Looking for a vegan cream bronzer? We’ve researched every vegan formula on today’s market and curated the 9 best vegan + cruelty-free bronzers to get you glowing year-round.
Why Cream Bronzer?
One of the best things about cream bronzer is that it melts into the skin, making it look like it’s part of the skin rather than sitting on top of it. Therefore, cream bronzer typically looks very natural and skin-like.
Unlike powder bronzers, cream bronzers are buildable, offering you more control over how much bronze you’re going for.
Another plus of cream bronzer, when you choose a matte formula with a cooler-toned shade, cream bronzer can double as a contour product.
Cream bronzers also go well with dry skin, as opposed to powder bronzers which can make dry skin look blotchy.
Benefits Cream Bronzer
- Natural, skin-like finish
- Buildable
- Easy to blend
- Can be used on its own as well as on top of foundation
- They can be used for contouring as well
- Great for all skin types, especially dry skin
Vegan Cream Bronzer
Unfortunately, the majority of makeup products contain animal ingredients. Luckily though, more and more brands go vegan, meaning you have options when you want to buy products without any animal (by)products.
Whether you’re a committed vegan or you just want your cream bronzer to be free of animals, the formulas below are all 100% vegan. And since you’re on Beauty.Beyond.Cruelty these products are all cruelty-free too.
Ahead, a quick list of the best vegan cream bronzers, or keep reading for the full breakdown.
The 9 Best Vegan Cream Bronzers of 2022
- Best Overall: Milk Makeup – Matte Cream Bronzer
- Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics – Putty Bronzer
- Staying Power: Tarte – Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer
- Best Sculpting Cream Bronzer: Makeup By Mario – Softsculp Shaping Stick
- Liquid Bronzer: Perricone MD – No Makeup Bronzer Broad Spectrum SPF15
- Illuminating Bronzer: Tower 28 – Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
- Refillable Bronzer: Trestique – Bronzer Stick
- For a Subtle Shimmer: Glossier – Solar Paint
- Bronzer + Blush + Highlighter Set: Kaja – Play Bento
The 9 Best Vegan Cream Bronzers for Sun-kissed Skin Year-Round
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1/9
Best Overall Vegan Cream Bronzer:
Milk Makeup – Matte Cream Bronzer
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
This OG formula is what started the cream bronzer game. Despite now having a lot of competition, it’s still a fan favorite. And yes, this staple cream bronzer is vegan and cruelty-free! In terms of formula, this cream bronzer isn’t super creamy, so it is a little less easy to apply. That said, it does last way longer than a creamier formula would. It’s available in 2 shimmer-free shades, Baked (a soft warm bronze) and Blaze (a deep warm bronze).
Why We Like:
- mess-free stick
- long-lasting
- you can also use it to contour
- the warm bronze universal color, never orange
- shimmer-free
Finish: matte | Shade Range: 2 | Vegan: yes, Milk Makeup is a 100% vegan brand | Cruelty-Free: yes, Milk Makeup is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Free of: paraben, gluten, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
2/9
Best Drugstore Vegan Cream Bronzer:
E.l.f. Cosmetics – Putty Bronzer
Shop at AMAZON | $
Cream bronzer beginners can’t go wrong with this E.l.f.’s Putty Bronzer, due to its lightweight formula that applies like butter and blends effortlessly into a cream-to-powder finish. It comes in 7 buildable shades, from an ultra-fair cool brown to a warm deep bronze. Best part? It only costs $6.
Why We Like:
- easy to blend
- cream-to-powder finish
- lightweight formula
- buildable
- good shade range
- the cooler-toned shades are great for contour as well
- budget-friendly
Finish: semi-matte | Shade Range: 7 | Vegan: yes, E.l.f. is a 100% vegan brand | Cruelty-Free: yes, E.l.f. is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand | Free of: paraben, phthalates, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
3/9
Best Staying Power:
Tarte – Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer
Shop at TARTE COSMETICS | $$$
Looking for a cream bronzer that stays in place all day? Reach for Tarte Sea Breezy Cream Bronzer. The lightweight, yet highly pigmented, formula blends seamlessly into the skin and doesn’t slip around at all. Being waterproof, it’s a perfect choice for hot summer days. It’s available in 3 warm shades that deliver a natural-looking bronzed look without adding too much shine.
Why We Like:
- lightweight
- long-lasting
- waterproof
- big compact with mirror
Finish: semi-matte | Shade Range: 3 | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product. However, Tarte is not a vegan brand, as some of their products contain animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Tarte is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. However, Tarte is owned by Kose, a company that is not cruelty-free | Free of: sulfates SLS, paraben, phthalates, mineral oil, gluten, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
4/9
Best Sculpting Cream Bronzer:
Makeup By Mario – Softsculp Shaping Stick
Shop at MAKEUP BY MARIO | $$$
This sculpting stick is perfect for contouring as well as adding warmth to your face. The dual-ended stick comes with a high-quality buffing brush for easy on-the-go application. The creamy formula leaves a matte skin-like finish that lasts throughout the day. With shades from light to dark deep, they have something for everybody.
Why We Like:
- bronzer + contour in one
- easy for on the go
- high-quality brush
- good shade range
Finish: matte | Shade Range: 6 | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, as the majority (but not all) of Makeup by Mario’s products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Makeup by Mario is a PETA and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Free of: animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
5/9
Best Liquid Bronzer:
Perricone MD – No Makeup Bronzer
Shop at AMAZON | $$
Looking for a bronzer to add some natural warmth to your entire face? Opt for this serum-like liquid bronzer. You can either use it on its own or you can mix it with your moisturizer or foundation. It comes in a universal warm brown (not orange) to create a subtle sun-kissed bronze. The sheer and blendable formula comes without any shine or shimmer. The mineral-based SPF15 is just another bonus.
Why We Like:
- fakes a just back from holiday tan
- easy to blend
- lightweight
- you can mix it with your foundation to deepen the shade
- you only need the tiniest bit, so lasts forever
- SPF15
Finish: dewy | Shade Range: 1 | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product. However, Perricone MD is not a vegan brand, as some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Perricone MD is a cruelty-free brand | Free of: paraben, phthalates, mineral oil, fragrance, gluten, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
RELATED: The Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Sunscreens For Your Face
6/9
Best Illuminating Bronzer:
Tower 28 – Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
Shop at TOWER 28 BEAUTY | $$
If you like your bronzer extra glowy, this is your cream bronzer. It comes with a lot of pearly shimmer (no glitter) to bring you warm and ultra-luminous skin. The application is quick and easy, due to the balm-like texture that melts on contact with the skin. And it’s buildable too, so you can go as subtle or radiant as you wish.
Why We Like:
- buildable
- pearly finish
- balm-like texture
- buildable
- clean brand
Finish: pearly | Shade Range: 5 | Vegan: yes, Tower 28 is a 100% vegan brand | Cruelty-Free: yes, Tower 28 is a PETA certified cruelty-free brand | Free of: sulfates SLS, paraben, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
7/9
Best Refillable Bronzer:
Trestique – Bronzer Stick
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
This multi-purpose bronzer + contour stick in one comes in a versatile semi-matte shade that’s not too warm nor too ashy. The butter-soft bronzer goes on smooth and does not budge. Having a built-in blending brush that blends out the product seamlessly is just another plus. We also love the refillable packaging, which is not only better for our planet but also for our wallet.
Why We Like:
- multitasking product
- built-in brush
- refillable packaging
- eco-friendly
- magnetic cap
Finish: semi-matte | Shade Range: 1 | Vegan: yes, Trestique is a 100% vegan brand | Cruelty-Free: yes, Trestique is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand | Free of: sulfates, paraben, phthalates, fragrance, gluten, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: 96.13% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials, refillable
8/9
For a Subtle Shimmer:
Glossier – Solar Paint
Shop at GLOSSIER | $$
If you’re looking for a natural holiday bronze with a touch of shimmer, this is the product to add to your routine. Like all products of the minimalistic brand, the bronzer is perfect for no-makeup makeup days, yet since it’s buildable, will also do when you’re going all out. You have 4 sheer shades to choose from, all with a luminous finish.
Why We Like:
- the barely-there shimmery finish
- easy to apply
- buildable
- easy application with a doe-foot applicator
Finish: subtle shimmer | Shade Range: 4 | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product. However, Glossier is not a vegan brand, as some of their products do contain animal-derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Glossier is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Free of: fragrance, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
9/9
Best Vegan Cream Bronzer + Blush + Highlighter Set:
Kaja – Play Bento
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
Bronze, highlight, and blush with this 3-in-1 product of K-beauty brand Kaja. The tiny compact trio is perfect for traveling or on the go. If we’re talking bronzer alone, the formula is creamy, blendable, and has a matte finish. We also love the little mirror inside.
Why We Like:
- 3-in-1 product
- long-lasting
- pocket-sized
- easy for traveling
- comes with mirror
Finish: matte | Shade Range: 1 | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product. However, Kaja is not a vegan brand as they also offer products that do contain animal-derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Kaja is a cruelty-free brand. However Kaja is owned by MBX, a company that is not cruelty-free | Free of: paraben, gluten, animal testing, animal (by)products | Packaging: plastic
How To Apply Cream Bronzer?
- Pick the product up with a sponge, beauty blender, or brush, whatever works best for you.
- Dap the excess product off on the back of your hand, to make sure you’re not going in too heavy
- Stipple (not swipe) the bronzer on your skin and blend it in
- Set it with a translucent powder to keep the cream bronzer in place and make it last longer.
Well-Known Cream Bronzer Brands That Are Not Vegan or Cruelty-Free
| Brand | Cruelty-Free | Vegan |
|---|---|---|
| Anastasia Beverly Hills | yes | no |
| Chanel | no | no |
| Charlotte Tilbury | yes | no |
| Danessa Myricks | yes | no |
| EM Cosmetics | yes | no |
| Fenty | unclear | no |
| Huda Beauty | yes | no |
| Iconic London | unclear | no |
| Kiko Milano | yes | no |
| Nars | no | no |
| Nudestix | no | no |
| Patrick Ta | yes | no |
| Physicians Formula | no | no |
| RMS | yes | no |
| Saie | yes | no |
| Tom Ford | no | no |
| Westman Atelier | yes | no |
What Is The Difference Between Vegan and Cruelty-Free?
Vegan means a product does not contain any animal ingredients or (by)products. Cruelty-free means a product and its ingredients haven’t been tested on animals.
A product can be cruelty-free and not vegan. In the same way, a product can be vegan and not cruelty-free.
The products in this article are all vegan and cruelty-free.
How Do We Know If A Brand Is Cruelty-Free?
We at Beauty.Beyond.Cruelty always do our research to ensure the brands on this site don’t test on animals or allow others to do so on their behalf.
We check the brand’s cruelty-free status on their website, we reach out to brands, we verify if the brand is certified cruelty-free by PETA or Leaping Bunny, and we check its status with cruelty-free database Cruelty-Free Kitty.
Sometimes, the cruelty-free status of a brand remains unclear. If there is any doubt about a brand being committed to be 100% cruelty-free, the brand will not make it in here.
Parent Company Note
A cruelty-free brand can be owned by a parent company that does test on animals.
Since the products and ingredients of the brand itself are never tested on animals, we at Beauty.Beyond.Cruelty consider these brands to be cruelty-free.
However, we do always mention it below each product when a brand has a parent company that tests on animals.
Why Trust Beauty.Beyond.Cruelty
We at Beauty.Beyond.Cruelty are beauty enthusiasts + devoted animal lovers that pour through the internet to select the best cruelty-free skincare, hair, and makeup products that are here to find.
Our findings are based on reading (lots of) reviews, doing ingredient research as well as testing the products ourselves.
Questions or Remarks?
Do you have any questions or remarks about the vegan cream bronzers in this article, or do you know a vegan cream bronzer that needs to be on this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments down below.
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