle. When you break it down like that, it’s actually not too bad. If you’re looking for something more purse-friendly, then check out my Sol de Janeiro Shower Gel Dupe post here.

Size Options and Where to Buy

The Brazilian 4 Play comes in several sizes:

• 90ml travel size (perfect for holidays)
• 385ml standard size (great for trying it out)
• 1000ml jumbo size (the best value if you’re obsessed like me)

You can find it at most major beauty retailers, Sephora, and online. I always check for sales because Sol de Janeiro products do go on offer fairly regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Brazilian 4 Play suitable for sensitive skin? It’s so nourishing and gentle that it was even beneficial to sensitive, eczema-prone skin. The sulfate-free formula is much gentler than traditional shower gels.

Q: How long does the scent last? On average, the scent lasted an hour or two after showering, though this can vary depending on your skin type and what you layer on top.

Q: Can I use it as a shaving cream? Yes. Boasting a rich lather that doubles as a shaving cream, this creamy body wash nourishes as it cleanses. I’ve been using it for shaving my legs, and it works brilliantly.

Q: Is it pregnancy/breastfeeding safe? The ingredients look generally safe, but I’d always recommend checking with your healthcare provider about specific products during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Q: Does it help with dry skin? Yes! It improves the texture and elasticity of dry or mature skin thanks to those lovely moisturizing ingredients.

The Sustainability Factor

I love that Sol de Janeiro is committed to sustainability. Sol de Janeiro products are certified vegan, cruelty-free and are packed in recyclable packaging. They’re formulated without phthalates, sulfates or parabens.

Plus, the brand uses sustainably-sourced ingredients from certified suppliers in the Amazon Rainforest who work to protect the health and balance of the rainforest. As someone who’s trying to make more conscious choices (when I can remember between school runs and packed lunches), this really matters to me.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play?

If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your daily routine, love gorgeous gourmand scents, and want a shower product that actually moisturises your skin, then yes, I’d definitely recommend giving this a try.

I find the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturising Shower Cream-Gel a lovely treat, especially if you’re into a Cheirosa 62 fragrance. I genuinely enjoy using it, and honestly, in the chaos of mum life, those little moments of luxury really do make a difference.

Start with the 385ml size to see how you get on, and if you love it as much as I do, treat yourself to the jumbo size next time it’s on offer.

What’s your experience with Sol de Janeiro products? Have you tried the Brazilian 4 Play, or are you tempted to give it a go? Let me know in the comments below!

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