These are my top picks for sweaty, hot, disgusting days – including battling hot flushes, or when it’s just one of those awfully humid, hot weeks.
We’re covering fragrances that don’t start smelling weird when you sweat, chafe balms (yes, that actually work and are sweat-friendly), and hot weather products across makeup, skincare, and hair.
Naked Sundays “Cool Down” Eau de Toilette, $69.95
Aptly named, the Cool Down fragrance has a lovely cucumber-forward scent with a slight powder – not overpowering, just clean. The fresh green-leaf base gets an extra lift from citrus, while soft florals and a warm musk give it enough depth that it doesn’t read as overwhelmingly fresh so it’s all season appropriate.
Naked Sundays describes it as “a linen shirt after sun glow, barefoot by the ocean.” I agree.
I misjudged this range when it first came out – I assumed the fragrances would be gentle, body-mist-style scents. They’re not. These are true-strength scents that will turn heads.
I actually asked a colleague what she was wearing once and it was this! Which made me jump head-first into the range. They also have two other scents in the line: Late Checkout (sweet vanilla coconut and fresh frangipani) and Out of Office (juicy pear and creamy coconut). All lovely.
Skoop Skincare Skin Shield Anti-Chafe Balm, $29.95
I don’t blame you for rolling your eyes at another chafe balm recommendation, but hear me out. What makes this one different is, firstly, the tub format.
I was a bit hesitant at first – I do prefer a stick or tube – but the tub means you can apply generously, which makes a significant difference to how well it works. A little goes a long way, but you can pile it on when you need to. And if you’re sweaty, you need to.
Beyond that, the entire Skoop range is made with sweaters in mind. Previous chafe balms I’d tried just didn’t hold up to the level of sweat involved. This one does.
It’s lasted through multiple long walks, full days at the pool, and a particularly chaotic day at Jamberoo. When I don’t wear it, I really feel it.
Skoop Skincare Babe Blotter Blotting Papers, $14.95
I love these blotting papers enough that I sent over a hundred of them out in my end-of-year card mailout. I keep one on my filming desk and one or two in my handbag, and I have endless videos on my phone of me using them in the back of an Uber after running out of the house in a panic.
There are two options: the green tea version (my preference, mostly because it’s prettier), infused with green tea extract, hemp pulp, and wood pulp; and the Extra Drip, made with bamboo, charcoal, hemp pulp, and wood pulp for heavier-duty blotting. Both work well.
One tip: don’t just use these on your top lip. Hit your forehead, around your nose, and under your eyes – they don’t lift makeup, and they’re also great for the sweat that makes mascara run.
Gem Skin-Loving Deodorant, $10.50
I’ll be upfront – I’m not someone who’s been game enough to go fully natural deodorant. Day-to-day I still lean on clinical-strength formulas (usually Rexona), but I find even with those, sweat can develop a distinct smell…not bad, just…that smell that deodorant has when you sweat.
So I top up with a spray of the Gem Skin-Loving Deodorant in Cool Fresh.
The scent is very cucumber-forward – similar to why I love the Naked Sundays fragrance – and it works well when I’m warm. It is an antiperspirant with 48-hour protection, though I wouldn’t call it a dedicated clinical-strength antiperspirant.
Read: Summer Essentials Worth Packing, Wearing, and Repeating
It does leave a white residue, same as their roll-ons, but that’s not an issue for me personally since I tend to have my arms covered. If you find the Cool Fresh scent meh, the Vanilla Coconut and Santal scents are their most popular.
Beach Nips Invisible Nude Heart Covers, $19.95
This one might be my most unexpected recommendation. Following a recent medication change, the heat and sweat became almost alien to me – and one of the worst parts was putting on a bra.
For days where you can’t handle any weight or constriction, nipple covers have been a surprisingly good solution.
These ones from Beach Nips are very comfortable, stick well, and handle sweat without any constricting. I’ve found them especially useful for filming days, around the house, or going out when I might end up on camera but don’t want to deal with multiple layers.
Many lighter bras also don’t actually give you the nipple coverage you want – so these fill that gap nicely.
ONE/SIZE Secure the Sweat Primer, $64.00
I put off trying this because I was worried it would clog my skin – when I hear “anti-sweat primer,” I immediately think congestion.
But after using it on several very sweaty days, and as long as you’re double cleansing (which you ideally should be doing with heavier “glam” makeup), it works really well.
It doesn’t have the silicone-heavy texture I was expecting. The texture is unique but comfortable – you can spread it all over your face without it feeling tacky or suffocating, and it layers well over itself.
It’s available in both a 10ml and a 30ml, so if you’re on the fence, start with the smaller size. This saved me during event season when the sweating was at its worst.
Go-To Very Mattifying Primer, $48.00
For lighter, more natural makeup days, I’ve really been enjoying the Go-To primer range. The Very Glowy version surprised me a lot – great blur – but this is the right moment to shout out the Very Mattifying Primer.
It doesn’t feel powdery or strange on the skin, and it does control oil. It’s skin-loving enough that it doesn’t feel restrictive, but it helps your makeup survive if you do sweat (makes everything stay together), and manages some of the oilier shine that tends to follow. I wouldn’t say it’s strictly sweat controlling, but is a nice day-to-day pick compared to the ONE/SIZE that would be for full glam days.
Both formulas are available at Mecca and worth testing in a sample pot first – primers are the kind of product that surprise you.
Merkaou Flex Hair Gel and Mane Brush, $84.95
I will never be the one to give you proper hair advice (i’ll sure try, though), but this duo has kept me sane – and has been the reason I haven’t cancelled on events when there’s a coat of sweat on me. The set includes a boar-bristle brush that curves to your head and the Flex Gel. You can also buy them separately if you already have a go-to brush.
The hold here is something your regular hairspray simply can’t match. I’ve reviewed it a few times on my page, so I’ll link to those. One note: use a bit more than you think you need, especially if you’re a heavy sweater. It doesn’t flake.
And if you end up sleeping in the style, you can re-slick it the next day after a brush out – though use a little less product the first application if you’re planning to do that.
Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Serum, $64.99
A slicked-back hairstyle is only as good as your scalp feels. Sweat on the scalp is awful, and I’ve found this serum to be a big part of managing it.
You apply it to damp hair at the scalp – it lightens the roots and makes them feel fresher, though it can’t fully address excessive sebum build-up on its own (that’s where their shampoo or a pre-shower serum comes in, I love the one from Alpha-H).
Read: ‘I’m Very Low Maintenance, But I Swear by Using This Scalp Serum on my Winter Dandruff’
Where it really helps is controlling oil and sebum build-up, which can make sweat feel trapped and contribute to scalp breakouts.
A bottle lasts me around six months using it consistently but not after every single shower. When I ran out and took a longer break, I noticed more sebum build up and flaking.
Worth noting: it does have a scent that leans ever so slightly masculine. It doesn’t bother me at all, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance, try to smell it in store first.
BIODERMA Sensibio AR+ SOS Soothing Anti-Redness Mist, $29.99
My relationship with facial mists is complicated. I’m generally sceptical of them as through-the-day products, because constantly wetting skin without replenishing it can actually contribute to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This one feels different.
It has some body to it – it doesn’t feel like straight water – and it was specifically developed for hot or red skin, containing a Rosactiv™ patent to reduce visible redness and inflammation.
I use it post-cleanse where a bit of redness is normal, but I’d feel comfortable reaching for it through the day because it doesn’t leave my skin tighter or drier after use.
It’s also great for when your whole face is sweaty and you want to evenly “reset” the skin or your makeup to cool it down, let it dry, and not feel salty and tight. The 70ml size fits in a handbag and goes on sale reasonably often.
Lightweight Moisturisers For Sweaty Days (And Nights)
I don’t overhaul my skincare routine on sweaty days, but I am more mindful of how my skin is reacting.
Sometimes it feels dehydrated; other times, any heaviness feels like too much. I went through a tube of each of these over my last sweaty season:
My Go-To Pick: Dermal Therapy Acne Control Lotion, $19.99
My top pick is probably the least glamorous option, but I’d genuinely call the Dermal Therapy range the most underrated in skincare. The Acne Control Lotion is everything you want a lightweight moisturiser to be: not powdery, still nourishing, not coating or heavy.
It also contains zinc, niacinamide, and potassium azelate diglycinate (PAD) – still very underrated – which work together to balance and calm the skin. If you’re prone to sweat spots, the zinc is especially helpful here.
Read: “Where Was This Range When I Was A Teen?!” Dermal Therapy Acne Control Range Review
The Lightest Option: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan, $21.30
If you want something almost gel-like but very unique in texture, this is it. Almost like a thick water. I went through a 30ml bottle during a particularly sweaty stretch and found it extremely comfortable.
The Multi-Tasker: BORING WITHOUT YOU Face Flood Aquaporin Soothing Hydrating Gel Moisturiser, $34.99
This one has a water-break texture that feels brilliant on warm, sweaty skin. It’s loaded with niacinamide, so you can skip a separate niacinamide serum, and it has strong soothing properties – great when your skin is stressed or reactive. It also helps control T-zone shine and balance oiliness over time.
Thayers Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner, $17.99
Last but not least: during really sweaty periods, sebum builds up in unexpected places – the centre of my back, and also around and behind the ears, which is an often-ignored spot.
I use this toner there to lift away stubborn sebum and that general gross feeling that comes with excessive sweat. It also leaves a lovely rose scent behind. I’ve used it in my T-zone too, but this is where I’ve found it really excels – those hard-to-reach areas that need a bit of extra attention on hot days. Great for cleaning around your piercings too.
A Final Note
I’d love to hear what you swear by on those hot, humid, thoroughly uncomfortable days. One thing I’d gently add: if you weren’t always a hot and sweaty person but you’re becoming one, it might be worth a conversation with your doctor.
There can be linked health factors. I started noticing this when I changed a medication and it completely changed how I experienced heat – if I’m not on top of it, it can take over the day.
One more thing that’s helped me: electrolytes (again, with guidance from your doctor!). Especially on days where I feel like I’ve sweated out half my body weight.
With the warmer weather wrapping up, hopefully we won’t be getting dressed in front of the fan for much longer.
The WRS team also spoke to Faye from Q+A Skincare about seasonal skin changes – worth a read if you’re in a learning mood, or curious about switching things up as we (very) slowly head into cooler weather.
Minnie xx
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