Not Tried Bronzing Drops Yet? Here's Why We're Obsessed With Them

Is it fake tan? Is it skincare? Is it makeup? No, it’s a customisable hybrid otherwise known as bronzing drops or sunless tanning drops. Perfect for personalising your glow, you can control how subtle or dark you want your complexion to appear and they’re ideal for bronzing beginners.

Of course, they’re not a brand new concept, Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops have been a consistent bestseller since they launched in 2018 but more and more brands are leaning into them and recently everyone from Westman Atelier to Ultra Violette have unveiled their version.

“Customised sunless tanning has grown massively over the past five years. Today’s customers want more control over their glow, and they want to incorporate it into their existing beauty routines seamlessly. Rather than giving up their favourite moisturiser, they’re looking for products that work alongside it,” explains James Read, celebrity tanning artist and founder of Self-Glow by James Read.

“We’re also starting to see a shift toward tailored solutions for different times of day. Soon, day and night tanning drops will become a trend, with night-time formulas featuring ingredients that support sleep and help repair skin stress overnight.”

Choosing the right bronzing drops for you

It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned self-tanner or a novice looking to experiment with warming up your skin tone, the beauty of bronzing drops is that you become the expert and you don’t have to scrimp or sacrifice on your favourite skincare products. It also makes tanning more accessible for all skin types as if you’re suffering with dry skin, not only can you hunt out formulas with hydrating ingredients, you can add them to your daily regime. The same if you have oily or ageing skin – pop them into your moisturiser, serum or SPF without having to compromise.

As for the end shade, James recommends looking for formulas that warm and enhance your natural beauty and skin tone, rather than masking it.

How to use bronzing drops

As with most things, start small. Add a few drops to your carrier product of choice (moisturiser, serum etc) and build up the colour gradually until you achieve the colour you’re happy with.

“I always advise dispensing your moisturiser into the palm of your hand, then add a couple of drops of your bronzing product and blend the two using your fingertips. Next dot the mixture across your face and neck, then mix it in using upward, lifting motions. I call this The Glow Method—a simple ritual to enhance your skin’s natural radiance while promoting a sculpted, lifted look,” James talks us through.

Just don’t forget to wash your hands after application, it’s still fake tan at the end of the day so you don’t want any telltale streaks on fingers and palms. You could also consider adding some drops into your body products too if you love the customised colour you’ve created and want it to extend beyond your neckline.

What’s the difference between bronzing drops?

While some sunless tanning drops develop overnight or a few hours, many now offer a readymade tint so you can have an instant glow up while you wait for your base tan to develop. The ingredients will also differ between brands. While some might focus on the cosmetics side, others will come packed with skin-enhancing ingredients that fight free radicals, protect the skin barrier and boost hydration