Ice, Ice Baby: The IndyBest team share their hot weather essentials, from fans to face mists

Eleanor Jones (Executive Editor)

I know most people buy cooling mats for their pets in the summer, but a few years ago I discovered they work just as well for humans. These Tanness mats are filled with a clever gel substance that consistently stays cool of its own accord, although I’ve found they’re even better when you put them in a fridge for an hour or two before use. Whether you choose to pre-chill or not, they’re the perfect size to slot into your pillowcase and really do retain their cooling capacities throughout the night. I’ve also been known to pop my feet on them under my WFH desk on particularly sticky days when I’m missing the office air con.

Read more: 12 best summer-weight duvets

Ellie Fry (Deputy Editor)

Aside from the tower fan that my partner insists on using for 365 days of the year (I kid you not, I’m shivering in December), I love using ice globes to cool down in the heat. The ultimate skincare treat, this face massager tool is the sister of the jade roller or gua sha, but the magic here is that you pop them in the fridge before use.

They provide a cooling hit on warmer days and extra skincare benefits, including improved firmness and reduced tension. I’m not sure how much they help in that department, but I love rolling these little glass globes under my eyes in the morning and throughout the day when I need a pick-me-up. You can spend serious dosh on fancy ice globes, but I find these do the trick.

If you want to go all out, try Skin Proud’s frozen over gel-to-ice hydrator (£16.95, Iamproud.com), a moisturiser infused with hyaluronic acid that you put in the freezer before use. It cools, depuffs and soothes irritated skin – bliss.

Read more: 10 best ice globes to bring a healthy glow to your face

Steve Hogarty (tech writer)

Living in a busy part of London makes it difficult to sleep with the windows open, so the silent-running Dyson pure cool me fan is a lifesaver in the summer months. It oscillates so quietly that we often don’t realise it’s on, and on its slowest setting, it produces a gentle, comfortable breeze that’s easy to fall asleep with. It’s a Hepa-rated air purifier too, and while it’s ultimately proven to be no match for my hay fever, it can trap pollen, pet dander and other nasty particulates hanging around in the bedroom.

Read more: 11 best fans for staying cool this summer

Eva Waite-Taylor (writer)

Despite being fairly new to setting sprays, they’ve absolutely transformed my hot weather make-up looks because gone are the days of a sweaty complexion with foundation and mascara running down my face. Milk Makeup’s recently launched setting spray is one of the best I’ve used – it not only sets my face in place and reduces transfer onto my mask, but it’s also cooling and provides a natural glow. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed.

Read more: 9 best setting sprays for every skin type

Sarah Young (writer)

In an ideal world, keeping cool on a balmy summer’s day would involve jumping head first into an infinity pool, but when that isn’t a feasible option, which, let’s face it, is most of the time, I turn my attention to the skin-cooling properties of a gel moisturiser. My top pick is the tidal brightening enzyme water cream from Sunday Riley, which feels lightweight, hydrating and gives your skin a powerful hit of refreshment on hot days. It’s packed with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an excellent choice for anyone who suffers from dry and dehydrated skin during the warmer months. While it’s inherently cooling, I like to keep mine in the fridge for an extra boost.

Read more: 13 best moisturisers for dry skin

Eleanor Magill (freelance)

There are two reasons I don’t use single-use plastic water bottles: they are environmentally problematic and useless the minute the weather heats up. There are few things I despise more than when you are sweating it out on the tube, go to take a sip of your water, and it’s bath-water warm. This is where my Chillys water bottle comes in. The water stays cold for 24 hours and won’t leak inside your bag, and I can attest it actually works. I got mine with this cute little clownfish design – what’s not to love?

Read more: 10 best reusable water bottles

Louise Whitbread (freelance)

Every year I make sure I stock up on a giant bottle of this cooling face mist from the sensitive skin expert Avene. I’ve been using it on and off for nearly a decade, and I cannot cope in the heat without it. It’s a fine mist that doesn’t leave you covered in droplets, and a quick blitz on your face and body is the fastest way to cool down. I use it liberally – when the 2020 heatwave was going on, I must have been spraying it all over me every five minutes, but I guarantee you it will last well over six months. Top tip: if you spray it and sit in front of a fan, the air turns ice cold. It’s not just refreshing, though – it also has a whole host of skincare benefits; it takes the sting out of sunburn, calms down inflammation and is even soothing on areas of eczema.

Read more: 13 best face mists for a dewy, hydrated glow