The Best Body Bronzer – 2023 Reviews And Top Picks
In our commitment to help you achieve a beautiful sun-kissed glow all over, we have put together 5 different body bronzers that can be used both by people with fair skin or dark skin. After hours of in-depth review, we picked what we think is the best body bronzer based on its type, ability to deliver instant results, and most importantly, value for money.
The Shimmering Dry Oil Honey by The Body Shop promises a natural, sun-kissed glow in an instant. It has honey that helps moisturize skin while giving it a positive glow.
LORAC’s TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer is the perfect choice for people with dark skin. It has long wear, dries pretty quickly, and guarantees results worthy of the Red Carpet (or better.)
From the name itself, the Sublime Bronze One-Day Tinted Gel by L’Oreal gives a nice bronzed look that lasts the entire day. It can easily be washed off with water and does not stain clothes.
The Bio Bronzer Stick by W3LL PEOPLE is the only organic product on this list. It is safe for all skin types and helps in reducing oil and does not accentuate fine lines.
What makes the Natural Bronzer by Rimmel special is that it’s waterproof. Its matte finish makes it a great option for contouring and can be used on different parts of the body as well.
#1 Shimmering Dry Oil Honey by The Body Shop
The key ingredient of this tanning oil is Honey. Rich in skin-friendly vitamins, some of the benefits of honey include bringing moisture to the skin, reducing scars, and reducing acne.
This product is very easy to blend and offers a streak-free finish. But since this is labeled a “tan enhancer,” if you have fair skin, we suggest getting tanned first in order to make it work.
What really attracted us to this best all over body bronzer is its scent. It has a sweet smell, like flowers and honey—but rest assured it’s nowhere near the “flowery grandma perfume” scent.
Its aroma is strong when applied but it becomes faint and subtle as the day passes. It comes in a nice glass bottle so you can see the oil right on top of the bronze mixture and gold shimmers.
But it slowly becomes a bronze golden liquid once shaken up. And though it comes in a glass bottle, there is also a glass tube placed at the center so you still get full control as you pour.
Things We Liked
- Leaves skin feeling moisturized
- Does not make you look orangey
- Not loaded with a crazy amount of shimmers
- Shows up on dark skin as well
Things We Didn't Like
- Contains fragrance
- Packaging is not travel-friendly
- Product can stain clothes
#2 TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer by LORAC
We regard this product as the best body bronzer for dark skin. It has long wear, dries quite fast, and offers a streak-free tan, giving you a sexy black as you go and conquer the spotlight.
Lightweight, this product is very easy to apply without leaving a greasy feeling. This product also comes in a lighter shade as well, so those with fair skin can enjoy its benefits, too.
Aside from being a body bronzer, this product doubles as a moisturizer. It gives you a deep, bronzed glow in an instant, does not stain clothes, and is easily removed with soap and water.
This best body bronzer for black women will surely give you a lovely glow with its small amount of shimmers. It offers a luminous finish that makes you look as if you’re glowing from within.
This product has a creamy consistency (think typical moisturizer) and has a subtle vanilla scent. It is easy to apply, buildable and blendable, and gives a true bronze without looking orangey.
The longevity of this product is also very impressive. It can last you pretty much the entire day, and in our opinion, comparable to other higher end products.
Things We Liked
- Does not contain a lot of shimmers
- Does not irritate sensitive skin
- Won’t stain or transfer on clothes
- Effortless application
Things We Didn't Like
- Not fragrance-free
- Contains parabens
- Might need a little practice to perfect application
#3 Sublime Bronze One-Day Tinted Gel by L’Oreal
A radiant and a sun-kissed glow in an instant is what this best body bronzer lotion offers. It also provides skin with deep hydration to maintain its smoothness and softness throughout the day.
Lightweight, this “one-day” product has golden pearls and a caramel colorant for a radiant sun-kissed glow that looks natural. It dries very easily and doesn’t leave an oily residue behind.
This best instant body bronzer is so amazing that people would ask how you got tan in the winter. It is perfect for days when there’s an unexpected event and you need to tan right away.
And because there are no shimmers in this product, men love using it as well. It gives out a natural look without looking too glittery, no one will know you’re even wearing it.
This product unfortunately does transfer on your clothes. We however think it’s typical of most bronzers, and all you have to do is rinse it off with water and it completely goes away.
This lotion can be applied even on its own and promises a streak-free finish. It also lasts the whole day until you rinse it off, but we have to warn you it could get pretty messy in the shower.
Things We Liked
- Does not contain any shimmers
- Does not stain clothes
- Very buildable and blendable
- Does not look orangey
Things We Didn't Like
- Not fragrance-free
- A bit sticky
- May accentuate dry patches
#4 Bio Bronzer Stick by W3LL PEOPLE
We love this best bronzer cream for body as it is made of 100% natural ingredients. It is free of chemicals or preservatives, so you’re confident nothing harsh comes in contact with your skin.
This bronzer cream is perfect for achieving that “no makeup makeup” look. It is very lightweight, has good coverage, and protects and soothes skin with green tea, olive oil, and aloe vera.
This product is produced in small quantities, meaning only top quality ingredients get into each stick. Great even for sensitive skin, people with rosacea can use it to tone down any redness.
This best body bronzer for fair skin is perfect for people on the go who still want a beautiful sun-kissed glow. It adheres to your skin to define features and give warmth to your complexion.
Aside from giving out a bronzed glow, this bronzer cream nourishes and improves the quality of the skin with botanical extracts. It even helps keep oil at bay and doesn’t settle into fine lines.
Things We Liked
- Chemical and paraben-free
- Contains no fragrance
- Works even for sensitive skin
- Travel-friendly packaging
Things We Didn't Like
- Only comes in one shade
- The bottom part of the tube easily comes off
- May not be suitable for everyday use
#5 Natural Bronzer by Rimmel
There is no doubt this is the best waterproof body bronzer. Lightweight, this powder bronzer is perfect for achieving that perfect tan all over without worrying about the sun’s damaging rays.
This bronzer has a nice golden brown color to it with a slight pink undertone. It has a minimal amount of shimmers that don’t make you look sparkly and can only be seen when direct light.
Great for fair skin, it adds a soft warmth to your complexion and has a brightening effect as if you’ve actually gone tanning. It doesn’t look orangey and overdoing it is hard for this product.
Which is good, because overdoing your bronzer is one makeup mistake you don’t want to commit.
The packaging looks pretty decent: a clear plastic top with a brown bottom. But for the ACTUAL bronzer, it comes in compact form with a nice sun image embossed on it.
Overall, we really love this bronzer. It certainly gets a huge thumbs up from us, and has made its place on our list of beauty must-haves.
Things We Liked
- Minimal amount of shimmers
- Waterproof (yeay!)
- Lasts the entire day
- No touch-ups needed
Things We Didn't Like
- Contains fragrance
- Contains parabens
- Not very buildable
Reviews and Comparisons of The Best Body Bronzer
Rankings | Best Overall | 2nd choice | 3rd choice | 4th choice | 5th choice |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top-Rated Body Bronzer 2017 | |||||
Brand | |||||
Type | Liquid | Liquid | Gel | Cream | Powder |
Quantity | 3.3 fluid ounces | 5 fluid ounces | 6.7 fluid ounces | 0.4 ounces | 0.49 ounces |
Packaging | Pour-out bottle | Tube | Pump bottle | Swivel-up tube | Compact |
Lightweight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fragrance-free | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Get Started |
Body Bronzer: The Secret to a Sun-Kissed Glow All Over
Everybody seems to be obsessed of getting tan these days. We ourselves are guilty of this, and we have tried anything from self-tanners to bronzer lotions just to get that radiant glow all over.
People with fair skin aren’t the only ones who could benefit from body bronzers—those with dark skin can, too. But how exactly do you pick one that works for you?
Pick the type you’re most comfortable with
Choosing a body bronzer can be stressful. They can range from lotion, to powder, to bronzing spray—the possibilities are endless.
However, do not assume that one type can replace the other. Think about it carefully because once you’ve made your choice, you’re basically stuck with it for the whole application process.
Make sure it matches your skin tone
The point of applying a body bronzer is to add a touch of bronze and warmth to your color. A golden glow is what you’re aiming for here, not a metallic sheet of shimmer.
Don’t forget to exfoliate
This process is required to remove dead skin cells. Doing so will make your skin even, soft, and ready for application, and will prevent the product from sticking and discoloring dry, rough areas.
Wearing the bronzer
Ideally, body bronzers should only be applied on places where the sun will naturally hit.
Body bronzers are like sun tan in a bottle, so you wouldn’t like to miss the bottom of your feet or the back of your hands to be even all over.
The drying process
Getting an even tan requires a lot of patience. Dressing up without letting the liquid dry will just smear it all over and make your efforts go down the drain.
Allow the product to completely dry before putting your clothes on—and remember, drying time can vary from person to person.
No worries because once it’s dry, you’re free to go!
Conclusion
If we make an effort to bronze our face, shouldn’t our body be getting the same treatment, too? A beautiful bronzed face with a pale and dull-looking body is, and will never be, flattering.
We chose the Shimmering Dry Oil Honey by The Body Shop as the winner of this round asthe best body bronzer. A wash off bronzer, it illuminates and hydrates the skin for that natural, healthy, sun-kissed glow.
Packed with gold shimmers, this product brings color to your skin (or enhances your tan) without the greasy feel. It is also very affordable, so for those wanting an all over tan, this one’s for you.
- Shares