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There’s glowy skin, and then there’s glowy skin—the best body shimmer oils deliver that next-level luminosity that catches the light every time you move and leaves your skin looking like it’s permanently on vacation. Though these body oils are especially popular in the summer when you’re showing more skin (don’t forget to apply sunscreen underneath them), they add a little touch of sparkle to any occasion year-round. They “provide a high-shine, high-sheen, sometimes metallic-looking finish on the body,” says New York City-based makeup artist Kasey Spickard. Some oils don’t stop at shimmer and are infused with nourishing ingredients such as squalane and cocoa butter to soften and hydrate skin.
Our Top Shimmer Body Oils
- Best Overall: Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil, $52
- Best Drugstore: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil, $14
- Best Dry Oil: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, $34
- Best Bronzing: Cyklar Vanilla Verve Illuminating Body Oil, $38
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Is shimmer body oil good for your skin?
- What does body shimmer oil do?
- What shade of body shimmer should I choose?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Bottom line: These glistening formulas are an easy way to elevate bare skin with nearly zero effort. Whether you prefer a subtle sheen or a full-on body glow, these are the best body shimmer oils to add to your body-care routine.
Best Overall: Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil
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Patrick Ta
Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil
Sephora
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil
Bianca Richards
Why we love it: The buildable, bronzey Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Body Oil hydrates dry skin, warms, brightens, and shimmers like nobody’s business. Depending on your desired body glow level, you can layer this luminizer until it’s the perfect warmth for your mood. Golden, reflective pearls catch the light just right, while shea butter and mineral oils deliver long-lasting hydration. And the scent? Divine. A luxe blend of bergamot, sandalwood, and jasmine makes the whole experience feel that much more elevated. It’s a go-to for Spickard, who likes that it slightly tints the skin and gives “a warm glow to the skin while providing a high-shine payoff,” he says.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“Summer is all about that radiant glow, and I love using the Patrick Ta Major Glow body shimmer on my décolletage and shoulders for an extra boost of luminosity. It also doubles as a body moisturizer, which is perfect for those hot days when I want to skip heavy layers.”—Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: acai oil, cupuassu butter, plant-based antioxidant blend
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 1
Best Drugstore: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil
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Palmer's
Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil
Amazon
Allure commerce production assistant Hailey Roy applying the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil
Hailey Roy
Why we love it: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil proves you don’t have to splurge to get luminous, moisturized skin. Infused with the brand’s signature cocoa butter, along with vitamin E and nourishing oils (like sesame seed and sunflower seed), the lightweight formula hydrates as it highlights, leaving skin soft, supple and subtly radiant. It’s infused with fine shimmer particles (rather than chunky glitter), absorbs quickly, layers seamlessly over moisturizer and sunscreen, and offers a bronzed, golden look. It also has that sweet, creamy, and classic Palmer’s scent, thanks to shea butter.
Roy before applying the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil
Hailey Roy
Roy after applying the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Shimmer Radiance Body Oil
Hailey Roy
Tester feedback from commerce production assistant Hailey Roy
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“As a recent college graduate, I have a special appreciation for products that won’t break the bank, and an even greater appreciation for products that get the job done better than their pricier counterparts. This Palmer’s body oil makes me feel like a glowing goddess—and with very, and I mean very, little product. You may not be able to see the glitter as well in photos or videos, but trust, it’s there in person. Although the glitter was camera-shy, the glow it left on my skin was loud and proud. As for the smell, cocoa butter may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally enjoy the creamy aroma.” —Hailey Roy, commerce production assistant
More to know
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- Key ingredients: cocoa butter, sesame seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 2
Best Dry Oil: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
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Nuxe
Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
Elizabeth Gulino
Why it’s worth it: Nuxe products have been a French girl essential for decades—unlike traditional body oils that can leave behind a slick residue, Nuxe’s Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil uses a shimmering dry oil formula that absorbs quickly with no residue, leaving skin silky but not slippery. A blend of seven botanical oils (argan, macadamia, and others) nourishes and softens while fine golden shimmer adds a sophisticated, light-catching radiance that isn’t overly glittery. As its name suggests, the French pharmacy staple is also surprisingly multipurpose: In addition to smoothing it all over your body, you can also run a small amount through the lengths of your hair for extra shine or pat a touch onto the high points of your face to highlight.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“I love this dry oil for two main reasons: It's not sticky or greasy and does not have a strong scent, which are two of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to body products. I usually put this on my shoulders and collarbone area before going out in the summer for an added shimmer, and a major plus is that it leaves my skin feeling extra soft.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tsubaki, macadamia, borage, camellia, hazelnut, sweet almond, and argan oils
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 2
Best Bronzing: Cyklar Vanilla Verve Illuminating Body Oil
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Cyklar
Vanilla Verve Illuminating Body Oil
Amazon
Sephora
Allure designer Briana Rengifo applying the Cyklar Vanilla Verve Illuminating Body Oil
Briana Rengifo
Why we love it: Cyklar’s Vanilla Verve Illuminating Body Oil is golden hour in a bottle: It’s infused with bold glittery pigments that create an eye-catching, almost gilded bronze glow, making it especially well-suited for weddings, vacations, and other special occasions when you want your skin looking extra shimmery. Sweep it across your collarbones, shoulders, arms and legs to instantly amplify your glow, or layer it over moisturizer for extra hydration (though the formula’s squalane and multi-oil blend does a fantastic job on its own, too). Despite its dramatic radiance, the formula absorbs beautifully and leaves skin feeling soft and nourished, while the warm vanilla scent (a Best of Beauty-winning scent, by the way!) lingers for hours.
Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo
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“I love my Vanilla Verve perfume oil, and now with this body oil added as another layer, I’m smelling edible all day. The packaging is super luxe and beautiful for your vanity but the formula is what makes it special: It's super absorbent and does not leave me greasy or sticky at all. It’s a lighter body oil in my opinion, but as someone who has sensory issues with a lot of body oils, this one is one of my faves!” —Briana Rengifo, designer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: lipidic botanicals, safflower seed oil, squalane, green coffee seed oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 1
Best Gel: Vaseline Glazed and Glisten Sunlit Glow Shimmer Gel Oil
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Vaseline
Glazed and Glisten Sunlit Glow Shimmer Gel Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributor Catharine Malzahn applying the Vaseline Glazed and Glisten Sunlit Glow Shimmer Gel Oil
Catharine Malzahn
Why we love it: If traditional body oils feel a little too slippery for your liking, Vaseline Glazed & Glisten Sunlit Glow Shimmer Gel Oil bridges the gap between an oil and a body serum. The unique gel-oil texture has a thicker viscosity that feels less messy than a typical oil and offers a little more application control while still giving the same high-impact shimmer. The formula helps lock in moisture with hydrating lipids and cocoa butter while still letting skin catch the light for a glazed, donut-like sheen. If you prefer more of a bronze tint, you can instead opt for the brand’s darker Glazed and Glisten Golden Hour Shimmer Gel Oil. And for a slick, wet-look finish rather than a shimmery style, Spickard also recommends the brand’s Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil as a high-shine finishing product.
Malzahn before applying the Vaseline Glazed and Glisten Sunlit Glow Shimmer Gel Oil
Catharine Malzahn
Malzahn after applying the Vaseline Glazed and Glisten Sunlit Glow Shimmer Gel Oil
Catharine Malzahn
Tester feedback from contributor Catharine Malzahn
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“I love the consistency of this shimmery gel oil—it comes out as a gel rather than a watery oil, yet feels just as hydrating (and it’s easier to work with!). It dries down quickly, leaving no residue behind—just moisturized skin. I swipe it along my arms, chest, and legs for special events, especially during the summer, and the shimmer seriously lasts: Even through sweat, humidity, and movement, it stays put all day and all night.” —Catharine Malzahn, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, cocoa butter
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 2
Best Smelling: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
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Tom Ford
Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
Sephora
Former Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis applying Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
Angela Trakoshis
Why we love it: We can always count on Tom Ford for a worth-it splurge, and the Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil proves us right—again. The warm, slightly spiced fragrance sets it apart, amplified by body heat for an extra-sensorial experience. And since it’s a perfume oil, it packs more punch than its eau counterparts. The formula glides on light and silky, leaving behind soft illumination and glowing skin. Just be sure not to rub it in too much—doing so can dull the scent’s staying power. If you’re not feeling particularly spendy, grab a mini bottle. But don’t be surprised when you want to size up even before it’s empty.
Tester feedback from former shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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"Tom Ford Soleil Neige was one of the first Tom Ford scents I ever added to my collection, and I was obsessed from the second I sniffed it. It’s fresh, radiant, and just so elegant. Now I use the Shimmering Body Oil too; it leaves the most beautiful, natural glow on my skin and carries that same signature scent I fell in love with. I’m planning to wear both on my wedding day—it’s that special to me.”—Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba seed, olive fruit, safflower seed oils
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 1
Best Subtle: L’Occitane Instant Golden Glow Shimmering Body Oil
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L'Occitane
Instant Golden Glow Shimmering Body Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the L’Occitane Instant Golden Glow Shimmering Body Oil
Sarah Hoffmann
Why we love it: There’s a fine line between looking glowy and looking glittery, and L’Occitane’s Instant Golden Glow Shimmering Body Oil delivers the former. Rather than coating skin in obvious sparkle, this formula imparts a gentle golden sheen that enhances your skin’s natural luminosity rather than covering it up. Enriched with nourishing sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil, and castor oil, it leaves skin feeling silky and moisturized while still managing to absorb quickly with a non-greasy finish. With an ultra-subtle, very fine shimmer, this oil, complete with the brand’s recognizable almond scent, catches the light just enough to accentuate shoulders, collarbones and legs—it’s perfect for anyone who prefers an understated, elegant glow.
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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“Name a scent more delicious than L'Occitane's signature almond scent, I dare you. Applying body lotion is one of my least favorite tasks, but body oils are a totally different story. Maybe it's the immediate gratification of seeing the sheen appear on your skin, but it's just a much more enjoyable experience, IMO. The skin on my arms and legs is naturally super dry and dull, so a serving of this subtly shimmery body oil is a necessity in shorts, skirts, and tanks weather.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil, castor oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 1
Best for Uneven Tone: Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
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Sol De Janerio
Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
Amazon
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media intern Leasjah Johnson applying the Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
Leasjah Johnson
Why we love it: Sometimes a good glow alone isn’t enough, and you want skin to look smoother, too—almost like you have a camera filter on, but IRL. If you have bumpy, rough, or otherwise textured skin, Sol de Janeiro’s GlowMotions Glow Body Oil delivers on both the glow and the blurring fronts, thanks to light-reflecting pigments that help softly diffuse the appearance of uneven tone and texture while drenching skin in a bronzy, event-ready sheen. The nourishing oil contains fatty acid-rich cupuaçu butter, antioxidant-packed açaí oil, and coconut oil to soften and moisturize. Whether you’re highlighting shoulders, legs, décolleté, or all of the above, the formula creates a soft-focus effect that gives you a camera-ready finish. Plus, it imparts the brand’s signature nutty Cheirosa ’62 scent.
Tester feedback from social media intern Leasjah Johnson
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“I used the shade Copacabana Bronze, and it blended seamlessly into my skin while still giving me a beautiful bronzed effect. It applies so quickly, I could honestly put it on anywhere in about 60 seconds. I also noticed that my skin stayed noticeably shimmery throughout the day. I would have loved a bit more of a natural, radiant glow instead of the shimmer, but overall it was effortless to apply and gave my skin a gorgeous sun-kissed look.” —Leasjah Johnson, social media intern
More to know
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- Key ingredients: cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, coconut oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- Shades: 1
Best Customizable: Live Tinted Hueglow Liquid Highlighter Drops
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Live Tinted
Hueglow Liquid Highlighter Drops
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: These Live Tinted Hueglow Liquid Highlighter Drops are a step away from your classic all-over shimmer body oil. Rather, they’re glow drops that you can think of as liquid highlighter for your whole body. Completely customizable, you can add a few drops to your fingers or a kabuki brush and wear it alone on the high points of the body, mix a few drops into your favorite body lotion for all-over radiance, or blend it into foundation or tinted moisturizer to boost your complexion.
They swap the traditional oil base for a lightweight formula that feels less emollient and more like a serum. The skin-care-forward formula contains squalane, hyaluronic acid, and sunflower seed oil and acts as a great multitasker that can be used all over or just in key spots. Whatever the use case, the dropper format is easy to use and delivers a precise amount of product. Spickard likes that Hueglow gives “high-shine metallic payoff without chunky pieces of glitter,” adding that he loves using these drops on his clients for red carpet events. Reach for this when you’re looking for a customizable glow that feels more like skin care than body makeup.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
- Shades: 4
Frequently asked questions
Is shimmer body oil good for your skin?
It depends on the formula. While many shimmer body oils are infused with nourishing ingredients, others prioritize shimmer over skin care. For some, Spickard sees them as the finishing touch rather than the foundation of a body-care routine. “Oftentimes what I find that I do is I will take a rich, nourishing body moisturizer and apply that first over the entire body, let it soak in for a few minutes, and then finish and go back over the skin with a shimmer body oil,” he says. “That provides good-for-skin benefits as well as the high-shine payoff of a shimmer body oil.”
However, many formulas on the shelf now include plenty of skin-friendly ingredients so you can streamline your routine. To find out if a shimmer body oil is good for your skin, take a close look at the ingredient list. “Some shimmer body oils do already have ingredients like vitamin E, almond oil, or cocoa butter,” says Spickard. In other words, a little shimmer is always nice, but shimmer body oils get bonus points if the glow comes with skin-care benefits, too.
What does body shimmer oil do?
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.
What shade of body shimmer should I choose?
Pick your body shimmer shade 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.
Meet the experts
- Gregory Arlt, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
- Michele Greene, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City
- Kirin Bhatty, a bicoastal makeup artist
- Kasey Spickard, a makeup artist and creative consultant based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body shimmer oils, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from makeup artists and dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
More body-care faves to keep skin hydrated, smooth, and protected:
- 7 Best Body Washes That Are Anything But Boring
- 6 Best Bikini Trimmers for a Smooth Glide—and Even Smoother Results
- Your Summer Plans Need a Water-Resistant Sunscreen—Here Are Our Faves
