The Best Bronzing Drops for a Luminous, Lit-From-Within Glow

Sure, you can ignore it all Sun-safety advice And get your glow without SPF. But to get the look of sunburned skin without the damage, the best bronzing drops are our top picks. Compared to the alternatives (powders, creams and self-tanners), bronzing drops offer a lighter, radiant finish – resulting in a dewy, lit-from-within glowing skin.

Due to their ever-increasing popularity (largely thanks to Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops taking over the internet), a number of brands have taken over the bronzing drops space. And no—they’re not all the same. While some nail the barely-there, compliment-inducing glow, others leave you looking like a disco ball left in a tanning bed. Not ideal. To find the best bronzing drops worth adding to your cart, we tested the most popular brands on the market today.

featured image Our interview with Sabina Ladha By suruchi awasthi,

What do bronzing drops do?

You might think of bronzing drops as a short-term solution to get an instant glow. While tanning drops work over a longer period of time with DHA (the active ingredient used in sunless tanning agents), bronzing drops are a low-commitment way to add a little color and potential glow to your look. While many options are formulated with skin-loving favorites like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, the best bronzing drops are makeup’s answer to a fading summer glow.

How to Use Bronzing Drops

The best thing about bronzing drops is that they are versatile. They can be applied alone, underneath makeup, mixed into foundation or moisturizer, or applied as the final step in your routine. Just be aware that mixing with certain products, like powder foundation, can result in a cakey finish. Try combining the drops’ lightweight texture with other glowy, liquid products.

When it comes to bronzing drops, the goal is a natural, believable tan. Because of this, less is always more. I like to apply a drop to the upper parts of the face—forehead, nose, and cheekbones—or all over the face in place of a highlighter.

The Best Bronzing Drops for a Sun-Based Glow

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Kosas Glow IV Vitamin-Infused Skin Illuminating Enhancer – $38 at Kosas
2. Best Primer: Kora Organics Silky Sun Drops 100% Mineral Sunscreen Serum – $56 at Cora Organics
3. Best for Face and Body: Live Tinted Huglo Jumbo Liquid Highlighter Drops – $38 at Ulta Beauty
4. Best for dull skin: Sayi Glovy Supergel – $28 at Sai
5. Best Affordable: Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops – $17.99 at Target
6. Best Pigment: Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops – $39 at Dermstore

Best Overall: Kosas Glow IV Vitamin-Infused Skin Brightening Enhancer

Why we like it: The first green flag of our top pick: the inclusive shade range. From shimmery silver champagne to rich deep bronze, Kosas knows what girls want—options. The brand also solves the ultimate challenge when it comes to creating the best bronzing drops: creating an attention-grabbing glow without looking like a disco ball. We believe the best makeup is developed through a lens that supports the skin, and Kosas took exactly that approach with this versatile product. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, it will keep you glowing long after application.

• Number of colors: 10
• Main Ingredients: Glutathione, Squalene
• Five-star reviews: “I love the texture of this product and the glow it gives. I usually use it mixed with foundation or Kosas BB Cream. It makes the skin glow!”

Best Primer: Kora Organics Silky Sun Drops 100% Mineral Sunscreen Serum

Why we like it: I’ve learned to proceed with caution when it comes to celebrity beauty brands, but Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr (a vegan and cruelty-free skincare line) has always impressed me. While this sunscreen serum won’t create the same depth of color as other products, it’s a great protective primer that infuses your skin with serious hydration. This natural, nourishing boost creates a glowing, SPF 30-protected base over which you can apply makeup without looking white.

• Number of colors: 1
• Main Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Raspberry Seed Oil, Chia Seed Oil, Noni
• Five-star reviews: “It smells similar to their Noni Glow products and I love how glowy it makes my skin look. It’s perfect on days when I don’t wear makeup. I have sensitive and dry skin. I’m 30. I love how seamlessly it blends in with my other skincare products and doesn’t pill under makeup.”

Best for Face and Body: Live Tinted Huglo Jumbo Liquid Highlighter Drops

Why we like it: I’m blown away by the number of times I’ve happily (again: desperately, frantically) refilled empty bottles of this serum-infused highlighter. It bridges the makeup/skincare divide, instead acting as a hybrid product that locks in moisture with hyaluronic acid and strengthens skin with sunflower seed oil. While some friends have said they don’t like its texture because it can be a little sticky, I’ve found that adding a few drops to my moisturizer prevents blemishes, and leaves skin looking radiant.

• Number of colors: 4
• Main Ingredients: Squalane, Sunflower Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid
• Five-star reviews: “I love this stuff. It gives me a beautiful “glow from within” look. It’s not shiny or glittery, I don’t think there’s any glitter in it; it just gives a glow that’s beautiful. I love how it blends into my skin. The consistency is great too.”

Best for dull skin: Saeee Glovey Supergel

Why we like it: Saie is a great product for hardworking, minimalist makeup, and like all of the brand’s products, Supergel leaves your skin glowing. This lightweight formulation is infused with brightening vitamin C and hydrating squalane to leave skin feeling soft, yet radiant. We recommend wearing it alone, layering it with a tinted SPF, or mixing it with foundation for a radiant finish.

• Number of colors: 2
• Main Ingredients: Squalane, Glycerin, Papaya Seed Oil
• Five-star reviews: “I love this product! It smells great and I feel so glowy 🙂 It makes my skin feel like glass. I haven’t had any reactions to it yet, so yay!!”

Best Affordable: Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops

Why we like it: Versed has been a budget-friendly favorite for years, and the introduction of these peptide-infused glow drops has solidified our loyalty. Despite their lightweight, these drops boost hydration and elasticity so skin looks more supple and smooth. Antioxidant-rich blackberry extract strengthens the skin barrier while polyglutamic acid locks in moisture. You can wear these with makeup, but these drops are my favorite for a pool day when the vibe is the best Naturally,

• Number of colors: 3
• Main Ingredients: Polyglutamic Acid, Blackberry Extract, Vitamin E
• Five-star reviews: “I love the golden glow this product gives me. It’s just enough color for those days when I don’t want to wear a full face of makeup. I add a few drops to my moisturizer in place of foundation. Then add some concealer, mascara, and lip gloss and I’m out the door in 15 minutes or less! I also love that it’s reasonably priced.”

Best Pigment: Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops

Why we like it: The impossible made possible. These bronzing drops deliver a buildable, customizable color infused with naturally derived pigments. Its radiance is unmatched, nourishing skin from the inside with moisturizing mainstays like hyaluronic acid and sea kelp. The resulting finish is a pearly, golden hour glow.

• Number of colors: 1
• Main Ingredients: Citrus Limon Fruit Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Algae Extract
• Five-star reviews: “I use the Rose Gold shade for my fair skin and it’s the prettiest product in my entire collection! It’s subtle enough to use all over the face without mixing it with any other product, blends well with any base product I mix it with, and looks gorgeous alone on the skin too. (Plus, it somehow manages to look beautiful on acne-prone/textured/fine-lined skin).”

Other Bronzing Drops to Consider

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

The renowned celebrity makeup artist creates countless cult products—but this might be one of Tilbury’s best. It’s a true multi-hyphenate, working as an all-in-one highlighter and primer while also providing a light layer of coverage. While other bronzing products can draw attention to blemishes, Flawless Filter blurs imperfections for a smooth finish.

Jones Road Gel Bronzer

The best bronzing drops combine color and hydration—look for this lightweight, barely-there bronzer again and again. We love the gel-like texture and buildable color. The only drawback is the applicator; it can be difficult to squeeze out the product.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops

These brightening and relaxing drops also leave skin with a warm complexion. This product is great for dull skin as it provides a pure complexion packed in a serum. Heavy ingredients like niacinamide, watermelon and hyaluronic acid soothe, hydrate and calm the skin.

Typology Glow Drops with 5% Vitamin C + Aloe Vera

These antioxidant-rich drops are pure beauty, providing a radiant, illuminating glow. Packed with vitamin C and nourishing aloe vera, you can add this product to a moisturizer or tinted serum, or apply a few drops over your makeup for a luminous finish.