I'm a travel beauty editor and these the only hot weather essentials you need...
From desk fans to pit washes, this is what ACTUALLY works when it’s melting outside...
We love the idea of hot weather don’t we? Long golden evenings, iced cocktails, floaty dresses - but the reality? That’s a different (and mega sweaty) beast entirely.
Recently, I’ve been deep in the sweaty trenches for my day job, where I’m part-time beauty director at Conde Nast Traveller. From a sun-scorched trip to St Lucia (two hours of tennis a day in 36°C+ heat = questionable life choices) to the tropical heat of the Thai countryside, to the current London heatwave where commuting on the Central Line has become an involuntary Bikram class, to a chic-but-stifling design hotel in Venice where the air con whispered oh-so softly; no. Trust me, I’ve tested every hot-weather hack going - and the above was just over the last couple of months.
So here it is: the no-fluff, no-BS survival guide to not melting into a puddle this summer. The 9 essentials that actually helped me stay cool, vaguely collected and only mildly unhinged during the sweatiest days of my life. At festivals, in extreme humidity and beyond - this is everything you need to stay cool.
And the one thing I’ll never travel without again? Let’s just say it saved my dignity - and my armpits.
1. A cooling face mist (that actually does something)
In every day life, a face mist is a nice but fairly superfluous product. But when it’s hot, it’s an instant skin cooler and makes a huge difference. You’re looking for one that’s light, doesn’t dry your skin out (some do that y’know…) and feels cooling. Here’s what I suggest, and why:
-Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray contains aloe to soothe the skin and glycerin to hydrate without drying the skin. It cools instantly and actually locks in hydration rather than evaporating the second you blink. It’s best for hot and dry locations - think cities rather than humid locales.
-Yepoda The Mist Have is a Korean brand that’s just come onto my radar, and this mist is delightful. It’s scented with relaxing lavender, cooling and hyaluronic acid-based which works well when your skin is hot, but moist. So it’s great for sweaty humid climates - and it’s great if your skin is a little on the dry side generally.
-Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir, this has some nice-enough antioxidant ingredients yadda yadda, but it’s real USP is that it’s slightly mentholly (not a word..) so feels insanely cooling on the skin. It’s lovely on the beach!
-Finally - a fave all-rounder and budget option that’s also great for kids is Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray. It’s French thermal water in a can, with soothing, anti-inflammatory minerals and perfect for heat-triggered redness and people with inflamed skin types. I use it to cool my skin when my eczema flares up.
2. A portable fan that suits your needs
There are three types of fan to choose from so choose yours wisely….
A neck fan – These go around your shoulders like futuristic headphones and blow cooling air upwards towards your face. Yes, you look mildly like a Blade Runner extra. No, you probs won’t care because they do work. So if you run very hot, are having hormone issues or are just in a very warm climate, try the Morelax Neck fan – it’s lightweight and rechargeable.
A mini travel/desk fan – when you’re getting a mini handheld fan, you want something small but mighty that also stands up and get one that is USB-charged too. They’re ideal for makeup stations, office desks or hotel rooms with zero breeze and on the go. Try Jsdoin Mini Fan - it doesn’t sound like a jet engine and gives proper airflow with five speeds. Also works well if you tuck it into your bra and tilt it upwards - just a well-honed hack.
A misting fan - these do what the mini travel fan above does, but they also mist you with cooled water vapour. They can be a little hit and miss and quite breakable - but this one from Black Norway seems well rated.
3. Anti-chafe heroes to save your skin
The inner-thigh struggle is real in summer. Here’s a few ways to remedy that that really work.
Megababe Thigh Rescue is an anti-friction stick that glides on like a balm and forms a breathable barrier with grapeseed oil and aloe to prevent rub without feeling greasy. I also like Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder. It’s a cornstarch-based body powder with jasmine and vetiver for that soft, dry, grown-up baby-powder vibe. You just apply it to any potentially sweaty bits (underboob, thighs…) and it absorbs sweat and smells sweet. And finally - I’m a big fan of anti-chafe shorts worn under dresses and skirts - and M&S does them in a stack of colours.
4. An SPF that doesn’t make you sweat buckets
A lot of SPFs makes your skin feel smothered, which means more sweat. I don’t feel like we talk about that enough! But anway, these are the ones I genuinely buy, because they don’t make me sweaty, and they genuinely work.
Vichy Capital Soleil Solar Protective Water Hydrating SPF50 - is a light, non-greasy SPF that helps protect against sun damage without leaving a sweaty film on your skin. It doesn’t mix with your sweat and ruin your clothes either like a lot of cream-consistency SPFS can, which is helpful! I buy two of these every summer to get me through. It’s the lightest body SPF I’ve ever used.
Mecca To Save Face SPF 50 is a cult Aussie SPF and was designed to wear under make-up so it doesn’t pill, is mattifying and mega lightweight. It’s a total gamechanger and my go to summer SPF for the face! (Their SPF lipbalm is also the best SPF lipbalm out there.