Whether you're looking to add some extra pizzazz to your next crafting project, create some glowing garments, or simply want to add some unique touches to your home décor, glow in the dark paints are a fun and creative way to do so. With so many different options on the market, we've scoured the web to bring you Gathered's top picks.
In this article, we'll share the best glow in the dark paints that are sure to light up your world. We've also covered the different types of glow paint and what to look for when choosing a glow in the dark paint at the end of this article.
So grab your paintbrushes and let's get started!
Best glow in the dark paint: at a glance
- Best for mixing with other mediums: Pebeo Studios Phosphorescent Gel
- Most powerful glow: LIT Glow in the Dark Acrylic Powder
- Thickest acrylic base: Golden Acrylics Phosphorescent Green Paint
- Best glow in the dark and UV colours: Neon Nights 2-in-1 Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint Set
- Best UV body paint: UV Neon Face & Body Paint Glow Kit
- Best glow in the dark spray paint: Rust-Oleum Glow in the Dark Aqua Matt Multi-Surface Spray Paint
- Best glow in the dark fabric paint: Tulip Glow Fabric Paint
- Best bulk glow in the dark paint: Luminous Glow Paint 500ml
Best glow in the dark paints in 2024
Pebeo Studios Phosphorescent Gel
Best for mixing with other mediums
This colourless phosphorescent gel by Pebeo Studios is a great all-rounder. The water-based acrylic gel can be mixed with other coloured paints to make them glow in the dark, and when used by on its own the gel glows a whitish-green hue.
You could also choose to coat your project in several thin layers of the gel after you've finished painting. Although it's worth noting that this gel doesn't dry completely transparently, so make sure to consider how it will appear in daylight.
Pebeo Studios Phosphorescent Gel is also available in blue, turquoise, green, and yellow, and comes in a 100ml tube. The gels are best applied thickly with a palette knife to light surfaces, to ensure optimal visibility in the dark.
According to reviews, the texture of the gels can be a bit grainy, and the glow doesn't last as long as more expensive products. However, this gel is great value for money, and the overall consensus of the top public reviews is that the gel is a solid purchase option.
Looking for more acrylic paints? Check out Gathered's roundup of the best acrylic paint brands and sets.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Can be used over the top of other paints
- Can be mixed with other colours
Cons
- Not the longest-lasting glow
- Slightly gritty texture
LIT Glow in the Dark Acrylic Powder
Most powerful glow
- Buy now from Amazon (£12.99), eBay (£4)
LIT's Glow in the Dark Acrylic Powder is famed on the internet as one of the most powerful luminous pigments available.
LIT, unlike other pigments, has the advantage of being rechargeable an infinite number of times. Additionally, it has a remarkably high luminescence, which can often outshine the surrounding ambient light.
You can charge the LIT pigment with light, and after an initial burst of intense brightness, the pigment can continue to glow for a few hours, depending on the mixture.
It has been specifically formulated to mix with Superbase, a binder, producing a super-pigmented, ultra-glowing paint that can adhere to almost any surface. This is a great option if you're after the brightest, most reliable glow possible.
Pros
- Brightest glow
- High quality
Cons
- Needs to be used with binder
- Expensive in large quantities
Buy now from eBay (£4)
Golden Acrylics Phosphorescent Green Paint
Thickest acrylic paint
If you're looking for a glow in the dark paint that stands out from the rest, Golden Acrylics Phosphorescent Green Paint is one to beat. With its thick, high-quality formula, this paint is the perfect choice for those who want the brightest and longest-lasting glow possible.
While this paint may come with a higher price tag than some other options on the market, its impressive performance makes it well worth the investment for serious artists and crafters. However, it may not be the best choice for kid's projects or casual fun projects due to its price.
Pros
- Thick consistency
- High-quality formula
Cons
- Expensive
Neon Nights 2-in-1 Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint Set
Best glow in the dark and UV colours
If you don't want to faff around mixing up colours before painting, the Neon Nights 2-in-1 Glow in the Dark Acrylic Paint Set is a versatile and easy-to-use choice.
This paint set boasts a unique 2-in-1 formula, allowing it to both glow in the dark as well as under UV light, making it perfect for a wide variety of projects. With several vibrant colours to choose from, you can easily customize your creations to suit your style.
It comes ready-made, so you don't need to worry about mixing or preparing anything beforehand. Plus, the easy-to-use formula makes it a great option for children, allowing them to get creative without any hassle.
However, it's worth noting that this paint set does require several coats to achieve the desired level of glow, so you may need to be a bit patient with your application. It's also recommended to stir the paints thoroughly before use and apply a coat of white primer before using the paints. According to public reviews, some felt the paint only glowed under UV light, but if applied properly and charged for 10-20 minutes under daylight or lightbulbs, they should work!
Despite being less high-quality than some of our other entries on this list, Neon Night's paint range offers great value with its eight different colours at an affordable price. Check out more fun craft kits for kids here!
Pros
- Eight colours
- 2-in-1 formula
- Great for children
Cons
- Needs a few coats to glow
- Not as high quality
UV Neon Face & Body Paint Glow Kit
Best UV body paint
- Buy now from Etsy (£16.98)
The UV Neon Face & Body Paint Glow Kit is the perfect addition to any party, festival, or event where you want to stand out in the crowd.
This top-rated, black, light-reactive and fluorescent paint is safe, washable, and non-toxic, making it perfect for kids and adults alike. While this paint doesn't glow in the dark, it has a strong pigmentation that creates a vibrant and eye-catching effect under UV light.
The colours are vivid and bright, making them perfect for creating bold and dramatic looks, although reviews suggest that the pink and blue shades are less bright than the others.
Pros
- Vivid colours
- Safe for face and body
Cons
- Only glows under UV light
Buy now from Etsy (£16.98)
Rust-Oleum Glow in the Dark Aqua Matt Multi-Surface Spray Paint
Best glow in the dark spray paint
The Rust-Oleum Glow in the Dark Aqua Matt Multi-Surface Spray Paint is designed to work on a variety of surfaces, making it great for use on both indoor and outdoor projects. The unique aqua colour adds an interesting twist to the traditional green glow in the dark paint, making it stand out from the rest.
The reviews for this product are very mixed. Some users suggest it glows well in the dark, however, others report that they were disappointed with the glow effect.
While the product has received mixed reviews, it is worth trying if you are searching for a glow in the dark spray paint for large projects.
Looking to paint on unique surfaces? Check out our roundup of the best glass painting kits.
Pros
- Great for large or outdoor projects
- Aqua colour
Cons
- Mixed reviews mean it may not be efficient
Tulip Glow Fabric Paint
Best glow in the dark fabric paint
- Buy now from The Glow Company (£2.50).
The Tulip Glow Fabric Paint is the perfect way to add a touch of magic to your fabric projects. It's available in a variety of colours, and while it only glows under UV light, it creates a strong and vibrant effect. It's perfect for use on clothing, bags, and other fabric items, and is a great activity for older kids.
Using Tulip Glow Fabric Paint should be easy - simply squeeze it straight out of the bottle using the fine nozzle. The paint dries in 72 hours and is permanent, so you can enjoy your glowing designs for years to come (but don't wash above 40 degrees).
If you're interested in finding out about more fabric painting projects, check out our beginners' guide to fabric painting.
Pros
- Great for use on fabric
- Easy to use nozzle
- Multiple colours
Cons
- Only glows under UV light
Buy now from The Glow Company (£2.50).
Coo-Var Luminous Glow Paint 500ml
Best bulk glow in the dark paint
- Buy now from The Glow Company (£82.99).
Coo-Var Luminous Glow Paint is a premium quality paint that is ideal for adding a glowing effect to your large-scale projects. While it is on the pricier side, its large size and superior quality make it worth the investment for professional crafters.
This paint is great for creating an eye-catching effect on wood, metal, and masonry surfaces. Its water-based formula and low odour make it easy and safe to use in various environments.
Applying the paint is easy, simply use a brush and wait for it to dry. It has a touch-dry time of 30 minutes and a hard-dry time of 2 hours, and it can be overcoated after 6 hours.
Pros
- Bulk size
- Great for larger projects
Cons
- Expensive
Buy now from The Glow Company (£82.99).
What to look for when choosing the best glow in the dark paint
- Brightness - the most important feature of any glow in the dark paint is its brightness. You want a paint that will glow brightly for hours after being exposed to light, so make sure to check the reviews and choose a paint with a long luminosity lifetime! We've included some of the brightest paints according to reviews in our roundup.
- Colour - the colour of glow in the dark paints ranges from colourless (which glows a whitish-green in the dark), to all colours of the rainbow! You can choose to buy a set of glow in the dark colours, an individual coloured paint, or add a colourless glow in the dark pigment to other colours of paint you already have (more on that later).
- Safety - glow in the dark paints can contain harmful chemicals, so make sure to check the age rating if you're painting with children, and always read the safety instructions!
- Application - some glow in the dark paints may be thinner than others, and you may have to apply several coats of paint before it provides a strong glow. Consider the thickness of brushes you'll need, and if you're using spray paint, make sure to protect your clothing and use it in a well-ventilated area.
- Price - as ever, budget is indicative of quality when it comes to glow in the dark paints. A cheaper paint might not provide a long-lasting glow, or might take several coats to show up in the dark. If you're completing an important or large-scale project, you might want to price up and go for a more expensive product, whereas if you're just having fun, a cheaper option will probably suit you best.
Types of glow in the dark paint
- Acrylic-based - acrylic glow in the dark paint is a long-lasting, water-based paint that can be applied to a variety of surfaces, such as paper, wood, and plastic. Avoid contact with the skin as it can be quite stubborn to remove.
- Oil-based - oil-based glow in the dark paint is best for outdoor use, as it is very resilient to the elements. However, it's a bit more tricky to use, as it can only be diluted in solvents and oils, which makes it difficult to clean off skin and clothing.
- Spray paint - glow in the dark spray paint is another good option for outdoor use, as it is relatively easy to use on walls and large surfaces. However, you can also use it for indoor projects, but make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and protect your clothing and space.
- Powder pigment - glow in the dark powder pigment can be mixed with other mediums such as a binder, paint, resin, varnish, or glue, to create a glowing piece.
- UV-reactive paint - UV paints do not glow under regular dark conditions - they must be used under UV light, also known as black light. These paints can provide a very strong glow, without needing to 'charge', but make sure not to mix them up with regular glow in the dark paints, to avoid disappointment!
Time to get glowing!
Glow in the dark paints are a great addition to any craft set, and enable you to add a whole new dimension to your art. We hope that our roundup has helped you find everything you need to create the perfect glow in the dark masterpiece!
Crafting for kids to light up their faces
Looking for more fun activities to get creative with the kids? Check out Gathered's roundup of the best art sets for kids for everything from watercolour painting to building your own birdhouse!
