The best alternative to Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF 30

Main Image – Live That Glow

Ok, so the beach days may not *technically* be here yet but I’m already thinking ahead to the summer vacay (and frankly it’s never too early to enjoy some beautifully-fragranced body care).  So I’ve been getting out some of my Sol de Janeiro favourites.

Sadly that no longer includes their cult classic Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF 30, which the brand discontinued in 2023 (boo!). 

For those still using their remaining Bum Bum Sol Oil though, consider this an ode to everything I loved about this glittery SPF – as well as a handy alternative now it’s no longer available.

 

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The Brand

Born from a love of all things Brazil, this sun, sea and surf-inspired brand goes heavy on the tropical scents, glittery-glowy formulas and skin-nourishing ingredients: and I’m a big fan.

Their Amazon rainforest-based ingredients are also sustainably sourced from certified suppliers.

The brand is also cruelty-free, as well as sulphate, phthalate, paraben, mineral oil and microplastics-free.

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This is new, up-to-date information. We updated this article in June 2023 after Sol de Janeiro discontinued its Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF 30 to add an alternative.

 

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Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF 30

Although I’m a fan of pretty much most of their products, as a total SPF addict, one of my favourites was their Bum Bum Sol Oil (pronounced ‘boom boom’ and inspired by Brazilian slang for, well, you guessed it).

For those already fans of the brand’s cult body moisturiser- the Bum Bum Cream- this glittery sunscreen oil provided a familiar experience, since this SPF shared the brand’s signature Cheirose ‘62 scent.

And for those who’ve never so much as tried the original Bum Bum Cream, just know that its scent is all warm salted caramel- and will remind you of pretty much every sun holiday you’ve ever had.

I will point out though that one of my friends actually hates the scent- so if you don’t enjoy warm, vanilla-y type fragrances, try to have a sniff in store before buying.

Containing a blend of skin-nourishing oils like sweet almond, coconut and grapeseed oils, this SPF spray also contained chemical sunscreens, including octocrylene and ethyl hexyl salicylate, as well as fragrance.

 

 

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On the Skin

I’m normally slightly sceptical of spray oils like this, finding the product is usually so thin it runs away the second you try to spritz it onto your arm (very annoying).

Luckily, this had a thick enough texture that is easy to work with but still absorbed really quite quickly.

It did leave behind a slight residue, which those who like their products very matte or dry may not enjoy. But wasn’t greasy and didn’t leave enough of a residue to interfere with getting dressed etc.

And since the combinations of sweet almond, coconut and grape seed oils moisturised my skin instantly I wasn’t complaining.

As well as leaving my skin *ridiculously* soft- more so than most body oils I’ve tried- the combination of moisturising ingredients and tiny amounts of glitter (almost imperceptible but you can occasionally see them in the light) gave my skin a really lovely sheen.

I suspect it would have done the same to hair too.

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Sun Protection

Because this oil absorbed enough to not be too shiny- and because it was factor 30- this was something I’d very happily use for trotting about sightseeing in the sun.

The mixture of broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection here, as well as the 80-minute water resistance made this great for beach days too.

This was a chemical sunscreen, however, using (reef-safe) octocrylene, ethyl hexyl salicylate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane to absorb the sun’s rays, so those with sensitive skin or who normally stick to mineral sunscreens should take note.

 

 

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Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF 30 alternative

 

Sadly given that this product is no longer it’s time to move on to new SPF finds.  Here is the closest alternative around.

 

Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50

 

 

Kopari’s lightweight broad spectrum SPF offers not only high coverage (at SPF 50), but a golden shimmer similar to Sol de Janeiro`s classic. 

As well as being water-resistant, this SPF is also vegan and cruelty-free and contains a blend of moisturising oils, offering the same nourishing benefits as the Bum Bum Sol Oil.

Not only that, but Kopari’s product is a gel formula, meaning it won’t mark clothes.

Finally, it has a yummy coconut fragrance and is oxybenzone-free.

Kopari’s Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50 is $39 for 150 ml/ 5.1 oz.

 

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The Takeaway

Overall I was a big fan of Sol de Janeiro’s oil- both as a sunscreen and as a glowing skin tool.  

But since it is no longer (RIP), Kopari’s shimmery gel sunscreen makes an excellent alternative (although sadly not with the signature scent that sets Sol de Janeiro’s products apart).