If I could bottle up the smell of a beach holiday, I’d probably bathe in it twice a day and still spritz it on my pillow at night. There’s just something about the smell of coconut that takes me back to my favourite summer trip (Playa del Carmen, 2024).

Here’s a little disclaimer: I am a coconut person, so I naturally gravitate towards coconut-scented and flavoured products. Bring on coconut candles, shampoo, ice cream, coconut in my skincare, haircare, bodycare – anywhere, really – and I’m one happy girl.

You can imagine my excitement when I saw that Palmer’s, the queen of cocoa butter hydration and a nostalgic staple in everyone’s bathroom cabinet, was launching a Brazilian coco cream just ahead of summer.

Palmer’s Brazilian Coco Cream is part of their latest Shimmer Radiance range, which includes a gorgeous body oil as well as body gloss for those that prefer a subtler shimmer. But being a coconut fan – I had my eyes on the Coco Cream from the start.

The texture: Whipped and scoopable

The texture alone is enough to win you over. Scoop some of the cream out and you’re met with a soft, whipped cream texture. It spreads easily and absorbs surprisingly quickly, leaving behind a veil of moisture that feels conditioning.

If you’ve ever tried thick body creams that just sit on your skin or leave you feeling sticky, you’ll appreciate how quickly this one sinks in. My dry skin feels smoother and more hydrated, and I catch myself touching my arms throughout the day just to enjoy how soft they feel.

I’ve been using it in the evenings, and the hydration lasts right through to the next day (no more midday dryness or constant reapplication!). The natural sheen also stays.

Meet the Brazilian powerhouses

As one would expect, the core ingredient in this formula is the coconut oil, which is known to be deeply moisturising. But the “Brazilian” in the name isn’t just for the tropical scent.

The cream also features guarana, açaí, and Brazil nut — all powerful ingredients native to Brazil. Guarana has a high caffeine content and tightens and firms the skin. Açaí is rich in antioxidants and protects the skin while giving it a healthy glow. Meanwhile, the Brazil nut is packed with essential fatty acids and selenium to soften the skin. There is also collagen and elastin to improve skin elasticity and firmness.

The formula is free from parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil, which means it’s less likely to irritate sensitive skin. However, it does contain fragrance, which may not be suitable for all skin types.

Clearly, it’s not just about the gorgeous scent and glow. This formula is meant to hydrate your skin deeply and firm those areas that are often top of mind when the warmer weather hits (yes, we’re talking bum, bust, and belly).

A creamy, tropical coconut scent

Palmer’s has long been known for rich, sweet scents — the cocoa butter fragrance is iconic. Although the scent is distinctly coconutty, there’s a subtle floral undertone — likely from the Tahitian monoi oil which is part of Palmer’s unique coconut oil formula.

If you’ve ever tried the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream by Sol de Janeiro (you know the one) — then you’ll understand the hype around body creams that smell like holidays in a jar.

There’s something about warm, sweet, coconutty scents that instantly transport you to sun-drenched beaches and balmy evenings. Palmer’s new Coconut Body Cream taps into that same summery, feel-good fragrance category at a fraction of the price (£12.99 vs. £48).

I have slapped it all over me after showering in the evening, and the scent lingered throughout the night in that “you smell good but I can’t quite place it” way. It really smells like sipping a coconut caipirinha while dancing barefoot on Ipanema Beach.

It’s a confident “add to basket”

Palmer’s has always been known for formulas that work. This isn’t one of those lotions you slather on and feel dry 10 minutes later. The Brazilian Coco Cream is a proper body moisturiser—rich enough to tame post-shave dryness or give your legs that “just-oiled” sheen.

Even in the awkward April weather (read: sun one minute, windburn the next), it held up impressively. Plus, it feels more luxurious than the price tag suggests, so you won’t need to spread it too thin just to save the last dollops for your trip to Greece.

Prepping for spring and summer? See also the best face sunscreens to wear this year and a complete spring clean checklist to you know what products to ditch and what products to invest in.