Last Updated: December 29, 2022

6 best bronzers for every skin tone.

WRITTEN BY Grove Collaborative • 8 min read

Bronzers have been around for quite awhile, ever since people realized actually suntanning your face wasn't that great for your face. So, instead, makeup companies came to our rescue with bronzers. Bronzers give us that suntan look without actually having to expose our skin to the sun. Plus, you can use bronzers all year long, even when the sun isn't readily available for our tanning needs.


But, how do you know which bronzer to pick, and what's the best bronzer fo fair skin, medium skin, or darker skin? These questions made us wonder too, so we found Grove members' top-rated natural bronzers and we put them in a list for your browsing needs. Bronze away!


This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.

1. Burt's Bees 100% Natural All Aglow Bronzer Stick

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Say hello to your inner glow with Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer and Highlighter Stick. This two-in-one bronzer and highlighter is made from ultra-hydrating ingredients like cupuaçu butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil to give you a rich and dewy look that lasts all day. Get ready for a seriously sun-kissed glow that brightens and defines your …

(20)
0.3 oz
$14.99
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2. Alima Pure Bronzer

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Adds a sunkissed warmth to the complexion, enhances natural glow, blendable and buildable. Silky, matte finish. For all skin types.
(2)
0.15 oz
$26
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3. RMS Buriti Bronzer

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No drying, powder bronzer here. RMS Buriti Bronzer contains wild crafted Buriti oil, the oil highest in Vitamin A and Beta-carotene known to man, pressed from the nuts of Brazil's moriche palm tree. This ultra-sheer cream bronzer is a huge step away from the typical traditional orangey/sparkly bronzers that saturate the market. Bronzers should give …
(2)
0.2 oz
$28
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4. Lily Lolo Pressed Bronzer

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Light Pressed Bronzer instantly gives the skin a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow. Soft buildable color for your desired level of tan. The award-winning formula is made from natural minerals and ideal for achieving glowing, healthy skin.

Lily Lolo Montego Bay Pressed Bronzer: Sheen, medium tan.

Miami Beach Pressed Bronzer: Matte light …
(3)
1.5 Oz
$26
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5. Vapour Beauty Bronzing Powder

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Caress your skin with sun-kissed color for a healthy luminescent glow. This complexion-enhancing bronzer is beautifully blendable and warms the skin with true color that complements all tones.

Apply bronzing powder with a brush where the sun naturally hits the face. Sculpt and contour cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. Wear alone to enhance …
(0)
5 oz
$44.99
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6. PYT Beauty Faux Sun Bronzer Duo

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PYT Beauty Bronzer Duo is an everyday powder bronzer duo that creates a sun-kissed glow for the perfect year-round tan. It's a Matte and Shimmer Bronzer in one with a buildable, silky formula that sculpts, defines and highlights.

CLEAN BEAUTY
- Harsh chemical free
- Talc and Silicone Free
- Paraben, Sulfate and Phthalate free
- Made with …
(0)
0.17 oz
$20
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FAQs

What is bronzer?

Have you ever noticed everyone around you has a sun-kissed glow that you're missing out on? Well, it's probably bronzer.


Bronzer is a makeup product that comes in powder or cream form. It is typically used on the face, neck, and chest. It's made with iron oxide that provides coloring when blended that mimics different skin tones. The point of bronzer is to apply a product with color that will give your skin that sun-kissed glow. This means you typically apply a slightly darker shade than your skin.


Applying and blending bronzer is key so it doesn't look orange or made up. You want bronzer to look natural, like you just stepped out of the sun on a nice warm day. Read on to learn more tips about applying and scroll up to find the best bronzing powders and creams for your skin type and tone.


How do you apply bronzer?

In your makeup routine, bronzer comes in the middle. It should be applied after foundation and concealer but before blush and setting powder or spray.


Here is a quick step-by-step guide for applying bronzer:


  • Use a big makeup brush to get a bit of bronzer powder on it (not a lot). If you're using a bronzer stick, you can skip this step or use a brush with the bronzer cream stick as well (just rub it on the stick lightly to get some on the brush).
  • Swipe the brush with bronzer on it lightly over your cheekbones. Then run it along one temple, up to your forehead, and down to the other temple.
  • Next, rub it along your jawline.
  • Blend in all the bronzer by using circuclar motions with a brush on the spots where you brushed the bronzer on.
  • Add a little bit more (Not a lot!) to the tip of your nose and chin.

What is bronzer made of?

Most conventional bronzers are made with talc, a clay ingredient used in a lot of makeup products that has to be mined for collection. There is a pure grade (white) and a cheaper grade (grey.) Some of the cheaper grades of talc can contain asbestos.


If that sounds a little bit scary, it's because it can be. Natural bronzers tend to be talc-free to avoid any inequity with mining and any scary chemicals that can come in the talc. Talc-free products tend to include oils like jojoba and coconut to get that smooth texture that clay talc usually gives.


All bronzers use colorant in the form of iron oxides that are made of three pigments (red, yellow, black) that are then blended together to make different skin tones. Some natural bronzers also include natural ingredients like pressed nuts to add color as well (like this RMS Buriti Bronzer).


What is Grove Collaborative?

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.


If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.

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