7 Best Shimmer Oils For a Vacation-Level Glow in Seconds
Get your glow on with these super moisturizing products.
Expert consulted: Chiara ButlerBeauty and Personal Care Lab Reviews Analyst
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Self-tanners aren't the only way to achieve radiant skin this summer. If you're looking for a dewy, head-to-toe glow with a little bit of glitter in the mix, shimmer oils are the answer.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Whind Marrakech Shimmer Body Oil
- Best Value: Saltair Santal Bloom Shimmer Body Oil
- Best for Face and Body: Brunel Golden Hour Glow Body Oil
"Shimmer oils are body oils infused with reflective pigments that moisturize while adding a glossy, sparkly finish," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. Many also double as fragrances, and some even include SPF to help protect skin from harmful UV rays.
To select the best shimmer oils, we analyzed hundreds of consumer reviews, consulted Beauty Lab experts and incorporated editor-approved favorites, evaluating factors like scent, application and finish. Here are the ones that stood out most.
Pros
- Softens skin
- Buildable glow
Cons
- Some users found the pump difficult to spray
Butler praises this shimmer oil, enriched with sunflower seed, avocado and rosehip oils, for its ability to "immediately soften skin while leaving it with a rich, warm amber scent." She also highlights its fine gold shimmer flecks, which offer buildable coverage: "Apply a little for a subtle glow or layer it for a glossy skin finish," she says.
RELATED: The Best Self-Tanners
Pros
- Dries down quickly
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Some find the oil to be thick
Fans of Saltair body oils will love this shimmer oil. It features the brand’s signature warm sandalwood and amber santal bloom scent, along with hydrating ingredients like kukui, cacay, squalane and karanja oils that leave skin soft and supple. Online reviewers say they love its "light shimmer without being glittery" and how beautifully it "dries down."
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
- Can be used on face and body
Cons
- Fragrance isn't long lasting
Take your glow from head to toe with this multipurpose oil. It's formulated to be gentle enough for sensitive skin types, according to the brand, it has been dermatologist tested and is free of pore clogging ingredients. It can even be used on the face in place of highlighter or bronzer. Plus, it's light weight, absorbs into skin quickly, and provides a subtle shimmer that lasts all day.
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Silver shimmer
Cons
- Some find the scent too subtle
"This luxurious body oil envelops skin in Soleil Neige, a sophisticated scent reminiscent of freshly fallen snow," says Butler. She highlights its fine, multi-hued silver glitter, perfect for a cool-toned glow. Amazon reviewers agree, praising its long-lasting shimmer and silky texture. "There is so much shimmer in just one spray and the oil itself is so silky that you don’t need to apply that much," one reviewer said.
Pros
- Won't leave chunks of glitter
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- May be too sheer if you're looking for added color
This multi-use shimmer oil has won over Amazon reviewers for it's easy, sheer application and glow that won't leave behind chunks of glitter. With over 1,000 purchases in the past month, it's clearly a popular buy. GH Beauty Director April Franzino, who is also a fan of Nuxe’s original multi-use oil, adds, "The soft orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla scent is heavenly—it feels like a little spa escape when I use it on my body or as a hair treatment."
Pros
- Long-lasting and lightweight
- Has SPF
Cons
- Shimmer may diminish over time
One GH staffer raves about this shimmer oil’s "lightweight formula that melts into the skin." She highlights its non-greasy, non-sticky texture and "divine coconut-banana scent," plus its SPF 30 protection. Ulta reviewers agree: "I tested this oil during a week-long beach trip and was impressed," one shared. "Despite hours of swimming, sweating and sand exposure, the shimmer effect remained noticeable (though slightly diminished), and I didn’t burn." Just remember to reapply SPF after swimming—or every two hours—to get the best protection.
Pros
- Gives glow without too much glitter
- Has SPF
Cons
- Some find it greasy
The Rose Gold Sun Shield Body Glow Gel, despite its name, has more of a serum-like consistency than a true gel texture. Packed with hydrating ingredients like coconut and avocado oils, it gives skin a radiant sheen while providing SPF 45 for sun protection. Some reviewers mention that it takes time to dry and feels slightly heavy. One Ulta reviewer shared: "Smells amazing, gives a great healthy glow and best of all [offers] excellent sun protection. [It’s a] wonderful alternative to spray sunscreen, especially if you have dry skin!"
How we picked the best shimmer oils
Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros and editors have decades of experience evaluating moisturizing skincare products, including the best body oils. We relied on their expert recommendations to put together this list of the best shimmer oils. We also spent hours analyzing consumer reviews from across the web to find highly-rated, fan-favorite products, gathered editor feedback and considered factors like scent, texture, finish and ease of application.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins teamed up with our GH Beauty Lab pros to curate this guide. With a wealth of experience writing about haircare, makeup and skincare, she also meticulously analyzed hundreds of consumer reviews to deliver the ultimate shimmer oil recommendations.
GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler, who holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University and has years of experience as a cosmetic chemist formulating skincare products for top beauty brands, also contributed her expertise to this article.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she’s been doing hands-on testing of beauty products since 2022. She also covers aesthetic treatments like injectables and lasers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. When not at GH, you can find her wandering the beauty aisles of the drugstore.
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