Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream: Super Hydrating But Whoa!

Last week, I went to Sephora to return something that I bought during the VIB sale the week before. I had bought a full size bottle of Ouai Leave-in Conditioner, and I realized I didn’t need it. It’s a good product, but I have other heat protectants that work just as well. I was happy to get the $23+ credited back to my Amex card.

I Bought This - Affiliate links Retail Sample/Gift

While I was at Sephora, I noticed that for 100 Sephora points, I could finally get to try Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream, the collection that comes in the aqua bottles. I went for it, and I also scored a black velvet turban headband as well (more on that another time).

The cute little jar is really little. It holds 25 ml or 0.84 fl. oz. It’s called “purse” size. Here it is compared to the “travel size” of Bum Bum Cream. Nevertheless, there’s enough in the purse size to form a good opinion of the product.

I am a huge fan of Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream because I love the pistachio tropical scent. I have bought two of the International Jet Set travel sets, now called Carnaval Getaway Set for $25 with a makeup bag included. I just love the three products in the set – the hair and body mist, the shower cream and the Bum Bum Cream – because they smell so good, like summer in a bottle. Even though the Bum Bum Cream doesn’t really tighten skin IMHO, and it isn’t really moisturizing enough for my super dry mature skin, I’ve continued to use it.

So I wanted to try the Coco Cabana Cream that’s billed as Plush Moisture Body Blend.

The Sol de Janeiro website describes it as: “Our Coco Cabana Cream is immersed in plush hydration to treat and transform even the driest, most dehydrated skin so that it’s amazingly smooth and deeply moisturized.” The key hydrating ingredients are:

• coconut oil: softens, nourishes, moisturizes
• fermented sugar: Sol de Janeiro claims that sugar is a natural humectant drawing moisture from the air that, in turn, soaks into the skin. They claim that their fermented sugar is purified and concentrated. Other sources, however, say that the benefit of fermented ingredients are that they are broken down into smaller sizes and more easily penetrate skin layers, and importantly, that they release minerals and other ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids.
• cupuacu butter: The Amazonian version of shea butter that is full of fatty-acids, Phytosterols, and Polyphenols that lock in moisture and restore skin elasticity.
• açaí oil: a superfood that is rich in antioxidants to keep skin healthy and youthful

After using creamy white Coco Cabana Cream for a few days, I agree: Coco Cabana Cream really is very hydrating and long lasting. Plus it’s not greasy at all. It sinks in on contact and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. It is definitely a more appropriate and more effective formula for my very dry skin than Bum Bum Cream.

The only drawback for me with Coco Cabana Cream aside from the somewhat high price is the scent. While I’m a big fan of the Bum Bum Cream scent, I’m having a harder time with this one. I find it overbearing, and you know me, I love fragrance. The notes of the Coco Cabana scent that Sol de Janeiro calls “Cheirosa ’39” really are ones that I love individually, but all together, they are just too much, too heavy. Here’s how Sol de Janeiro breaks them out:

• Top: Coconut Cream
• Mid: Warm Vanilla, Tropical Orchid
• Base: Creamy Sandalwood, Toasted Praline

I think I find it too much of a gourmand or food-like scent. The coconut cream, vanilla and toasted praline smell like a candy store or bakery to me. When I wear it, I feel enveloped by the bakery. Who would think that’s a bad thing, but I guess I do! Nevertheless, the scent fades or I habituate to it after a while.

So, what to do? I haven’t used it up yet, so maybe I’ll acclimate to the scent the more I use it. I’ll see, I guess, if it’s worth it to spend the money on a product whose scent I sort of dislike!

Coco Cabana Cream comes in three sizes: purse size 25 ml for $10, travel size 75 ml for $20 and full size 240 ml for $45. Clearly, if you love this stuff, the big 240 ml jar is the way to go since it’s the best value.

By the way, for those who prefer unscented body products or who have sensitive skin, Sol de Janeiro has recently introduced fragrance-free Nude Cream. I believe it comes in one size, the whopping 385 ml for $40, clearly a good deal.

Cruelty-free Sol de Janeiro products are sold at Sephora, Beautylish, Dermstore.com, JC Penney, and on the Sol de Janeiro website. If you’re already a fan of Sol de Janeiro or if you are doing your holiday shopping, there are some terrific bundles on the SDJ website at good discounts, e.g. Double Treats: 25 ml jars of both Bum Bum and Coco Cabana Cream for $15 or two 75 ml jars of both flavors for $32.

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

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