Glowing skin has always been a summer beauty staple, but this year it’s getting an extra dose of shimmer. According to Spate, interest in shimmering body oils has surged more than 129 percent year over year, making it one of the biggest body-care trends of the season.
Much of that momentum is coming from TikTok, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the trend’s popularity and has grown more than 140 percent over the past year, drawing an average of nearly 275,000 weekly views. The oils are also pulling in 2,100 monthly Google searches—growth that, per Spate, makes shimmering body oil the body-care breakout of the summer.
Ahead, the experts break down what makes a good shimmering body oil, and the formulas worth adding to your summer lineup.
Featured Experts
- Kally Papantoniou, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Simply Dermatology on Long Island, NY.
- Natalie Dresher is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City.
What Are Shimmering Body Oils?
Shimmering body oils are exactly what they sound like: lightweight body-care oils with fine glitter suspended in them (close cousins of shimmer body lotions). They “give an all-over radiant glow on the chest, décolleté area, collar bones, shoulders, legs and arms,” explains New York City celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher.
Many of today’s formulas do more than simply add sparkle. “I like nourishing oils that help support the skin barrier and leave the skin soft without feeling overly greasy,” says Long Island, NY board-certified dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, MD. She recommends looking for lightweight formulas with ingredients like jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, squalane and vitamin E—something that absorbs well without leaving skin greasy.
What Are the Benefits of Shimmering Body Oils?
The appeal is twofold: instant radiance plus real skin-care payoff. “They are so popular right now because they give your skin an instant glow,” says Dr. Papantoniou. “They naturally fit into summer beauty, events and vacation skin prep.” It’s no coincidence they’re having a moment as the weather warms. As Dresher puts it, “Everyone is wearing less clothing, shorter clothing and showing more skin and a body shimmer oil is the perfect accessory.” Whether you’re heading on a beach vacation or to a summer wedding, they easily give exposed skin a healthy-looking sheen.
The skin-care payoff comes from the oil base, not the sparkle. “The shimmer is cosmetic, but the oil base can be very helpful for dry or dull skin,” Dr. Papantoniou explains. “A good body oil can soften the skin, support the skin barrier, and make the skin look smoother and more radiant.”
How Do You Apply Shimmering Body Oil?
For the best results, slot it in as the last step—and don’t skip your SPF. “Sunscreen should go on first,” says Dr. Papantoniou. “Let it fully absorb and dry down, and then apply body shimmer oil as the finishing step.”
Who Should Use Shimmering Body Oil?
Most skin types can enjoy a shimmering body oil, but a few should apply with care. “For someone prone to body acne, I would avoid layering too many products in acne-prone areas,” says Dr. Papantoniou. “People with very sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin, or anyone who tends to react to fragrance should be more careful.” In general, if your skin gets irritated easily, take it slowly to start, and “look for something fragrance-free and patch test first,” she advises.
The Best Shimmering Body Oils to Try
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