10 Things You Need To Sweat Less This Summer

Summer is upon us, which means that many of us are sweaty — and hating it. 

Sweat serves an important purpose — it regulates our body temperature and prevents us from overheating — but it can still be really unpleasant, especially if you perspire a lot. Thankfully, there are some solutions that can help keep you comfortable as temperatures creep higher. Beyond setting your thermostat to the correct summer temp and implementing these ways to stay cool while saving on your AC bills, you may want to pick up these things that will help you sweat less this summer.

Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 Personal Cooling System

No one in my life hates the heat as much as my husband, so when I saw Shark’s ChillPill all over social media, I knew I had to get him one. The device has three functions: a fan with 10 speeds (the first five for indoor use, the last five intended for outdoors); a mister; and the InstaChill cooling system, a metal disc that purports to drop skin temperature by 16 degrees Fahrenheit. After a month of using it, he broke down his pros and cons for me.

First, the cons: He sees the price as the biggest barrier to entry for most people, because there are plenty of cheaper fans that will do some of what the ChillPill does. “This fan is for people who’ve been burned, literally, and they may be willing to pay top dollar for that relief,” he says. It’s also “a lot of carry,” he says, especially compared to smaller, slimmer personal fans. “There’s a pouch, which helps, but you’re still managing multiple components, and it adds up fast.” (It may end up being annoying if you leave one component behind and can’t use the fan’s full capabilities.) The noise also may be irritating for those who prefer to be discreet: “It’s not obnoxious at low speeds, but once you’re hitting the six-to-10-speed range, you’re buzzing.”

All that aside, he loves that he gets three different functions in a single device. His favorite feature, hands down, is the InstaChill. “Having this option on a brutal afternoon is the difference between surviving your commute and actually enjoying it,” he says. He believes that people will probably spend most of the time using fan mode because “it’s genuinely that good,” and the latter five levels actually move air outdoors. “Once you’ve used it across the full range,” he says, “going back to anything less feels like a downgrade.” And while the shape may be a little weird and takes some getting used to, it actually ends up making total sense — you hold one side while the other does the work. “Give it five minutes during a 90-degree day and the sort of questionable design stops being a factor,” he says. Plus, you can prop it up on your desk for hands-free use.

TheraICE Migraine Relief Cap

This gel cap is an oft-used product in my house. Yes, it’s technically for migraines, but it’s also great at taking hot heads down a few degrees without the mess and stress of melting ice. Pop it in the freezer bag and freeze it for two hours and it’s ready to go. You can pull it fully over your face if you have a headache or wear it on the top of your head to cool off as you go about your day. As a bonus, you can throw it in the microwave and heat it up to soothe and relax muscles when temperatures drop.

Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set

Brooklinen’s percale sheets are my go-to during the summer months, so I can personally vouch for them. Though they’re not cheap — prices start at $159 for a twin set — these 100% cotton sheets are crisp, cool, and breathable, and they come in more than 20 colors and patterns. I particularly like that the pillowcases have envelopes so my pillows aren’t constantly slipping out. And for those of us who find putting on a fitted sheet akin to participating in an Olympic sport, Brooklinen’s are labeled with “long” and “short” so you get it right the first time (yet another way they help you sweat less). 

If Brooklinen’s sheets are out of your price range, these highly rated bamboo sheets from Quince are a good choice — they come in 19 colors, sets start at $100, and plenty of reviews attest to how cool they feel.

Breeze Life Misting Umbrella

Being outside at a sporting event or concert during the summer months can be almost unbearable for anyone, but it’s especially brutal for sweaty people. The Breeze Life Misting Umbrella can help you beat the heat: Fill the included water bottle, attach it to the handle, turn on the fan, and sit in the umbrella’s shade to enjoy up to three hours of cool mist on a single charge. At just a pound, it’s light, so bringing it with you is easy, and it’s available in five fun colors. 

Kitsch Ice Roller

This roller from Kitsch will give your hot, tired skin a welcome refresh. Stick it in your fridge or freezer to chill; the stainless steel roller stays cool for extended periods, soothing puffiness, redness, and irritation (and giving you a bit of a spa experience at home for a fraction of the price). You can follow it up with a cooling gel moisturizer to really chill out.

Cozy Earth Cooling Mattress Protector

There are many pricey bed-cooling options out there, from Perfectly Snug’s Smart Topper to the BedJet to Eight Sleep’s system. Cozy Earth’s mattress protector will cool you off at night without breaking the bank: It’s made of bamboo, so it’s breathable (reviewers praise its cooling properties), and it has a waterproof Gore-tex membrane that protects your mattress. Even better, it’s machine-washable. There are also cooling pillow protectors.

Quince Flowknit Breeze Performance Polo 

Lots of moisture-wicking clothing looks more appropriate for the gym than for everyday life, but this polo from Quince is an exception: It’s polished enough to wear on a date or while traveling. The soft fabric is not only moisture-wicking but also quick-drying and antimicrobial, and it has UPF 40 protection. Plus, it’s sustainably made from recycled plastic water bottles with eco-friendly dyes. It’s also available in nine colors, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Reviewers rave about the fit and quality.    

For a similarly polished look, women can pick up the Knitflow Breeze Fit & Flare Dress (it has pockets!). Their linen offerings are great, too.

Solibari Bucket Hat

Some sun-protective hats can make you look like a bit of a dork, but this unisex bucket hat from Solibari manages to be fashionable and lightweight while still providing UPF 50 sun protection. It’s made of moisture-wicking nylon, which will ensure you stay nice and cool, and it comes in seven colors and two sizes — plus, it has a drawstring so you can customize the fit, which is handy on windy days. 

Jockey Shapewear Skimmies Slipshort 

The only thing worse than sweating is sweating and chafing. Jockey’s slipshorts prevent both. The soft, cooling fabric will help keep you comfortable no matter how hot it gets — so much so that you’ll forget you’re wearing them. 

Men who want to avoid chafing and sweating should pick up SAXX’s Underwear Co.’s performance boxer briefs.

Carpe Sweat Absorbing Foot Lotion

Sweaty feet don’t feel or smell nice. Carpe developed this lotion with dermatologists to stop sweat in its tracks: Apply a dime-sized amount to each foot before bed, rub it into the skin for 15 seconds, and repeat in the morning. Users on Amazon rank it 4.4 out of five stars.

If you’re looking for a product that will both cool and deodorize your feet, try this peppermint spray from Rocket Pure. 

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