Glow Like a Goddess All Year With the Best Bronzers, Self-Tanners, and Shimmers

[Photo by Leonardo Marinho]

Summer is right around the corner and for many of us, that means long days at the beach, by the lake or in the backyard. If you’re practicing safe sun exposure and want to limit your time outdoors, there are a wide variety of bronzers, self-tanners, and body shimmer products that will give you a natural-looking glow without all the sun damage. As an added bonus, you won’t even have to step foot out of the house to achieve that “just got back from vacation” look!

The Best SPF Products to Protect Your Skin

Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite bronzing powders, tanning oils, and other must-haves that will help recreate that beach goddess glow this summer. Read on to discover and shop—let us know what your favorites are or if there are any products you’d like to see on the list!

Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion ($7.29)

This non-streaking, quick-absorbing formula is powered by botanicals to offer gentle results in less than three hours. Ingredients include nourishing shea butter, sweet almond oil, and safflower oil to hydrate skin. Free of gluten parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

Australian Gold SPF 15 Continuous Spray Sunscreen with Instant Bronzer ($12.49)

This instant bronzer easily sprays over the entire body at any angle and dries fast so you stay active with a clean, fresh feel. It imparts an immediate, temporary hue that leaves skin golden and glowing. Ingredients include kakadu plum to promote collagen production and tea tree oil to fight odors and leave skin fresh. Features the delectable signature Cocoa Dreams fragrances—a pleasant combination of coconut, orange, and vanilla.

Beauty Bakerie Coffee & Cocoa Bronzer Palette ($38)

Blending seamlessly, this cruelty-free and vegan palette serves up versatile, earth-toned flavors in creamy, satin finishes for every skin tone. Get creative in the kitchen with buildable Coffee & Cocoa flavors that can be used as highlight, contour, blush, or eyeshadow depending on your skin tone and style. Features four sugary shades: Deja Brew, You’re Grounded, Anti-Depresso, and La Vida Mocha.

Bella Schneider Beauty Caviar & Carat Gleaming Gold Dry Oil Spray ($45)

This golden dry oil body spray effortlessly adheres to the body, nourishes and rejuvenates. Beautifully leaves arms, legs, and décolleté with a gorgeous golden shimmer. Smoothes and strengthens skin elasticity. Key ingredients include rosemary extract, carrot extract, and soybean oil.

Bella Spirit by Chaz Dean Self Tanning Bronzing Drops ($60)

These bronzing drops allow you to customize a gradual tan when mixed with Bella Spirit’s Ultra Nourishing Intensive Body Treatment or your favorite body lotion. Apply one drop or up to one full dropper into a dollop of body lotion, then mix together and apply evenly where desired. Easily buildable depending on how deep you want your tan. Looks gorgeous and natural!

COCOOIL Tanning Oil SPF 6 ($24.99)

This tanning oil is formulated with certified Fair Trade cold-pressed organic coconut oil, natural botanical oils, and beeswax to hydrate skin and leave it soft, supple, and deeply moisturised. SPF 6 protects skin from harmful UV rays to deliver a beautiful tan. Can also be used as a daily moisturizer to keep skin healthy!

Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive & Fast Bronzing Towelettes ($16.99)

Each towelette contains the perfect amount of color for the face, neck and cleavage. They contain a moisturizing complex that helps to eliminate the risk of skin drying out. Provides a deep tan in just three hours, with intensity adapting to natural skin tone. Lasts four days.

e.l.f. SKIN Bronzing Drops Tinted Serum ($12)

This antioxidant-rich tinted serum nourishes skin and gives you a warm, sun-kissed complexion.  Can be used on your face and body for all-over radiance or mixed with your favorite moisturizer or oil. Nourishes and moisturizes skin with antioxidant-rich vitamin E and sunflower seed oil. Glow intensity can be customized with three different shades (Rose Gold, Pure Gold, and Copper Gold.)

Ere Perez Cacao Bronzing Pot ($38)

For effortless sun-kissed radiance, Ere Perez’s Cacao Bronzing Pot features a skin-like natural formula that gives complexions the most natural glow sans shimmer. It’s formulated with hydrating cacao and shea butters to nourish all skin types, and the mousse-like texture is a lightweight cream that offers buildable coverage and is easy to blend. Can also be used as a bronzing contour to define your best features. Comes in sleek mirrored eco makeup packaging without the plastic. Available in two stunning shades: Playa (sun-kissed fair) and Sol (golden bronze).

EVER VACAY Self Tanning Drops ($36.10)

These concentrated self-tanning drops help you customize the perfect sun-kissed color without the damaging UV rays. Achieve your desired color by adding less or more with the non-greasy and quick-absorbing formula that offers a non-streaking application. Formulated to the brand’s clean standards, the drops have a natural scent and allow you to achieve a golden beach tan anytime of year.

FarmHouse Fresh Lustre Drench Instant Glow Dry Oil ($36)

This fast absorbing, feathery-light oil brings a warm golden hue to skin, leaving it feeling soft and silky. The silicone-free formula nourishes skin with U.S-grown non-GMO sunflower seed oil, which is high in omega 6 essential fatty acids. It’s also infused with vitamin K-rich micro red amaranth extract grown on FHF’s farm in Texas. Features an all-natural lemon cream scent with a beachy Piña Colada vibe!

FLOWER Beauty Heatwave Luminous Bronzer ($9)

This marbleized formula features a swirl of matte and shimmering powders, including the same highlighting powders as the brand’s cult-favorite Shimmer & Strobe palettes! The bronzer comes in two shades and blends effortlessly for a lit-from-within ambient glow. Available in Sunrise and Sunswept (pictured).

Glo Skin Beauty Bronze ($44)

Seamless color enhancement with a hint of shimmer. This pressed mineral bronzer is infused with antioxidants to add color and contour to the face and body for a sunkissed glow. Enjoy bronze skin, no matter what time of year it is! Available in Sunkiss (pictured) and Sunlight.

Hempz Glow Getter Collection ($7.50 to $24.99)

Add instant bronze and shimmer accompanied by the sensual scent of bergamot and amber with Hempz’s Glow Better Collection, which features several products that leave skin soft and glowing! Skin sparkles with ethically sourced mica, a naturally occurring mineral. The collection includes:

• Glow Getter Herbal Instant Bronzing Drops ($21.99)

• Glow Getter Herbal Body Moisturizer with Shimmer ($24.99)

• Glow Getter Herbal Body Mist with Shimmer ($14.99)

• Glow Getter Herbal Body Oil with Shimmer ($19.99)

• Travel-Size Glow Getter Herbal Body Moisturizer with Shimmer ($7.50)

HERLA Gold Supreme Illuminating Body Oil ($50)

This super lightweight, fast-absorbing body oil gives skin a long-lasting shimmery glow while deeply moisturizing it at the same time. Ingredients include sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, Spanish lavender, and shea butter to smooth, soften, and prevent premature aging. Illuminating golden particles derived from natural mineral pigments enhance skin’s natural tone, while natural antioxidants fight free radicals for a healthier and more luminous appearance.

Hydra Bloom Bronze Body Glow ($56)

Hydrate skin with this gorgeous sheer bronze-gold toned shimmer oil that finishes like a dry oil and infuses skin with the fragrant scent of frangipani (plumeria). In addition to hydrating skin, it can also be used on the face and hair, and can create waves in thick or wavy hair!

HydroPeptide Nourishing Glow Body Oil ($79)

This stunning shimmer oil infuses skin with instant radiance and lightweight, satiny hydration. Immediately hydrates and illuminates skin, while replenishing and nourishing at the same time. Features a luxurious blend of pure plant oils and squalene to soothe skin, along with vitamins C and E. Shimmering mica lends a dewy radiance. Leaves behind a pleasant fragrance that features a combination of rosemary, plumeria, sandalwood, and jasmine.

INNBeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow SPF ($35)

This lightweight mineral broad spectrum SPF 43 PA+++ gives skin a gorgeous sheer glow while providing broad spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, and blue light. The hydrating, antioxidant-rich formula is hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. It also works to increase skin’s hydration for 24 hours and maintains a weightless texture. Available in two stunning shades: Fair-Medium and Medium-Deep.

Lancôme Star Bronzer Long Lasting Bronzing Powder ($38)

This sheer silky-light powder delivers a natural sunkissed glow in any season. Exceptional light-reflecting pigments ensure a radiant, tanned makeup result. Smooth and comfortable texture blends effortlessly and evenly into the skin. Skin feels silky soft and even toned. Suitable for all skin types. Oil-free. Fragrance-free. Non-acnegenic. Non-comedogenic. Available in multiple stunning shades.

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting with Body Puff ($46)

This moisturizing, silky smooth powder adds the warmth of bronze or pearly luminosity to your body.  Thanks to the buildable coverage and wet-or-dry application, it can smooth on a subtle hint of luminosity or build up in layers to a satin-sleek radiance. When applied wet, it gives skin a diamond-like sheen.

Lumene Watercolor Bronzer ($30)

Add an instant sun-kissed glow to skin with this lightweight, beautifully blendable liquid bronzer. Featuring pure arctic spring water, antioxidant-rich arctic cloudberry, a vitalizing peptide and pearlescent luminizing pigments, the weightless formula helps brighten, hydrate, and perfect skin for a more even and luminous-looking complexion.

Naked Sundays SPF 50 Sheer Glow Balm Sticks Trio Set ($55)

High-performance SPF meets makeup with this world-first SPF innovation to help you layer and top up your SPF all day long on the go! Apply SPF50 Glow Balm in place of makeup after liberally applying SPF to the entire face and neck. Includes three shades: Rosé (for cheeks and lips), Champagne (highlighter), and Espresso Martini (blush, contouring, and eye shadow). This 100% mineral SPF is fragrance-free, glowy and not greasy, vegan and cruelty-free. 

NU EVOLUTION Portofino ($38)

This all-natural pressed bronzer formula will enhance your complexion with subtle hints of shimmer and a satiny smooth finish to create a youthful glow. Vegan-friendly and free of parabens, talc, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances.

Nu Skin Sunright Insta Glow ($37)

Formulated for your face and body, this tinted gel builds over time, giving you a deeper, natural-looking tan as it fully develops into a natural-looking glow. It’s a fast-drying self-tanning gel enriched with skin-loving ingredients for a double-duty formula that helps you maintain soft skin while building a beautifully bronze tone.

Nudestix Nudies Bronze ($35)

Featuring a natural, lightweight formula, these multipurpose cream bronzer sticks are the perfect solution for achieving healthy, glowing skin. They can also be used as a contour cream to create a more dramatic and defined look, and on eyelids and lips for natural warmth. The sticks are dual-ended with a soft color balm on one side and a detachable blending brush on the other for easy makeup application. Available in five gorgeous shades featuring golden brown undertones that create the perfect all-over summer glow for any skin tone. Pictured in Sunkissed.

Omorovicza Budapest Gold Shimmer Oil ($82)

This Gold Shimmer Oil uses subtle gold particles to add alluring shimmer and softness to skin and luster to hair. In addition to adding a hydrating glow, it also tones skin, deeply hydrates and boosts radiance. It also features calendula oil and vitamin E, and is suitable for all skin types.

ONYX Professional Hydrating Shimmer Mist ($6.97)

Achieve instantly glowing and nourished skin with this shimmer mist that contains squalane and apricot kernel oil. Made with natural ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben, phthalate and alcohol-free.Available in four scents: Sandalwood Vanilla, Pomegranate Fig, Coconut Bliss, and Rose Petals.

Pacifica Sea & C Glow Bronzing Body Oil SPF 20 ($16)

This SPF 20 lightweight bronzing oil is made with an antioxidant-rich formula for skin-loving hydration and protection. Featuring vitamin C and sea minerals, it leaves skin feeling soft and radiant. Offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB and blue light protection. Features a pleasant light citrus fragrance.

Pai The Impossible Glow ($39)

In addition to boosting radiance, these all-natural bronzing drops also hydrate and soften skin with hyaluronic acid, sea kelp, and vitamin C-rich lemon fruit water. Formulated with mica, a naturally derived bronzing pigment, now it’s super easy to achieve and build a customizable glow! Can be added to your daily moisturizer, massaged directly onto skin, or applied directly to cheekbones as a highlighter.

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($16.99)

Create the ultimate Brazilian goddess glow with this ultra-luxurious bronzer infused with murumuru butter. The incredibly cream and soft texture combines the best features of a powder and cream bronzer. Packed with essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins that soften, condition, and moisturize skin, leaving it silky soft. Ultra-refined pearl and soft-focus pigments smooth skin texture, brighten skin tone, and deliver a gorgeous finish.

Pixi On-the-Glow Bronze ($18)

These hint-of-a-tint, easy-to-use sticks are perfect for cheeks and lips. Just one swipe, blend and you are good to glow! This solid tint is formulated with fruit extracts for superb antioxidant protection and blends effortlessly on skin for a natural bronzed glow. Available in multiple shades including RichGlow (pictured).

Salt By Hendrix Body Glow Golden Hour ($39)

This body oil offers your skin hydration and an abundance of vitamins and minerals whilst leaving it bronzed, glowing, and radiant. High in vitamin E and natural fatty acids, argan oil helps give the skin a natural boost, is non-greasy, and easily absorbed. Made from organic and natural ingredients. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Shimmering Body Oil ($45)

This luxurious and nourishing dry oil deeply moisturizes while drenching skin in a pleasant fragrance that will take you back to summer days spent at the beach. It features a rich blend of Sicilian sweet almond oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, maracuja oil, and the brand’s exclusive black truffle extract—a potent formula that replenishes skin with long-lasting moisture and antioxidant protection. Skin looks and feels healthier and more youthful with regular use!

Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil ($35)

This luminizing, hydrating, soft-shimmer glow oil for the body and face features a buildable, visibly blurring tint that gives a healthy-looking, visibly gorgeous glow for all skin tones. Ingredients include cupuacu butter, acai oil, and coconut oil to moisturize skin and restore elasticity. Available in five gorgeous shades, including Copacabana Bronze (pictured).

Stila Putty Blush/Bronzer Duo ($23.80)

This duo includes a bronzer and blush that instantly add a sun-kissed glow and skin-brightening flush for a naturally radiant and gorgeous look. Infused with natural macadamia oil to keep skin moisturized and soft. Available in four color duos: Bronzed Gladiola (pictured), Bronzed Petunia, Bronzed Gerbera, and Bronzed Lillium.

Suzanne Organics Shimmering Bronzer ($39.99)

Enhance the color and luminosity of every skin tone with this anti-aging treatment that is also a bronzer. Enriched with essential fatty acids and antioxidants, it moisturizes and nourishes skin from head to toe. It leaves a transparent layer of shimmering bronze color on skin, which intensifies with additional layers. The bronze color also camouflages brown spots, while a patented delivery of lactic acid and argining helps even out the applearance of skin tone when used regularly.

The Body Shop Coconut Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil ($22)

Give your skin a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow with this beautiful shimmering dry oil. The non-greasy formula enhances your natural tan with a warm hint of shimmering color. It’s enriched with Community Fair Trade organic virgin coconut oil from Samoa. Suitable for sensitive skin.

The Organic Pharmacy Self Tan ($69)

This self-tanning cream provides a balanced, streak-free natural colour in just three hours. Made with Ecocert-approved DHA derived from natural sugar beets and a blend of shea butter, coconut oil, and sesame oil to lock in moisture, it blends effortlessly for a streak-free application. Features a pleasant apricot fragrance.

Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer ($20)

Inspired by that moment when the sun sets over the ocean, Bronzino is a blendable, buildable illuminating cream bronzer for that effortless, summer glow from within. The silicone-free formula is made with mineral pigment and skin-loving ingredients like moisturizing mango butter and calming green tea extract to help soothe and condition skin. Tap on wherever the sun naturally shines on your face and buff, buff, blend to add warmth and dimension. It can also be used on eyes and lips for an easy wash of color. Available in two buildable shades with multi-dimensional sheen: West Coast (pictured) and Best Coast.

W3LL Bio Bronzer Baked Powder ($22)

This compact, ultra-smooth bronzing powder provides deep, sun-kissed color with a soft matte radiance. Featuring skin-loving ingredients like lactic acid and squalane, the powder formula adheres like a cream to give skin that long-lasting bronzed look. Vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic.

Whish Coconut Milk + Verbena Self Tanner ($34)

This self-tanning cream helps you achieve a luminescent, natural-looking glow without the risk of sun damage. Skin is intensely hydrated with organic shea butter, mango butter, and organic aloe, while kigelia African fruit, and extracts such as seaweed and coffee arabica help firm skin. Apply all over your body—with just a few applications, you’ll be tan in no time!

Wondergloss Boho Potion Luxe Body Oil ($18)

Give skin the ultimate glow with this hydrating, luminizing potion that contains golden minerals and quartz wands to impart a gorgeous, non-greasy texture. Doesn’t transfer either so you’ll keep your glow without having to worry about it getting on your clothes. Can be used on the body and in hair. Available in three options:

• Laguna: Copper glow with a cocoa rose fragrance

• Malibu (pictured): Golden glow with a coconut/tropical fruit fragrance

• Muri: Nude glow with a South Pacific tiare fragrance

[Images courtesy of brands]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk