Vacation Doesn't Start Until You Own One of These Body Shimmer Oils

Elle

08-07-2025

As the old adage goes: not all that glitters is gold—unless we're talking about body shimmer products. Picture this: you're lying on a beach or lounging by the pool, the sun kissing every gold fleck in your body oil, leaving you bronzed and glowing from head to toe. Sure, sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of any sun care routine, but there's something about that glistening, just-kissed-by-the-sun glow that's confirmation of a vacation well spent.
Unlike regular body oils, shimmering body oils offer a more luxurious option, crafted with skin-loving natural oils, glitter, and tropical scents traditionally associated with summer, but suitable for use all year round.
'Shimmer oil is used to highlight and accentuate areas of the skin. It leaves your skin sparkly, glowing, radiant, and hydrated. Shimmer oil can be used anywhere you want to glow—all over your face, neck, cleavage, arms, thighs, and shoulders. Focus on areas that naturally catch the light,' Gisaura Laporte, owner of Hair and Makeup by Gisaura at Sola Salons, tells ELLE.com.
Body shimmer oils come in a wide range of shades and functions, from bronzed oils that double as self-tanners to oils with added sun protection. Here at ELLE.com, we're self-professed vacation experts who have waxed poetic about the best travel beauty essentials and the best tools for all-weather prep. So, if you need a new reason to buy a body oil, our editors and experts provided you with 14 options below.
As if the OG almond body oil wasn't a mainstay in everyone's body care collection, L'Occitane upped the ante with a version fit for summer adventures. Staying true to its signature nourishing almond oil base—which combines with castor and sunflower seed oils—this new formula features tiny gold flecks that leaves your skin radiant in any weather.
Size: 3.3 fl oz
An ELLE editor says: 'I've hit pan on dozens—and I mean, dozens—of bottles of L'Occitane's almond oil. So, when I got my hands on the shimmering version, I knew it wouldn't disappoint—and I was correct. It still nourishes the same as its predecessor, but I enjoy how much more my skin glistens post-application, and it doesn't fade away too quickly. This is definitely a mainstay in my summer travel bag.'—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
If you want to skip the shimmer oils for something more subtle, take Dior's Shimmering Scrub for a ride. What starts as microbeads transforms into a milky substance that washes away, unveiling a soft, slightly glittery complexion.
Size: 5 fl oz
A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'This was a great purchase!!! I walked into Nordstrom looking for a perfume and I stumbled across this product. I've tried body shimmers from different brands and this is now my number one choice. It has a nice shimmer on my skin, and it smells amazing.'
Sunscreens are fun again, thanks to Vacation, whose expansive SPF offerings include everything from whipped formulas to this lightweight oil. With SPF 30 and glitter flecks, this SPF oil coats the skin in radiance while protecting it.
Size: 2.9 fl oz
A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'I love how this makes my skin look and feel! My skin looks so golden and so shimmery! It's not sticky on my skin.'
Vacation like a Beckham with this bronzy oil inspired by one of the famous couple's Italian trips. An extension of the perfume of the same name, the Portofino '97 oil dries to a citrus and woody scent and leaves a pearlescent finish.
Size: 1.69 fl oz
A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'Quite an evocative, sexy scent. Love the micro gold shimmer. It may be for special events but it makes me feel special so I use it almost daily. Why not.'
Sometimes, all you need is a light dusting of shimmer to elevate a look, whether it's your makeup or applied on top of your body care products. Fenty Beauty's Diamond Bomb comes in two flexible shades that blend seamlessly into the skin for a lit-from-within glow, rather than sitting on top.
Size: 0.28 fl oz
An Ulta reviewer says: 'This is the most beautiful thing I've ever used. As a self-proclaimed glitter enthusiast, this does the job!!! I use a powder brush and dust this all over my body and it sparkles all day! It looks like a fine loose glitter when applied, but it's a pressed product, so there's no mess. I wanna be buried with this highlighter.'
Sothys's oil feels great on the hair and looks even better on the skin. After application, you'll wonder where the gold flecks went, but upon closer examination, you'll notice how seamlessly it melted into your skin and how much more radiant you look.
Size: 3.38 fl oz
An ELLE editor says: 'At first, I thought this shimmering oil was just merely oil. The formula rubbed into beautifully and smells amazing, but as someone with a deeper complexion, I feared the 'golden' effect would disappear—I was wrong. The trick is to let one layer dry completely before applying another. My skin looks glowy and bronzed in a way that no other body oil has been able to achieve. Just remember to shake to get the full glistening effect.'—Nerisha Penrose
No vacation is complete without a Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil. This OG scent deserves all the shine, thanks to its silky, glossy finish that illuminates every part of the body the oil touches. The sunny scent is reminiscent of salty sea water, sunscreen, and florals warmed up under the sun.
Size: 3.4 fl oz
An ELLE editor says: 'When I'm on vacation and don't feel like wearing perfume, I simply apply this Tom Ford shimmering oil and it does the trick. Not only does it smell like the most relaxing sunny vacation, but the glittery formula imparts a soft radiance that enhances any look, especially when applied to the decolletage.'—Nerisha Penrose
Designed with and for Black women, the formula is focused more on nourishment than the actual glow. The warm bronze shade complements deeper skin tones, while sweet almond oil and mineral oil impart a healthy sheen.
An Amazon reviewer says: 'Light texture, soft scent, and radiant skin. I would definitely buy it again!'
Moroccanoil hair products consistently deliver soft, silky results for your strands, and its body oil iteration is no exception. The oil melts into your skin like butter, giving you a kissed-by-the-sun radiance.
Size: 1.7 fl oz
A Moroccanoil reviewer says: 'Super hydrating, and nourishing! Love it! The shimmer is subtle and not clumpy but super gorgeous! One of my tips is sometimes I use it plain but sometimes I add a little to my favorite body lotion to make it have a hint of shine!'
The deep bronze color gives lighter skin tones the perfect fake-a-tan finish and accentuates the radiant complexion of deeper tones. Perfect for those who want a subtle glow.
Size: 2.5 fl oz
A Sephora reviewer says: 'This has been my go-to body oil for 20 years. 5 star formula BUT the size has shrunk. Used to be a much bigger bottle for the same price.'
Created with a nourishing blend of oils, ABH delivers shine and moisture with each pump. If you dislike heavy oils, this is an expert favorite, particularly because of its lightweight finish.
Size: 1.5 fl oz
Our expert says: 'It's lightweight, never greasy, and illuminates with a golden glow finish. My favorite is that it's dermatologist-tested. I have very sensitive skin, so that's the only thing I consider before applying anything to my skin.'—Nerisha Penrose
If you prefer your body oils with a deep tint, add Sol de Janeiro's Copacabana Bronze oil to your collection. Cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, and coconut oil are the star ingredients, so you're getting moisture and glow all in one.
Size: 2.5 fl oz
A Sephora reviewer says: 'I absolutely love this body glow! It makes my skin look beautifully tanned and radiant without feeling greasy. The scent is tropical and addictive—like summer in a bottle. It gives the perfect shimmer and lasts all day. Definitely a new favorite in my routine!'
We all want to look as bronzed and moisturized as Rihanna—here's the solution. The formula is more of a gel-like consistency, but it melts into your skin like oil without feeling greasy. A little goes a long way, so opt for a brush to sheer the product instead of using your hands.
Size:
An ELLE editor says: 'When it comes to pigmented body shimmer products, this one from Fenty takes the cake. I typically use it with my hands but find the finish to be sweeter when applied with a kabuki brush. Because it has a gel-like texture, I apply it on top of my body moisturizer and let it work its magic.'—Nerisha Penrose
You should know a body oil from the glow God himself wouldn't disappoint. Patrick Ta has packaged his signature glow for us to mimic at home, delivering an impeccable, sparkly glow that is sure to get you noticed.
Size: 3.21 fl oz
A Sephora reviewer says: 'Everything in one product—glowy, great-smelling, and stunning. Very easy to blend. Makes your skin looks very natural and shiny. Perfect for everyday and for every season.'
Gisaura Laporte, owner of Hair and Makeup by Gisaura at Sola Salons
Pretty packaging is a plus, but there's more to consider when choosing a body shimmer oil. 'When purchasing a body shimmer, do a patch test to ensure you are not allergic,' Laporte says. If you prefer your oils with a tint, Laporte says to look for formulas that dry quickly to prevent stains on your clothes. 'Always go for one that is lightweight and gentle on the skin if you are sensitive. Also, look for the ones that are non-sticky. Since oils naturally separate, always give the bottle a shake before using.'
'Body shimmers should be applied as the last step in your skin care routine. After you shower, exfoliate and moisturize. Laporte adds that 'this gives the skin a layer of hydration that ensures the oil stays smoothly and maintains a nice glow,' Laporte adds. If the oil isn't fully transfer-proof, apply after getting dressed. 'If you decide you are wearing it during the day, I recommend SPF 30 to protect your skin's natural glow,' she says.
'The best tool to use when applying the skimmer is your fingers or a brush,' Laporte says. Her personal favorite? A brush, of course. 'I find when using your fingers, it can get sticky and messy. The oil clings more to the hands than to a brush. Always apply less than you think you would need. A little goes a long way. Apply as you need. Trust me; I learned this the hard way,' she explains.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled a makeup artist to determine what body shimmer products are best for all skin types and complexions.
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