Bronzing Highlighters
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October 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
While the “Bronzer” category often is thought to include products that include shimmer as well as ones that are matte, I think that it is useful to distinguish between the two because they seem to me to serve different purposes.
Matte bronzers can be appropriate to use on the face to simulate an overall tan, as well as to create some definition.
Shimmery bronzers, on the other hand, seem to be especially appropriately used to add some glowy summery highlights to the face, in order to complement an existing tan (natural or simulated).
Individuals who feel that their natural skin tone does not need to be any darker may find that they can still benefit from using a shimmery bronzer – that is, what I am calling a “bronzing highlighter” – to bring some additional radiance to the face.
A look that I personally have found to be especially attractive is to follow Gucci Westman’s instructions to first darken my skin a bit with a matte powder bronzer and then to add some bronzing highlighter on my cheekbones.
Matte powder bronzers and matte cream bronzers are discussed on separate pages of this website.
While the bronzing highlighters profiled on this page may be used in other places on the face in addition to the cheeks (such as above the mouth or in the eye area), a little restraint may be preferable to keep the look natural and pretty.
Provided that they are not overused, these bronzing highlighters seem to me appropriate for uses by women of all ages and skin tones, at all times of day, and for all occasions.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Blonzer ($25)
Ilia Multi-Stick ($34)
+Jane Iredale Bronzer ($56)
+Kosas The Sun Show Bronzer ($34)
+Mineral Fusion Blush/Bronzer Duo ($33)
+RMS Buriti Bronzer ($28)
+RMS Luminizing Powder Bronzer ($38)
Saie Glowy Super Gel ($28)
+Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer ($20)
+Vapour Bronzing Stick ($34)
+Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlighting Stick ($25+)
Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight ($75)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder ($46)
Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick ($13)
♠ Trash Can:
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($15):
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
√ RMS Buriti Bronzer ($28)
Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer ($20)
Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlighting Stick ($48)
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 Gen Nude Blonzer – $25
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: High
Problematic Colorings: Red #7
Type: Powder
The description of this product reads, “An innovative clean blush + bronzer hybrid that combines the rosiness of a blush with the sun-kissed glow of a bronzer — in just one step. Talc-free formula combines the glow of a bronzing powder with the flush of blush in one step. Smooths and minimizes the look of imperfections. Blush + bronzer hybrid features a silky texture that blends seamlessly and builds color effortlessly. Leaves a luminous finish that mimics your skin’s natural radiance after a day in the sun.”
This “blonzer” from Bare Minerals is intended to be a combination of bronzer and blush, in colors that suggest a slight sunburn and that have a little bit of shimmer.
Three colors are available: Kiss of Pink, Kiss of Copper, and Kiss of Rose.
I have the Kiss of Copper, which is a warm color that looks very pretty on my skin but that is a touch dark for me.
I am thinking now that I might have been better off with Kiss of Pink, which (I found out on a Sephora visit) is more of a peachy-pink than a straight cool pink.
The blonzers contain several different kinds of silicone, which I don’t feel is too much of a problem in powder products to be applied lightly.
Other than the silicones and an artificial red coloring, the ingredients list looks pretty clean to me.
I’m interested in the mention of caffeine in the ingredients list and wonder if the purpose is to address puffiness.
I haven’t experienced any problems with this product and have enjoyed using it.
Size: 0.13 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.6 Stars (211 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6). (Also contains Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Cucumber fruit extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Diisostearyl Malate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Caffeine, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Boron Nitride, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Red 7.
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder – $46
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(2 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Chromium oxide greens, Ultramarines, Red #36, Yellow #5, Red #28, Red #34, Red #6, Ferric ferrocyanide, Red #7, Yellow #6, Blue #1, Red #33, Red #22, Red #30, Carmine
Type: Powder
The description of this product reads, “Ultra-soft shimmery bronzer. An ultra-soft and smooth pressed powder that helps give skin a seamless, naturally radiant glow. Formulated with a blend of sheer powders and microfine pearls for lit-from-within luminosity. Imparts beautiful luminosity with a blend of sheer powders and microfine pearls that reflect light. Applies seamlessly for a natural, sun-warmed look and velvety, cushiony feel.”
There are a few Bobbi Brown products that I tried prior to starting this project that have worked well for me despite their including some potentially problematic ingredients and that I am including on this website for the sake of comparison.
One of these is the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder, which I have in the shade Antigua (“light pink bronze”).
I think that that this product gives my skin a lovely, slightly sunburned-looking, soft glow.
It also goes on really easily and smoothly.
Although this product does have a shimmer, it is pretty muted.
The main problematic ingredient in this product is talc, which has the potential of asbestos contamination.
A Bobbi Brown representative responded to my query by stating that the company was sourcing only cosmetic-grade talc but not doing asbestos testing themselves.
Although EWG suggests that 15% of cosmetic products containing talc may contain traces of asbestos, the FDA reported in late 2021 that none of the cosmetics containing talc that it had tested recently contained any asbestos.
I wonder if that means that the cosmetics industry has cleaned up its act in terms of making more of an effort to ensure that the talc that it is selling is not contaminated.
Insofar as asbestos is present, it has been reported to be of primary concern in loose talcum powder, which may be breathed in regularly in relatively large amounts and/or used in the genital area.
A product like this one, which is used only in tiny amounts on the skin, would seem to present less of a risk.
Other than the talc, the ingredients cited by EWG as problematic include a variety of coloring agents commonly used in cosmetics (including those from many “cleaner” brands) and chlorphenesin (a preservative that also is pretty widely used).
In general, I do think that asbestos contamination of products containing talc is a concern and wish that Bobbi Brown were using talc that had been tested for contamination in this product.
I’ve continued to use this product myself because I like it and haven’t had any problems with it, though.
Size: 0.31 oz.
Bobbi Brown Rating: 4.8 Stars (433 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: No
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Unclear
Think Dirty Rating: 8 (red)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Talc (8), Chlorphenesin (3), Chromium oxide greens (5), Ultramarines (3), Red #36 (5), Yellow #5 (6), Red #28 (5), Red #34 (5), Red #6 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Ferric ferrocyanide (4), Red #7 (6), Yellow #6 (7), Blue #1 (7), Red #33 (4), Red #22 (5), Red #30 (5). (Also contains Carmine.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Talc, Corn Starch, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Polyethylene, Tricaprylin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Lanolin Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lanolin Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate. May Contain: Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides, Chromium Oxide Greens, Ultramarines, Red 36, Manganese Violet, Yellow 5, Red 28, Red 34, Red 7, Mica , Titanium Dioxide, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Red 6, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 33, Carmine, Red 22, Red 30
Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick – $13
Overall Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild (Scent)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor, Linalool
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Carmine
Type: Cream Stick
The description of this product reads, “Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick instantly illuminates your skin as it brightens and defines your face. The Golden Shimmer shade enhances your skins natural sheen while providing a long-lasting sun-kissed glow. The combination of moisturizing Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cupuacu Butter, and Daikon Radish Extract nourishes and hydrates skin for hours.”
Burt’s Bees offers three shades in its All Aglow Bronzer & Highlighter Stick line.
While two of these (Golden Shimmer and Opal Mist) seem to be mostly designed for highlighting purposes, a darker shade (Bronze Splash) seems that it could be a bronzer on lighter skin and a highlighter on darker skin.
The Bronze Splash color is quite transluscent with a soft shimmer and leans toward looking somewhat gold on my skin.
It is designed to be moisturizing and includes coconut oil, jojoba oil, cupuacu butter and daikon radish extract.
It also contains a substantial amount of sunflower seed oil, which makes me wonder about how soon it will go rancid.
Like many of the makeup products from Burt’s Bees, this one contains an unspecified but fruity-smelling “natural flavor” that I don’t appreciate all that much.
However, since this product is not intended for use on my lips, I don’t mind it as much as I do with some of the lip products.
Although I don’t think that I would ever buy this product for my personal use, it doesn’t look too bad on me and it does have a pretty clean ingredients list apart from the natural flavor.
Size: 0.3 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.2 Stars (658 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 0 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural flavor (4), Linalool (3), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Coconut Oil, Carmine.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, natural flavor, linalool
All Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, beeswax, sunflower seed wax, coconut oil, mica, radish seed extract, lauryllaurate, theobroma grandiflorum seed butter, silica, rosemary leaf extract, tocopherol, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, water, natural flavor, linalool. May contain: iron oxides, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, carmine
Ilia Multi-Stick – $34
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Red #28, Yellow #5
Type: Cream Stick
The description of this product reads, “A buildable wash of color for cheeks and lips—now with 12 swipe-and-go shades. This creamy, multi-use formula comes in a twist-up stick for easy application on the go. No tools required: Simply swipe and blend for skin that looks and feels alive. Keep it simple with your favorite Multi-Stick shade, or mix, match, and layer to create a customized look. Available in both natural and luminous finishes.”
Ilia offers a dozen different Multi-Stick blush and highlighter products, including one shade – In The City – that seems intended as a bronzer.
I haven’t tried that shade but do have a discontinued bronzer shade (Summertime) that I think is very pretty and has worked well for me.
In The City looks a little less reddish than the product that I have, but I think it’s likely a nice shade.
The Ilia Multi-Sticks have a pretty clean ingredients list and get good reviews, and I’ve found the couple of them that I have owned to be pleasant to use.
The main concern I have is the possibility that the product might go rancid, since sunflower seed oil is the first ingredient and no preservatives are used.
So far (about five months in) I have not noticed that happening with the either of the Ilia Multi-Sticks that I own, though.
Size: 0.18 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.0 Stars (112 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #28 (5), Yellow #5 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: Orange peel wax
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil*, Castor Seed Oil*, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Beeswax*, Candelilla Wax, Sesame Seed Oil*, Shea Butter*, Orange Peel Wax, Corn Starch*, Avocado Oil, Tocopherol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red 7, Red 28, Yellow 5. *Certified organic.
Jane Iredale Bronzer – $46 + Case
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: Moderate
Problematic Colorings: Carmine
Type: Powder
The description of this product reads, “An illuminating bronzing powder with four blendable shades that can be mixed and matched to bronze and highlight for a glowing, radiant look. Each bronzer contains four luxurious shades that can be mixed and matched to suit every mood. Buildable, blendable, light-diffusing shades for soft, luminous looks. Sleek refillable compact is sold separately.”
This shimmery bronzer from Jane Iredale is available in four different shades, each featuring four different colors of product.
The available colors are Peaches & Cream (“warm peachy pink”), Rose Dawn (“cool pink/bronze”), Moonglow (“warm golden shades”) and Sunbean (“luminous pink/copper”).
Except for the last one, these colors all are look to me like they might be most appropriate for lighter skin tones.
I purchased the Moonglow version at a heavily discounted price in the old packaging.
I have applied it sparingly with a fan brush (since the shimmer can become too much if I am not careful) and think that it looks nice on me.
The Jane Iredale bronzers appear to be using a formula that is similar to the prior version of the Jane Iredale powder blush, which I found to be overly hard and difficult to apply.
Perhaps because this product is so shimmery that I do not need to use very much of it, the formula has seemed less problemtic to me in this bronzer than it did in the blush.
The bronzer plus the required case totals $66, which I think is kind of over-the-top expensive for a bronzer of any kind.
On the other hand, the product is quite clean in terms of ingredients (apart from a little silicone) and seems not to have any scent, and so that may make it particularly appealing to some people. .
Note that for those who are looking for a bronzer with only a small amount of shimmer, Jane Iredale makes another product called So-Bronze Bronzing Powder ($42 + Case) that might fit the bill.
It is available in three shades – Golden Brown, Reddish Brown and Peachy Brown.
I have not yet tried that product yet.
Size: 0.3 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars (292 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Carmine.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pine bark extract, pomegranate extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Pine Bark Extract, Pomegranate Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine
Kosas The Sun Show Bronzer – $34
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Type: Powder
The description of this product reads, “This is a clean, moisturizing baked bronzer made with Shea Butter to give you that glow your skin gets in really pretty sunset light. Like a Golden Hour filter you can wear.”
This bronzer from Kosas is quite shimmery and thus seems to me to need to be used especially sparingly on my face.
It has been my experience that if I put any at all on my forehead, it makes me look like I am sweating (and not in a good way), for instance.
If I make sure to use it just as I would a highlighter (mostly just high on my cheeks and as an eyeshadow), it is really pretty on me and gives my face a lovely elegant glow, though.
The ingredients make it seem that this is a quite clean product, and it feels good to me.
The product is available in three shades – Light (“soft bronze”), Medium (“golden bronze”) and Deep (“warm dark bronze”).
The Light color is a slightly peachy color that I think is ideal for my skin tone (but which conceivably some people might find to be a little on the orange side).
The main negative that I have heard about this bronzer is that some people complain vociferously about the smell of it.
I don’t quite understand that because I don’t feel that the product that I own has any noticeable smell at all. I haven’t been able to figure out if the objectionable smell is from an ingredient (such as the vegetable oil) going rancid or from some substance that I personally am not capable of smelling.
I’ve had the product for several months (purchased directly from Kosas) and don’t feel like the smell has changed for me.
I do personally like the product and have been using it pretty frequently during the warmer months, though.
Size: 0.21 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.6 Stars (106 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Hectorite; Ascorbyl Palmitate, Shea Butter Extract, Shea Butter Unsaponifiables, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Oleic/linoleic/linolenic Polyglycerides, Phenethyl Alcohol, Soybean Glycerides. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride
Mineral Fusion Blush/Bronzer Duo – $33
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Carmine
Type: Powder
The description of this product reads, “Sunkissed Glow. Enjoy that post-vacation glow 365 days of the year. Mineral Fusion Blush/Bronzer Duo is like portable sunshine—simply sweep on the cheeks and use the bronzer wherever the sun would kiss for an endless healthy glow. Age-Defying & Skin-Soothing. Pomegranate, Red Tea, and White Tea are jam-packed with antioxidant goodness to help defend against free radical damage (like hyper pigmentation), while Aloe Vera helps soothe the skin.”
This blush/bronzer duo provides two different powder products – a shimmery bronzer and a summertime cheek color.
It is available in two versions – Blonzer (with a light shimmery bronzer and ash-rose blush) and Rio Blonzer (with a medium shimmery bronzer and coral blush).
I have the lighter version and have found the shimmery bronzer to be an almost exact match for The Sun Show Bronzer from Kosas (in the Light shade).
The blush part of that product provides a bit of slightly sunburned color to my skin. Although the idea seems similar to the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Antigua, I feel like the Bobbi Brown version seems less pink and looks a little better on me.
The Mineral Fusion product might be better for those with a pink undertone though.
Considering how slowly powder bronzers tend to get used up by most people, I think that buying a combination product like this one makes sense from a cost effectiveness point of view.
I also really like the idea of being able to give the skin a little bit of flush as well as bronzy glow without having to reach for two separate products.
This product has a pretty clean ingredients list other than the phenoxyethanol, a preservative that some people cannot tolerate or choose to avoid.
My own skin seems to have been fine with this product.
Size: 0.29 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.2 Stars (42 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Aloe vera (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Carmine.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate extract, Elderberry flower extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, White Tea Leaf Extract, Rooibos Leaf Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Sea Kelp Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Elderberry Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Carmine, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide
RMS Beauty Buriti Bronzer – $28
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #7
Type: Cream
The description of this product reads, “Award-winning, hydrating cream bronzer. Gives skin an authentically sun-kissed, healthy look—for a natural, effortless glow. Nourishes and hydrates as skin glows with the healthiest looking bronze. Use on highpoints of the face, or try it across the shoulders for evening.”
I first tried this cream product as a result of it being included in an RMS blush/highlighter palette, and it has since become one of my very favorite makeup products.
Although I have tried many other bronzers, I haven’t come across anything else that gives me the same look.
The Buriti Bronzer has a lovely reddish undertone and a slight shimmer that has allowed it to work really well as a neutral sun-kissed blush on my cheekbones.
I also have sometimes used it as a quick eye shadow or even on my lips.
I especially like that it is a forgiving product that blends down easily if I put a little too much on.
As with the RMS Master Mixer (which I often use as a highlighter), only a tiny amount of the product and virtually no work is needed to create a beautiful effect on my skin.
The ingredients list is really clean and the product feels very good to me.
It does have coconut oil as the first ingredient and thus may not be tolerated by some people, though.
Although the product has a darkening as well as glowy effect on my own skin, the photos that I have seen make it seem that this product works equally well as a regular highlighter on darker skin tones.
Size: 0.20 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (136 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #7 (6). (Also contains Coconut Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract
All Ingredients: *Coconut Oil, *Beeswax, Jojoba Seed Oil, *Cocoa Seed Butter, Mica, *Castor Seed Oil, *Rosemary Leaf Extract, *Sunflower Seed Oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO), **Buriti Fruit Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7. *Certified Organic. **Wildcrafted.
RMS Beauty Luminizing Powder Bronzer – $38
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #7
Type: Powder
The description of this product reads, “An ultra-fine, moisture-delivering powder with light-reflective shimmer. Highlights skin with a luminous finish. Available in three versatile shades. Natural oils and refined mineral pigments pressed without exposure to heat give you the ease of a powder and the moisturizing texture of a cream to add a touch of luminosity to skin. Looks healthy, never drying!”
The RMS Luminizing Powder comes in three shades – Grande Dame (“an alluring moonlit-champagne luminosity”), Midnight Hour (“a glowing rose-gold radiance”) and Madeira (“sun-kissed bronzed highlight”).
All three products contain a good bit of shimmer and can be very pretty if used with a light touch.
They contain both buriti oil and squalane, and as a result go on really smoothly and easily, I think.
The products also have a very clean ingredients list in general, and I have not had any problems with them at all in terms of skin irritation.
Although I once saw a video of the Madeira shade being applied as a bronzer on someone with very light skin, I’ve personally had a hard time keeping this product from looking too dark on my own skin even when I have used a fan brush.
I do believe that this would be a beautiful product on many people with skin that is darker than mine, though.
The Midnight Hour shade of this line is only a little darker than my natural skin color and thus does not really work for me as a bronzer. It is very pretty though.
One thing that I have found is that although the container size is very large, all three of these RMS powder luminizers work as well for me as powder eyeshadows as pretty much anything else that I have tried on my eyes.
Maybe RMS should think about releasing these products in packaging specifically for use as eyeshadows, just to see how they do.
Size: 0.52 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.4 Stars (64 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Zinc Stearate, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Rosemary Leaf Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides. In addition to above ingredient deck, madeira bronzer contains the pigment: Red 7
Saie Glowy Super Gel – $28
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Type: Liquid Gel
The description of this product reads, “Welcome to the glowiest, lightest weight luminizer. Wear it alone. Or under (or mixed with) foundation or tinted SPF as a primer. OR over any look for a super glowy finish. Feels like nothing. Looks like everything.”
This product is available in two shades – Starglow (“universal champagne”) and Sunglow (“warm golden bronze”).
I have only tried the Starglow shade so far.
This product has what I think is a pretty strong smell that is unfamiliar to me. I wonder if it is from the papaya seed oil.
I don’t find the smell to be unpleasant but it definitely is noticeable.
Other than that, this seems to be a nice enough product that I am looking forward to trying the bronzing shade.
Although it includes the preservative polysorbate-60 (which to my understanding would make it ineligible to be sold at Credo), I have not experienced any irritation as a result of using it.
Size: 1 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.6 (459 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Polysorbate 60 (3), Rosa canina oil (3), Lactic acid (4), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Papaya seed oil, Rosa canina fruit oil
All Ingredients (Starglow): Water, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Papaya Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Lactic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides
All Ingredients (Sunglow): Water, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Mica, Sodium Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Isohexadecane, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Papaya Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Lactic Acid, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer – $20
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Type: Cream
The description of this product reads, “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. Bronzino now comes in 5 buildable shades with a multi-dimensional sheen. Bronzino is your one-way ticket to that fresh-from-vacay glow! You can expect a glowy bronzy sheen, without the shimmer or sparkle. Tap on wherever the sun naturally shines on your face and buff, buff, blend to add warmth and dimension. Hint: Bronzino is multipurpose. Try it on eyes and lips for an easy wash of color (just tap on!) This silicone-free formula is made with mineral pigment and skin-loving ingredients like moisturizing mango butter + calming green tea extract to help soothe and condition the skin.”
This is a beautiful cream bronzer that is available in five shades, including a few with reddish undertones.
I have Sun Coast, which is the lightest shade (and about the same color as the light shade of the Kosas bronzer).
Unlike some other shimmery bronzers, this one more just creates a healthy-looking glow on my cheeks that seems totally natural and quite attractive.
It reminds me quite a lot of the RMS Master Mixer highlighting product, which is one of my favorites in terms of giving my face an instant pick-me-up.
I think that if I got a darker shade of the Tower 28 product, it might function similarly to how the RMS Buriti Bronzer (which I also really like) has for me.
I am thinking about West Coast (“medium warm bronze”) for that, though it’s hard to know for sure without a visit to a Sephora site since the website does not provide many photos of the products in use.
As with the RMS products, I also like this bronzer as an eyeshadow, especially since it is hydrating enough to not emphasize the crinkling on my eyelids.
It also works well on my lips, since it provides a little juicy-looking natural color and tastes fine to me.
The ingredients list looks clean and I have not had any problems with it.
The accessible price point and the portable size makes it especially appealing.
Size: 0.16 oz.
Awards: Allure Best of Beauty 2020
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (96 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Chamomilla recrutita flower extract (4), Rosa canina seed oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, Camellia sinesis leaf extract, Matricaria flower extract, Mango seed butter, Sweet cherry seed oil, Rosa canina seed oil, Acacia decurrens flower wax
All Ingredients: Hydrogenated polybutene, mica, castor seed oil, polyhydroxystearic acid, sunflower seed wax, triisostearyl citrate, diisostearyl malate, microcrystalline wax, jojoba esters, shea butter, corn starch, rice bran extract, sunflower extract, rosemary leaf extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, matricaria flower extract, mango seed butter, sweet cherry seed oil, safflower seed oil, rosa canina seed oil, acacia decurrens flower wax, polyglycerin-3, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin
Vapour Bronzing Stick – $36
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Type: Cream Stick
The description of this product reads, “Creamy, blendable vegan bronzing stick with a golden glow. Super natural skin that is glowing, bronzed and warm. Instant afterglow. Clean antioxidant protection. EFA rich. Hydrates and nourishes with Organic Cocoa + Shea Butter. Antioxidant, soothing, moisturizing Cocoa Butter. Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) rich Organic Avocado + Shea Butter. Hydrating, skin-conditioning Organic Sunflower.”
This is an especially clean bronzing stick with an unusual color that I am having a hard time describing.
It almost looks like a standard rose gold shade to me, except that it seems to be a little bit more yellow and also perhaps a bit more taupe, with a definite shimmer to it.
Vapour describes the color – Simmer – on its website as a “honeyed bronze.”
The color seems like it is in the same ballpark as the Burt’s Bees stick in Bronze Splash, except this one is much more highly pigmented and a little more of a brownish-taupe rather than just pure golden bronze.
I think that perhaps this bronzer is too neutral for me. In any case, I haven’t felt that it has been ideally suited to my own skintone.
Otherwise, I think that this is a nice product that goes on smoothly and and gives a mildly shimmery look.
The ingredients list is very clean and the product has felt good on my skin, with a pleasant natural scent that I guess must be from the natural fig and natural vanilla flavor oils.
For those who are unsure if the color of the bronzer would work for them, Vapour currently offers for $6 a custom sample set of three cream products plus a $10 off coupon for any subsequent purchase.
Size: 0.15 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (6 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Bergamot peel oil, Fig flavor oil, French vanilla flavor oil
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil*, Castor Seed Oil*, Carnauba Wax*, Silica‡, Corn Starch*, Coco-caprylate†, Avocado Oil*, Shea Butter*, Sesame Seed Oil*, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Candelilla Wax†, Lauroyl Lysine†, Tocopherol†, Orange Peel Wax†, Bergamot Peel Oil*, Fig Flavor Oil*, French Vanilla Flavor Oil*, Phenethyl Alcohol†, Ethylhexylglycerin†. May Contain: Mica‡, Titanium Dioxide‡, Iron Oxide‡. *Organic Ingredients. †Plant derived. ‡ Mineral derived
Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick – $25+
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Type: Cream Stick
The description of this product reads, “Multitasking gel highlighter for facial-fresh clarity. Glassy finish. Lit Up Highlight Sticks have a sheer, light coverage. This clean, translucent gel highlighter imparts skin with facial-fresh, radiant clarity. Flattering, light-catching undertones and skin firming ingredients leave a dewy, glassy and unforgettable finish. A quick and hydrating way to perk up dull skin. Dab across cheeks, bridge of nose, cupid’s bow, lips and lids.”
This highlighting bronzer stick is very pretty on my skin, giving it a soft burnished glow with a definite gold sheen.
The product is part of Westman Atelier’s small line of highlighters in a color called Brulee, which the company desribes as a “glassy bronze gold.”
It is dark enough that I do not need to use very much, but it blends easily and looks really nice on me.
Like other Westman Atelier products, the formula for this one is really clean and I have done well with it.
Although the full-size version of this product is quite expensive ($48), a mini version of the product is now available for only $25.
The full-size version comes in a heavy and lovely gold container that I have always found to be a bit much.
The mini version contains about half the product of the full-size, with packaging that is less luxurious.
Considering how little of this product I need to use to create a pretty effect, I think that the mini version should last for quite a while.
All in all, this product does give me a burnished and rather sophisticated summery glow that I have not yet been able to replicate with other products, and so I am happy to have it.
I would buy this product again.
Size: 0.17 oz. (Full Size); 0.09 oz. (Mini)
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (139 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Grape, Fruit extract
All Ingredients: Diisostearyl malate, octyldodecanol, triisodecyl trimellitate, polybutene, polyethylene, microcrystalline wax, synthetic fluorphlogopite, dicalcium phosphate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, tin oxide, pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, grape, fruit extract, titanium dioxide
Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight – $75
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #30, Blue #1, Red #7, Yellow #5, Carmine
Type: Cream
The description of this product reads, “Award-winning, treatment-packed cream highlighter for cheeks, lips, lids. Beautiful, clean highlighting cream for cheeks and eyes that delivers luminous warmth in flattering shades. This soothing, multipurpose polish is super loaded with skin-nourishing ingredients and treatment benefits for a beautiful boost of glowing color. Intuitive and effortlessly blendable, Gucci calls it the ‘closer’ because it gives the most refined polish to the skin.”
The bronzer shade of this blush/highlighter product is called Peau de Soleil (“warm bronze gold”).
Although I have not yet tried this shade, the Peau de Peche version has worked well for me.
I like it because it goes on very easily and adds a subtle glow and some pretty texture and color to my skin without drawing attention to itself.
It feels good on my skin and seems to make a difference even though I don’t use very much of it.
I am guessing that the bronzer shade would be equally nice and would be interested in trying it out.
On the downside, the compact products from Westman Atelier are all extremely (some would say ridiculously) expensive.
They come in heavy and beautiful metal containers that appear to add substantially to the cost.
Although the company is moving to have the compacts be refillable, I don’t think this is the case with this version of the Superloaded Tinted Highlight yet.
So I think of this as a real splurge product – though a nice one, at any rate.
Size: 0.14 oz.
Awards: Allure Best of Clean Beauty 2021
Credo Rating: 4.6 Stars (112 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #30 (5), Blue #1 (7), Red #7 (6), Yellow #5 (6). (Also contains Carmine.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Polyethylene, Mica, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Lecithin, Behenylcarbamoylpropyl Polysilsesquioxane, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture. May Contain: Carmine, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 30, Blue 1, Red 7, Yellow 5.
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.
100% Pure Cocoa Pigmented Bronzers – $40
Athr Desert Sun Glow Oil – $38
Huda GloWish Soft Radiance Bronzing Powder – $31
Jane Iredale So-Bronze Bronzing Powder – $42 + Case
Lilah B. Bronzed Beauty Bronzer Duo – $42
Trash Can
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($15): This product lists “fragrance” on the ingredients and smelled unpleasant to me, and it also was somewhat irritating to my skin. Especially since this is an inexpensive product, I wonder if the talc that is included may be contaminated with asbestos. EWG flags the fragrance (8), phenoxyethanol (4) and dimethicone (3) as problematic. Toxicity issues aside, I did not find that this product looked very good on me.
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: 100% Pure, Amazon, Bare Minerals, Bobbi Brown, Burt’s Bees, Credo, Glossier, Goop, Huda, Ilia, Jane Iredale, Kosas, Lilah B., Mineral Fusion, Pai, Pharmaca, RMS, Sephora, Tower 28, Ulta, Vapour, 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).
