A new sensation has taken over #BeautyTok, but it’s not for the reasons you might expect. Instead of boasting about its ability to give you the smoothest, silkiest skin, this body care product is causing a stir because of its unexpected attraction to spiders.
Yes, you heard that right – spiders!
Believe it or not, social media is buzzing with claims that the Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Body Butter is drawing in spiders, resulting in unfortunate spider bites for some customers.
But is this just another internet rumour? Well, keep reading because we’ve got the full story for you!
How Did This Spider Situation Unfold?
It all started with a scathing one-star review for the Delícia Drench Body Butter on Sephora’s website. The reviewer claimed that the scent of the product attracts wolf spiders and even shared a hair-raising tale of being chased by a spider because of the cream’s fragrance.
Photo credit: Sephora.
The controversy gained even more traction when a Twitter user posted a picture of what they claimed to be a wolf spider bite after using the body butter.
Things took an interesting turn on Reddit, where a user suggested that certain chemical compounds commonly found in skincare products, such as farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate, might mimic pheromones and attract male spiders.
However, it’s important to note that they admitted not knowing the actual ingredients of the body butter.
Wolf spiders, which are medium-sized arachnids ranging from 10 to 35 millimeters in length (excluding legs), can bite if they feel threatened. Fortunately, their venom is usually not harmful to humans, and serious reactions are rare.
Their bites may cause some redness, swelling, and itching, but that’s typically the extent of it.
How Did the Brand Address the Allegations?
Sol de Janeiro wasted no time in responding to the escalating news. The brand took to their Instagram Stories to assure their customers that their products do not contain any ingredients that attract spiders.
Photo credit: @soldejaneiro/Instagram.
Despite their efforts to calm arachnophobia, not everyone is convinced.
Does The Cream Truly Attract Spiders?
There has been much debate on whether or not the cream truly attracts spiders, with experts weighing in on the matter. However, the consensus seems to be that there is no solid evidence to support this claim.
Dr. Floyd Shockley, who chairs the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Entomology Committee, explained in an article by The New York Times that even if the cream contained the compounds mentioned, it would be highly unlikely for it to accurately mimic spider compounds.
Similarly, Dr. George Uetz, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cincinnati, mentioned to the New York Post that the accused compounds, farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate, have not been proven to attract wolf spiders.
@drivenbybeauty INGREDIENT BREAKDOWN: Does the purple Sol De Janerio attract spiders? Or is it coincidence? All you need to know is wolf spiders arent deadly and this expert information from a biologist and skin expert is inside. Think of this from a business perspective please. I dont even rate the scents of these creams. #soldejaniero #spiders #meccabeautyjunkie #beautynews #beautyexperts
♬ Breaking News Background Music (Basic A)(1001538) – LEOPARD
Furthermore, a Dermal Clinician, @drivenbybeauty, thoroughly examined the cream’s formula and found no trace of farnesyl acetate, dibutyl phthalate, or hexadecyl acetate.
She emphasised that the inclusion of cetyl acetate, a common cosmetic ingredient, should not be a cause for concern as it does not attract spiders; it simply acts as an emollient.
She explained that fragrances in skincare products are synthetically made, and there is no evidence to suggest that the cream is attracting spiders. Photo credit: @drivenbybeauty/TikTok.
In conclusion, it appears that these allegations may have caused unnecessary panic on the internet without substantial evidence. Before you decide to throw away that cream, it’s important to do your own research and seek information from reliable sources.
Featured image credits: @drivenbybeauty/TikTok, @jpall20/TikTok, @makeup2themaxx/TikTok.
