5 Best Facial Bronzers To Make Your Summer Glow Standout

WASH-OFF

Skincare.com editors can’t get enough of commitment-free self tanners and L’Oréal Paris’ Summer Express Wash-Off Face Bronzer Cream, from the brand’s Sublime Bronze line, is no exception to our obsession. Perfect for those who may be looking to give their complexions some sun-kissed color without fully committing to a week or two of faux tan, this facial bronzer is formulated with SPF 20 and infused with vitamin E, which work together to both nourish and protect skin while depositing a natural-looking, streak-free bronze that washes off with soap and water.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Summer Express Wash-Off Face Bronzer Cream, $10.99

POWDER

Another way to bronze your face without the commitment—and the sun damage—is to go with a bronzing powder, like Urban Decay’s Beached Bronzer. The finely-milled, ultra-soft powder goes on smooth without streaks and leaves you with a faux glow that looks as if you’ve just spent a week in paradise. Dust it across your cheek bones as the finishing touch to your beach makeup.

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer, $28

GEL

If you’re looking for a gradual self-tan that will stick around longer than a day, Lancôme’s Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel is right up your alley. The lightweight, gel formula goes on evenly for a facial tan that appears naturally radiant in just a few hours. Formulated with DHA— a common self-tanning ingredient—moisturizing agents, and vitamin E, this facial bronzer can nourish and hydrate the skin. 

Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel, $38

LOTION

Traditionally, when we think of self tanner, we think of a self-tanning lotion like Kiehl’s Sun Free Self Tanning Formula. Gentle enough to use on the face, this lightweight sunless tanner is formulated with apricot kernel oil, cocoa seed butter, and vitamin E, for a faux bronze that can moisturize the skin while providing the complexion with a natural-looking, streak-free glow.

Kiehl’s Sun Free Self Tanning Formula, $22.50

SERUM

The Body Shop’s all-new, limited-edition Drops of Sun facial bronzer from the brand’s Honey Bronze line is a new, innovative way to give your complexion a faux glow. This gel-like serum is a more potent approach to self-tanning that requires you to mix one drop of the self-tanner with your daily moisturizer or foundation to enhance a pre-existing tan or mimic a natural-looking faux glow. The gel-like serum is formulated with the brand’s Community Trade honey—a natural humectant that can attract and lock in moisture to the skin—and vitamin E, which can nourish the skin.

Editor’s Tip: Create custom shades by mixing one and two drops of serum with about a quarter-sized drop of foundation and use these shades to contour your complexion.  

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Drops of Sun, $20