9 Best Body Shimmers That Give You an Instant Glow
Glowy, dewy, and hydrated are all descriptors we like to hear about our skin. It's a sign of health and abundant beauty, and one way to achieve this sought-after glowy look (regardless of the actual status of your health) is with a high-quality body shimmer. Body shimmers and highlighters are some of the best ways to achieve a bronzed or champagne sheen that makes you glisten in the light.
Whether it be in the form of a serum, an oil, an SPF, or even body oils with a hint of glitter, there are so many incredible glowing formulas bottled up and ready for purchase. The hardest part is finding the perfect one for your skin.
With so many body shimmers on the market, we rounded up a few of our favorite body shimmers that are sure to lock in a luminous look. Our favorites run the gamut, with options from high-end brands, like Summer Fridays and Refy Beauty, to drugstore favorites like Jergens and more. With this list, you can rest assured that we uncovered the best shimmers for oily, dry, and combination skin types that will last until it's time to take a shower and wash them off. There's even a slightly more unconventional option. Ahead, find our top body-shimmer selections to give your skin a glow that lasts well beyond your next tropical getaway.
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Best Transfer-Resistant Body Shimmer
Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil ($35)
This oil from Sol de Janeiro takes a few minutes to dry, but once it does, rest assured that it's not going anywhere for a few hours. The best way to apply it is using a body brush (it gets messy when you use your hands, trust u,s), and once the oil is done drying there is no transfer onto your clothes— a win for body oil lovers everywhere.
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Best Body Shimmer Gelée
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmering Gelée ($38)
Closer to a traditional body bronzer, this gelée will add a hint of color to those with lighter skin tones and a deep glow to those with deeper skin. It dries almost instantly, so if you don't like the feeling of a traditional body oil, give this one a try.
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Best High-End Body Shimmer
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil ($40)
If you prefer a more high-end formula, you can't go wrong with this one from Tom Ford. The cult-favorite product smells just like the brand's Soleil Blanc perfume, so if you don't want to wear your expensive bottle of perfume to the beach, a few spritzs of this oil give you the same set, accompanied by dewy skin.
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Best Drugstore Body Shimmer
Sol by Jergens Self Tanner Body Bronzer ($16)
If you're looking for an affordable body shimmer that gives you a natural-looking tan, we recommend this one from Sol by Jergens. The self-tanner delivers an instant glow as soon as it's applied that can be washed off at night. It's blended with coconut water and shea butter to guarantee a hydrating feel and healthy glow to the skin.
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Best Body-Shimmer Serum
Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter ($42)
This serum-highlighter hybrid can be applied on the face and body for a dewy glow that shines in the light. It's liquid consistency melts into your skin and gives it a metallic finish when built up, but can gift a soft sheen when properly blended. You'll love the soft shine this highlighter gives you, and when mixed with a moisturizer, it's magical.
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Best Hydrating Body Shimmer
Refy Body Glow Highlighting Serum ($40)
Refy is a brand that's well known for its brow products, but its body glow serum is an underrated gem. It comes in an unassuming beige-colored squeeze tube, but the product inside will leave your skin moisturized and dewy all day long. For those who prefer a more seamless glow, this formula doesn't contain actual glitter but instead is a glowy, hydrating serum that comes out looking metallic but sheers out to a glassy sheen. The ingredient list includes vitamin E and antioxidants to help the skin stay moisturized, and a little goes a long way, so make sure to squeeze the tube gently.
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Best SPF Body Shimmer
Supergoop! Glowscreen Body SPF 40 ($42)
Achieve an all-over glow that protects your skin with the . The whipped lotion is sweat resistant, fast absorbing, and suitable for all skin types: dry, normal, oily, or sensitive. Apply it in the morning and enjoy its glowy finish all day long. Make sure to reapply it 40 minutes after swimming or sweating for maximum sun protection.
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Best Body Shimmer For a Subtle Glow
Summer Fridays Pool Time Glowing Body Oil ($38)
If you're looking for instant illumination that smells like a dream, this Summer Fridays body oil is great to apply before heading out the door. The shimmer instantly delivers a hydrating-looking glow that makes skin glisten and gleam. You'll love its coconut and vanilla-blossom scent, and it's a favorite of one POPSUGAR editor in particular.
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Best-Smelling Body Shimmer
Patrick Ta Mini Major Glow Body Oil ($58)
Body care can be one of your secret weapons when it comes to locking in your scent of the day. If you like to smell sweet — almost to the point of smelling like a gourmand treat — then this Patrick Ta oil is for you. Use it to not only achieve wet-looking skin but as a topper to all of your body care before spraying your perfume. If you've ever smelled the brand's Major Glow Balm it's the exact same mouth-watering scent used for this formula.
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— Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
Ariel Baker is the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.
Haley Lyndes was an assistant editor for PS Shopping where she found and tested the best home, beauty, and fashion products. She is a graduate of Northern Vermont University and has nearly five years of experience in both written and broadcast journalism.