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Best Cream Bronzers: Top 10 Picks for The Ultimate Glow
Who doesn't love a healthy, sun-kissed glow? If you're looking to achieve that radiant, just-off-the-beach look without exposing your skin to the sun's harsh rays, cream bronzers are your new best friends (and ours, too). Whether you're a makeup novice or a seasoned beauty guru, understanding the ins and outs of cream bronzers can elevate your makeup look to a whole new level. With over 26.4 thousand posts for #creambronzer on TikTok, we’re here to reveal all the secrets, from choosing the best cream bronzers to mastering application techniques for a seamless finish.
Best cream bronzers at a glance - our top picks:
Best cream bronzer overall: Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream, £50
Best cream bronzer for fair skin: REFY Cream Bronzer, £18
Best cream bronzer for medium skin: Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer, £22
Best long-lasting cream bronzer: NARS Bronzing Cream, £38
Best cream bronzer for dark skin tones: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer, £30
By Sephora UK Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 8 May 2025
Shop all Bronzers at SEPHORA UK.
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Charlotte Tilbury
Skin Sun Kissed Glow Bronzer
Best for suits all-shades
Shades: 4 | Finish: Powdery-cream| Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin D3
Let’s glow girls… with this super flattering Charlotte Tilbury cream bronzer. A must-have for sun-kissed skin, it’s infused with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and melts into your complexion like a dream. The benefits go on… it’s sweat-proof and humidity-resistant, too, meaning it will last whatever the weather. From subtle warmth to a more defined contour, get that post-holiday shine without the jetlag.
Tried and tested: “My first time trying a cream bronzer. I bought it because it looked fab but I’m so glad I did. It feels amazing on the skin. I’m quite fair and went for the fair shade, it’s perfect as they seem to be quite strong colours. Charlotte Tilbury always just gets it right.” - Nealamaria, Customer Review
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Merit
Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer
Best for fool-proof application
Shades: 5 | Finish: Satin | Key ingredients: Vitamin E
Merit’s Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer is your shortcut to a natural-looking glow with zero fuss. Housed in a sleek stick, it’s perfect for on-the-glow top-ups. Balmy, buildable and breathable, it promises a second-skin finish without ever looking cakey. Looking for no-makeup makeup? This sheer finish ticks all the boxes. Simply dot, blend, and admire the golden results.
Tried and tested: “Best bronzer! I’m quite heavy handed and this bronzer is great - you can layer it as much as you like and it still looks so lovely and glowy.” - Leah, Customer Review
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VIEVE
Modern Radiance Cream
Best for effortless everyday wear
Shades: 4 | Finish: Naturally radiant | Key ingredients: Squalane, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E
Ready to meet your new daily staple? VIEVE’s Modern Radiance Cream is home to a featherlight, buttery formula that gives instant warmth. Want soft definition? Go subtle. Feeling bold? Build it up. Delivering a natural, just-landed from holiday look - it’s ideal for makeup pros and newcomers alike. Packed with skin-loving Squalane, Avocado Oil and Vitamin E, this one does it all with minimal effort. Win, win.
Tried and tested: “I'll never go back to powder bronzer! It goes on like an absolute dream and a little goes a long way. I like that it's really easy to build up for a more intense colour as well. Get this, you will not regret it!” - Jess, Customer Review
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Sephora Collection
Instant Bronzing Drops
Best for a customisable glow
Shades: 4 | Finish: One suits-all | Finish: Barely there | Key ingredients: Chlorella Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil
Make it golden hour, every hour with our Instant Bronzing Drops. Forget shade guesswork or stress - build your desired bronze, your way. Simply mix a few drops with your favourite day cream for an instant sun-kissed effect. Did we mention it easily rinses off when you cleanse at the end of the day? No more orange hands and messy streaks, an even tan is just one drop away.
Tried and tested: “I'm amazed. I mixed it with my regular moisturiser and it gave me a natural, sun-kissed glow. The colour is buildable, so I can control how I want to look. It’s not streaky and it blends in really well. Overall, it’s a great product for a quick and customisable bronze look without the mess.” - Hannah, Customer Review
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Makeup by Mario
Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer
Best for a second skin finish
Shades: 6 | Finish: Dewy | Key ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Vitamin E
Part tint, part bronzer, and a complete no-makeup makeup essential. With a dewy balm texture, the Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer by Makeup by Mario brings glowy warmth and soft definition, all while letting your real skin shine through. The texture is so creamy, it melts in seconds for the most natural results. Whether you’re fresh-faced or going full glam, it never streaks and applies easily with fingertips or a brush. Only great skin days ahead…
Tried and tested: “Holy grail. It’s like your skin but better. It’s creamy, buildable and not in your face and orange. Love it! Have repurchased multiple times.” - Customer Review
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REFY
Cream Bronzer
Best cream bronzer for fair skin
Shades: 5 | Finish: Natural matte | Key ingredients: Silica, Synthetic Beeswax
Keep your skin glowing like a dream with REFY Bronzer. Ideal for fair skin, shade Onyx provides a deep bronze with red undertones and a dewy finish. The hydrating formula works wonders for those with dry skin, while its lightweight consistency feels barely there. The best part? It’s vegan and cruelty-free, making for an ethical addition to your beauty routine. We love.
Tried and tested: “An everyday fave! A lot goes a long way!!! Super creamy! And blends like a dream! Will last you a long time!” - Customer Review
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Milk Makeup
Matte Bronzer
Best cream bronzer for medium skin
Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte | Key ingredients: Mango Seed Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Castor Seed Oil
One thing we know for sure? Milk Bronzers bring out the best in you. Promising long-lasting, sun-kissed makeup looks that don’t compromise on comfort, this bronzer provides a matte finish that doesn’t fade. Vegan and cruelty-free, its non-drying formula is enriched with hydrating ingredients in a compact stick format - ideal for on-the-go. For those of you with medium skin tones, shade Baked won’t let you down; it’s your perfect match.
Tried and tested: “My go-to Milk bronzer stick! Absolutely love this product and I will continue to re-buy! It goes on smoothly and blends so nicely with my makeup!” - Customer Review
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NARS
Bronzing Cream
Best long-lasting cream bronzer
Shades: 5 | Finish: Natural | Key ingredients: Coconut Oil
Our go-to for an everyday makeup look that lasts hours on end, NARS Cream Bronzer is a staple standout. Formulated with hydrating ingredients, this cream bronzer is buildable and blendable for colour or contour. Swipe onto your forehead, cheekbones, and chin for a sun-kissed look, blending with fingertips, a brush, or sponge. And for all-over bronze and cream? Sweep onto your collarbone, arms, and legs. Giving us a head-to-toe holiday glow.
Tried and tested: “This is my staple cream bronzer and I have tried so many ‘dupes’ but NOTHING compares to it! It blends in so easily with every foundation I've tried it on (silicone and water-based) and I even use it to deepen my crease if I just want a quick look. I'm on my second jar after the first one lasted me over a year while using it almost every day.” - Customer Review
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Fenty Beauty
Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Best cream bronzer for dark skin tones
Shades: 7 | Finish: Natural matte | Key ingredients: Candelilla
Let your confidence shine from day to night with our cult-fave Fenty Cream Bronzer. Coming in several no-fuss shades, this light-as-air, non-greasy bronzer melts effortlessly into skin. Looking natural on every skin tone, this instantly warms up and softly defines your face with a smooth texture. Pair with your fave cream blush for a total fresh-faced feeling.
Tried and tested: “This cream bronzer is just PERFECTION. I use it for every day and for nights out, it is natural looking and buildable if needed. Butta Biscuit 02 is literally the perfect shade for light skin! It has the slightest satin effect to it (not glittery but not flat matte either) and makes my skin glow from within. Like wow!! I am obsessed.” - Customer Review
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Huda Beauty
Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream
Best cream bronzer for contouring
Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte | Key ingredients: Silica
Love nothing more than a luxurious tan? Introducing Huda Beauty Bronzer - Tantour. A cream-to-powder contour and bronzer in one, this allows for a soft and natural bronzed look. Why not dial up the drama as you layer and build? Deeply pigmented and long-lasting, the formula combines a balance of shadow and warmth for a luminous, matte glow. All you need now are your fingertips for a beautiful blend.
Tried and tested: “The formula for Tantour is magic; it’s very easy to blend and doesn't disrupt my foundation base. When it sets, it dries to powder, so you don't need to set it - I sometimes apply a setting powder anyway and it doesn't disrupt or cake around Tantour. When it's set (within a minute), that's it; it wears all day without budging. I've been caught out in the rain several times and haven't had any issues with it smudging or fading.” - Customer Review
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GLOSSIER
Cloud Paint Gel Cream Bronzer
Best cream-to-gel bronzer
Shades: 5 | Finish: Dewy | Key ingredients: Glycerin
Create a healthy-looking glow any time of year with our fan-fave Glossier Cream Bronzer. With blurring pigments for a seamless finish, this gives skin a natural wash of warmth, dimension, or sculpting colour. Our top tips? Gently squeeze a tiny dot of bronzer onto fingers and dab onto cheekbones, forehead, bridge of your nose - anywhere you want extra definition. Mix multiple Cloud Paint colours together to create a custom shade - as unique as you are.
Tried and tested: “New favourite bronzer. I got the shade Sail and it’s perfect for my fair skin. Doesn’t turn orange on me and blends so easily. Feels really smooth on the skin. Colour can be built up easily as well. Looking forward to using it this summer.” - Customer Review
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Sephora Collection
Make It Bronze
Best multi-use cream bronzer stick
Shades: 4 | Finish: Natural matte | Key ingredients: Chlorella Algae Extract
Add all-over warmth to your complexion using our very own Sephora Collection Bronzer Stick. Whether you’re after a natural or defined look, this formula allows you to build product up as much as you’d like. Suitable for all skin tones, it blends into skin perfectly without leaving a trace. An undetectable finish and natural tan effect? We’ll take two, please.
Tried and tested: “Super seamless contour. This is now my go-to contour stick. It's so precise, enhances your cheekbones giving you a gorgeous sculpted finish. I really love the Sephora Collection products, they give you high-end results for such affordable prices. I will definitely purchase it once it's finished.” - Customer Review
What is cream bronzer and what does it do?
Cream bronzers are designed to provide a natural, sun-kissed finish that blends seamlessly into the skin. Creating a dewy, radiant look, they’re perfect for all skin types, particularly dry skin. Unlike some powder bronzers, cream formulas are less likely to emphasise dry patches, making them an ideal choice for anyone looking to maintain a glow-giving complexion.
One of the standout features of good cream bronzers? Their buildable formula. This allows you to customise your coverage, ensuring that you can go from a subtle hint of colour to a brilliant bronzed look with just a few swipes. Not to mention, their creamy texture often includes nourishing ingredients, meaning you won’t just look good; your skin will be healthier, too.
How to apply cream bronzer?
Applying cream bronzer can be tricky if you don't know the right techniques. For a natural, sun-kissed look, start by dabbing the bronzer directly onto the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, temples, bridge of your nose, and jawline. Use your fingers, a buffing brush, or a damp beauty sponge to blend seamlessly into your skin, ensuring there are no harsh lines.
Applying in light layers allows you to control the intensity of the product. This buildable approach ensures that you can easily go from a subtle hint of warmth to a more dramatic bronzed effect. Want a multi-dimensional look? Blend with your fave highlighter to add extra depth to your complexion. The end result? A sun-kissed complexion that looks completely effortless - your one-way ticket to post-holiday radiance.
Is cream bronzer better for older skin?
Since they are more hydrating and blendable than powder formulas, cream bronzers can be a golden option for those with mature skin types.
As we age, our skin can become drier and more textured, this often means powder bronzers are prone to caking or clinging onto dry patches. Cream bronzers are a good option for a smoother, soft-focus finish.
You’ll also find that many creamy textured bronzers are packed with skin-loving ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or Squalane which bring both a hit of hydration and give a plumper, more youthful-looking glow. We’re sold.
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