I don’t know about you, but I love doing whatever I can to keep my skin looking its best, and a big part of that is maintaining a healthy glow. When it comes to skin care and makeup, you can use everything from dewy moisturizers to luminous highlighters, but it can be hard to achieve the same undeniable glow with bodycare.
Don’t get me wrong, lotions and body butters work wonders at keeping skin soft and moisturized, but those formulas rarely make your skin look absolutely glowing, and even if they do, they don’t last very long. hack? Layer your lotion or cream with a brightening body oil.
The Best Body Oils with Shimmer, at a Glance
Best body oils with shimmer in 2026
Best Luxury: Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ’97 Golden Shimmer Body Oil
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Portofino ’97 Golden Shimmer Body Oil
Planning a getaway? If so, consider bringing a body oil like Victoria Beckham Beauty with you. “Portofino ’97 smells like a luxurious Italian beach vacation, which is exactly the vibe I’m looking for when I apply a shimmer oil,” says senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider. “I love pairing my scent with matching body products (scents stick better on well-hydrated skin, so this is also a cheat code for longer wear!), and this is the pair I wear all summer long.” It’s a little pricier than some of the other options on this list, but rest assured it’s totally worth it.
Best Lightweight: Tory Burch Sublime Shimmer Oil in Red
Tory Burch
sublime shimmer oil
Schneider’s next pick is this fabulous Tory Burch Sublime Shimmer Oil. “Another shiny oil with an eau de parfum, this luxurious number makes me feel expensive,” she says. “It’s feather-light and silky, so no greasy aftertaste, yet leaves a lingering trail of mandarin, rose and sun-drenched leather.”
Best Subtle Shimmer: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil
anastasia beverly hills
Shimmer Body Oil
Anastasia Beverly Hills is huge in the makeup realm, but if you don’t know about the brand’s body oils, you’re missing out. “My roommate and I share this because it’s so good,” says associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia. “It’s non-sticky, only slightly glittery (just the way I like it), and doesn’t interfere with other perfumes you want to apply on top.” It comes in three colors (white, gold, and rose gold), so you have options.
Best for Melanin-Rich Skin: L’Occitane Instant Golden Glow with Almond Shimmering Body Oil
L’Occitane
Instant golden glow with almond brightening body oil
Finding an oil that won’t affect melanin-rich skin tone can be difficult, which is why this formula from L’Occitane is unique. Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas says, “Although I don’t usually reach for body oils enhanced with ultra-fine shimmer (many of which I’ve used before don’t look very natural on my darker skin tone), L’Occitane’s Luxurious Almond Shimmering Oil has become one of my favorites for adding a sun-kissed glow as well as softening my skin.” “I love that its skin-nourishing formula is enriched with sweet almond oil, which gives skin an instant glow and ensures it stays soothed and nourished.”
Best Splurge: African Botanics Marula Shimmering Gold Oil
African Botany
Marula Shimmering Gold Oil
Another great body oil, this African Botanics Marula Shimmering Gold Oil comes as a recommendation from beauty editor Caitlin McClintock. “Since my MO is “subtle, sun-kissed glow,” I’d stock up on this glow body oil that can be used on your face and hair ahead of summer,” she says. “The responsibly sourced blend of marula, baobab and Kalahari watermelon seed oils will leave your skin and hair smooth as silk.” She adds that the micro gold pieces provide a flattering glow that imparts a sun-kissed glow.
Best for Layering: NARS Monoi Body Glow I
If you want to replenish your body oil with another scent, McClintock suggests purchasing it from NARS. “I love a glow body oil, but only when it gives my skin an ethereal veil of subtle glow rather than a heavy, shiny look,” she says. “In my opinion, Nars Monoi Body Glow is one of the best. It’s silky, hydrating, and doesn’t transfer as long as you let it dry for a few minutes after applying.” The scent is luxurious, warm and beachy, making it very easy to pair. The only thing to note is that coconut oil can make the formula solid, so you will have to run it under hot water and stir it to get the original texture back.
Best Budget: Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil
vaseline
Vaseline illuminates me shimmery body oil
If you want to get a glow for under $20, I recommend this budget-friendly alternative to Vaseline. It is designed with melanated skin in mind with a warm coppery glow that is perfect for the finishing touch. It is made from ethically sourced American mica and matches perfectly with the brand Illuminate Me Whipped Body Butter.
Best Transfer-Proof: BrunelBeauty Golden Hour Glow Body Oil
how we chose
Like all of our buying guides on Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best body oils with glow, we relied heavily on first-hand testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered a number of factors including key ingredients, fragrance and size. We know how important these factors are to different needs and preferences, so we’ve made sure to list all the useful details. Of course, customer reviews were also taken into consideration when creating this list.
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