We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Do I Choose the Best Bronzer for Men?

By S. Gonzales
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Choosing the best bronzer for men is simply a matter of preference. Typically, you'll want to buy a bronzer in a shade that you think looks best on your skin, has an application process that you find easy, and can withstand exposure to all your activities without coming off. Investing in a product that also moisturizes will help you to take extra special care of your skin.

You should choose a bronzer for men in a color that is not too different from your natural skin tone. A product that is too dark can look extremely artificial on the skin, and can result in negative attention being drawn to your body. Rather, to complement your physique, select a hue that your natural skin would look like had it been out in the sun. Similarly, try to stay away away from bronzers that oxidize and turn orange.

If you're a guy who doesn't like to fuss with makeup tools, you may decide that a gel bronzer for men is the best type for you. Powder and cream products can get messy and require the use of extra instruments for smooth and even application. You can significantly reduce the hassle associated with using a bronzer by simply choosing a product that you can apply to your hands and smooth over your body. A gel can be especially beneficial if you are someone who is constantly on-the-go and who wants a quick and easy way to achieve the look of sun-kissed skin. It should be noted that powders, however, can help you to control the amount of bronzer that you apply, and can let you determine the best color shade that is appropriate for you.

Waterproof bronzers are also available for men, which may be the best option for athletes or outdoorsmen because they can engage in their usual activities without having to worry about it washing off. Some formulas are so intense that men can swim without having it affect the application. Be sure to choose a non-streaking formula so that your skin will look perfect regardless of the elements to which it is exposed.

Select a bronzer for men that also functions as a moisturizer. Choosing a hydrating product can keep your skin soft and supple while making it look tanned. Moisturizers can also help control acne, which can be something that may be important to you, if you suffer from it.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By fBoyle — On Mar 23, 2013

@ddljohn-- Gel bronzers are the best if you have oily skin. Most cream bronzers have oils in them which will make your skin shiny and oily. Gel bronzers don't contain any oil.

There are also spray bronzers and they might be better than cream bronzers for oily skin. But the problem with spray bronzers is that sometimes they cause streaking. It can be very difficult to blend them in and blending is too much work anyway.

I very white skin, so I use a bronzer all the time. Right now I'm using a bronzer lotion for men. But I've tried bronzing products for women as well. It's the same thing so I don't look for products labeled for men because that seriously limits my options.

By ddljohn — On Mar 23, 2013

Which type of bronzer is best for oily skin?

I've used several products but they all made my face very oily in a few hours.

By stoneMason — On Mar 22, 2013

I think bronzer beds are the best. I started going to a tanning salon recently and have been tanning in a bronzer bed. These beds are different than tanning beds because they emit powerful UVA rays and don't burn skin.

It takes a couple of sessions, but the result is evenly bronze skin. I much prefer this to bronzing products. It's natural and lasts longer.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.