Just in time for summer weather and tropical vacations, the best body shimmer oils will give you an enviable lit-from-within glow. These body products contain a gentle sheen that you can apply all over your body for a boost of hydration and shine. Below, our editors recommend ones that rub in easily and smoothly (without feeling sticky), and instantly hydrate skin upon application. We tested different options for every skin need and warm-weather occasion.
The best body shimmer oils happily do triple duty: They soften, sparkle, and leave your skin smelling amazing. Think of it as the grown-up version of body glitter, minus the stickiness, greasiness, or over-the-top sparkle. While body shimmer oil works year-round, it especially shines (literally) in the summer, warming up skin with virtually zero effort.
The best body shimmer oils, at a glance:
- Best Overall: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
- Best With SPF: Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30
- Best Spray: Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42
- Best for Wedding: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil
- Best Scented: Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
How To Make SHIMMER BODY LOTION & OIL
Top Picks for Body Shimmer Oils
Best Overall: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
For a gentle, natural, and buildable shimmer, turn to this Tom Ford body oil. The lightweight formula is super hydrating on skin and delivers just the right amount of shine. Perfect for a sun-kissed look for any occasion, the pricey product doesn’t excessively transfer onto clothes, hands, or swimsuits when applying.
The solar, amber, and floral fragrance also makes this a winner: “The scent is fresh and summery but not overpowering,” she adds.
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Best Bronzing: Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil
The makeup artist extraordinaire is well-known for his pigmented blushes and iconic eyeshadow palettes, and he’s back again with a bronzing body oil that delivers an instant warm radiance all over (yes, even for legs that haven’t seen the sun all season). We like that it’s formulated with moisturizing ingredients like acai oil and cupuassu butter, plus antioxidants to help protect the skin.
Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson also counts herself as a fan: “This product provides the perfect bronzed glow to my medium-dark skin tone,” she says. “The mixture of acai oil and the cupuassu butter leaves my skin super moisturized with great shine. The notes of bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood are subtle but absorb with the body’s natural scent. And it’s vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, which is a plus!” Some online reviewers wish it had more bronzing power, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for a deeper tan.
Best With SPF: Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30
Call it liquid gold: This body luminizer contains noticeable flecks of mica for extra sparkle. If body shimmer oils have become a staple in your summer routine before a big event or beach day, consider this one from Vacation, the ultra-chic sunscreen brand.
The formula is shimmering but not overly glittery, and sinks right in for an ethereal glow. Not to mention, it also makes me buttery soft and hydrated (thanks to coconut and jojoba oil), and it’s sun-safe, too, with SPF 30. Seriously, I’ll be dunking myself in this for the foreseeable future, and I can’t wait.
Best Spray: Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42
This superfine mist doesn’t just make your skin shine, it also protects it from damaging UV rays thanks to water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF 42 protection. The quick-drying chemical sunscreen also includes skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin C.
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Just make sure to shake the bottle well before applying she says.
Best for Wedding: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil
Want to stand out from the crowd? Look no further than Anastasia’s body oil, which is a bridal favorite amongst online reviewers and friends of our editors. It delivers major shine and comes in three shades-rose gold, white, and gold shimmer.
“For super-high-impact shimmer, I turn to this almost sparkly body oil from Anastasia Beverly Hills,” says Malzahn. “It sinks into my skin beautifully and is perfect for a beach day, vacation, or special event.” Note that it can transfer onto hands when you’re applying it, likely because of just how shimmering it is.
Best for Dark Skin: Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil
Created specifically with melanin-rich skin in mind, Vaseline’s shimmery body oil contains hydrating oils like sweet almond and a warm coppery finish to avoid ashy skin and deliver warmth. Plus, this budget-friendly formula looks beautiful on all skin tones and skin types, delivering high-impact shine and a healthy glow that commands attention.
“It catches the light perfectly,” says Malzahn. “Even though it delivers so much shine, it isn’t overpowering whatsoever. Also not overpowering: The light, fresh scent.” Upon application, the product feels more like a watery gel texture than others and spreads very easily (we love that it’s nonsticky); a little goes a long way to avoid greasiness. Plus, the brand says it uses responsibly sourced mica so you can feel good about your glow.
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Best Hydrating: Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil
Sparkly residue on hands and clothes is not an issue with this Moroccanoil formula that comes in a dropper bottle and is a game changer for dry skin. “I love that I don’t have to worry about leaving sparkles all over my hands if I apply this body oil,” says Malzahn, who experienced zero transfer. “If anything, it could be more shimmery on my body. It gives my body a good dose of hydration but the shimmer is pretty subtle unless the sun hits my skin just right.” Hydrating, indeed: Thanks to moisturizing ingredients like sesame seed oil and argan oil, this will hydrate your skin all day long.
Instantly infuses skin with a deeply nourishing blend of antioxidant-rich argan oil and sesame oil. The proprietary formula absorbs quickly to revive and moisturize lackluster skin, while soft pearlescent minerals shimmer for a radiant look and feel. Delicately fragranced with the signature Moroccanoil scent.
Best Dry Oil: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
French brand Nuxe makes a golden shimmering dry oil that’s loved worldwide, and for good reason. Made with several botanical oils (camellia, macadamia, and argan oils, just to name a few) and boosted with a golden shimmer, Nuxe’s oil is dry-touch and many reviewers say it won’t leave your body looking or feeling greasy after application (though some disagree).
“It gives my skin a gorgeous, radiant glow without being greasy-just the perfect amount of shimmer,” raves one Amazon reviewer. “I use it on my face, body, and hair, and it leaves everything feeling hydrated and soft. It absorbs quickly, so there’s no oily residue, just a smooth, nourished feel.” We’re sold!
Best Splurge: Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ’97 Golden Shimmer Body Oil
Leave it to Posh Spice to nail the luxe category. The gold and bronze pearly formula comes in a glass bottle with gold detailing that can only be described as resembling a very expensive flask. Inside the bottle, the oil comes in a thinner formula than others we tried, but that didn’t affect the hydration or shimmer.
“This body oil looks, smells, and feels like luxury,” says Malzahn. “The citrusy, woody scent with notes of incense, amber, musk, and patchouli lingers all day and even after a shower, and transports you to a fabulous seaside vacation.” With no pump or dropper, it can be difficult to apply; the watery formula drips on the bottle when pouring it into hands prior to application.
Best Scented: Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
Sol de Janeiro lovers, you already know and love the brand’s classic and wildly popular Cheirosa 62 scent, and the brand’s body oil comes in the same nutty, slightly gourmand, sunny fragrance. It doesn’t just smell good, either; the illuminating oil delivers a high-intensity shimmer that lasts.
“I fell in love with this body oil for the scent,” says Malzahn. “I stay in love with it for the beautiful glow it gives my skin.
The Science Behind the Shimmer
Body shimmer oil lends a subtle sparkle while offering the benefits of a traditional body oil. “A [body shimmer] has a smaller pearl pigment which gives the appearance of more of a sheen or glaze on the body,” explains Los Angeles-based makeup artist Gregory Arlt. “It’s such a great summer tool, but also beautiful year-round to illuminate the body,” adds bicoastal makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. “Depending on your desired effect, shimmer oil can be super reflective, bringing attention to collar bones, legs, arms, and décolleté,” Bhatty adds that it can also enhance a tan.
Meanwhile, the skin-loving ingredients in a non-shimmery body oil provide myriad benefits. New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, explains that a good body oil softens, moisturizes, and strengthens your skin barrier with ingredients you probably already recognize, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and blends of butters and botanicals.
Choosing the Right Shade
Go ahead and pick your shade of body shimmer based on your desired effect. Want bronzing vibes? Grab a bottle of something darker than your skin tone. Want to go more sheer? Opt for a non-tinted hue or one that more closely matches your skin.
Key Ingredients to Look For
With nourishing ingredients like argan oil, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and a blend of botanicals, these formulas deliver below-the-neck skin care with a glowy twist. Pearlescent mica-often in a mix of hues and sizes-adds just the right amount of shimmer.
More Body-Care Favorites
- 9 Best Body Oils to Smell, Look, and Feel Your Best All Year-Round
- 7 Best Body Washes That Are Anything But Boring
- The Best Body Serums for Neck-Down Hydration and Glow
Table of Recommended Body Shimmer Oils
| Product | Best For | Key Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil | Overall | Solar, amber, floral fragrance | $110 |
| Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30 | SPF Protection | Coconut oil, jojoba oil, SPF 30 | $38 |
| Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil | Hydration | Sesame seed oil, argan oil | $50 |
| Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil | Bronzing | Acai oil, cupuassu butter | [Price] |
| Kopari Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42 | Spray Application | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, SPF 42 | $39 |
| Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil | Weddings | Rose gold, white, and gold shimmer options | $38 |
| Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil | Dark Skin | Sweet almond oil | [Price] |
| Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil | Dry Oil | Camellia oil, macadamia oil, argan oil | [Price] |
| Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ’97 Golden Shimmer Body Oil | Splurge | Citrusy, woody scent with notes of incense, amber, musk, and patchouli | [Price] |
| Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil | Scent | Cheirosa 62 scent | $36 |
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