Clean bronzing drops are the ultimate cheat code to achieving a sun-kissed glow all year round through natural ingredients. These tinted shimmery bronzer gels are sooo versatile, customizable and can be used in a ton of different ways! I love how convenient and dummy-proof they are, and with organic products, I know I’m taking care of my skin health at the same time. I’m sharing all the different ways to use non-toxic bronzing drops, what ingredients to avoid, my before and after results, and my in-depth comparison of the best ones!
Ingredients to Avoid when Shopping for Bronzing Drops
Everyone has different purity standards when it comes to clean makeup. Here are the ingredients you might want to avoid when shopping for a bronzing gel / drops.
- PEGs: These may be contaminated with Ethylene oxide, which is used in the production of PEGs and is a known carcinogen and 1,4-Dioxane, a potential carcinogen.
- Polyquaternium: These synthetic polymers can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, contribute to plastic pollution and some formulations of polyquaternium, especially those combined with preservatives, may release formaldehyde (carcinogen).
- Artificial Fragrance: this is a chemical cocktail made from over two thousand fragrance chemicals, many of which are known endocrine disruptors.
- Alumina: linked to skin, eye and respiratory irritation
- Tromethamine: I see this chemical in a lot of drugstore bronzing drops. It’s a pH adjuster, but in some studies it’s been linked to neurotoxicity in animal studies
How to Use Bronzing Drops
There’s so many ways to use non-toxic bronzing drops, from giving dull skin a beautiful, natural-looking tan to enhancing makeup to giving the body a luminous bronzed look.
- Wear it on bare skin alone for an instant just-came-back-from vacation glow
- Apply underneath foundation / BB cream / tinted moisturizer for not only a smooth base for makeup but also a lit-from-within glow
- Mix with sunscreen for a warm subtle tint
- Mix with skincare like a face cream, face oil or serum for a subtle bronzed look
- Use it on the body for a bronze shimmer effect that makes it look like you just came back from a tropical island vacay! I love using bronzing drops on my chest, collarbones and shoulders to complete the look of my outfit.
- Customize the boldness level for a pronounced bronze look or a no-makeup glow
Clean Bronzing Drops and Bronzing Gels Compared
I Tried Saie Beauty Glowy Super Gel
When I first tried Saie Beauty Glowy Super Gel I immediately noticed how moisturizing this gel felt. It’s definitely got a thin serum-like consistency but there’s enough viscosity to make it feel deeply hydrating at the same time. Compared to other clean bronzing drops I tested, Saie Beauty’s has the most shimmer out of all of them. It makes my skin look super luminous without looking sparkly. It contains nutrient-rich ingredients like Squalane, glycerin, papaya seed oil and rosehip oil so it functions as skincare. I love that it looks sooo good on the collarbones and adds a wow effect to any OOTD look. It sinks right in and dries super fast.
The thing I don’t like about it is the super bulky albeit luxurious looking bottle that’s not compact at all. The large size of the bottle makes it look like there’s a lot of product but in reality there’s only 1 oz, which is less than other clean bronzer gels on the market.
Price: $28 for 1 oz
How it looks: illuminated shimmery bronze look
How it feels: like a hydrating gel
Shades available (3): Starglow (champagne), Sunglow (bronze), Roseglow (rose gold)
Key actives: Squalane, Glycerin, Papaya Seed Oil, Rosehip Oil
✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free ✔ Gluten free ✔ Non-comodogenic
I Tried Well People Bio Bronzing Priming Serum
Well People’s bronzer serum is interesting in that it’s a multi-functional primer and bronzer gel in one. In order to provide a smooth canvas and grip makeup throughout the day it contains a plant-based silicone alternative (no dimethicone in this!). As a bronzing serum it gives my skin a warm subtle glow. It’s got just enough light reflecting pigment in it to provide that lit-from-within look but also make people wonder if I’m wearing makeup or not. This has a more watery consistency without being too thin and feels sooo hydrating. Well People’s bronzing serum is also one of the most affordable ones in the clean beauty market. I don’t like the small cap situation because I know I’ll end up losing it quickly.
Price: $25 for 1.7 oz
How it looks: gives me a warm subtle glow
How it feels: a hydrating serum
Key actives: aloe juice, quinoa-derived peptides, silicone alternative
✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free ✔ No Dimethicone
I Tried Versed Glow Drops
For funsies I tested Versed’s Glow Drops in Rose Gold and actually really loved it! It’s super thin and lightweight, feels hydrating and gives my skin a beautiful luminous glow with just the smallest amount. There’s enough shimmer in this to be impactful while still being buildable for a bolder look. I liked Versed’s packaging the best because it’s so compact and easy to carry around as well as easy to squeeze.
Price: $19.99 for 1 oz
How it looks: lit-from-within glow
How it feels: like a thin, watery serum
Shades available (3): Sheer Bronzed, Sheer Golden, Sheer Rose Gold
Key actives: Polyglutamic acid, blackberry extract, Vitamin E
✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free ✔ Non-comodogenic
Use OBL10 for 10% off
I Tried Innbeauty Project Face Glaze Bronze
Innbeauty Project has the deepest shade of bronze out of all the clean bronzing drops I’ve tried. This makes it really great for faking a tan while adding a natural radiance. I found that it works particularly well under makeup and smoothes out my skin. I also found that Innbeauty Project’s bronzer worked best as body bronzer out of all the products I tried. It’s got an ample amount of warmth and shimmer to make it visibly stand out (see my before and after on the chest and collarbones below). I love how well it sinks in and absorbs and how the ceramides, hyaluronic acid and Squalane hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.
Price: $27 for 0.85 oz
How it looks: deep soft-focus bronze look
How it feels: like a thin, hydrating serum
Key actives: Ceramides, Vegan Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid
✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free ✔ Plastic Negative
I Tried Jones Road Beauty Gel Bronzer
I find it interesting that Jones Road Beauty’s gel bronzer is completely matte when every other product out there has shimmer and tons of it. It’s a skin tint instead of a glow getter product. This would be suitable for someone who simply wants to add deep warmth to their skin and nothing else. The light shade is quite dark and I didn’t find it buildable at all. My face starts to look kinda ruddy so less is more with this product. The packaging here is my least favorite because the rigid plastic makes it harder to squeeze than the other products I tested.
Price: $34 for 1.2 oz
How it looks: a warm tan
How it feels: like a thin, watery gel
Shades Available: Light, Medium, Dark
Key actives: Shea Butter
✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free
Other Organic Beauty Lover Approved Bronzing Drops
Pai The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops
These bronzing drops come in three shades, are made with lots of certified organic ingredients and have the cleanest formula out of all natural bronzing drops in the market. This also makes it the most expensive organic bronzing drops product out there. They come in a luxe glass dropper bottle and contain Hyaluronic Acid to plump skin, Sea Kelp for hydration, and Vitamin C-rich Lemon Fruit Water.
Price: $39 for 1 oz
Shades Available: Bronze, Champagne, Rose Gold
Key actives: Sea Kelp, Lemon Fruit Water, Hyaluronic Acid
✔ Certified Organic Ingredients ✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free
Rituel de Fille Creature of Light Full Face Serum Illuminator
Rituel de Fille’s serum illuminators come in four shades including a bronze shade that works for all skin tones. It contains natural and certified organic ingredients like Kakadu Plum, Snow Mushroom Extract, Elkhorn Sea Moss, and Gluconolactone to brighten, hydrate, smooth and improve the appearance of skin texture. The rich liquid consistency thins out when applied so it feels light and weightless on skin.
Price: $43 for 1.69 oz
Shades Available: Moonlit Creature (Opal), Angelic Creature (Rose), Glowing Creature (Champagne), Divine Creature (Bronze)
Key actives: Kakadu Plum, Snow Mushroom Extract, Elkhorn Sea Moss, and Gluconolactone
✔ Certified Organic Ingredients ✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty-free
Andrea is a clean beauty expert from Los Angeles, California with 10 years of experience in natural skincare and organic living. She writes for Organic Beauty Lover using her expertise to guide readers in choosing the best clean products. Andrea graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 and has worked at multiple skincare companies, big and small. Connect with her @organicbeautylover.
Leave a Reply