28 Products For People Who Secretly Hate Summer

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5 days ago

A pack of cooling towels for when you're on hour three of that outdoor adventure you agreed to (why, oh why) and need to cool down stat. They're easy to use and quick-acting: Just soak the towel, wring it out, give it a snap, and *bam* — up to three hours of sweet, sweet heat relief. The thin mesh material can be draped across your shoulders on those tank top days or tied around your head for a sun shield. Conveniently, it also comes in a resealable carrying bag, so you'll be rinsing and repeating all summer long!
A JavaSok to help protect your $8 iced latte from meeting a sad, melty end. The flexible sleeve is made of a thermal insulating material that keeps drinks cold for hours, preventing wet hands and those puddles of condensation on your desk. With these handy helpers, you can take your time sippin' on those hot summer days and ditch the napkins that always become a sopping mess anyway.
An outdoor misting system if you've ever passed by the produce section of the grocery store and envied all the veggies being showered with a fine spray. The pre-assembled misting hose attaches to your faucet and can be run along any area that needs some cooling this summer, like your patio, greenhouse, or chicken coop (reviewers say feathery friends seem to love this too!). The length and mist pressure can easily be customized, and the kit comes with everything you need for hassle-free installing!
Burt's Bees After Sun Soother to relieve the harsh reminder that sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours (lesson = learned). The lightweight lotion is made with aloe and coconut oil to help soothe red, inflamed skin, speed up healing, and reduce peeling *without* that greasy or sticky feeling. Even with no sunburn to treat, reviewers say it's lovely for deeply moisturizing dehydrated skin after swimming, because that saltwater dryness is no joke either.
And a three-pack of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen you won't even mind reapplying throughout the day because of how lightweight and fast-absorbing it is. Reviewers say the SPF 70 (!!) formula is non-greasy, completely sheer, and doesn't stain clothes (unlike lotion), *and* it's water-resistant, so you can swim and sweat worry-free. This cost-effective pack is a great way to stock up, so if you've procrastinated in hopping on the SPF train, this is an all-around great option to start your journey.
A set of car window shades if the summer sun (and your leather seats) makes you dread even driving from point A to point B. The shades have a static side that clings to your windows (no suction cups!) and are opaque enough to lessen the glare and heat that enters your car without blocking your view. They can also be easily adjusted, removed, and stored away in their pouch for those late-night, windows-down summer cruises (which I can actually get behind).
The Bug Bite Thing, a suctioning tool to save you from the pesky bloodsuckers that insist on giving you an itchy summer. The little gizmo works by pulling out the saliva from your mosquito bites (or wasp stings!), which is full of the venom that causes the itching and irritation. It works like a syringe (but no needle, BTW) — after a few seconds of holding the suction, you'll be good to go. It's a great tool to have in your bug-fighting arsenal, and also kid-friendly!
A Naturium cooling body wash that'll give you that icy feeling of chewing minty gum and drinking water, but all over your body. This body cleanser has mandelic acid, a gentle AHA that lightly exfoliates to help soothe bumpy texture and neutralize odor, along with energizing citrus and herbal extracts — so it might be just what your body needs (and deserves) after a hot, sticky day.
A Gold Bond Friction Defense stick because there are seriously few things worse than chafing (*shudder*). The stick's formula glides easily onto skin and can be applied anywhere friction occurs, like between thighs or under bras. It creates a layer of defense against chafe pain without being greasy, has aloe to soothe any roughed-up skin, *and* reviewers say it holds up against sweat or getting wet! For anyone who has worn shorts only to end the day with a limping, circular walk, this one's for us.
A Briotech spray if summer livin' means redness, new breakouts, and BO. The main ingredient, hypochlorous acid, is bacteria-fighting and can help soothe skin, reduce the appearance of acne, *and* fight odor from sweat. Don't let the word ~acid~ scare you — it's naturally made by the body and, when used in skincare, can actually calm irritated skin, so it's perfect for a refreshing spritz on those hot, sweaty days. And bonus: This is a cheaper alternative to the super popular Tower 28 SOS spray (with the same key ingredient).
The new Casely AquaBuddy, an ultra-sturdy waterproof pouch if beach days for you mean wading near the shore where you can keep an anxious lookout for your belongings. (🙋‍♀️) The case is IP68-certified, which is a fancy way of saying it's dust-proof and can be fully submerged in water up to 6 feet without worry. It secures your phone (and cards!) with a snap-lock closure, lets you use the touchscreen and camera while in water, and, best of all, floats to the surface for that extra peace of mind. Also, as far as phone pouches go, it's pretty dang cute.
A pre-swim hair cream if you're tired of spending what feels like an hour gently brushing out your very dry hair after taking a dip. This hair lotion is designed to be lathered on *before* the damage is done, with ingredients like shea butter and sweet almond oil that help keep your locks lush. It also works for treated hair by protecting the color and shine, and blonde reviewers say it helped keep theirs from turning green from the chlorine!
A pair of blackout curtains, because what were once gentle beams shining into your home last fall have become oppressive and sweltering with the summer sun. These thick, weighty curtains are double layered and made of a triple-weave fabric that helps stop light from shining through. They also have a black liner facing the window, which is better for thermal insulation so your home stays cool in the summer *and* warm in the winter. Now, even with daylight savings, you can finally live out your dream of being a cave-dwelling vampire in peace.
A cooling blanket with over *13,000* 5-star ratings — if you've ever woken up at 3 a.m. in a muggy room just to desperately kick off your sheets, these are for you. Reviewers who live in hot places (like Florida and Texas) love these sheets and say the cotton-bamboo blend is cool to the touch and saved them from the dreaded night sweats. The waffle weave is lightweight while still being cozy and luxe, and it adds a simple, textured touch to your decor.
And a cooling sheet set from the same brand, the hot-sleeper cheat code for surviving the season. They're made of 100% bamboo-derived rayon, which is three times more absorbent than cotton and makes these sheets moisture wicking and silky soft. Reviewers rave about how breathable and comfortable the fabric feels, and say the sheets *actually* stay cool throughout the night, helping regulate their temperature. Restless, sweaty sleep, begone!
An oscillating tower fan because if nowhere else, your home should be a safe haven from the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad outdoors. The 42-inch fan has six speeds (which reach up to 30 feet!) and four modes, and reviewers say at the highest setting it can actually make the room *too* cold. It's also whisper-quiet, so absolutely no buzzing or annoying rattling, and it can be controlled by remote. So while everyone else is braving the elements doing who-knows-what, you'll be inside, quite literally ~chillin' like a villain~.
A handheld mini fan with nearly 52,000 (!!!) 5-star ratings that'll help make the summer air a bit more ~bear~able (pun intended). Despite its super compact size, reviewers love how powerful and quiet it is, and (drumroll, please) how it also works as a flashlight and portable charger! Whether you're spending a long day at an amusement park or packed into a stuffy subway, this lil' gadget is sure to provide you some use and relief. Who knows, you might even experience a divine awakening.
A powder dry shampoo so limp hair from the dang humidity doesn't stop you from serving looks this season. The lightweight formula has cornstarch, which absorbs oil and can be easily blended into the hair (yes, even dark hair), and the container has a sponge at the end so you can evenly distribute and choose exactly where the product goes (unlike aerosol sprays). It's also super compact, so you can throw it in your purse for on-the-go volume and quick touch-ups — say buh-bye to stringy bangs.
A Megababe odor-blocking foot spray, because when we're trekking through our Euro-summer itinerary for 10 hours, our feet aren't exactly gonna smell minty fresh...until now. The ~magic~ of the spray is in the tea tree oil, which is antimicrobial and helps fight odor-causing bacteria *before* your feet have a chance to stink. Simply spritz the minty lavender "toe deo" on clean, dry feet for hours-long protection, literally: Reviewers say this totally saved them after working grueling, fume-producing 10-hour and 12-hour shifts.
A Uniqlo AIRism cotton T-shirt with a relaxed fit that'll have you looking (and feeling) cool as a cucumber. The unique material is the ultimate summer armor: The cotton keeps it breathable, while the quick-drying technology makes it *super* moisture wicking. The smooth fabric and thick collar also make the tee look more expensive than it actually is, so it's the perfect closet staple to be dressed up or down all year long.
E.l.f. Power Grip primer so you can finally wear a full face of makeup that does 👏 not 👏 budge. 👏 When first applied to the skin, this primer has a tacky texture that truly grips your makeup, then dries down into a non-sticky, natural finish. It has hyaluronic acid, which helps keep skin from feeling dry or producing excess oils throughout the day. And as much as we love Milk's Hydro Grip primer, this budget-friendly option has rightfully earned its spot as *the* summer skin-prep staple, with nearly 25,000 5-star ratings.
A pair of Old Navy linen-blend pants if you love the breathability of 100% linen but can't get behind that stiff, wrinkled look (or price tag). This rayon blend has all that same easy-breezy feel while being stretchy and giving that effortlessly cool, drapey vibe. They work as a lightweight alternative to your work trousers or can be worn on your summer picnics to protect you from itchy grass. Oh, and they come in three inseams (you're welcome).
A pack of mosquito repellent bracelets for the self-proclaimed mosquito magnets who just want to enjoy the barbecue without frantically swatting at their bodies. These stretchy bands are infused with essential oils like citronella, geranium, and lemongrass that those bloodsuckers can't stand. Reviewers say that putting one on their ankle and one on their wrist is usually enough to keep the bugs at bay so they can freely enjoy summer evenings (which might be the best part of the season, TBH).
A plug-in fly-trap, because of allll the places in the world, bugs want to be buzzing in your home and getting all up in your fruits. The hassle-free device emits a blue glow that lures in flying critters from up to 400 feet away, then captures them in its glue trap. Even with bugs getting caught by the dozens, the sleek device remains clean at the front, so you don't have to worry about the card for a whole month (or until it's full). Fair warning: It will catch bugs you had no idea lurked in your home, which is both reassuring and horrifying.
A travel-size sun umbrella so you can go to all those local markets and music festivals (or just take a quick walk to grab the mail) without feeling like your skin is literally sizzling off. Unlike others made for rain, this parasol has a black, opaque underside that absorbs light, giving it a UPF rating of 50+ (i.e. it blocks 98% of UV radiation)! If you notice people trying to subtly squeeze into your shade, don't be alarmed.
And a hands-free umbrella (also with UPF 50+) that shows ultimate levels of preparedness to fight off the heat. This personal parasol has a 360-degree swivel so you can easily adjust it as the sun moves, and it's designed to clamp onto the back of your folding chair — or a stroller, cooler, sports-game railing, and even a lawn mower (genius)!
A swimming headband to help protect kiddos' (and adults'!) ears from water, because earplugs can't always keep up with your wild child. These thick, non-slip bands wrap around their hairline and fasten in the back, so they can float, jump, and spin without the worry of ear infections. And with these, nobody will have to spend precious pool time hopping on one foot while jiggling their earlobe (which, in my experience, has mixed results).
A pack of Liquid I.V. for those moments when you need water and you need water now. These electrolyte drink mixes hydrate faster than water alone and contain *lots* of vitamins and nutrients that can replenish you after a particularly sweaty day or ~long night out~, and they can help out with those dehydration-induced headaches too. And anyway, does anything say summer like Firecracker Popsicles?