Customer's Disturbing Experience with Spider Attraction
Newsweek reports that the situation escalated when the reviewer described a disturbing experience, claiming, “When I put it on, instantly one will come out. Normally I’ll see one every, like, 3 years, used this and it was every day.”
Source: Mark Vegera/Pexels
This statement implied a direct correlation between the use of the body butter and the increased presence of spiders, a claim that was both alarming and perplexing to readers.
Reddit Users Speculate on Chemical Attraction
The discussion soon moved to Reddit, where users speculated about potential chemical attractants in skincare products.
Source: soldejaneiro/Instagram
Fox Business details that a user, @marchingkoala, suggested that farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate might be responsible for attracting spiders. The user’s post hinted at a scientific basis for the attraction, saying, “Two choice behavioral essays verified that the blend of farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate attracted males.”
Sol de Janeiro's Official Response to Spider Claims
The Huffington Post reports that in response to the viral claims, Sol de Janeiro issued a statement on Instagram stories, dismissing the rumors.
Source: soldejaneiro/Instagram
They clarified, “All of our products, including the new Delicia Drench Body Butter and upcoming Cheirosa 59 perfume mist, are free from fornesyl acetate, diisobutyl phthalate and hexadecyl acetate.”
Social Media's Role in Amplifying the Spider Rumor
The rumor gained further traction on social media platforms like TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, where users spread the story, creating a viral phenomenon, as per information from Fox Business.
Source: Jackie.lib/TikTok
Sol de Janeiro also addressed the issue on TikTok, commenting on one video, “Of course this rumor is untrue! None of our products, including Delicia Drench + 59 Mist, contain these alleged arachnid attracting ingredients.”
Mixed Reactions from the Public on Spider Attraction Claims
Despite the brand’s denial of the claims, public reactions remained mixed, Fox Business reports. TikTok user @lisaessary83 expressed caution, saying in a comment under the video, “you really think they would admit it…”
Source: Lisa.Essary/TikTok
On the other hand, user @arly_arly3 posted under the same video: “the internet believes anything. People are so uninformed and gullible.”
Further Investigations and Experiments
The original review on Sephora’s website led to further independent investigations, Newsweek reveals.
Source: TheCactusWild/X
One X user shared an image of a supposed wolf spider bite after using the body butter, and a Reddit user conducted an experiment applying the lotion on a piece of tissue, claiming it attracted spiders.
Expert Opinions on the Likelihood of Spider Attraction
Arachnid experts weighed in on the discussion, casting doubt on the claims.
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Dr. Floyd Shockley from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Entomology Committee told The New York Times, “It is HIGHLY unlikely that the skin cream company through random chance combined enough things in just the right proportion to mimic a spider compound.”
Spider Attraction and Behavior
Dr. George Uetz, a professor of biological sciences, informed the New York Post that the chemicals farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate, speculated to attract spiders, haven’t been shown to allure wolf spiders but may affect other species.
Source:Damian Mccoig/Unsplash
Wolf spiders, typically between a quarter-inch and an inch long, are mostly harmless, with bites that rarely cause serious issues, per Pennsylvania State University.
Sol de Janeiro's Commitment to Ingredient Safety and Quality
Sol de Janeiro reassured its customers of its commitment to safety, in a statement to Newsweek.
Source: soldejaneiro/Instagram
They said, “The brand carefully selects each ingredient for maximum efficacy and have banned the use of over 100 cosmetic ingredients in its formulations.”
Misinformation and Its Impact on Public Perception
The spread of misinformation regarding the body butter highlighted how quickly unverified claims can influence public opinion.
Source: Deva Darshan/Unsplash
Newsweek reports that a user on Reddit pointed out, “This was a made-up rumor based on one Sephora user’s review.”
User Experiences Contradict Spider Attraction Claims
Despite the widespread discussion, many users reported no unusual spider encounters after using the body butter, via information from Newsweek.
Source: Sora Shimazak/Pexels
One Reddit user commented, “It’s absolutely ridiculous. I’ve been wearing it for days and 0 spiders.”