If you live anywhere near New York City, you’ll know this has been a record-breakingly hot summer. Between the temperatures that climb past 100ºF and the near-tropical humidity, the East Coast has felt like a furnace for the better part of the season—giving the term “hot girl walk” a whole new meaning when Who What Wear editors try to get their steps in.
Though I, along with my fellow editors, love working out, trying new fitness classes, and lounging outside under the beating sun (while slathered in sunscreen, of course), there’s nothing I detest more than sweating. The salty excrement removes my makeup, slicks my hair, and—let’s be honest—doesn’t do anything beneficial in terms of body odor. While I can’t promise a sweat-free summer unless you stay cooped up indoors or shrouded beneath a Victorian parasol, I can share the products insiders trust to freshen up after steamy workouts, the skincare hacks that save their skin when face wash isn’t immediately available, and the shower essentials that truly strip away sweaty funk. Let’s face it. Your normal products just aren’t cutting it in this weather.
Keep reading for the 17 products editors keep close when musty workouts, thick air, and sweaty temps threaten to destroy our skin and hair.
17 Editor-Approved Products for Combating Sweat and Stink
If you tend to jam-pack your schedule like me, you’ll likely find yourself running from the gym to the office to late-night drinks without the chance for a proper facial cleanse. To keep acne-causing bacteria at bay, I freshen up after a long walk or workout with the Trust Me on This Hypochlorous Acid Spray from Lili Reinhart’s skincare brand, Personal Day. The lightweight mist not only feels refreshing but also calms and cools the skin after being exposed to irritating heat—a godsend for anyone with rosacea. (I’m speaking from experience.)
“Let me paint you a picture: It’s 6 p.m. in NYC during a heat wave. You’ve walked 17,000 steps, your makeup has completely melted off, and your hair is a frizzy mess,” illustrates associate social media editor Emma Hughes. “But when you do a quick smell check before dinner, you realize you have absolutely zero BO, not minimal—literally nonexistent. To experience this minor miracle for yourself, add the Cyklar deodorant to your routine immediately.”
“As a fine-haired person, I’m always trying to extend the time between washdays. On sweaty summer days, it can feel like a losing battle,” says beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. “That’s when I bring out my all-time favorite dry shampoo. Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo sops up excess oil, gives my limp hair some much-needed volume, and scents it with a fresh, herby fragrance. I swear by it.”
“Necessaire’s Eucalyptus Body Wash literally smells like a luxury spa, so when the brand launched purifying on-the-go wipes in June, I was automatically sold,” says senior beauty editor Jamie Chevron. “I’m happy to report that they’re the ultimate post-workout hero, perfect for days when you don’t have time to scurry home and shower before running errands or meeting friends for brunch.”
“I love using this when it’s hot out and I want to give my skin a breather,” says assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. “It’s one of my favorite low-effort beauty products that I restock on whenever I get the chance. I have sensitive, combination skin, and this works wonders at keeping my skin hydrated without causing any irritation.”
“A hairbrush is such an underrated essential to have in your bag while you’re on the go in the summertime. I always keep this one in my tote bag and also bring it with me when I travel,” says branded content editor Emma Walsh. “My friends are always asking to borrow it when we’re out, so whoever you’re with will also be grateful that you have one on hand, especially if it’s this chic little brush from French haircare brand La Bonne Brosse.”
Now, I don’t expect anyone to throw on concealer before a HGW. But if you need something that will soak up oil, blot salty sweat, and preserve your makeup on steamy summer days, I’d recommend adding this dependable powder to your cart. This translucent setting and blotting powder from Fenty Beauty has been a game changer for quick touch-ups in this scorching weather, and I now don’t go anywhere without throwing this compact in my purse. Even Summer House’s Mia Calabrese swears by it on filming days.
“Okay, I know you’re supposed to reapply sunscreen every two hours, but the thought of layering a creamy formula over my makeup or sweat sounds like a recipe for clogged pores, not to mention a goopy mess,” Chevron admits. “Enter this featherlight SPF 50 face mist, which doubles as a makeup setting spray and hydrating skin refresher. It’s the first item I pack for every summer trip!”
“I spend the vast majority of my free time at the beach, so the most important part of my summer wellness routine is shielding my skin from the sun,” McLintock states. “I need to know I’m applying a generous layer of sunscreen—not skimping due to a steep price tag or a small bottle. That’s why I swear by this huge 20-ounce sunscreen. It’s creamy, moisturizing, and smells incredible. It’s fragranced with the brand’s signature coconut, banana, and pool water scent. I use it almost every day, and I have yet to get a single sunburn.”
“If I could only use one skincare product for the entire summer (aside from sunscreen, duh), it’d be a hypochlorous acid spray,” says Chevron. “Not only does it soothe redness and provide a refreshing pick-me-up post-workout, but it also has natural antibacterial properties to keep sweat-induced breakouts at bay. This new launch from ALO crossed my desk just in time for the brutal NYC heat wave, and I’ve since spritzed it no less than five times per day.”
I learned from a young age in intense dance rehearsals that I sweat… a lot. Though I now trust clinical deodorants to take the brunt of my post-workout odors, I still take extra precautions by spraying Dove’s Whole Body Deo before going out to run errands or grab coffee. This aluminum-free, lightweight formula is great for freshening up after a particularly sweaty workout, especially if you want to target areas where deodorant isn’t typically applied. I keep one in my gym bag at all times, and it has yet to fail me.
“I always keep a perfume in my bag, and Dime fragrances have been my go-to for years now,” says Walsh. “I get so many compliments every time I wear them, and I love recommending them because the scents are beautifully intoxicating and last all day, and the price point isn’t in the triple digits. I love the woodsy and ambery Dans Les Bois (a good dupe for Baccarat Rouge 540) and toasty and cozy Stay Awhile, but if I had to pick my favorite, it would be 7 Summers. It’s a creamy gourmand with a touch of floral, but it’s still airy and light enough for summer.”
I typically wear hats on my long summer walks, but if I’m trying to avoid flattened hat hair, I reach for Isdin’s Mineral Brush. While this brush is technically meant to serve as the final protective layer of your makeup routine, I’ve been using it a bit differently this summer by dusting the bristles over my scalp. The sweeping motion up and down your part and along the hairline offers an extra layer of protection, especially on sunny days, and keeps the delicate skin of my scalp from burning sans hat.
“High heat and humidity only mean one thing for my rosacea: a flare-up,” McLintock gripes. “If the thermostat rises above 80°, I see patchy redness, inflammation, and texture pop up in the mirror. To soothe it before it starts, I swear by these essence-soaked pads. After a day in the heat, I wash my face and apply one on my forehead, one on my neck, and two on each cheek. The milk thistle extract and rose PDRN are potent barrier-repair ingredients. They put out the fire—fast.”
“I love these for after Pilates when I need a refresh before commuting home, and they’re an essential for me year-round,” says Talbert. “I love that these are gynecologist and dermatologist tested for allover use. Plus, they contain soothing ingredients such as aloe, coconut extract, and chamomile, making them safe for sensitive skin.”
WWW editors each have their preferences when it comes to dry shampoo, but if I’m anticipating a sweaty day or workout and don’t want to wash my hair immediately, I’ll use a healthy dose of Batiste’s Sweat-Activated Dry Shampoo before heading out the door. The paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free formula is made with rice starch and scent-releasing technology that soaks up oil and sweat as it’s produced, yielding a fresh scent and dry strands. If you have bangs, as I do, this is a summer staple.
“I will shamelessly admit that this little hand sanitizer brings me so much joy,” says Walsh. “I’ll spritz it on while I’m out and about when I need a little refresh, and the tropical coconut scent is the perfect pick-me-up. I also love that it makes my hands feel clean without leaving them feeling dry.”
