I'm very Italian, which means I was born with skin that tans easily in the sun. That said, I'm also a beauty editor, which means I inevitably shield my skin from the sun's harmful rays. Translation: I'm a die-hard self-tanner. I've tried everything from tanning drops to gradual lotions to face-specific self-tanners. The only problem? They can go streaky or veer orange, and once they're on my skin, I'm stuck like that for the week. That's where the best bronzing drops come in—and ever since I tried them, my skin has never looked better.
Bronzing drops are less about covering up and more about enhancing your skin's natural radiance with a healthy glow—think skincare meets tint, with flexible application and customizable color payoff. "It's like your serum and bronzer had a very efficient baby," says board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, who notes that many formulas are now packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate and soothe while giving skin a glowy tint.
And unlike powders or creams, bronzing drops play well with pretty much everything in your routine. "You can mix them with your skincare, foundation, or apply them on their own," says makeup artist Vincent Ford. "They tend to blend more easily than a powder or cream bronzer," he adds, which means fewer harsh lines and more natural-looking warmth that melts into your skin.
Ahead, we rounded up the very best bronzing drops for every skin tone, finish preference, and formula need so you can skip the sun and still look like you're glowing.
Best Bronzing Drops
- Best Overall Bronzing Drops: Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Bronzing Drops
- Best Bronzing Drops for All Skin Tones: E.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzing Drops
- Best Skincare-Infused Bronzing Drops: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops Serum
- Best Highlighting Bronzing Drops: Live Tinted Hueglow Liquid Highlighter Drops
- Best Matte Bronzing Drops: Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops
Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi is the product that put bronzing drops on the map. You've likely seen it mixed with the brand's Protini moisturizer—thanks to that clever palette-style packaging—but it's more than just an innovative design. The formula itself is light as air, blending seamlessly into skincare or makeup, and leaves behind a radiant glow, not a sparkly one. Plus, it's loaded with peptides and barrier-supporting ingredients to really amp up that radiance.
Key Ingredients: Grape seed extract, green tea extract, vitamin E (protects with antioxidants); Hyaluronic acid, glycerin (hydrates); Linoleic acid (prevents transepidermal water loss)
Finish: Glowing
Shades: 1
What I Love: Made to suit all skin tones; Peptide- and antioxidant-packed
What I Don't: May not show up under foundation, particularly well
Review for MC: "These drops brought a lot of life and color to my face without any fuss. The application was super easy—I worked the product into a brush and built it up on my skin. It's also great for body—I used it to cover tan lines on my chest and make my shoulders glow." — Katie Buckleitner, Senior Designer
Katie Buckleitner applies Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi.
This $12 bronzer might be budget-friendly, but it delivers like a luxury pick. It's made with hydrating glycerin to draw moisture in, sunflower seed oil to help seal it in, and vitamin E for an antioxidant boost, making it an MVP in your beauty lineup. But the real standout? Most bronzing drops don't offer multiple undertones, but Ford's a fan of E.l.f.'s for exactly that reason. "Choosing a shade that complements your undertone makes the finish much more flattering," he says.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydrates); Sunflower seed oil (moisturizes); Vitamin E (soothes and protects with antioxidants)
Finish: Shimmer
Shades: 3
What I Love: Undertones for each skin tone; Most affordable option on this list
What I Don't: Can be patchy on dry skin, testers note
Review for MC: "Confession: I've never tried bronzing drops and had no idea how to use these. Thankfully, E.l.f. couldn't have made a more dummy-proof formula. You simply add a couple of drops to your moisturizer (I used Bobbi Brown's Face Base), mix it up, and apply all over. I was shocked by the glow, only a tad bit gave me—it looked like I had just hopped off a plane from a week-long trip in Mexico. It's safe to say I'm a fan of bronzing drops now." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger applies the E.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzing Drops.
Think of this next pick as your skin's new best friend. It gives an instant bronzy glow thanks to its subtle shimmer, while hyaluronic acid helps plump and hydrate, and niacinamide works behind the scenes to even out tone over time. You can smooth it all over your face for a natural warmth that makes skipping makeup an easy option.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (evens skin tone and soothes); Centella asiatica (soothes and diminishes redness); Hyaluronic acid (plumps and hydrates)
Finish: Shimmer
Shades: 2
What I Love: Can totally replace your go-to serum; Comes in a rosy undertone and a bronze undertone; Brightens skin over time
What I Don't: A little goes a long way, so you can easily overdo the bronze
Review for MC: "I've been wearing this bronzer in lieu of a foundation this summer. I layer it underneath my concealer because it blurs my skin and makes it look more even (and just a little glowy). It works just as well blended in with my foundation or tinted moisturizer on days when I need a boost of glow. It doesn't break me out, and doesn't look glittery. It's not completely sweatproof, but it doesn't look patchy or uneven as it fades. I plan on wearing it well into the fall and winter once my summer tan fades." — Julia Marzovilla, Commerce Editor
Julia Marzovilla wearing Glow Recipe Hue Drops.
One of the most underrated glow products out there is this highlighter-bronzer hybrid from Live Tinted. It works just as well on the body as it does on the face, and never looks chunky or glittery. Instead, it uses micro-fine pearlescent pigments to deliver a soft, radiant sheen. The four undertones—bronze, opal, rose, and gold—add just the right touch of warmth while subtly catching the light on all the highpoints.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrates); Squalane (moisturizes)
Finish: Pearlescent
Shades: 4
What I Love: Never leaves an orange tint; Works well for all skin types; The most dewy-looking glow
What I Don't: Testers note that the bottle will get super sticky with use
Review for MC: "I gotta say, these bronzing drops totally surprised me. At first, I wasn't sure if it would look too disco-like, but it leaves a stunning, natural-looking glow. It also goes on super smooth and never oxidizes throughout the day. I wear it on my collarbones for an extra pop. " — Rebecca Boulware
Rebecca Boulware applies Live Tinted Hueglow Liquid Highlighter Drops.
Most bronzing drops leave a shimmer or pearlescent finish, which isn't always ideal for those with oily skin or anyone who wants color sans the shine. Westman Atelier solves that problem with its matte formula that delivers the warmth of a bronzer without the glow of a highlighter. The coverage is light enough to let your natural skin peek through, but it still evens out your complexion, giving you that fresh, just-back-from-vacation look.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E (soothes and protects with antioxidants); Glycerin (hydrates and pulls moisture in)
Finish: Matte
Shades: 4
What I Love: Lightweight formula that feels like nothing on the face; Great inclusive shade range; Buildable and never streaks or cakes up
What I Don't: Oftentimes sold out due to popularity
Customer Review: "This is a fab product in a super-cute and portable package. I personally like to add a couple of drops to my moisturizer and then add more to the areas I want to contour. It’s super lightweight and feels pure luxe on the skin. It has a matte finish which looks very natural, and if you want to dial up the glow, you can just add a highlighter as a finishing step." — Sephora
If you're after all the shimmer and glow, check out Armani Beauty's Fluid Sheer. While it comes in exclusively highlight and blush shades, the bronzing options stand out. There are two: a true bronze called "Golden Bronze" and a shade that blends blush and bronzer, aptly named "Bronze Blush." Applied to the high points of your cheeks, it instantly adds warmth and color while illuminating the skin—the sheer but noticeable pigmentation layers effortlessly with other products for a super natural finish.
Key Ingredients: Mica (shimmer); Glycerin (hydration)
Finish: Shimmer
Shades: 5
What I Love: Can be built up super seamlessly; "Bronze Blush" brings warmth and color; Can be mixed with skincare too
What I Don't: There's not much product in each tube
Customer Review: "My skin tone is very tan, but my face stays way lighter in comparison bc I’m an outdoors person, but do all I can to hide my face from the sun!!! I hate self-tan. This is the best way to bring a natural tan with just a glow and no coverage. I wear this every day after skincare, and I’m obsessed. I don’t even need to wear any other makeup." — Sephora
While some people want a face bronzer that can wash off at the end of the day, others prefer something longer-lasting, and that's where self-tanning drops come in. It might sound intimidating to use a tanner on your face, but this formula is basically foolproof thanks to its two shade options and customizable drop count. As long as you follow the suggested amount, you won't wake up looking orange or overdone. The result is a subtle, natural-looking glow that's way less intense than typical body self-tanners.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E (soothes and protects with antioxidants); Aloe vera (soothes and hydrates)
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 2
What I Love: Two shade options; Can customize the amount of drops; Contains skin-soothing ingredients that make the formulation gentler
What I Don't: One of the higher-priced tanning drop formulas
Customer Review: "Love this product! Beautiful formula which leaves me with a natural tan. I’ve tried many different tanners, but this one is by far the best and looks most like a real and natural tan. I’m pale, but I use the darkest shade because the lighter one leaves a more orangey tone. Highly recommend!" — Sephora
As we age, our skin can start to look dull and dehydrated due to sun exposure and a decline in collagen and elasticity. That's where bronzing drops with a radiant finish and hydrating ingredients come in—they help bring life and glow back to the skin. This formula from Trinny London is packed with micro-fine pearlescent pigments that won't settle into fine lines or wrinkles. Instead, it adds a subtle luminosity that lifts and brightens the face when applied to the high points.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, avocado oil, argan oil, jojoba oil (prevents transepidermal water loss)
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 4
What I Love: Won't settle into fine lines or accentuate wrinkles; Filled with emollients that seal in moisture; Gives skin a "fresh" look
What I Don't: Contains fragrance, which may be irritating for sensitive skin types
Customer Review: "Gorgeous shimmer, without too much shine on my mature skin. No irritation anywhere, including around eye area. Works beautifully with my BFF Cream. Love it! Just reordered!" — Trinny London
How Do I Apply Bronzing Drops?
One of the best parts about bronzing drops is their customization. According to Ford, his go-to method is to mix a few drops into a moisturizer. He says this technique gives a soft, sun-kissed effect that looks more natural. "I also like to mix it into a serum or facial oil for even more glow and hydration," he adds. If you want more coverage, Ford recommends mixing the drops directly into foundation, which he says "gives a really seamless bronzed finish."
On days when you're skipping makeup entirely, you can even mix bronzing drops into your skincare. While you can also apply them directly to the skin, Ford prefers to blend them into something else so the color diffuses more evenly. One crucial tip: skip mixing bronzing drops with SPF, as Ford emphasizes that doing so can compromise the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Instead, use two-finger lengths of SPF before the bronzing drops.
What to Look for in Bronzing Drops
- Skin Type
The first thing to consider is your skin type. Dr. Gohara advises that if your skin is dry, look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to keep it plump and dewy. Oily or acne-prone? Stick with oil-free formulas that have a matte finish to avoid extra shine. And because some bronzing drops can oxidize or turn orange after a few hours, Dr. Gohara recommends testing a drop on your wrist first.
- Undertone
Both experts agree that matching your undertone is key. Ford notes that while bronzing drops can work on every skin tone, "not every brand makes shades for every skin tone." For medium to deep complexions, especially, he says it's essential to find a formula that doesn't appear too light or gray. He says to reach for drops that offer a variety of undertones for the most complementary finish. (Look to E.l.f's Bronzing Drops for a good option.)
- Ingredients
Many of today's formulas do more than just tint; they also treat your skin. Dr. Gohara recommends ingredients like humectants and skin-smoothers for a double-duty action. "Hyaluronic acid hydrates, plumping the skin for a dewy finish, while niacinamide helps even tone and soothes inflammation." So, instead of layering serum and bronzer separately, you get a glow and boost in one step.
How We Tested
Marie Claire is an authority on beauty, having written numerous stories about must-have makeup and skincare formulas, including the best tinted sunscreens and the best eyebrow gels, among others. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by beauty writers after extensive testing over several weeks.
While the best bronzing drops for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Mona Gohara, a Yale-trained board-certified dermatologist and former chief resident at Yale New Haven Hospital, is an associate clinical professor at Yale, where she continues to teach and mentor. As President of the Women's Dermatologic Society and chair of several committees for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Gohara is a recognized leader in her field. A trusted medical expert, she frequently contributes to publications such as Marie Claire, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and more, and serves on the advisory board for Women's Health. Her clinical focus and interests include skin of color and both medical and surgical dermatology.
With almost two decades of experience as a makeup artist, Vincent Ford soon discovered a passion for photography. He found that his makeup expertise enhanced his photography skills, while being a beauty photographer made him a better makeup artist. Ford's career has taken him around the globe, with work experience spanning the US, Europe, and the Middle East. He shares his work and tips with his combined audience of over 1 million people across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
