We Road Tested Sol de Janeiro's NEW SPF Range
The next chapter in Sol de Janeiro’s unstoppable rise is an exciting one that’s unsurprisingly got us buzzing at Space NK – the launch of not one, but three suncare products. And given that Sol de Janeiro has always got us thinking about brighter, warmer days and sun-soaked holidays, this really does feel like a natural step for the brand.
The aptly titled Rio Radiance collection, which marries Brazilian botanicals and active ingredients such as niacinamide, features the refreshing SPF 50 Body Spray, illuminating SPF 50 Body Lotion (which is 100% mineral) and shimmering SPF 50 Body Oil.
All three products have been formulated with Sol’s Cheirosa ’87 fragrance (a super beachy scent with coconut milk, tuberose and vanilla notes) and come in very cheery, easy to pack packaging. As for the formulas, we asked the Space NK team to give us the lowdown on all three Sol de Janeiro SPFs – and to pick a favourite…
VANESSA’S SOL DE JANEIRO SPF REVIEW
While I’m a pro at putting on sunscreen on my face 365 days a year, I’m admittedly not as consistent when it comes to the rest of my body. However, if there’s one brand that could help me change that, that’s Sol de Janeiro! I was excited to try this new range as I love the brand’s textures, and I figured its SPF collection would be something special.
My face is of an oilier disposition – however, my body does tend to feel dry quite easily. Which is why I don’t mind a sunscreen with a thick consistency. I always aim for a factor of at least 30 – but if I know I’m going to be in direct sunlight for a long period of time or travelling somewhere really hot, I prefer 50!
ON THE SOL DE JANEIRO RIO RADIANCE SPF 50 BODY SPRAY
• The product: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Spray SPF 50, £36
I don’t usually go for sunscreen sprays – and this was a pleasant surprise! I absolutely loved everything about it – the mist was wonderfully fine, and the texture was so soothing, with a subtle brightening effect and fast-absorbing. This was my favourite product out of the three – I may have found my favourite body SPF. I also really liked the scent – it was strong at first spritz, but then only lingered.
ON THE SOL DE JANEIRO RIO RADIANCE SPF BODY LOTION
• The product: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Lotion SPF 50, £40
I found this lotion quite thick – which I wasn’t really expecting as I always think of Sol de Janeiro’s textures as lightweight for the most part. However, it didn’t bother me – and I was pleased to see it absorbed very quickly. I also loved the applicator and how you have to squeeze the bottle to get the product out – it really allowed me to measure how much I was putting on and not go overboard. The compactness of the packaging is great, and, alongside the body spray, it will probably be one of the first things I pack for my next sunny getaway.
ON THE SOL DE JANEIRO RIO RADIANCE SPF BODY OIL
• The product: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Oil SPF 50, £38
I’d go as far as saying that sometimes I love a body oil more than a body cream, so I was really looking forward to trying this. It didn’t disappoint – the mist is lovely, very fine, and the texture feels great on the skin. If anything, I would love it to be richer and leave even more of a glimmer – but it’s a great option for those who prefer a lightweight body oil.
YASMIN’S SOL DE JANEIRO SPF REVIEW
I only apply SPF on my body during the summer months when my skin is more exposed – otherwise, I apply it solely on my face every day. Because I’m a bit more relaxed about sun protection on my body I tend to go for factor 30, although when I’m on holiday I find it best to start with factor 50 while my skin gets used to the sun after months of the miserable UK weather!
I love any SPF format and my choice depends on the occasion. I just want a texture that absorbs easily, doesn’t leave me feeling sticky and makes my skin look healthy. I would describe my body skin type as fairly normal – however, I do notice dry patches appear quite easily, so I apply body lotion religiously.
ON THE SOL DE JANEIRO RIO RADIANCE SPF BODY LOTION
• The product: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Lotion SPF 50, £40
The texture was creamy and super hydrating. It wasn’t sticky and absorbed so quickly, I didn’t need to let it dry before I got changed. My skin felt really nourished and hydrated, it didn’t leave any white cast and was almost untraceable – except for the fabulous glow it gave my skin. The scent is one of my favourites, it’s like summer in a bottle – light, fresh and makes me think of beautiful beaches and warm sunny days. I also loved the smaller size applicator as I could really target how I applied the cream – without any waste or mess.
ON THE SOL DE JANEIRO RIO RADIANCE SPF BODY OIL
• The product: Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance Body Oil SPF 50, £38
I loved how quickly this product absorbed – I don’t think I’ve ever used a body oil which feels as light as air but is still really hydrating. It didn’t leave any residue or stickiness, and my skin felt really soft and supple. A little went a long way and it gave a gorgeous sheen that made my skin look really healthy! Like the Body Lotion, the smell is just heavenly. I’ll be taking this on my next beachy holiday – as it sinks in super quickly I’ll be able to put my clothes on immediately and not worry about any sand clinging onto my skin.
OUR VERDICT ON SOL DE JANEIRO RIO RADIANCE COLLECTION
The Pros: Both Yasmin and Vanessa loved all the products they tried, with the Body Spray being Vanessa’s favourite (and the Body Lotion being a close second), and Yasmin being especially fond of the Body Oil. “I’m obsessed with both and know I would have loved the Body Spray too had I tried it,” says Yasmin. “But as the Body Oil is limited edition, we must treasure it whilst we can! The shimmer it gives is just breathtaking, I can see myself reaching for it all summer.”
“I just love the easiness of them,” says Vanessa. “The textures are good, and the packaging makes the application so effortless. I’d go as far as saying it could make you look forward to putting on SPF!”
The Cons: Vanessa does think the fact that they’re all fragranced might not work for everyone. “I found the scent strong across all three products, especially when you first apply them – this doesn’t bother me because I like fragranced products, but I can see how this could be off-putting for some,” she says.
MORE FROM SOL DE JANEIRO
We couldn’t not recommend the OG cream that started it all – Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, £21 is a rich cream with a hint of shimmer that leaves skin feeling incredibly nourished. For an even bigger punch of hydration, we also love Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter, £21. And if you need help shedding away any layers of dullness, Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream, £21 works a treat – plus, it smells delicious.
Then there are the must-try, wonderfully uplifting Sol de Janeiro perfume mists that will take your senses straight to a sunny destination. The fruity and floral lightness of Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '68 Perfume Mist, £24 is addictive, while the vanilla and sandalwood notes in Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist, £24 will keep you coming back for more.
Read More
• The Best Sol De Janeiro Products We Really Rate• The Difference Between Mineral Vs Chemical Sunscreen • Our Review Of The Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Cream
• The Best Sunscreens For All Skin Types • We Review All The Sol De Janeiro Perfumes
• The Best Aftersuns After A Day In The Sun
