Creamy Highlighter Bronzer

This formula perfectly balances smooth texture, easy application, and a luminous finish while also being gentle and hydrating for the skin. Below, I break down the formula for a solid yet creamy highlighter bronzer and explain the benefits of each ingredient and alternatives to the ingredients.

Don't forget to check out the formulas for chamomile cleansing balm and the bi-phase makeup remover, which are perfect for removing makeup and cleansing.

The ingredients I used in this formula and some alternatives you can use:

Squalane is a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that mimics the skin's natural oils. It hydrates the skin without leaving it greasy, making it an ideal base for a bronzer. It also helps the product glide on smoothly.

Squalane is an excellent moisturizer known for deeply hydrating the skin while improving its elasticity. It's absorbed quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. It also has antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from free radicals.

In this formula, squalane acts as a lightweight base that ensures the highlighter bronzer feels silky on the skin and blends effortlessly, giving a natural, radiant finish. You can replace the Squalane with Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, a similar lightweight emollient derived from coconut oil with excellent spreading properties. Or use Hemp Seed Oil, which provides hydration without greasiness and has additional anti-inflammatory properties.

Coco caprylate is an emollient derived from coconut oil that creates a silky, smooth feel on the skin. It’s non-greasy and improves spreadability.

It enhances skin softness and smoothness while also providing a non-oily finish, making it ideal for formulations where lightweight texture is key.

Coco caprylate ensures the highlighter bronzer spreads evenly, providing a silky texture that melts into the skin. You can replace it with Isopropyl Myristate, another lightweight emollient known for its smooth texture and quick absorption, or fractionated coconut oil.

Mica is a mineral that provides shimmer and color to the product. It's responsible for the radiant, luminous finish that highlighters are known for. Mica is a natural ingredient that reflects light, giving the skin a bright appearance. It's also safe for sensitive skin. You can combine the colors you like to achieve the desired tone. I’ve combined different mica colors to achieve the shade I wanted.

Silk powder adds a luxurious, velvety texture to the highlighter bronzer while also helping to absorb excess oil and helps control shine without drying out the skin. Silk powder leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth, and balanced, providing a silky finish to the product. Silk powder complements the other ingredients by ensuring that the bronzer doesn't become too shiny or oily. It adds a soft-focus effect, making the skin appear smoother and more even. If you can't get the silk powder, use arrowroot powder instead.

Jojoba oil is a liquid wax that closely resembles the skin's natural oils, making it incredibly moisturizing and balancing for the skin. Jojoba oil helps regulate oil production and provides deep hydration without clogging pores. It's rich in vitamins E and B, which help soothe and repair the skin. Jojoba oil enhances the bronzer's creamy texture and ensures that it glides on smoothly. It also helps balance the moisturizing effects, making the product ideal for all skin types, including oily and combination skin. You can use Argan oil instead.

Carnauba wax is a natural wax that gives the product structure, allowing it to hold its shape while remaining soft and blendable. This wax is key to creating a solid highlighter bronzer that doesn’t melt easily. It also adds a subtle sheen, complementing the highlighter effect. Carnauba wax provides the necessary firmness to the product while ensuring it remains creamy enough to apply easily. It works with the emollients to create a stable, smooth texture. You can use Candelilla Wax to replace it.

Glyceryl stearate is an emulsifier that helps blend oils and water-based ingredients, ensuring a smooth, even texture in the final product. It softens the skin while stabilizing the formula, preventing the separation of the ingredients. It also adds a smooth, creamy feel to the product. Glyceryl stearate ensures the oils and waxes blend smoothly, giving the highlighter bronzer a consistent, creamy texture. You can use Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, a plant-based emulsifier that offers similar texture and stability.

Shea butter is a rich emollient that deeply moisturizes and nourishes the skin. Shea butter helps keep the skin soft and supple while its anti-inflammatory properties soothe it. It’s ideal for locking in moisture without making the skin feel greasy. Shea butter ensures the highlighter bronzer has a creamy consistency and glides smoothly on the skin. It adds a rich, hydrating component to the formula, complementing the lighter oils and waxes. You can use Mango butter instead.

Silica is a lightweight powder that absorbs oil and gives the skin a smooth, matte finish. Silica helps control excess shine and adds a soft-focus effect, blurring fine lines and imperfections. Silica balances out the hydrating oils and butters by absorbing excess oil, ensuring the highlighter bronzer doesn’t appear too shiny or greasy. You can swap it with arrowroot powder or cornstarch.

Zinc oxide is acting as a skin-soothing and protective agent. It helps protect the skin from UV damage and reduces irritation and redness. Zinc oxide adds a protective barrier, helping to keep the skin healthy while contributing to the soft, luminous finish. You can use Titanium Dioxide, but it will have a more opaque finish. You can also use Kaolin clay, which gives a more matte texture.

Lecithin is an emulsifier that also acts as a skin conditioner, helping to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated. Lecithin improves the skin’s moisture barrier, keeping it hydrated and supple without feeling greasy. Lecithin helps keep the bronzer smooth and spreadable while ensuring it doesn’t dry out or feel heavy on the skin.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. It soothes the skin, improves hydration, and extends the product's shelf life by preventing oil oxidation. Vitamin E enhances the nourishing properties of the highlighter bronzer, ensuring the skin stays hydrated and protected. If you don't have Vitamin E, you can use Rosehip Oil which is rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, it provides similar protective benefits.

Method:

1. In a heat-resistance beaker, add the coco caprylate and squalane, then the rest of the ingredients from phase A.

2. Place phase A into a double boiler for 20 minutes on medium heat to melt everything.

3. Prepare the ingredients from phase B. Mix to combine. Set aside.

4. Remove phase A from the heat.

5. Add phase B into phase A and mix to combine.

6. Add phase C ingredients and mix to combine.

7. Pour into a container and let it cool and solidify.

8. Use a small brush or your finger to apply the highlighter bronzer.

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