Bronzers (Powder)
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October 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
Matte bronzing powders may be especially easily used to create a believable bronzed look.
For those who feel that they are too pale in general, using a fluffy brush to very lightly dust the face and the neck with a bit of matte bronzing powder can give the illusion of having a slight overall tan.
In addition, even if someone has no particular desire to have darker skin in general, using non-shimmery bronzing powder strategically (such as on the cheekbones, temples of the forehead, and bridge of the nose) can add some attractive natural-looking dimension to the face.
Regardless of which technique is used, makeup artists usually suggest focusing the color more on the top half of the face and leaving the bottom half more alone, to achieve a more natural look of the face being tanned in areas where the sun might have hit it.
A bit of bronzing powder also may be useful on the neck, especially if it is overly pale in comparison to the face or if a goal is to draw attention away from it.
An important component in terms of getting a natural bronzed look is choosing the right color bronzer, in terms of both skin tone (light vs. dark) and undertone (cool vs. warm).
As a general rule of thumb, one easy way to start out looking for a bronzer to provide overall color may be to consider the regular foundation color and then to find a bronzing powder that is maybe 2-3 shades darker but with a similar undertone.
While bronzers on the whole tend to lean slightly to the warm side, it’s been my experience that most of the lighter shades on the market still are too neutral for my own warm skin and give me an unattractive muddy-brown look if I try to use them anyway.
On the other hand, people with neutral or cool skin may find that more neutral bronzers look great on them.
Since most companies offer very few bronzer shades, some people may find it necessary to shop around a bit to find products that work for them.
Hopefully my observations about the bronzers that I have tried will be helpful as a starting point for others to more easily find bronzer shades that work for them.
It would be great if others who have experimented with bronzers (especially in the darker shades that I have not tried) were to share their knowledge about the topic in the comments section.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
+Bare Minerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF15 ($35)
Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer ($36)
+HAN Bronzer ($18)
Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer ($38)
+Honest Luminizing Glow Powder ($20)
+Vapour Bronzing Powder ($38)
Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer ($75)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
+Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Color Bronzer ($23)
Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation ($33)
W3LL People Superpowder Bronzing Powder ($22)
♦ Not Yet Tried:
Jane Iredale AmazingBase Loose Mineral Powder SPF20 ($48)
Victoria Beckham Matte Bronzing Brick ($58)
♠ Trash Can:
Bobbi Brown Matte Bronzer ($44)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer ($36)
√ Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer ($38)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Bare Minerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF15 – $35
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 30 Shades (Warm/Neutral/Cool and Light/Medium/Dark)
The description of this product reads, “Made with 5 clean, vegan ingredients, this lightweight, talc-free mineral foundation provides sheer-to-full coverage and promotes clearer, healthier-looking skin over time. Provides all-day coverage with a naturally luminous finish. Minimizes the look of pores and imperfections. Promotes clearer, healthier-looking skin over time. Won’t clog pores, cause breakouts or settle into fine lines.”
This loose powder foundation is available in a wide variety of shades and seems to have the potential of serving as an all-over face bronzer for people with many different skin tones.
To try to choose the best shade for use as a bronzer, I used the Shade Finder on the Ulta website.
My natural skin tone in general tends to be between the Fair and Light shades with a warm (mildly golden) undertone in most foundation lines.
As a regular foundation in this line, I have been using Golden Ivory (07), which is Light and Neutral/Golden.
To choose a bronzer shade, I looked for moderately warm foundations in the shades that were two tones darker than my natural skin tone (“Medium Dark”).
The moderately warm/golden shade is called Tan Nude (17).
This product turned out to be perhaps on the light side for my skin but still has worked pretty well as an overall bronzer, giving me just a hint of a natural-looking tan. I might go a shade darker if I were to buy this product again though.
I usually use just a little bit of the powder on a fluffy brush, sweeping it lightly over the entire top half of my face and also over my neck.
Using a kabuki-type brush to pick up a bit more of the powder and buffing it vigorously into my skin gives me a little darker color.
In terms of the irritation factor, I believe that this is due to the sunscreen in the product since my face has reacted to it in the same way that it has to all other products containing zinc oxide.
I don’t think that other people who do okay using zinc oxide on their faces need to be concerned about this one just because it is a little irritating to me, therefore.
The Bare Minerals powder foundation line is available for sampling in many Sephora stores, and so trying it on there before purchasing may be an option.
Bare Minerals also offers free returns (including free return shipping) on all foundation products purchased from its website.
Size: 0.28 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (14,076 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Requirements
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Zinc oxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 12.6%, Zinc Oxide 21%. Other Ingredients: Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica, Iron Oxides
Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Color Bronzer – $23
Overall Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 1 Shade (Medium/Warm)
The description of this product reads, “Add a touch of warm radiance to your complexion. This talc-free loose powder bronzer is made with just 6 natural mineral ingredients. Blendable formula provides a healthy, natural-looking glow. Versatile shade flatters all skin tones. Provides a terracotta bronze glow—ideal for medium to deep skin tones.”
This is an extremely highly pigmented product with a decidedly orangey-red tone to it.
I was afraid that it would look terrible on me, but have found that if I use just a tiny bit of it mostly on my cheeks, it gives my warm skin a sunburned-type of look that can be rather appealing, especially on certain days during the heart of summer.
Whether this bronzer would look good on people with neutral or cool skin even when applied very lightly, I don’t know. Maybe it would be too orange on them.
As with the Bare Minerals loose powder blush, the pigment of this product is so intense that it is a challenge to apply just a tiny amount of it in exactly the right place to give a pretty look.
What I have done is to shake just the tiniest amount of the product into the cap of the container and then to use my RMS Fan Brush ($20) to pick up the product. I tap the brush on the edge of the bathroom sink to dislodge any loose powder, then brush it lightly on my cheekbones. Then I take a kabuki brush and buff the powder into my skin.
While this does take a bit of effort, the product is clean enough it’s possible that some people who can wear few cosmetic products might be able to tolerate it.
Possibly those with darker skin tones than mine would not need to use such a tiny amount and thus might find this product easier to apply.
Another positive is that the product is very reasonably priced. I would think that even a very small jar of it (such as the one that I picked up in a heavily discounted Bare Minerals kit) likely would last anyone for many years even if it were used every day.
Bare Minerals also offers a loose powder bronzer in a more standard brown color – called Faux Tan – that I haven’t tried yet.
Both bronzer colors are also available in a pressed powder that might be easier to use. It has a few additional ingredients in it that might be less appropriate for those who want a very clean product, though.
Size: 0.05 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (3781 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides
Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer – $36
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Chromium Oxide Greens, Red #30, Red #22, Red #6, Yellow #5, Ultramarines, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Yellow #6, Red #33, Red #34, Blue #1, Red #28
Options: 1 Shade (Light/Warm)
The description of this product reads, “Silky-smooth bronzer for a natural, sun-kissed look. Weightless bronzer goes on smoothly and evenly. Leaves skin with buildable, natural-looking color and a soft-matte finish. Apply wherever you want a natural-looking bronze. To create an easy contoured effect, use under cheekbones, along the hairline, down the sides of the nose, and under the jawline.”
I got this bronzer as a gift with purchase from Clinique and have been really surprised at how much I have liked it.
This bronzer has a warm golden-peach type color that I think gives my skin an especially natural and healthy look.
I’ve found that it goes on softly and easily, and that it feels good on my skin without irritating it.
It is made in Italy using a “baked gelee” technique, and I find the 3-D flower design to be very pretty and cheerful.
Usually I lightly brush a little of this bronzer over the entire top half of my face and on my neck.
It also looks pretty (especially in winter when my face is more pale) if I brush a bit more of it just on my cheekbones, as a neutral-type blush.
When I swatch it next to other bronzers that have worked pretty well for me – such as the lighter colors in the Vapour or Westman Atelier lines – this one has a bit more of a slightly shimmery golden look to it, while the other products look more like just warm tan.
The formula of this product seems to go on my skin very smoothly and easily, without feeling at all dry.
I would guess that the presence of squalane and the lack of both cornstarch and talc contribute to the soft feeling of the product.
I have used this product frequently and don’t feel that it has been annoying to my skin at all.
This bronzer does contain the preservative polysorbate-20 (which to my understanding would disqualify it from being sold at Credo) and a number of artificial coloring agents.
The ingredients list also mentions carrageenan extract, which is a substance that I prefer to avoid in food due to contamination risks.
Because that substance is only sporadically contaminated, I am a little uncertain whether the fact that I have been able to tolerate this particular product means that I always would be able to tolerate it if I re-purchased it in the future.
This question has been more on my mind since finding that I was unable to tolerate the Clinique Powder Pop Highlighter, which also contains carrageenan extract. (That product does include some other different ingredients than the bronzer though.)
This bronzer is available only in one shade, which I don’t think would be appropriate at all for people with skin that is much darker than mine.
While at first I thought that I liked this bronzer because it was well-suited to my own warm skin, I’ve read comments from a few people with light cool skin who have said that this is their favorite bronzer.
User reviews of the product seem to be pretty uniformly positive as well.
Size: 0.31 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.8 Stars (40 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: No
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Polysorbate-20 (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Chromium hydroxide green (4), Chromium oxide greens (6), Red #30 (5), Red #22 (5), Red #6 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Ultramarines (3), Ferric ferrocyanide (4), Ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (3), Yellow #6 (7), Red #33 (4), Red #34 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #28 (5). (Also contains Carrageenan Extract.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Squalane, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Carrageenan Extract, Dicalcium Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Bismuth Oxychloride, Carmine, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Chromium Oxide Greens, Red 30, Red 22, Red 6, Yellow 5, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Copper Powder, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Yellow 6, Red 33, Red 34, Blue 1, Bronze Powder, Red 28
HAN Bronzer – $18
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 3 shades (Light/Neutral, Medium/Warm, Medium Dark/Warm)
The description of this product reads, “Get your year round faux glow without the harmful UV rays or harmful ingredients from our all natural bronzers. Formulated with rice powder, organic cocoa powder and cocoa butter, our bronzers add a healthy glow to skin. Our talc free bronzer is made with oil absorbing rice powder instead and delivers a smooth finish. Antioxidant infused with organic cocoa powder and scented with natural cocoa.”
HAN offers a line of all-natural and especially clean bronzing powders, based primarily on rice powder and cocoa seed powder.
They also contain some nice moisturizers, including argan oil and acai oil. For sustainability reasons, the current containers are cardboard rather than plastic.
The line includes three powder bronzer shades – Malibu (“natural bronze with matte finish”), Ibiza (“warm brown with golden shimmer”), and Maui (“natural bronze with subtle shimmer”).
I tried the lightest shade, Malibu. Unfortunately it was much too neutral for me (giving my face a sort of muddy look), but I think that it might work well for someone with neutral or cool skin.
I have been a little fearful that the Ibiza shade might be too dark and too shimmery for me to use successfully, but would like to give it a try to see how it looks on me.
I liked the feeling of the HAN bronzer on my face and think that it worked well apart from the shade being wrong for me.
Size: 0.16 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (192 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Rice powder, cocoa seed powder*, argan oil*, acai oil, tocopherol, cocoa seed butter, pea peptide, cocoa absolute, coconut, kaolin. May Contain:mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides. *Certified organic
Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer – $38
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Ultramarines, Yellow #5, Red #7
Options: 12 Shades (Warm/Neutral/Cool and Light/Medium/Dark)
The description of this product reads, “A cutting-edge, clean bronzing powder that blurs and defines with a natural, skin-like finish, and features 12 hour staying power. HausTech Powered with Fermented Arnica + Plant Squalane. Infused with our patent-pending fermented arnica, this clean bronzer delivers skincare benefits without compromising color performance. Its velvety smooth, weightless, skip-proof formula is unlike any other in 12 complexion-enhancing shades that effortlessly define and sculpt.”
This bronzer was introduced by Haus Labs in Summer 2022 and is available in a dozen different shades.
I tried the lightest shade (“fair to fair light with with warm muted undertones”) and it has become my favorite bronzer of all.
I really like how easily the product goes on and how pretty it looks on my skin.
The shade that I chose works really well for me, allowing me to add just a bit of a look of being suntanned without needing to be too careful when applying it.
This product seems to me totally matte, without the slight hint of peachy shimmer that I like so much about the Clinique bronzer.
However, the fact that the company offers a very light shade that looks totally natural on my skin is a big plus for me.
The product contains the preservatives polysorbate-60 and BHT, which to my understanding make it ineligible to be sold by Credo.
However, my skin seems to really like this product and to do well with it.
Supposedly the fermented arnica oil is helpful in decreasing inflammation of the skin, while the squalane and sodium hyaluronate serve as hydrators.
My guess is that the Pseudozyma Epicola/Sunflower Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate is good for my skin as well.
This is a baked gelee formula made in Italy, with a 3-D version of the Haus Labs logo built into the product.
I feel like it is a little softer and creamier than the other baked gelee formulas that I have tried and goes on with a little less effort.
The fact that this company is offering so many different bronzer shades in what I feel is a pretty good formula seems to be a real breakthrough in making it easier for many people to find a shade that will work well for them.
Size: 0.42 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.7 Stars (333 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Dimethicone (3), Polysorbate-60 (3), BHT (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Ultramarines (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #7 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: Arnica Montana Flower Extract
All Ingredients: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Squalane, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pseudozyma Epicola/Sunflower Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Arnica Montana Flower Extract**, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Avocado Oil, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, Trihydroxystearin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, BHT. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Yellow 5, Red 7. **Fermented
Honest Luminizing Glow Powder – $20
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 1 Shade (Light/Warm)
The description of this product reads: “Made with light-reflecting pigments, this silky, luminizing, baked powder delivers a radiant, filtered finish without the glitter. Sheer, gorgeous hues diffuses onto skin, capturing the right amount of soft-focus light for a natural glow.”
This product is available in two colors – Midnight Reflection (which works for me as a regular finishing powder) and Dusk Reflection (which is intended as a finishing powder for darker skins but also may be used as a bronzer on lighter skins).
Although this is called a “luminizing glow powder,” it actually has virtually no shimmer and can easily be used over the entire face.
When swatched, the Dusk Reflection product looks virtually identical to the Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer in terms of both the tone (medium tan) and the undertone (with a golden-peachy feeling to it).
I personally have had a little more luck using the Clinique Powder Pop Bronzer though, making me think that a difference in the formula is key here.
The Honest product contains totally different ingredients (including a good bit of cornstarch) and does not seem to pick up on the brush as easily as the Clinique bronzer does.
On the other hand, the Honest product is considerably less expensive than the Clinique bronzer.
It also has a cleaner ingredients list (including all-natural coloring agents and no problematic preservatives).
As with the Clinique bronzer, I don’t think that people with skin that is much darker than mine would be able to use this product as a bronzer at all.
I can see how it might work very well for those with darker skins as a finishing powder, especially during the summer months when the cornstarch would help to absorb excess sweat and oil, though.
Size: 0.35 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.5 Stars (35 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica, Silica, Corn Starch, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauroyl Lysine, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Tocopherol, Hectorite, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Ilia NightLite Bronzing Powder – $34
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 4 Shades (Light/Neutral, Medium/Warm, Medium Deep/Warm, Deep/Cool)
The description of this product reads, “A clean, talc-free, finely milled powder that delivers a natural bronzed look. Buttery soft textures blend easily and can build from a natural sun kissed glow to more dramatic payoff. Sunkissed, with a silky-soft touch. Ilia NightLite Bronzing Powder is a clean bronzer powder with a subtle sheen for a second-skin finish. The buttery, blendable formula adds natural-looking warmth that you can dial up in intensity for a stronger contour.”
This matte bronzing powder from Ilia is available in four shades – Drawn In (“light tan”), Novelty (“medium tan”), Uptown (“medium deep tan”) and Songbird (“deep tan”).
I have the shade Drawn In, which seems to be much too netural for me.
The Novelty color looks in the pictures like it might be a little warmer, but I think it likely is too dark to work well for me.
The Ilia bronzer does seem to go on easily and looks pretty on my skin in terms of the formula, though.
It is stated as containing jojoba oil (for hydrating), silica beads (“creates a soft focus filter with a silky slip”), and non-shimmery mica.
The ingredients list in general looks good and the product has not irritated my skin at all.
It would be nice if Ilia were to offer light shade that is more on the warmer side, since I think I would enjoy using it if they did.
Size: 0.26 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (416 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Malic acid (4), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Lonicera japonica flower extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Zinc Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Ethyl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Malic Acid. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Jane Iredale AmazingBase Loose Mineral Powder SPF20 – $48
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Silicone Level: Low
Problematic Colorings: Ultramarines, Chromium Oxide Greens
Options: 20 Shades (Warm/Neutral/Cool and Light/Medium/Dark)
The description of this product reads, “Sweep on this airy mineral foundation for a luminous sheer to medium coverage that feels like silk. 100% vegan and always cruelty-free. A loose mineral foundation that gives a sheer to medium coverage. Made from micronized minerals, oil free and weightless. An SPF 20/15 foundation, powder and concealer with broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sun protection.”
This product looks pretty similar to the Bare Minerals powder foundation but also contains some silicone.
I don’t really like putting silicone or zinc oxide on my face and so have not yet tried this product, but some other people may find it worth considering.
If I personally were going to experiment with this line as a bronzer, I might start with the Latte or the Rivera color.
Size: 0.37 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.8 Stars (1192 ratings)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Zinc oxide (3), Dimethicone (3), Ultramarines (3), Chromium oxide greens (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate extract
All Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 14%, Zinc Oxide 6%; Mica, Boron Nitride, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Plankton Extract, Algae Extract, Pomegranate Extract. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Chromium Oxide Greens.
Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation – $33
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 24 Shades (Warm/Neutral/Cool/Olive and Light/Medium/Dark)
The description of this product reads, “Finally, a powder foundation that won’t settle into fine lines. Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Base is triple-milled for a smooth-as-can-be finish that airbrushes pores. Buildable coverage means total flexibility—go for a light dusting or layer on the coverage—all while staying shine-free and photo-ready. Age-defying and skin-soothing. Pomegranate, White Tea, Red Tea, and Sea Kelp help promote lit-from-within radiance while banishing free radical damage. Powerhouse Vitamin C & E add to the skin-loving mix. To keep skin calm, cool, & collected, soothing Licorice Root teams up Aloe Root and Cucumber.”
Although I have not been especially enthusiastic about the Mineral Fusion pressed powder foundation in terms of the formula, the product does have an advantage of being offered in many different color shades (including ones appropriate for those with olive undertones).
The main problem that I have had with this product is that it seems to be on the hard side and thus to be difficult for me to apply. My guess is that the reason for this is the high content of zinc oxide, but perhaps other factors are responsible as well.
However, I use a lot less product for bronzing than I do when using powder foundation, and so I felt like this product might work better for me for this purpose.
Mineral Fusion does not make figuring out what color to purchase easy at all, unfortunately. I chose Warm 4 (Tawny), which turned out be a little too light to be ideal for use as a bronzer for me. Probably Warm 5 (Dark Caramel) would have been better.
In addition, my skin does not do very well with zinc oxide and has been a little irritated as a result of using this product.
However, I still think that it might have some potential for people (perhaps especially those with olive skin) who have had a difficult time finding a good bronzer color match from other lines.
Size: 0.32 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.5 Stars (2249 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Licorice root extract (4), Aloe vera (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Zinc oxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Hydrolyzed mango juice extract, mangosteen fruit extract, rooibus leaf extract, pomegranate seed extract, cucumber fruit extract, elderberry flower extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Lauroyl Lysine, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Boron Nitride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Mango Juice Extract, Mangosteen Fruit Extract, White Tea Leaf Extract, Sea Kelp Extract, Rooibus Leaf Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Pomegranate Seed Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Tocopherol Acetate, Elderberry Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol. May contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide.
Vapour Bronzing Powder – $38
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 2 Shades (Light/Warm, Medium/Warm)
The description of this product reads, “Endless Summer. Silky smooth vegan bronzing powder. Intuitive buildable color gives healthy luminosity. Warm up your skin with pure sun-kissed color. Apply lightly over cheeks, brow and lids for an all-over glow. Or intensify your radiance and contour for full-on definition. Hydrates with Olive Squalane + soothing Amino Acids. Looks natural. Never orange or fake.”
This bronzer has an especially clean ingredients list and is available in two shades – Eclipse (“warm golden brown”) and Equinox (“rich spicy brown”).
The color of the lighter version is about the same as that of the Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer in Coup de Soleil.
Compared to the Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer, the Vapour bronzer is a little less peachy-gold and a little more straightforward warm tan.
Although the Vapour bronzer has just a touch of iridescence to it, it is still matte enough for me to be able to use it on my whole face (including my forehead) to give myself some overall color.
The product seems to be quite clean and feels good to me, and the color looks natural on me.
It does contain some cornstarch, but I need to use so little of it that I don’t feel that it has been unduly drying to my skin.
During the summer months (which is mostly when I use bronzer) the cornstarch may even be a plus since it may help a little in terms of absorbing sweat.
Like the Clinique, Haus Labs, and Westman Atelier bronzers, this product is made in Italy and features an embossed design on the top of the powder.
Although the amount of product provided is less than with some of the other bronzers discussed on this page, powder bronzers tend to get used up so slowly that I doubt that this will be an issue for most people.
Size: 0.17 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (35 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Criteria: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica‡, Corn Starch*, Magnesium Stearate§, Zinc Stearate§, Silica‡, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate†, Squalane†, Glyceryl Caprylate†, Lauroyl Lysine†, P-Anisic Acid†, Pentylene Glycol†, Cinnamic Acid†, Glyceryl Undecylenate†; May Contain +/-: Titanium Dioxide; Iron Oxides. * Organic. † Plant derived. ‡ Mineral derived. § Naturally derived
Victoria Beckham Matte Bronzing Brick – $58
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 5 Shades (Light/Medium/Dark, Warm)
The description of this product reads, “This skin-loving bronzer features two soft-matte tones so you can customize your bronze for the most natural, sunkissed skin. Blends seamlessly, wears effortlessly, and is impossible to overdo. Features a refillable, plastic-free, keepsake compact.”
I have yet to try this product but would like to do so soon.
Size: 0.34 oz.
Victoria Beckham Rating: 4.5 Stars (450 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients (Shade 01): Mica, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Trimyristin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cocoa Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide.
W3LL People Superpowder Bronzing Powder – $22
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 1 Shade (Medium/Warm)
The description of this product reads, “A lightweight baked bronzing powder that warms your complexion and hydrates skin with plant-based ingredients. Bronzer creates a natural, healthy glow. Semi-matte finish. Helps absorb oils and control shine. Includes plant-based ingredients like olive-derived squalane, mica, and cornstarch. Talc-free. It’s always Golden Hour with this bronzing powder, which gives skin a healthy, sun-kissed glow all year round. The lightweight face bronzer instantly warms your complexion and delivers a semi-matte, soft-focus finish that looks natural and smooth. Plus, the formula is enriched with skin-loving squalane and other plant-based ingredients to hydrate skin and absorb excess oil for a flawless finish.”
I’ve found this bronzer to be a bit odd because it goes on very sheerly, to the point that it hardly seems like I am putting on any bronzer at all.
I thought at first that the formula of the product had resulted in such a hard surface that I was picking up very little product with the brush, but I am starting to think that a low amount of pigment also could be an issue.
I almost feel like the color is close to the Bare Minerals Warmth (which is reddish-orange and creates a sunburned-type look), but it is hard to make a good comparison since that product is so highly pigmented and this one appears to have very little pigment.
Although supposedly this bronzer has some shimmer to it, I am seeing virtually none of that.
However, I only have been using this bronzer on my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose, since I feel that the orange-y tone of the bronzer starts to look a little weird if I use it more generally.
The ingredients list for this product looks reasonably clean, and I have not had any kind of skin irritation as a result of using it.
One other thing that I did notice is that this bronzer is made in China and that in the product that I purchased, the pressed powder was noticeably off-center in the simple plastic container.
This creates a pretty strong contrast with the bronzers sold by Clinique, Westman Atelier, Haus Labs and Vapour, since those products are made in Italy and are quite beautiful in terms of their packaging and look.
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (34 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Sodium lactate (3), Lactic acid (4), Urea (3), Sodium benzoate (3), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: No
All Ingredients: Mica, corn starch*, squalane, pentylene glycol, lauroyl lysine, polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, potassium sorbate, glyceryl stearate, sodium lactate, sodium pca, magnolol, honokiol, niacinamide, fructose, inositol, lactic acid, glycine, urea, sodium benzoate, water. May Contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides. *Organic Ingredients
Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer – $75
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Options: 2 Shades (Light/Warm, Medium/Warm)
The description of this product reads, “Clean, matte bronzer delivers a just-in-from-the-beach kiss of color. A buttery blend of nourishing ingredients helps boost hydration while innovative pigment technology protects from environmental stressors. Rich and natural terracotta tones leave skin looking healthy with an outdoorsy glow. Shimmer free.”
This is a quite expensive bronzing powder, which I decided to try after watching a number of demonstration videos on how to get a natural-looking tan by Westman Atelier founder Gucci Westman (linked below).
Although Westman Atelier products are used in the videos, other powder bronzers and bronzing highlighters could be used to achieve a similar look.
The powder bronzer is available in two colors – Coup de Soleil (a peachy terracotta) and Soleil Riche (a darker terracotta). Both shades are totally matte, without any sparkle or shine at all.
I have the lighter shade, which is very similar in color to the Vapour Bronzing Powder in Eclipse.
While this is a warm bronzer and about the same darkness as the Clinique Powder Pop Flower Bronzer, it seems to be more of a straightforward slightly warm tan rather than a peachy-gold tan.
This product is made in Italy using a technique called “baked gelee.” The surface of this bronzing powder has cute embossed hearts on it.
The product also includes some nice skincare ingredients such as mango seed butter, and it goes on very easily and prettily.
Although it includes talc in the ingredients list, the fact that it is sold through Credo means that the company would have needed to provide proof of testing showing that the talc is free of asbestos.
The product looks pretty clean in terms of the ingredients other than the talc, and I do not think that it has caused any irritation to my face at all.
This bronzer comes in a heavy gold-toned metal case, which is beautiful enough that it could be used as a paperweight (if people had a need for paperweights these days) and undoubtedly is a large part of the reason that the price of the product is so high.
At present the case is not refillable, although Gucci Westman says that the company is working on remedying that.
Personally, I am not sure that my makeup needs to be in a case this expensive regardless of whether it is refillable, but perhaps the wealthy people who apparently are the company’s prime target market feel differently about that.
Videos:
Westman Atelier – Gucci’s Sunkissed Beauty Routine
Westman Atelier – Golden Hour Makeup
Westman Atelier – How To Get A Buttery Bronze Glow
Westman Atelier – The Summer Skin Masterclass
Size: 0.28 oz.
Awards: In Style Best Clean/Natural Bronzer 2022
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (45 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Talc (8)
Fragrance Ingredients: Mango seed butter
All Ingredients: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Lactate, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Boron Nitride, Silica, Behenylcarbamoylpropyl, Polysilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Mango Seed Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter, Lauroyl Lysine, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Bare Minerals Endless Summer Bronzer – $31
Chantecaille Real Bronze – $79
Huda Beauty GloWish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder – $31
Kjaer Weis Powder Bronzer Refill – $36
Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Creme Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo – $38
Trash Can
Bobbi Brown Matte Bronzer ($46): This is one of the original bronzing powders and at one point was very popular. I received a mini version recently as a gift with purchase and found it a little irritating to my skin. Although the container did not state the color, it is my understanding that this was supposed to be the company’s lightest shade, Golden Light. I found it to be a little darker than would be ideal for me but leaning fairly warm (meaning that it looked okay on me if used sparingly and buffed in well). I asked Bobbi Brown if they were testing the talc in the product for asbestos and they replied only that they were using cosmetic-grade talc. I would give this product another try if Bobbi Brown reformulated it to be cleaner. EWG gives the product a 6 (yellow), flagging as problematic talc (8), laureth-4 (3), PEG-150 distearate (3), chlorphenesin (3), ultramarines (3), chromium oxide greens (5), red #6 (6), red #7 (6), titanium dioxide (3), and chromium hydroxide green (4).
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Amazon, Bare Minerals, Chantecaille, Clinique, Credo, Goop, HAN, Haus Labs, Honest, Huda Beauty, Ilia, Jane Iredale, Kjaer Weis, Mineral Fusion, MOB Beauty, Patrick Ta, Pharmaca, Sephora, Ulta, Vapour, Victoria Beckham, Violet Grey, W3LL People, and Westman Atelier.
Reader comments about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Those signing up will receive a free PDF copy of the book Back From The Edge (describing the extraordinary life of mold avoidance pioneer Erik Johnson) and also will be automatically entered in sweepstakes giving away a variety of cleaner products.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
