The 12 Best Bronzing Drops for a Natural Sun-Kissed Glow, Tested and Reviewed

This cult-favorite bronzy serum adds a lit-from-within glow when used solo or mixed in with your moisturizer. Plus—get this—it contains a chronopeptide that actually mimics the benefits you get from vitamin D from the sun.

Best for: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types

What experts are saying: “There’s a reason these drops started a bronzing revolution. I love adding the Drunk Elephant serum to my moisturizer or sunscreen to create a bronze luminosity on no-makeup makeup days. The color lasts all day and never gets patchy, which is hard to achieve with tinted serums.” —Katie Intner, associate beauty editor

Customer review: “Can never even leave the house without these bronzing drops. I don’t even bother to put makeup on when I wear this. Literally an instant tan/bronzer. U just can never go wrong with it!” —reivenA

These affordable ($12) drops add warmth without looking fake. They come in three shades—rose gold, pure gold, and copper gold—to suit your skin tone and undertones.

Best for: Oily, dry, and combination skin types

What experts are saying: “These drops are so easy to use and, at only $12, the easiest way to see if the bronzing drop trend is right for you. Though they’re affordable, they don’t skimp on skincare ingredients, with vitamin E and sunflower seed oil in the formula to help skin really glow.” —Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director

Customer review: “Really good formula. I loved how I was able to blend with my fingers and it was streak-free. Truly recommend the tone it gives it's truly natural looking. Def recommend!” —fortuna

Smith says this skincare/makeup hybrid formula—a riff on Glow Recipe’s best-selling niacinamide dew drops—creates the “most effortless bronze.” Adds the makeup artist of the sheer gel formula: “Bonus, they match all skin tones!”

Best for: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types

Customer review: “Don’t be scared off by the pigment when you first pump the product out, this goes on very sheer and I love how natural this looks on the face, it gives off that perfect healthy summer glow.” —ileana01

Not only do these drops have an almost molten sheen, Brownell points out they’re also boosted with skincare ingredients like vitamin E and barrier-reinforcing apricot extract.

What experts are saying: “I love to mix a drop or two of these bronzing drops into my moisturizer when I feel particularly dull or lifeless. It gives my skin the prettiest golden sheen without looking too bronze or warm. Plus, isn’t the packaging so chic?” —JR

In true Fenty Beauty by Rihanna form, this range of drops—which includes both highlighters and bronzers—is made with all skin tones in mind. They add just the right amount of glow, so you look radiant, not sweaty.

Customer review: “I love this product alone and under light makeup, like concealer and powder. Looks super natural and glowy like natural, sunkissed, youthful skin.” —JVERA

I’ve been using Tula’s new bronzing drops, which are as hydrating as they are radiance-boosting, thanks to copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant-rich green tea. I’m pale, so just one pump is plenty, but they’re buildable.

Best for: Oily, combination, mature, dry, and balanced skin types

Many of the bronzing drops on the market are infused with shimmer, but Westman Atelier's drops are a sheer-yet-buildable, glitter-free formula that just adds a hint of warmth. Brownell says these silky drops “instantly perk up the skin, giving an ethereal, sun-kissed sheen that’s beautiful worn all over to cheat a bit of a tan, mixed with foundation, or as a targeted bronze glow on the cheeks.” There are skincare benefits, too, including an amino-infused active blend and prebiotics.

Best for: All skin types

Customer review: “This bronzer is a new favorite—I love that it’s matte, making it perfect for everyday use. It gives a cute, sun-kissed effect without looking too glowy. I usually use bronzer creams or sticks, so this drop-style formula was new to me, but I was pleasantly surprised! A little goes a long way—just start with a small amount and build up as needed.” —TKLA373

Think of the Jones Road bronzing drops like the sun in a bottle. You can use this lightweight gel serum to bronze your entire face or just in the places where the sun would hit, like your cheekbones and forehead. Not only does the brand have different shades, but each shade has a different undertone for a truly customizable look.

Best for: All skin types, especially mature

Customer review: “I like to use the gel bronzer very lightly over my whole face. I use this instead of the cream make up. I feel it blends into my skin very nicely. I use it with a little blush on my cheeks and the hippie stick on the top of my cheeks. It doesn’t feel oily just guess me a bit of healthy glow. And it’s 75. I need all the help I can get.” —Deane F

This teeny bottle—it’s barely larger than a pack of gum—packs a ton of glow. Add just a couple of drops of the vitamin C–infused formula to your moisturizer for that “instant vacay” look.

Best for: All skin types

Customer review: “I use this product mixed into my moisturizer when self-tanned and post-vacation. It gives a light wash of color and blends out perfectly without being splotchy. This is the first bronzing drop formula I’ve tried and it was a home run.” —Erin

If you swear by Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, you’ll be thrilled to know the luxury brand makes bronzer drops too. (In fact, the Armani drops were among the first.) The shimmer-free formula comes in three shades and has a serum-style texture for easy blending and a skin-like finish.

What experts are saying: “I am obsessed with Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation—I even wore it on my wedding day, so I jumped at the chance to try these liquid bronzers when they first launched years ago. The liquid formula is so silky and soft, but it dries down to a more satin, powder-like finish than the other drops on this list, if that’s more your thing. Overall, the skin-like finish is so beautiful.” —JR

Customer review: “If you remember Armani maestro liquid summer. This is like it - the most beautiful liquid bronzer that blends seamlessly. I hope they never discontinue it. It dries down so nicely. I am obsessed.” —michycakes

Four shades of these drops—from pale champagne to rich bronze—mean every skin tone can get that tropical-vacay glow. Plus, they give you a super-fine shimmer that not even an island getaway can provide.

Customer review: “I absolutely love the glow drops for a subtle sun-kissed look. I was afraid the drops would be too dewy for my combination skin, but that’s not the case. The outcome is a soft, natural-looking tan, very pretty.” —Liz C.

For the self-tan obsessed, this +Lux Unfiltered serum will be your best friend. This serum bronzes, illuminates, and tans in one step so you get an immediate and long-lasting glow. Plus, it has a thin, water texture that layers perfectly under makeup.

What experts are saying: "I am an avid self-tanner user (and a big fan of +Lux Unfiltered's Tanning Face Drops), so this serum has become a go-to step before applying makeup. It looks dark and scary in the bottle, but it blends like a dream and gives a subtle boost of glow and illumination that is gorgeous alone or under makeup." —Katie Intner, beauty market and commerce editor

Customer review: "Wasn’t sure how one universal shade of bronze would work for all skin tones, but somehow these magical face drops neutralized my redness, gave me instant color, and I was left with a glowing tan after washing them off. So impressed!" —Kelly Bardot