Summer is in full swing, which means if you’re anything like us, you’re reaching for beauty products that give you a glowy, bronzed, sun-kissed (we can keep going…) look. Enter: bronzing drops.
Not to be dramatic, but they can be absolutely game-changing for anyone who loves a dewy, fresh look without having to bake under the sun for it. (Use SPF, friends!)
Best Bronzing Drops
Bronzing drops range from makeup-adjacent products to serums that work double duty by adding a glow while also serving as skincare. Below, we’re breaking down our editors’ favorite bronzing drops on the market right now—plus everything to know before you pick your go-to.
What to Consider
Key Ingredients
When it comes to anything you put on your face, you want to understand what’s in it. If you want a truly dewy look, keep an eye out for mica in a product’s ingredient list. Mica is what adds shimmers and dewiness to makeup. Other ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and peptides, will help to hydrate the skin, which also contributes to a glowy look.
Some products, like Glow Recipe’s Hue Drops, have skincare ingredients like niacinamide, which works to correct and improve discoloration and texture on the skin. Products like this work better as an addition to your skincare routine versus a makeup product you tack on after prepping your face.
Shade Range
You’ll want to find bronzing drops that work for your skin tone. Most bronzing drops come in minimal shade ranges, unfortunately, but there are a handful on this list that have more than two options. The L’Oreal Lumi Glotion, for example, comes in five different shades that work for both fair and deeper skin tones.
Coverage
Bronzing drops become part of your makeup routine, so you’ll want to make sure you get a product that will provide the coverage you’re looking for. While the Hue Drops will provide very sheer coverage, a product like Tarte’s Key Largo Glow works a bit harder to hide discoloration.
Bronzing drops won’t double as a full-coverage foundation, but they can be an excellent addition to your foundation or skin tint to add warmth and depth to the skin—especially if you’re hoping to use your winter foundation shade throughout the summer.
Go ahead and get your glow on! You’ll have your coworkers asking where you went on vacation, while you know the secret is what you added to your morning routine.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
Pros
- Skincare ingredients
- Versatile application
- Easy to blend
Cons
- Pricey
You’ve likely seen these in the hands of your favorite influencer and in GRWM videos galore. Drunk Elephant pretty much set the standard for bronzing drops when D-Bronzi came out. The serum is designed to be mixed with your go-to moisturizer for a base coverage that adds some warmth to your skin without additional makeup.
“Bronzing drops are really versatile, which is why I love them, and these are the best of the best, in my opinion,” Brian Underwood says. “The shade is universally beautiful, with a nice warm undertone that brightens the complexion and enough reflection to brighten the skin without being over-the-top glittery. The texture is very moisturizing and blends in easily—both onto your skin directly or when blended with your moisturizer, and the finish can be as sheer or glowy as you want it to be. Either way, it never looks fake or makeup-y, which is a plus for me.”
This is a pricier option than others on this list, but they’re worth the splurge, IOO (in our opinion, obvs).
| Key Ingredients | Mica, hyaluronic acid, peptides |
|---|---|
| Shade Range | 3 |
| Coverage | Light |
You’ve likely seen these in the hands of your favorite influencer and in GRWM videos galore. Drunk Elephant pretty much set the standard for bronzing drops when D-Bronzi came out. The serum is designed to be mixed with your go-to moisturizer for a base coverage that adds some warmth to your skin without additional makeup.
“Bronzing drops are really versatile, which is why I love them, and these are the best of the best, in my opinion,” Brian Underwood says. “The shade is universally beautiful, with a nice warm undertone that brightens the complexion and enough reflection to brighten the skin without being over-the-top glittery. The texture is very moisturizing and blends in easily—both onto your skin directly or when blended with your moisturizer, and the finish can be as sheer or glowy as you want it to be. Either way, it never looks fake or makeup-y, which is a plus for me.”
This is a pricier option than others on this list, but they’re worth the splurge, IOO (in our opinion, obvs).
Pros
- Cooler undertone that doesn’t look orange
- Good for oily or combination skin
Cons
- Very concentrated and can’t be used as a base bronzer
Indeed’s bronzing drops fall at a mid-range price point, and you get a decent amount of product for the price. “This one has a much cooler undertone to it, so if you’re looking for mega-warmth, it’s not for you.” Underwood says. “I use this one with my regular moisturizer and blend it all over my face and neck. It’s super concentrated, so a little really goes a long way—this isn’t one you’d want to apply directly to your face as a quasi-bronzer. It has an almost velvet-y feel, so it’s great if you have oily or combination skin, like me.”
There are two shades of these drops, one original and one deep. It works as an overall body bronzer or mixed in with your makeup products for that sun-kissed look that screams summer.
| Key Ingredients | Mica, sodium hyaluronate (moisturizes), squalene (hydrating) |
|---|---|
| Shades Available | 2 |
| Coverage | Sheer |
Pros
- Comes in five shades
- Feels hydrating for the skin
Cons
- Minimal coverage for blemishes or discoloration
L’Oreal’s Glotion can be used as a primer, mixed in with your foundation, or on its own as a highlighter. “This Lumi Glotion From L’Oreal is my everyday staple in the summer. It makes you look like you just walked off the beach, especially when you opt for a shade that’s a bit darker than your original skin tone,” Lily Wohlner says. “It’s such a staple product in my routine and I love that it doesn’t break the bank.”
Nashia Baker is also a fan of the drugstore product, saying, “Glotion is my go-to for a bronze-y look! It just takes a few small drops to give my skin a natural-looking glow. Plus, I love how creamy it feels without leaving a greasy residue. I usually wear it alone, but I also find it easy to layer with other makeup products like foundation.”
| Key Ingredients | Shea butter, jojoba, mica |
|---|---|
| Shades Available | 5 |
| Coverage | Sheer |
e.l.f. Bronzing Drops
Pros
- Affordable
- Skincare ingredients are hydrating on the skin
Cons
- Some users note it can look patchy on the skin
As a brand on a mission to keep its name in the game, e.l.f. unsurprisingly dropped bronzing drops to rival those of higher-end brands. The formula is designed to be similar to the Drunk Elephant pick. Mix it with your moisturizer for an all-over sun-kissed base for your makeup.
The compact packaging makes it easy to put in your travel bag for trips or at the end of your glam session. The brand lists the product as a serum, but you can wear it underneath your makeup or mix it in for that back-from-vacation glow.
| Key Ingredients | Mica, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Shades Available | 3 |
| Coverage | Light |
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops
Pros
- Skincare ingredients meant to help improve skin
- Very light coverage gives a natural look for a range of skin tones
Cons
- Pricey
- Only available in one shade
Glow Recipe’s hue drops are meant to be added into the last steps of your skincare routine. The formula is loaded with skincare benefits, like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, that help uneven skin texture while hydrating your base before you start applying your makeup.
You can use the drops on their own as a skincare product for subtle warmth and dew, or you can mix the product in with your foundation for a more enhanced bronze. There’s only one shade available, which is a con for us. The sheer, lightweight drops add more of a glow than a base bronze, but they get the job done if you’re looking for just a little extra oomph.
| Key Ingredients | Mica, niacinamide,hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Shades Available | 1 |
| Coverage | Very sheer |
Pros
- Packaging makes it easy to distribute product
- Decent shade range
- Very glowy
Cons
- Fades quickly
- Have to use a lot of product for color to show
Tarte’s bronzing drops come in four shades, ranging from a lighter champagne tone to a deeper, richer hue. If you’re fair-skinned, the Bronze Glow shade adds just the right amount of warmth to the skin while keeping things glowy and bright. I’ve even mixed this in with my sunscreen for pool days to add just a bit of coverage without overdoing it.
Mostly, though, I found myself using the Key Largo Glow drops on my arms, chest, and collarbones. During wears to the office and underneath foundation, the formula didn’t show through as much as I’d like. But, on bare skin, while wearing tanks and strapless tops, it added just the right tone and glow over self tanner for a full bronzed look.
| Key Ingredients | Vitamin E, vegan squalene, sodium hyaluronate (moisturizes) |
|---|---|
| Shades Available | 4 |
| Coverage | Light |
