Best Drugstore Cream Bronzer for That Gorgeous Glow!
Want that tropical getaway look without the harmful rays? And without spending a fortune? Then these top drugstore cream bronzers are for you!
Are you looking for a way to get that sun-kissed glow all year round? Well look no further because we have rounded up the best drugstore cream bronzers to help you fake it - and you won't even have to break the bank!
Look effortlessly bronzed in minutes with these tried-and-tested products: they will not only add definition and warmth to your complexion but also provide a long-lasting glow for a healthier look.
We hope you discover your next favorite beauty find from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try, but all opinions in this article are our own. And, FYI — GlamourBadger may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy your next favorite beauty find!
How We Choose
Shine like the sun, without having to bask in its rays! If you’re looking for an easy way to get a natural glow without risking your skin’s safety, then these best of the best drugstore bronzers are your go-to.
But with so many options available on the market, it can be tricky figuring out which one works best for you. That's why we've done the big research by reading through hundreds of verified customer reviews and compiled a list of the top drugstore cream bronzers that can help give you radiant skin all year round!
Why We Like It
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer is your go-to for a tropical goddess glow! Infused with the nourishment of exotic butters from the Amazon, namely murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter, and tucuma butter - you can bring a soft, radiant shine to your face and overcome any dullness.
The refined pearls give you a subtle shimmer that never looks too overpowering. Its unique consistency is a mix between a cream bronzer and a powder that contains essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins to help condition and moisturize your skin as you apply it.
Choose from six gorgeous shades to get your desired look and observe as your face transforms throughout the day. Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer is made with love, just for you!
More to Know
Whether you’re using a brush or your fingers to apply, this product will glide on seamlessly and blend into your skin in no time. Plus, the all-day coverage means your glow won’t be disappearing any time soon!
This butter bronzer is specifically designed for sensitive skin types and is hypoallergenic and natural - leaving you feeling and looking beautiful from the inside out. Your makeup experience will be even more enjoyable knowing that Physicians Formula adheres to a cruelty-free policy.
Why We Like It
Get your glow on with e.l.f. Putty Bronzer! This unique bronzer is a creamy putty-to-powder that blends seamlessly into skin, delivering the perfect sun-kissed glow. Easily build up your color to get full all-over warmth or just a hint of golden hour contour.
Plus, it's lightweight and non-greasy so it looks natural and fresh under any lighting. No more dreading summertime – you can look like you just returned from an endless vacation all year round!
e.l.f.'s Putty Bronzer gives a semi-matte finish with highly-pigmented color that looks smooth, effortless, and naturally gorgeous – so go ahead and get your glowy goddess on!
More to Know
Treat yourself to a beauty boost with e.l.f.'s Bronzer! This nourishing, creamy formula is packed with vitamin E and argan oil, delivering the hydration you need while leaving your skin smooth and glowing.
Plus, it's made with skin-loving ingredients that are free from toxins, are cruelty-free, and vegan! And if results are what you're looking for, rest assured — e.l.f. Putty Bronzer was awarded Allure Magazine's Best of Beauty 2022 Award!
Why We Like It
Introducing Rimmel Jelly Bronzer – your perfect summer companion! Looking to get that fresh-from-the-beach glow? With Jelly Bronzer, you’ll get a natural-looking sun-kissed look with a lightweight and dewy finish.
Its jelly-based formula is so weightless that you won’t feel caked up or heavy on your skin. Whether you’re looking for an all-over bronzed look or accentuating specific areas of your face, you can achieve both with the matte and shimmer formulas available.
Get ready to turn heads this season with Rimmel Jelly Bronzer! It is the best way to achieve a beautiful sun-kissed glow without the harmful rays of the sun from a day at the beach.
More to Know
Bronzing up your complexion has never been easier, quicker, or more lightweight with Rimmel Jelly Bronzer. Formulated with a unique jelly consistency, you can apply the bronzer lightly for a hint of color or layer it for more depth and dimension to create your desired look.
This bronzer has a cooling formula that helps keep your face looking dewy and fresh, perfect for any spring occasion!
Why We Like It
Put your best face forward in no time at all with Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick! In one swipe, you can give yourself the rock star treatment and have gorgeous, catwalk-ready cheekbones, naturally flushed cheeks, or a stunningly glowy complexion.
Now your daily beauty routine can be fast and easy with this multi-purpose product - toss one in your purse or pocket and you'll be ready for anything in next to no time. And don't worry about touch-ups throughout the day - this makeup stick is made to last and keep you looking amazing from morning until night!
So trust Wet n Wild to give you skin that's looking oh-so glam without breaking the bank. Get yours today and be the standout wherever you go!
More to Know
Don't be fooled by its small size; this powerful little tool is filled with lots of color options. Perfect for keeping up with the latest makeup trends, this easy-to-control stick is perfect for achieving an effortless look.
With an ergonomic design, these multi-use sticks help to conceal, highlight, contour, and add a pop of color to your cheeks in just a few simple steps. Seamlessly blendable and with precise application, these sticks will empower you to create the most natural looks with minimum effort!
Why We Like It
Welcome to a world of beautiful bronze with Burt's Bees Bronze Splash All Aglow Bronzer Stick. This fantastic bronzer stick is perfect for when you want to instantly give your skin a sun-kissed, healthy glow in just one application!
ith its natural blend of nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, cupuacu butter, and daikon radish extract, you'll get intense hydration and long-lasting coverage with an incredibly summery Golden Shimmer shade.
Plus, it's easy as pie to apply – just glide on the lightweight formula wherever you want and blend it out for seamless coverage that won't feel heavy or cakey.
Whether you're looking for an everyday bronze boost or a dramatic highlight for your contour, Burt's Bees Bronze Splash All Aglow Bronzer Stick gives all that – minus any harmful or synthetic ingredients, so you can enjoy your bronze bliss without compromising on skin health. Get ready to turn heads as you flaunt that shimmering bronze all day long!
More to Know
This product is carefully crafted to provide naturally-infused color along with long-lasting wear. In addition to packing a beautiful bronze finish punch, you can also feel good knowing this product meets the highest standards.
It's naturally formulated, non-irritating, tested by dermatologists, and created without dangerous chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and more. Plus, it’s never ever tested on animals. So if you're looking for a clean bronzer this is definitely your go-to!
Best Drugstore Cream Bronzer FAQs
Are cream bronzers better than powder bronzers?
Cream bronzers are great options if you are looking to achieve a natural, dewy look. They apply easily and give your skin an even, sun-kissed glow.
On the other hand, powder bronzers can provide more of a dramatic effect with heavier coverage. The powder formula is also better for oilier skin types since it won't add extra moisture or shine as a cream bronzer could.
Both formulas will give your skin a beautiful color boost but depending on what kind of look you're going for and the condition of your skin, one might be better suited than another.
What are the best bronzing creams?
When it comes to bronzing creams, the best option is one that helps you achieve a natural-looking sun-kissed glow without risking any additional exposure to UV rays.
To find the right cream for you, look for high levels of antioxidants and plant extracts like green tea, aloe vera, and jojoba oil. These ingredients work together to nourish your skin while providing a nice warmth and color.
What’s the difference between a cream contour and a cream bronzer?
The main differences between them lie in the way they are supposed to be used and what results they offer to the user.
Cream contour is a product meant to enhance facial features such as cheekbones, jawline, nose bridge, and eye sockets, while cream bronzer is meant more for all-over color or warmth on the face.
Cream contours tend to be thicker and denser than cream bronzers, making them great for creating precise lines that can define the desired structure on your face.
On the other hand, cream bronzers offer a subtle wash of warm color or “glow from within” across your entire complexion to make it look healthy and radiant-looking over time if applied every day or multiple times per week!
Bronzers contain light-reflecting mica particles which will give off an extra hint of glow once blended into your skin perfectly with fingertips or brush strokes.
Their formula tends to be less dense than contours which makes them easier for diffusing out onto the skin smoothly when applying larger portions over larger areas such as cheeks or forehead area where you don't want precise definition like you would need with a creamy contour!
What should you use to apply cream bronzer?
A commonly accepted method is a dense brush with rounded edges designed specifically for cream bronzers—these brushes have a lot of bristles and can pick up enough product to make sure you get good coverage but not so much that it appears cakey or too dark.
Having said that, another great tool to use when applying cream bronzer is your fingertips.
Fingers provide control and precision because they fit the contours of your face better than other applicators or brushes, making it easier to buff and blend out the product for an even result.
What bronzer is best for light skin?
When it comes to choosing the best bronzer for light skin, it is important to know what kind of look you want and which form of bronzer works best with your skin type. Generally speaking, cream or liquid bronzers work best on light skin tones as they give a subtle warmth and dewy glow that other forms of bronzers do not have.
If your skin tone is cool (having blue, rose, or pink undertones), look for bronzers with a grayish-brown hue rather than those with an orangey color. This will help prevent you from looking artificial or clown-like.
On the other hand, if your complexion has more yellow or olive undertones opt for something warmer like a deep bronze shade that won't clash with your natural tones.
What bronzer is best for darker skin tones?
First, it's important to consider your undertone. This will help determine which shades of bronzer best complement and enhance your complexion.
If you have cool undertones (such as pink or blue), opt for bronzers with a slight shimmer for subtle highlights; if you have warm undertones (such as yellow or golden), choose matte formulas with warm brown and red hues.
Second, pick a shade that's slightly deeper than your current complexion—this will create sculpting angles while still appearing natural on deeper skin tones.
Remember that bronzers can be used in combination with blush to achieve an all-over warmer look without going overboard!
Do you set foundation before cream bronzer?
When it comes to applying cream bronzer, the most important step is to start with a good base of foundation. If you apply the bronzer directly on your skin without a proper base, it will look patchy and uneven. Applying foundation helps create an even canvas for you to work with and ensures that the product will stick better on your skin.
How do you pick a bronzer shade for your skin tone?
First, you must make sure that you are buying the correct type of product – if you have an oily skin type, look for a matte bronzer; if you have dry skin, opt for something more shimmery or pearlescent.
Second, your undertone should be taken into account when purchasing – for warm undertones (yellow/golden), choose shades with orange or peach tones, and for cool undertones (pink/blue) should go with purple-toned hues.
Should bronzer be lighter or darker than your skin?
When it comes to applying bronzer, the best strategy is to choose a shade that’s no more than two shades away from your natural complexion.
Bronzer is meant to mimic the look of sun-kissed skin, so if you go too dark with your bronzing powder or cream, you can end up looking unnatural. If you want an additional boost of radiance and warmth to your face, try using blush instead.
It's important to take into consideration a few factors when choosing a shade of bronzer for your skin tone.
People with naturally fair or pale complexions should choose light colors like peach or pink beige.
Those with medium complexions should opt for darker colors like deep bronze, while those with deep skin tones should pick hues such as golden brown or deep mahogany brown.
Can you put bronzer on oily skin?
Yes, you can put bronzer on oily skin! If you have an oily complexion, it is important to choose the right type of bronzer for your face.
The ideal product to use on oily skin is a matte bronzing powder, like Maybelline City Bronzer (see here). These types of products are specifically designed for those with oilier complexions and can help give you a healthy glow without making your face look overly shiny or greasy.
Bottom Line
We hope this post has helped you pick the best drugstore bronzer for you! There are so many options out there and we appreciate you taking the time to read our article.
Our hope is that with your new favorite bronzer, you go out there and put your best face forward and be only who you can be. The world is lucky to have you and we need you. Thank you for taking this journey with us!