You know that specific smell? The one that hits you the second you walk into a Sephora or catch a breeze near someone who looks like they just flew in from a private beach in Ibiza? That is Cheirosa 62. It is the scent that launched a thousand TikToks. Specifically, the Sol de Janeiro 62 body wash—formally known as the Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel—has become the kind of cult favorite that people hoard like they're prepping for an apocalypse of bad smells.
It’s weirdly addictive.
Most body washes are just... soap. You use them, you rinse, you move on with your life. But this one? It’s different. It is thick. It is creamy. It smells like salted caramel and pistachios had a baby in the middle of a summer heatwave. Honestly, if you haven’t tried it, you’re probably wondering if the hype is just clever marketing by a brand that knows exactly how to use bright yellow packaging to trigger our dopamine receptors.
It isn't just marketing.
What Actually Makes Sol de Janeiro 62 Body Wash Different?
Let's get into the weeds of the formula because that is where the magic (and the price tag) actually comes from. Most drugstore body washes rely heavily on harsh sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) to get that big, foamy lather. While that feels clean, it’s basically like using dish soap on your skin. It strips your natural oils. You come out of the shower feeling "squeaky" clean, which is actually a sign that your skin barrier is screaming for help.
Sol de Janeiro took a different route.
They use a sulfate-free blend that relies on coco-glucoside, which is a much gentler surfactant derived from coconut. Because of this, the Sol de Janeiro 62 body wash doesn't really "foam" in the traditional, bubbly sense. It’s more of a rich, decadent cream that turns into a light lather.
The Ingredients That Actually Do Something
- Cupuaçu Butter: This is the Amazon’s answer to Shea butter. It is packed with fatty acids, Phytosterols, and polyphenols. It’s incredibly good at locking in moisture.
- Coconut Oil: We all know it, we all (mostly) love it. It melts into the skin and softens everything up.
- Açaí Oil: This is the antioxidant powerhouse. It helps protect your skin from environmental stressors—think pollution or that harsh sun you’re hopefully wearing SPF for.
- Guaraná Extract: This is the brand's signature. Guaraná contains about five times as much caffeine as coffee. While the "firming" claims of caffeine in a wash-off product are often debated by dermatologists like Dr. Dray or Shereene Idriss, it certainly doesn't hurt the overall sensory experience.
The texture is almost like a concentrated lotion. You don't need a lot. A nickel-sized amount on a loofah or a washcloth goes a surprisingly long way, which is good because, let's be real, this stuff isn't cheap. You’re paying for the experience as much as the cleansing.
The Scent Profile: Why Your Brain Loves Cheirosa 62
We have to talk about the smell. It’s the elephant in the room. Cheirosa 62 is the technical name for the fragrance used in the Sol de Janeiro 62 body wash, and it’s the same scent found in the legendary Brazilian Bum Bum Cream.
The notes are specific: pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, and sandalwood.
It sounds like a dessert menu. It smells like "warmth." There is a psychological component to why this specific scent profile performs so well. Gourmand scents—fragrances that smell like food—are notoriously comforting. They trigger nostalgia. For a lot of people, this smells like a vacation they took five years ago, or the one they’re currently saving up for. It’s an escapist fragrance.
Interestingly, the scent actually lingers. That is rare for a body wash. Usually, the smell vanishes the moment you towel off. But with the 62 wash, you’ll catch whiffs of salted caramel on your skin hours later. It creates a "base layer" if you’re someone who likes to layer their perfumes. If you follow this up with the Bum Bum Cream and the Sol de Janeiro 62 Perfume Mist, you are essentially a walking, talking snack.
Is It Worth the Splurge? (The Honest Truth)
Let’s talk numbers. A standard bottle is usually around $26 for 13 ounces. Compared to a $6 bottle of Dove or Olay from the grocery store, that is a massive jump. You could buy four or five bottles of regular soap for the price of one Sol de Janeiro.
So, is it worth it?
If you have extremely dry skin or eczema, you might actually find this more beneficial than cheaper soaps because it’s so oil-heavy and sulfate-free. It doesn't leave that tight, itchy feeling after a hot shower.
However, if you don't care about fragrance, this is a total waste of money. You are paying a premium for the Cheirosa 62 scent and the brand aesthetic. If you’re sensitive to strong smells, stay far away. This is not a subtle product. It will fill your entire bathroom with the scent of a Brazilian bakery.
But for many, it’s a "shower orange" moment. It’s that one small luxury in a stressful day. Some people buy expensive candles; others buy $26 body wash. It’s all about where you want your "treat yourself" budget to go.
Common Misconceptions About the "Firming" Claims
You’ll see the word "firming" or "tightening" associated with this brand a lot. This mostly comes from the Guaraná extract. While caffeine can temporarily constrict blood vessels and make skin look slightly smoother for a very short period, a body wash stays on your skin for maybe 60 seconds.
It’s not going to get rid of cellulite.
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It’s not going to replace a workout.
It’s a cleanser. A very good, very moisturizing, very nice-smelling cleanser. But don't go into it expecting a surgical transformation. The "glow" people talk about is real, though. Because it doesn't strip your skin, your natural oils stay intact, giving your limbs a healthy, hydrated sheen that looks great in photos.
How to Make a Bottle Last Longer
Since this is a luxury item, you don't want to literally wash your money down the drain. Most people use way too much. Because it’s a cream-gel, it doesn't run off your hand as easily as watery soaps.
Use a shower pouf or a washcloth. This aerates the product and creates a much bigger lather with less liquid. If you just apply it with your hands, you’ll burn through the bottle in three weeks. With a loofah, a bottle can easily last two months even with daily use.
Also, keep it out of the direct stream of the shower head. The heat and constant water hitting the flip-top can sometimes dilute the product or cause it to leak.
Practical Steps for Your Body Care Routine
If you want to get the most out of the Sol de Janeiro 62 body wash, you need a strategy. Don't just slap it on and rinse.
- Temperature Check: Use lukewarm water. Scalding hot water destroys the moisturizing benefits of the oils in the wash.
- The Layering Technique: If you love the scent, use the body wash first, then apply the matching cream while your skin is still slightly damp. This "locks" the fragrance molecules into your skin.
- Exfoliation Timing: Use a physical scrub (like their Bum Bum Body Scrub) once or twice a week before using the body wash. This removes dead skin cells so the moisturizing ingredients in the wash can actually reach the fresh skin underneath.
- Refill Options: Check for the refill pouches. Sol de Janeiro has started offering large 33oz refill bags for some of their products. It’s better for the environment and significantly cheaper per ounce than buying new plastic bottles every time.
Ultimately, this product is about the ritual. It’s about turning a boring Tuesday morning shower into something that feels a bit more intentional. It’s a sensory experience that happens to also get you clean. If you're a fan of gourmand scents and want skin that feels like silk, it's hard to find a competitor that hits quite the same way. Just be prepared for everyone to ask what perfume you're wearing when you aren't even wearing any.
To get the best results, start by swapping your current harsh soap for the 62 wash for one week. Notice if your skin feels less "tight" after drying off. If you're hesitant about the price, wait for the seasonal Sephora sales where you can usually snag a gift set that includes a travel size of the wash along with the cream and spray for a better value. Keep the bottle in a cool, dry place to preserve the integrity of the natural oils and the fragrance.