There are a few ways to safely achieve a bronzed complexion: Self-tanning sprays, oils and lotions, to name a few. All of which might achieve a lasting tan for a few days up to two weeks. But these methods might be costly over time, and/or result in a streaky and patchy result.
For a low-stakes ‘sun-kissed’ glow, there’s an alternative on the market: Bronzing drops. Unlike some of the OG tanning methods, bronzing drops can be mixed with your favorite skin care products or used alone for daily use, so you can decide on the day(s) you want temporary color. Their pigments deliver immediate results (so you won’t need to wait hours for color to develop), are entirely customizable and some, if not many, contain a plethora of skin care benefits for added perks, too — plus, they’re editor- and expert-approved.
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What are bronzing drops?
Similar to self-tanners, bronzing drops don’t require sun or UV exposure to achieve their results. But on the contrary, the effect of bronzing drops are immediate, since they don’t require the product to settle into the skin for hours and eventually be washed off, explains Dr. Lauren Penzi, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. “They also allow for more controlled application, as users can control the number of drops they’re applying/mixing with their makeup or skincare products,” she adds.
Another perk to bronzing drops is that they can be washed off at the end of the day, similar to tinted skin care, such as makeup-skin care hybrids. They also don’t have the ‘tanner’ smell often found in self-tanning products. This makes the product ideal for those who don’t want to commit to a long-term change, want a customized experience or are new to tanning products alltogether.
Not all bronzing drops are alike, though. “Some are gel-based and others are oil-based,” says celebrity makeup artist Valeria Ferreira. “You can have a serum type that could be infused with hyaluronic acid. We can also find bronzing drops within the fake tan category, but these are used for a permanent bronzed look.” The formula you pick can even determine the finish, with serum-based bronzing drops providing more natural coverage compared to gel- and oil-based that might have a more dewy effect. “Personally, I love a liquid/serum type of bronzing drop formula as it disappears into the skin giving a flawless finish,” Ferreira recommends. But, “If you have an oily skin type, choose a gel formula versus an oily one as the latter will probably give you extra shine.”
Plus, some options pack tons of skin care benefits, too. You’ll often find ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in these products, so it is best to search according to your skin type. “SPF is definitely the best added ingredient to look out for,” advises Penzi. “... Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides and squalene are also great ingredients to look out for.”
The best bronzing drops, according to editors
Best bronzing drops for fair skin:
“I was fully expecting this product to be way too glittery, but instead it delivered the most gorgeous bronzy and buildable glow,” raves partnerships associate editor Lauren Witonsky. “I have very fair skin, but the hydrating formula blended in seamlessly with my SPF base — not leaving any muddiness, harsh lines or pilling.”
Best drugstore bronzing drops:
“I’ve used a few different glow drops over the years and recently added Versed’s version to my routine,” says partnerships senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. According to the brand, the product acts like a serum, but has the results of a highlighter, to which the editor adds that “a very small amount of product goes a long way, giving my skin a natural-looking glow that shimmers in the light.”
Best bronzing drops for mature skin:
I [San Miguel] would describe the texture of Saie’s Glowy Super Gel as jelly-like. This makes it useful to layer underneath your makeup as a primer, apply on top of your base as a highlighter or mix in with your foundation or skin care to enhance their glow — the options are endless! The brand even recommends applying it to your arms and legs for a full-body shimmer.
For those with mature skin, ingredients like rosehip seed oil, squalane and glycerin lock in moisture, visibly brighten and leave skin with a radiant, glitter-free glow that doesn’t settle.
Best tanning serum:
For the best of both worlds, this award-winning bronzing tint leaves the skin with no-rinse color that lasts. According to the brand, pigment develops in just an hour and shouldn’t clog pores. So if you aren’t ready to separate from your self-tanner just yet, this is a great product to commit to.
Best bronzing drops to mix with moisturizer:
We previously reported that mixing bronzer drops with skin care, like your moisturizer, can offer more sheer, customizable color. Commerce associate Lauren Andre found Tula’s Bronze Boost effective on its own, but found the best results when mixed with her skin care.
“It was buildable, which was nice because I didn’t end up too bronzed!,” she previously shared. “I was able to mix these with my foundations and moisturizers, and had no issues with pilling or changing the texture.”
Best bronzing drops for oily and acne-prone skin:
You might’ve heard of Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Drops, but this tinted version delivers the same serum-feel for a natural, bouncy radiance. I [San Miguel] tested them when they first launched (see review here), to which I called the serum-makeup hybrid a “trip to the beach” in a bottle.
Although the subtle tint is enough to love about the product, the mixture of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and watermelon makes it a great multi-use product, especially for those with oily skin looking to reduce pore size and redness.
An Internet-approved pick:
It’s gone viral multiple times for a reason. On her light makeup days, former associate editor Sierra Hoeger implements Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops in her routine. “I’ve been using it solo after using moisturizer and hyaluronic acid, and it blends well into my skin and I have a noticeable glow,” she adds. According to other reviews, the pigment is the perfect medium for multiple skin tones and doesn’t appear orange.
Most customizable:
Another Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner, these self-tanning bronzing drops add gradual color as you wear. As advised by the brand, the more drops you apply, the deeper your tan is. So while the product isn’t a traditional ‘bronzing drop,’ its serum-based formula similarly makes it comfortable and seamless to wear.
Best luxury bronzing drops:
While a luxury find, the lightweight wash of color made this formula from Westman Atelier, to me [San Miguel], well worth the price tag. With a moisturizing complex, the matte bronzing drops feel light and hydrating even on my dry skin. With four ‘subtle warmth’ shades, this product gives the appearance of a natural, ‘soft-bronzed’ tan that all skin types and tones can enjoy.
How to use bronzing drops
Mixing a drop with your favorite moisturizer, facial oil or other skin care can help you spread the product evenly, and decrease its intensity. Additionally, “bronzing drops can be used alone for a natural glow, but you can also add a few drops into your foundation if you’re looking for more coverage,” suggests celebrity makeup artist Clarissa Luna.
Ferreira breaks this process down: “Start with your concealer or foundation and even out your skin tone,” she begins. “Use a fluffy brush and go over the areas where the sun hits your face, blending the drops gently. If there are any patchy areas, go over with the foundation or concealer brush to remove any demarcation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
"Bronzing drops are fool-proof and don’t need to be set with powder," says Luna. "Easily apply it with your fingertips and allow it to sink into the skin, for an all-day wear," or for added bronze, dip into your favorite bronzer to enhance the complexion. To enhance it's staying power, your setting powder can be applied over the drops, too, suggests Carolina Gonzalez, a celebrity makeup artist.
And when it comes to selecting the right shade, some brands might advertise a universal tint whereas others might offer a select number of shades. "I think you should choose a shade that is two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone," advises Gonzalez, especially if you want a true tan complexion. Otherwise, "When looking for the perfect shade of bronzing drops, I always opt for sheer formulas to match every hue," adds Luna. "Mistake-free makeup is always the goal, and when you find a formula that comes in true universal shades, it’s kind of a big deal."
In short: Yes! But as with all skin care-infused products, you should proceed with caution. "Essentially, it comes down to the ingredients in the specific bronzing drops that determine if they are suitable for someone with sensitive skin," says Penzi. "Dihydroxyacetone is the active ingredient in most bronzing drops, which is not known to cause major issues with sensitive skin. With that said, there are certain additive ingredients in bronzing drops that can potentially cause issues, including fragrance and certain preservatives."
Like other makeup-skin care hybrids, bronzing drops can be used frequently. They’re meant to enhance your complexion or even match your foundation according to your summer shade, thus, they’re a part of your makeup or skin care just like the rest of the products in your routine.
However, you shouldn’t rely on bronzing drops to actively treat common skin concerns — just because they’re infused with skin care. “I would think of the ‘skin care’ component essentially as just a bonus when using the product, and wouldn’t bank on that as its primary purpose,” suggests Penzi. “For example, you still need to wash off your foundation with salicylic acid every night, and not rely on the [ingredient] as an overnight acne treatment.” Skin care-infused doesn’t make them sleep-proof!
How we chose the best bronzing drops
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. We based on picks for best bronzing drops on expert- and editor-tested products.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on bronzing drops. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Lauren Penzi is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. She specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Valeria Ferreira is a celebrity makeup artist who has styled looks for red carpets, photoshoots and other major events.
- Clarissa Luna is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City. Her looks have been seen on Jennifer Coolidge, Megan Fox and more.
- Carolina Gonzalez is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City, covering looks for red carpets, photoshoots and other major events.
