We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pack of mosquito wipes — they're so much easier to travel with than a can of bug spray. You can directly wipe these bad boys onto any exposed skin and watch as those mosquitoes fly away in pure disgust.
Promising review: "I’m that person who always gets eaten alive by mosquitoes. It’s been such a problem that I normally use heavy sprays like Deeps Woods OFF. I got really tired of how greasy and stinky these sprays were. So I tried these wipes and LOVE them. They have a pleasant scent and are not greasy at all. I went outside at 7:15 a.m. on a muggy overcast but warm morning to do yard work — prime conditions for skeeters — and am pleased to say I got ZERO bites!" —lthornton79
Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $4.98.
2. A NYX setting spray that basically does the impossible: keeps you matte and helps your makeup last throughout the ridiculous summer humidity. You spent waaaaay too much on that foundation for it to just slide off the minute you start sweating.
Promising review: "This is the first time I've ever used a setting spray. But it was my daughter's graduation and 99 degrees outside. I sat outside for three hours in the heat! We went out to dinner and to the store before I finally got home to take off my makeup. I was a little shinier than before I left, but very happy with this spray!" —Jess Y
Get it from Amazon for $7.60 (available in four formulas and various packs).
3. A super lightweight sunscreen with SPF 50 by Hawaiian Tropic — it absorbs almost instantly and feels more like a hydrating body lotion than a sticky sunscreen. Reviewers say it also smells sooooo much better than most SPF products, so you'll be smelling like a tropical vacation even if you're just hanging out in your backyard.
Promising review: "I was looking for a sunscreen I could wear daily, so something that had good protection but would feel more like moisturizing lotion and not think and greasy like usual sunscreen. This is perfect! You can tell it's sunscreen from how it looks, but when you rub it on it feels very light and nice. I put it on a few hours ago and my skin just feels like I put on normal lotion now! Not tacky or gross or anything. Another great thing is the smell — it doesn't smell like sunscreen at all. It has a light tropical sort of scent. It's not really strong or anything, but its very nice that it smells good and not like strong sunscreen. I'll definitely be using this more!" —Haley N.
Get it from Amazon for $8.92.
4. Or a portable Neutrogena stick sunscreen with SPF 50 if you're looking for something even easier to apply while on the go. It's safe for both your face and body, so this has you completely covered when you need to touch up throughout the day. It's also perfect for fussy kids who can't stand the feeling of normal sunscreen!
Promising review: "So easy to put on myself and my kids. They don't at all mind using this on their faces like anything else. The application is fast and I can easily keep it around their eyes. It is also great for doing parts when my daughter has pigtails. It is also super easy to carry in the pool bag or in my purse so I always have sunscreen if we have an impromptu trip to the park." —Teachermom
Get it from Amazon for $8.97.
5. And! A basically weightless Hawaiian Tropic facial moisturizer with SPF 30 that reviewers say doesn't leave an annoying white cast on the skin, making it a perfect option for deeper skin tones.
Promising review: "I've recently gotten into skincare and I'm now always on the lookout for great sunscreens that get the job done. Besides the 'Black Girl Sunscreen' brand, this one is the only one that I use that doesn't leave any sort of weird white cast on my dark skin. It does leave a little shine (which is to be expected) but if you like a glowy look, then this is for you. I use it every day and it is pretty lightweight so I don't feel like there's too much on my face when I wear makeup, which is saying something since I live in a climate where the temp is between 70 and 90 degrees all year round. Definitely a good purchase for the price." —Tatiana
Get it from Amazon for $8.92.
6. A pack of refreshing body wipes with an invigorating citrusy scent so you can cool off and freshen up when you're feeling a little funky but have absolutely no time to take a shower. It happens.
7. A refreshing under-eye stick to cool you down, get rid of puffiness, and reduce the appearance of dark circles. It's truly a triple threat — and honestly that packaging is too adorable for words so I'm going to stop typing now.
8. A cooling towel you will absolutely never want to leave the house without. Just wet it, wring out the excess water, then wrap it around your neck for up to four hours of cooling comfort. This will make your afternoon walks so much more bearable.
Promising review: "I have owned several cooling towels over the years. This particular towel is the best of those that I have used for a couple of reasons. First, it is very well made. The towel is thick, doesn't stretch out of shape and very absorbent. Once you apply water and activate it, it remains activated for quite some time. This is the key to this particular cool towel. You don't have to keep taking it off and shaking it to activate it. It remains activated in keeping you cool for a long period of time. I played 24 holes of disc golf in hot Florida weather, and only took it off to reactivate it twice in a three hour period, which greatly reduced my fatigue. The towel retains an incredible amount of sweat. It was shocking as to how much I rang out of it at the end of my round. It was easy to clean in the end and hang out to dry for another use. I definitely recommend it." —K. Ritchey
Get it from Amazon for $6.23+ (available in five colors).
9. An anti-chafing stick you can apply to your thighs to reduce friction when you're out and about in humid conditions. You can also apply it to your neck, chest, arms, or anywhere else you experience annoying chafing.
Promising review: "For many years I’ve been plagued by annoying and debilitating chafing on my upper inner thighs. This issue is so aggravating and painful any time I try to be more active, working hard, and a constant problem when the weather is hot 🥵. I’ve tried literally EVERYTHING with minimal to no success. I just read about this product online and decided to give it a try. From day one I have had zero chafing issues. For me it’s a miracle product. Super easy to apply. Just like a stick deodorant. It stays put with no mess all day. It has no odor or color. It’s perfect." —JimmyD
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes and two-packs).
10. And a tube of anti-friction foot balm so you can finally wear those stylish but way-too-tight sandals you love without getting painful blisters.
Promising review: "I thought this stuff was a bunch of BS; I was like, pssh, what a waste of $8 ON AMAZON FOR THIS LITTLE THING. Well, I put it on today on spots where my flats rub off the skin. My feet survived an entire day INTACT! I highly recommend it. This product made wearing shoes that rub on your ankles/backs of your feet doable!!!!" —Jamie
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
11. A garbage guard to stop your trash can from becoming the hottest hangout spot for flies and other pests. Now you can kick back in your yard without having to swat away a bug every five seconds.
Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.) " —Michael E. Bradley
Get it from Amazon for $7.98.
12. A de-frizzing dry shampoo if you love the idea of dry shampoo but hate the extra volume it gives your already frizzy hair. This will be a lifesaver for anyone with curly or wavy texture.
Promising review: "I'm incredibly thrilled with this dry shampoo!! It's by far the best scent and controls the fly-aways I get with standard dry shampoo. It does not leave any residue. I have been using dry shampoo for a few years now and this is hands-down the best. I love everything about this particular scent. I can tell that the coconut oil is in there and works. Love love love this one." —Mrs. U
Get it from Amazon for $7.19.
13. A pack of oil-absorbing tissues made with natural bamboo charcoal to get rid of shine in just a few swipes and keep you looking matte all day long.
Promising review: "I've had oily skin my whole life and have used countless types of oil-blotting sheets because they're lifesavers. THESE ARE AMAZING. Great deal, big sheets, and they pull out one at a time so easily. I used to use Clean & Clear sheets or knockoffs of the same thing but I'll never go back. Give these a try; they are completely worth it. They work well and are easy to use. No negative things to say at all." —Kelsey
Get 100 sheets from Amazon for $6.95 (available in two formulas and various pack sizes).
Check out our deep dive into the Pleasing Care oil-blotting sheets for more deets!
14. A set of fizzy Pedi-Bombs — which are essential oil bath bombs made specifically for your feet! They contain a healthy dose of tea tree oil to help naturally deodorize, so these are a must if everyone in the room almost passes out when you take your shoes off in the summer.
Promising review: "Love these. They are very convenient to pop into your little foot bathtub while catching up on Netflix. Makes it feel like a jetted tub for your feet, even if it's just a plastic bin! Will be buying more." —abcdaron
Bloved By Nature is a small Etsy shop based in Phenix City, Alabama.
Get a bag from Bloved By Nature on Etsy for $6.99+ (available in two sizes and three scents).
15. And a foot file for anyone who simply hates summer because their feet are never ready for sandal weather. This grater will grind away at calluses and have your heels and toes looking silky smooth in no time.
Promising review: "OMG, these should be standard issue to every human. I’ve bought them all, the cheap foot files, the expensive ones, the Ped Egg and even a foot file from that direct sales nail wrap company. None of those remotely compare to this one. I thought I was reduced to course heels forever; no more! With just one use my heels are fabulous! The calluses this thing removed was absolutely disgusting, but i couldn’t be happier. You won’t be disappointed!!" —JMart
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
16. A set of patches you can slap right over any pimples that emerge if your skin freaks out every time the temperature starts to rise.
Promising review: "WOW, I honestly didn't think pimple patches could work so well. I've used other cutesy brand ones in the past and they've done an ok job but these are *chefs kiss.* For real, I tried them on both an old maskne zit and a freshly budding maskne zit and both were nearly flattened and completely gone when I took the patches off 4+ hours later." —Alana M.
Nano Lua Shop is a small Etsy shop based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Get a pack of 12 from Nano Lua Shop on Etsy for $6.99 (available in four colors and three pack sizes).
17. Game-changing ceiling fan pulls to help you finally remember which cord is for the light and which one is for the actual fan — because it's way too hot for all that confusion. Honestly, these deserve a spot in the Genius Products Hall Of Fame.
Promising review: "This is the definition of 'product you didn't know you needed because you didn't know it existed.' I was FOREVER pulling the wrong chain on our bedroom ceiling fan. (Want the light off? Oh no...now the fan's on high. Need to change the fan speed? Eek...now you're in the dark.) They're a much better quality than I expected. They're actually quite heavy-duty pull chains, and they add a bit of fun to the decor (when you notice them — most of the time, who even thinks about a ceiling fan pull chain?). As an added bonus, my infant daughter loves staring at them while I change her diaper or jammies. I tap them to make the chains swing, and it's instant fascination, which helps make my job easier!" —LHD
Get them from Amazon for $6.59+ (available in two colors and two lengths).
18. An all-natural deodorant for those of us who start sweating at the mere mention of summer. These aluminum-free formulas will banish bacteria and keep you smelling fresh.
Promising review: "Listen here, I’ve been searching for a deodorant for a long time. I have overactive armpit sweat glands. I was on the hunt for deodorant that wasn’t toxic and actually worked. Almost every deodorant that I would use would work for maybe the first hour and would smell really great. But sometimes I wear this deodorant two days in a row without showering and I can’t smell any B.O. from myself at all!!! I’m a stay at home mom/ homeschool mom of five. So I’m very busy and sometimes I literally don’t have time to shower. I LOVE this deodorant!" —Alison P.
Deep Well Botanicals is a small Etsy shop based in Overland Park, Kansas.
Get it from Deep Well Botanicals on Etsy for $3.35+ (available in two sizes and 14 scents).
19. Or a pack of easy-to-use deodorant wipes so you can give your underarms a quick scrub down while also neutralizing odors. These are basically a must for your post-gym, pre-work ritual.
Promising review: "I have always suffered from bad odor on my underarms since I have very delicate skin, so I can't use strongly scented deodorants. I'm always trying out cream deodorant or gels, but it either irritates my skin or it doesn't stop my bad odor. THIS IS THE BEST INVENTION EVER. I LOVE IT!
I can't believe that something finally works! My armpits don't smell bad; I can finally move my arms freely. The scent is wonderful, I love the smell and is not harsh on my skin. Even after a long day, my underarms are still smelling like coconut." —Patricia
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in four packs of 30).
20. An exfoliating glove with immediate results you can actually see — seriously, the dead skin just clumps up and rolls right off of your body. It's perfect for clearing your pores after a long day at the beach.
Promising review: "You might think you're exfoliating your skin but TRUST ME, you haven't been. You'll be SHOCKED and maybe even a little disgusted when you see how much skin comes off on these gloves the first time you use them. Take a long, warm shower, then, with no soap, use these mitts after you're all rinsed off. Scrub your body well in a circular motion. Then look at the mitts! They'll look like they've been sprinkled with flour! You'll never get that much skin off your body again with subsequent uses, so don't forget to look because it's incredible. And get ready to be bowled over when you dry off. Hello softness!!!" —isaidso
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in a two-pack).
21. A refreshing body spray that will not only have you smelling like an energizing blend of lavender, eucalyptus, and spearmint, but will also have your skin feeling tingly so you can cool off when the summer weather gets the best of you.
Promising review: "This spray is amazing. I read the reviews and was thinking to myself that this is too good to be true. With one spray on my leg, I completely changed my view. This product is amazing. My leg immediately went from hot to cool in less than a second. I am flabbergasted. This product is a must-have if you are hot and need a little cooling down." —M
Rooted Earth is a small Etsy shop based in Casco, Maine.
Get it from Rooted Earth on Etsy for $8.99+ (available in three sizes).
22. A tub of Nature Republic Soothing Aloe Vera Gel, because it has soooo many uses. It obviously will come in handy after being out in the sun for a bit too long, but it's also a wonderful everyday moisturizer for people who deal with frequent irritation and sensitivity (try it after shaving to soothe your skin). You can even use some in your hair to tame flyaways, put a little on your nails to help freshen up your cuticles, use it as a lip balm, or apply it all over as a lightweight body moisturizer.
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly swears by this gel! Check out her Nature Republic Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel review to learn why.
Promising review: "I have struggled with acne for a long time and have tried everything from Accutane to Proactiv to Rodan + Fields. I got this after running out of another pricier aloe cream. This works wonders! It keeps my face and skin clear and acne-free. My skin is naturally really dry and I use this 2x a day after washing my face. It goes on under my makeup and works as nice moisturizer/primer for my foundation too." —Amber A.
Get it from Amazon for $7.46 (also available in various pack sizes).
23. A cruelty-free lip balm made with vitamin E and green tea that'll get rid of the crusty flakes that have been living on your lips since winter. It even has SPF 25, because yes, even your lips need protection from the sun.
Promising review: "I'm going to get straight to it. I have NEVER had a lip balm that does what this tube of magic does. I have had chapped lips for years, no matter the season, and no other lip balm works like this one. It goes on smooth, not greasy, and absorbs SO WELL. After just three days of use my lips are soft and smooth. No peeling or flaking, and I...AM...IMPRESSED! I'm literally conceited now, LOL. I've taken 93 selfies with the infamous duck lips pose, AND my hubby even noticed during our last smooch sesh that something changed, LOL....TMI? Maybe. But y'all need to know how friggin' awesome this product is. I'm stocking up ASAP!!" —iamzenobiamarie
Get it from Amazon for $8+ (available in seven flavors).
24. A natural herbal salve to help you "ditch the itch" when those meddling mosquitoes go to town on your ankles. The mix of wildcrafted plantain, lavender, and chamomile will soothe your skin and make you forget those bites even exist.
Promising review: "Bugs love me, and this stuff gives me the best relief. Sometimes I go hours and hours without remembering itchy bug bites." —Tiffany
Get it from Rooted Earth on Etsy for $8.99+ (available in four sizes).
25. A fruit fly trap so you can finally leave your produce out on the counter without attracting any unwanted flying guests — especially since they really come out in the summer. It even looks like an apple so it'll blend in perfectly in your fruit bowl. ~Don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious!~
Promising review: "Our home was infested with fruit flies. As a household of minimal fresh produce and a mostly nitrate rich menu, we were confused and horrified when these tiny, evil monsters took over our house. These apple jobs are LEGIT. Within an hour or less they had captured a good amount of flies. I just bought more." —MotherofChaos
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.88 (also available in packs of four and 12).
26. The impressively multi-talented Mario Badescu Facial Spray to refresh your skin, perk up your makeup, and have you looking glowy and hydrated instead of sweaty and hot. You can even spritz some in your hair when it needs a quick restyling!
Try storing it in the fridge for an extra pick-me-up on hot days — it's a game changer!
Promising review: "I enjoy the refreshing, cooling sensation this gives when sprayed on the face; it gives a boost of hydration before my moisturizer, and also works well as a setting spray. But the best benefit I've gotten is from spraying it in my hair! My limp, thin, baby-fine hair has never looked better or felt stronger." —Laura B
Check out this BuzzFeeder's Mario Badescu Facial Spray review for more info!
Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in two sizes and various packs).
27. And a stash scrunchie with a hidden pocket so you can get your hair out of your face in the stifling heat and have a helpful spot to store some cash, keys, or the lip balm you always leave behind. It would be perfect for Gretchen Weiners — because it's full of secrets.
Promising review: "I bought this as a Christmas gift for my sister. She is loving using this to stash a key and cash in a safe place while she walks her dog." —Tamara H.
Hustle and Sew is a small Etsy shop based in Saint Helens, Oregon.
Get it from Hustle and Sew on Etsy for $6 (available in 14 colors).
The vibe for the rest of the summer:
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