What happens when you use shimmering body oil? Well, you’ll look gorgeous, honey. That healthy shine inspires confidence and makes you feel good. So let’s shop for the best body shimmers for the ultimate summer glow!
But what if you’ve never tried body shimmer before? We understand you might have some doubts. Is it oil, lotion, powder, or spray? Does it rub off on clothes? What color is it? Is it like glitter or something more subtle?
It turns out that there are shimmering body oils, lotions, and sprays. Some are fragranced and others are unscented. The best body shimmer is made with finely milled particles of mica, which means it may rub off eventually, but you won’t be trailing chunks of glitter.
Moreover, shimmer comes in gold, silver, pearlescent, bronze, and rose gold so there’s something to match every skin tone. You’ll see what we mean in the reviews below:
| The best body shimmers | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil |
|
| Hempz Coconut Fusion Herbal Shimmering Body Souffle |
|
| Nuxe Huile 'Prodigieuse Or' Multi Usage Dry Oil Golden Shimmer |
|
| Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil |
|
| Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil |
|
| Juicy Skin Care Pink Pearl Glitter Body Lotion |
|
| L.A. Girl Shimmer Spray Rose Gold |
|
Pro tips for using shimmer
In the world of shimmer, less is more. Start with a small amount or a light layer and wait until it sets to see how it looks. You can always add more.
Consider your skin type. If it’s oily, body oil might be too much but a shimmer spray or lotion should hit the sweet spot. Although we didn’t include shimmer powder in these reviews, that’s a safe bet, too.
Observe your shimmery skin in the same kind of light where you want to look your best. That’s the way to tell if you’ve overdone it or need a touch more sparkle.
Best Body Shimmers in 2024
Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil
What’s the most luxurious body shimmer oil? We vote for Moroccanoil. The exotic amber and floral scent is enchanting, and the way that it melts into the skin is downright delicious.
Imagine this: you’ve just had a long soak in the bath and you’re feeling relaxed. While your skin is still damp, shake the bottle and use the dropper to dispense a few drops into the palm of your hand. Smooth it across your body and watch as your skin soaks up the argan and sesame oil. What’s left behind is a subtle glow from pearlescent minerals.
The effect is not glittery or fake-looking. Instead, it’s like highlighter. It enhances your skin whether under the sun or by candlelight. If you have a tan or naturally dark skin, it looks even more stunning.
Happily, the formula is paraben-free. The only complaint is that the oil may not be moisturizing enough by itself. If you have dry skin normally, try letting your regular moisturizer absorb before applying the oil.
Pros:
- Body shimmer oil with pearlescent mica
- Subtle effect illuminates the skin
- Exotic floral and amber fragrance
- Absorbs quickly, non-greasy
Cons:
- Not as moisturizing as the next option below
Hempz Coconut Fusion Herbal Shimmering Body Souffle
If you have dry skin, try the body shimmer lotion instead of oil. This body butter calms itchy skin and keeps it hydrated for hours. That’s because it’s based on hemp seed and coconut oils plus shea and cocoa butters. These naturally anti-inflammatory ingredients are rich in fatty acids to repair and smooth the skin.
Moreover, the creamy texture nourishes the skin with glycerin to draw in moisture and antioxidants to ward off wrinkles. The soft gleam comes from mica and silica, giving it a sheer sparkle that brings out the best of every skin tone. But you should be aware that the minerals may transfer onto clothing. Our reviewers say that there’s no problem as everything comes out in the wash with no extra effort needed.
Furthermore, the body cream is paraben-free and lightly fragranced with a coconut scent.
Pros:
- Rich and creamy body butter with a soft shimmer from natural minerals
- Smooths, calms, and hydrates the skin with hemp seed oil, cocoa butter, and botanicals
- Paraben-free
- Tasty coconut fragrance
Cons:
- The shimmer may transfer onto clothing, but it washes out easily
Nuxe Huile ‘Prodigieuse Or’ Multi Usage Dry Oil Golden Shimmer
French women love this shimmer oil. But they’re not the only fans. It’s sold on six continents and it’s the silkiest body shimmer we reviewed.
They call it “dry oil” because it’s fast-absorbing and doesn’t leave a sticky or greasy residue. Instead, it leaves the skin, sleek, glistening, and velvety soft. It also has a scent like sunshine that’s only noticeable when you get up close.
Although we selected the golden shimmer that looks fantastic on olive and darker skin tones, there are other shades, too. Each one features the best botanical oils for the face and body, including macadamia, sweet almond, and borage. All of these promote healthy, smooth, and firm skin.
What’s more, the formula is 97.8% natural and contains no preservatives, alcohol, or silicone. If there’s any con, it’s that it comes in a small bottle. But since you only need a few drops, it should last for a long time. (Pro tip: add a drop to your foundation and watch how it works magic on your complexion).
Pros:
- Available in different shades for various skin tones
- Leaves the skin glistening and silken to the touch
- Can be used on the face and body and mixed with makeup
- 8% natural with no alcohol, preservatives, or silicone
Cons:
- Small bottle, pricey, but long-lasting
Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
It was a tough choice to pick the best body shimmer for dark skin. This one has an incredible warm coconut vanilla scent and adds a satisfying amount of shimmer.
The oil is formulated for the face and body and designed to seal in moisture, potentially replacing your regular moisturizer. It uses açai and coconut with cupuaçu butter to rejuvenate the skin. These ingredients are packed with antioxidants, fatty acids, and phytosterols that defend against damage caused by UV rays and pollution. It’s no accident that it was inspired by Brazilian sunbathers.
Use it alone or add a drop to foundation and it becomes a highlighter. To prevent it from transferring, smooth it onto clean, dry skin so that it fully absorbs.
It contains no parabens, formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers, phthalates, mineral oil, gluten, or animal ingredients. Plus, it’s cruelty-free and it comes in recyclable packaging.
Pros:
- Appealing coconut vanilla fragrance
- Plenty of shimmer
- Enriched with cupuaçu butter, açai, and coconut to keep the skin young
- Can be worn alone or mixed with makeup
- No parabens, formaldehyde, mineral oil, or other nasties
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- We have to warn you, it’s addictive
Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil
Here’s the most affordable shimmer oil we reviewed. There’s a lot to love about it.
First, don’t let the appearance fool you. It looks almost glittery at first, but when spread across the skin, it leaves a soft copper gleam behind. It’s not overwhelming at all. Better yet, it looks good on both light and dark bodies even if it was created for melanin-rich skin.
Next, the oil absorbs pretty quickly, and unless you’ve overdone it, doesn’t make the skin feel greasy. However, if you have dry skin, Vaseline recommends applying its whipped body butter first, then the oil.
Third, it’s made with ethically-sourced mica from the USA. Plus, the formula is paraben-free and packaged in a recyclable bottle.
The mild scent is pleasant, but not the main reason for buying it. Honestly, the reason this oil is so popular is simply the beautiful shimmer it provides. Try using a foundation brush to disperse it evenly.
With all this good news, what’s the bad news? If you’re not a fan of mineral oil, just be aware that it’s the base ingredient. On the bright side, it has sweet almond oil, too.
Pros:
- Copper shimmer that’s noticeable but not glittery
- Designed for melanin-rich skin, but looks attractive on light skin, too
- Paraben-free and made with ethically-sourced mica from the USA
Cons:
- Based on mineral oil and not everyone’s a fan of that ingredient
Juicy Skin Care Pink Pearl Glitter Body Lotion
You’re not limited to oils and butters. Here’s the best body glow lotion and it’s ideal for all skin tones. That’s because it comes in rose gold, pink pearl, silver, and gold shades. In other words, there’s a perfect color for everyone and you don’t have to be tan to look good with it.
The tiny particles of shimmer illuminate the body but don’t overwhelm with too much dazzle. The brand suggests using the lotion to highlight areas like the shoulders, collarbone, and legs. However, this is a moisturizer after all, and it softens the skin just like any other lotion. It also has a light fragrance.
Pros:
- One of the most affordable options
- Available in a variety of shades for all skin tones
- Moisturizes without feeling greasy
- Soft shimmer, not glittery
Cons:
- Not as flashy as some options
L.A. Girl Shimmer Spray Rose Gold
Sometimes when we’re in a hurry, it’s annoying to have to rub in oil and wait for it to dry. That’s why we looked for the best body shimmer spray and here’s what we found.
It comes in rose gold and gold so that both cool and warm skin tones have their match. The spray is appropriate for the face and body. In fact, you can use it as a setting spray for face and body makeup. Just be sure to shake the bottle and hold it a few inches away so that it spreads out evenly.
Reviewers say it smells amazing and the amount of shimmer is just right. It gives the skin a pearlescent, dewy glow. The effect’s not surprising since it doesn’t use mica but silica for the sparkle.
Pros:
- Subtle, pearlescent shimmer available in gold and rose gold shades
- For the face and body
- Sets makeup, illuminates the skin
- Quick-drying
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons:
- Remember to shake the bottle and wipe off the nozzle occasionally to prevent clogs
Conclusion
We hope our reviews of the best body shimmers help you get your summer glow on ASAP. We think shimmer is ever so much fun to wear.
Check back soon for new reviews of the best skincare products. And feel free to let us know in the comments below which topics interest you most.