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Byrdie / Jaclyn Mastropasqua
Slathering yourself in shimmery body oil will not only moisturize your skin but also give you that lit-from-within glow. What's more, these products are super easy to apply, whether you use your hands or a brush for more strategic highlighting.
If oil-based formulas don't typically play well with your complexion, you might be in luck. "The skin on the body has fewer oil glands than the face," says esthetician Dana Murray, meaning you're less likely to break out there. But because of that, she adds "it can dry out a lot quicker than the face," so moisturizing often is crucial.
We searched high and low to find the best shimmer body oils for all skin types and tones, evaluating each formula not just for the oils it contains but also for what type of particles provide the glowy, glittery, or reflective effect. We also spoke with an esthetician to help us narrow down our choices to these top 12 picks.
Best Overall
Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Oil
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Patrick Ta
Non-greasy yet richly moisturizing
Creates pearlescent radiance
Luxurious signature scent
Spray applicator can be finicky
Not everyone will love the fragrance
We think that everything Patrick Ta creates is nothing short of perfection, and this body oil is no exception. It comes in three sheer shades—A Vision (rosé), A Dream (champagne), and A Moment (bronze)—to complement different skin tones. The moisturizing, pearlescent formula (meaning glowy like a pearl) will leave you with a radiance similar to Ta's celebrity clients—like Gigi Hadid. It also has a sweet, musky floral aroma that we love (but recognize some people might not).
Some customer reviews have mentioned that the spray nozzle can be finicky, but otherwise, it's a user-friendly product. To apply, spray the oil onto your hands or directly onto your skin, then massage it in until it absorbs.
Who It's For
Anyone looking for a non-greasy, skin-enhancing body oil will love this product. We think it smells amazing, but users who don't love a floral fragrance should avoid it.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, olive oil, squalane | Scent: Sweet floral musk | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
ColourPop Sol Shimmering Dry Oil
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ColourPop
Lightweight, luxurious feel
Multidimensional shimmer
Pleasant scent
Oils separate; requires shaking
Trust us, this shimmering body oil feels way more expensive than it actually is. Luxe and lightweight, it provides ample hydration, thanks to argan oil, coconut oil, and marula oil (an anti-inflammatory emollient). And it doesn't stop there. Sol Dry Oil leaves a multidimensional shimmer and a fruity, coconutty aroma in its wake (although we recognize that's not everyone's bag). We also love that it comes in nine colors, ranging from warm gold to rosy champagne to super-reflective holographic opal.
Who It's For
If you don't want to spend more than 20 bucks on a shimmer body oil, this affordable product has your name on it (unless you dislike the smell of coconut).
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, coconut oil, marula oil | Scent: Tropical coconut | Size: 3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Lightweight
Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil
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Sephora
Absorbs quickly
Doesn't leave skin greasy
Light reflecting
Expensive compared to similar products
has a smell som users may not like
Tom Ford's take on shimmer body oil is this lightweight, fast-absorbing concoction. It moisturizes with natural oils like jojoba and olive oil but without a greasy feel while creating a light-reflecting, illuminating effect on your skin. Considering the steep price, we wouldn't necessarily use this as an everyday moisturizer. But the citrusy, floral musk Soleil Neige scent will be a treat each time you apply it (unless those notes don't jive with you).
Who It's For
This product is ideal for those looking for a lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula that smells like top-shelf perfume.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, olive oil, safflower seed oil | Scent: Citrus floral musk | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Shades
Sol De Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Oil
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Sephora
Enhances natural skin tone
Blurs imperfections
Ultra-moisturizing
Overly sweet scent
This buildable, blurring body oil is made to compliment numerous skin tones. Arriving in three versatile shades—Copacabana Bronze (deep bronze), Rio Sunset (champagne gold), and Master Flash (multichromatic)—it gives off a visibly gorgeous glow that enhances your natural complexion. Not only do we love it, but everyone else seems to as well since it's sold out practically everywhere. Just a heads up, some people might find the Cheirosa '62 scent (with notes of pistachio, vanilla, and caramel) a bit too sweet.
Who It's For
If you're looking for a skin tone-enhancing body oil that blurs imperfections (and you don't mind sweet fragrances), this is an excellent choice.
Key Ingredients: Cupuacu butter, acai oil, coconut oil | Scent: Pistachio vanilla caramel | Size: 2.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dark Skin Tones
Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Luminizing Tint
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Sephora
Blendable, blurring formula
Several deep shades
Subtle shimmer
May transfer on clothes
It can be challenging to find skin enhancers that work on dark skin tones, but Body Lava has done it. This blendable, body oil tint has a blurring effect and also gives you a subtle shimmer from the neck down. It comes in several shades to complement darker skin tones—from deep chocolate and cinnamon to caramel and honey. Though it's supposed to be humidity—and sweat-resistant, it might still transfer onto your clothes. We recommend letting it dry completely before getting dressed.
Who It's For
Made with melanin-rich complexions in mind, Fenty's Body Lava is available in several shades that we think look gorgeous on darker skin tones.
Key Ingredients: Babassu oil, vitamin E | Scent: Sweet floral | Size: 3.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Skin
Omorovicza Gold Shimmer Oil
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Saks Fifth Avenue
Calming, healing formula
Firms skin
Boosts the production of collagen
Must shake well to disperse gold particles
Parched, patchy skin? Omorovicza's hydrating and replenishing shimmer oil is for you. Containing a blend of calendula extract, rice bran oil, and vitamin E, it'll calm and soothe irritation and fight free radical damage (which can cause skin blemishes dark spots, and fine lines) while stimulating collagen production (helps with cell turnover for younger-looking skin). Ideal for dry and dull skin, the indulgent oil leaves your body feeling nourished and looking beautiful with a shimmering luminance. It gets its shimmer from actual gold particles (colloidal gold), so you'll need to shake it well before each use to disperse them.
Who It's For
This luxurious, replenishing oil is ideal for those with dry, dull, or patchy skin that could use a boost of illumination.
Key Ingredients: Calendula extract, rice bran oil, vitamin E, colloidal gold | Scent: Floral | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Oily Skin
Sunday Riley Shimmering Body Oil Gel
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Sunday Riley
Improves appearance of photo-aged skin
Balances complexion
Absorbs instantly
Slightly runny consistency
Leave slick, slippery skin behind with Sunday Riley's revolutionary dry oil formula. Supercharged with brightening vitamin C, gardenia extract (anti-inflammatory), and a slew of other good-for-you ingredients, it promises to fight signs of aging, nourish dry skin, and reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven redness. What's more, it absorbs instantly and provides a subtle, tinted sparkle with zero greasiness whatsoever. We did notice the consistency was slightly runny, but it didn't really bother us.
Who It's For
If you're worried about your oily skin becoming greasier with an oil-based product, this fast-absorbing dry oil is an excellent choice.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, vitamin C, CoQ10, gardenia extract | Scent: Coconut floral | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil
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Amazon
Infused with antioxidants
Gives a fine shimmer
Little goes a long way
Inconvenient dropper bottle
Scent may not be for everyone
If you're all about moisturizing with oil but are concerned about its effect on body acne, this one's for you. The non-greasy formula hydrates dry skin without pore-clogging ingredients like mineral oil. Once you rub the quick-absorbing fluid into your skin, you'll see instant radiance, a soft pearlescence, and a healthy glow. We also love the scent: Morrocanoil's signature blend of spicy amber and sweet florals, but recognize it may not be everyone's cup of tea.
Who It's For
This lightweight, non-greasy, fast-absorbing body oil creates instantly radiant skin and a healthy glow without clogging your pores, so it's great if you're prone to body acne.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, sesame oil | Scent: Spicy amber-floral | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With SPF
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50
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Ulta
Broad-spectrum protection
No white cast
Water- and sweat-resistant
Not travel-friendly
We love any multipurpose skin product, so we're all for a body oil that doubles as SPF. Kopari Sun Shield doesn't just moisturize your skin and enhance your complexion with a shimmery, reflective finish. With broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection, it goes above and beyond to safeguard your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Though it's a mineral-based formula, it goes on totally transparent (aka it doesn't leave a white cast). It's even water- and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes so you can hit the pool and not worry about it coming off (unless you're in there for a really long time).
Who It's For
Unlike the tanning oils of decades past, this product is made for those who want to practice safe sun while still getting that glowy, light-reflecting finish. That said, it's larger, so not super travel-friendly.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, avocado oil, titanium dioxide | Scent: Sweet coconut milk | Size: 5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Bronzing
Nudestix Sunshine Oil Body Elixir
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Revolve
Gradual sunless tan
Doesn't leave streaks
DHA-free formula
May transfer onto light fabrics
Want that sunkissed look without the damage of tanning? Sunshine Oil Body Elixir is the body oil for you. It provides instant moisture and a subtle all-over bronzing effect without leaving streaks. And if you apply it regularly, you can build a gradual sunless tan. Instead of DHA (the smelly active ingredient in most self-tanners), this product calls on a botanical complex that's supposed to encourage your skin to produce melanin without being exposed to UV rays. However, like other self-tanners, we noticed this does transfer to fabrics, so make sure it's totally dry before putting on clothes or getting into bed.
Who It's For
Those who want an instant golden glow or a gradual sunless tan without the telltale smell will appreciate this DHA-free product.
Key Ingredients: Coconut, argan, and avocado oils, botanical complex | Scent: Bergamot lavender | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Multitasker
Dior Solar Sublimating Oil
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Dior
Can be used on body, face, and hair
Lightweight, non-greasy formula
Moisturizes without clogging pores
Not ideal for fine hair
Expensive compared to similar products
One annoying thing about most body oils is they're not great for the face because they can clog pores. But not Dior's Solar Sublimating Oil. It can be used on your body and your face and hair. The lightweight, non-greasy formula contains skin-friendly ingredients unlikely to clog your pores, like meadowfoam seed oil and squalane. It leaves a radiant, sun-kissed glow on your skin while adding moisture and shine to your hair. That said, those with fine hair may not want to use it on their hair to avoid weighing it down.
Who It's For
This all-in-one product can be applied to the body, face, and hair when you need extra moisture or want a sun-kissed, radiant glow. But it's not ideal for those with thin hair.
Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam oil, squalane | Scent: Monoi | Size: 4.25 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Editor's Favorite
Nuxe Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse
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Amazon
Contains several natural oils
Non-greasy, fast-absorbing dry oil
Illuminates skin and hair
Scent can be overpowering
Byrdie news editor Bella Cacciatore gives this product her stamp of approval. It contains a nourishing blend of several plant-derived ingredients—Tsubaki, argan, macadamia, and hazelnut oils, to name a few. As a lightweight, fast-absorbing dry oil with a non-greasy finish, you can get dressed right away. And its subtle shimmer adds just a hint of a bronzy glow. In addition to your body, you can apply it to your hair for some extra shine. While we like the citrusy, sweet floral scent, some might find it overpowering.
Who It's For
If you're looking for a non-greasy dry oil with a subtle shimmer, this one won't disappoint.
Key Ingredients: Tsubaki oil, argan oil, sesame oil | Scent: Sweet citrus floral | Size: 3.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Created by celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta, Major Glow Body Oil is our overall favorite. Aside from providing the coveted glow seen on Ta's clients (like Gigi Hadid), the formula comes in three neutral shades, applies like a dream, and flaunts a sweet, fragrant scent. If you're looking to save money, don't fret—Colourpop's Sol Shimmering Dry Oil is a solid choice with an affordable price tag.
What to Look For in a Shimmer Body Oil
- Oil Type and Ingredients: All body oils are not created equal. Various combinations of oils can be found in this type of product, from argan and olive to coconut and marula. Dry oils like Sunday Riley Fairy Godmother absorb quickly and don't have a greasy feel. Then there are richer, more moisturizing options, like Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Oil. Some formulas contain other skin-enhancing ingredients, such as vitamin E, squalane, shea butter, and calendula extract.
- Shimmer Particle Size and Type: The actual shimmer in a shimmery oil can vary in terms of type and particle size. For instance, Omorovicza Gold Shimmer Oil contains colloidal gold (gold nanoparticles), whereas others use mica powder. "Look for finely milled mica—rather than large chunks of glitter—to give an overall sheen," says makeup artist Kelli J. Bartlett.
- Color: Some shimmery body oils cast a transparent glow, while others add a hint of color for a blurring or sun-kissed effect. Bartlett says to consider whether you want a color-free formula or a bronze, golden, rosy, or champagne tint. More pigmented options like Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer and gradual tan builders like Nudebody Sunshine Oil Body Elixir might transfer onto clothes. Be careful after applying them, and make sure your skin is dry to the touch before getting dressed.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best shimmer body oils on the market, carefully evaluating each based on key attributes—ingredients, shimmer particle size, shade range, and scent—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We also tested several ourselves to help us get to our top picks. Finally, we spoke with makeup experts to help us support our choices.
Attributes we evaluated each shimmer body oil on:
- Oil type and other ingredients
- Shimmer particle size
- Colors and shades
- Container
- Overall value
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Rachel Dube has written for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there and has tested hundreds (if not thousands) of beauty products during her career. While she mainly writes about beauty, she covers wellness and lifestyle, too. Freelance beauty writer and product reviewer Theresa Holland updated this story with additional product picks, buying tips, and considerations.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough shimmer body oil from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
