Limp salad, bad barbecues, jellyfish stings and chafing. Summer can be a tricky season – but our experts are on hand to help with your hot-weather headaches.
Bugs that bug – and how to outsmart them
Worrisome wasps
“If you eat near still water you’ll get a lot more insects than if you have a bit of a breeze,” says Ben Quinn, chef and founder of Woodfired Canteen. “But ultimately, if you go to mother nature’s dining room, there will be others at your table. Pack a few sacrifices to the god of the wasps in the form of diluted jam in a mug for them to focus on.” You’re better off firing up the barbecue, he adds: “The smoke annoys insects, so they avoid it.” Simon Stallard, chef and founder of the Hidden Hut cafe in Cornwall, says wait until the last second to open anything sugary: “Cakes, fizzy drinks, ketchup – that’s what they’re attracted to.”
Mega mozzies
“Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers and covered shoes, and cover or empty containers of still water to prevent mosquitoes laying eggs near your house,” says Dr Sharon Marlowe, a consultant in infectious diseases and tropical medicine. In terms of chemical barriers, Deet is the gold standard; others that work well, but need to be reapplied more regularly, include Picaridin-containing products (Sawyer, Autan and Moskito Guard), IR3535 repellants (Jungle Formula’s Outdoor & Camping and Kids ranges) and PMD repellants (Xpel). Marlowe isn’t convinced by the alternatives: “Insect repellant stickers or patches provide negligible protection, citronella candles no more than a plain candle, and body creams are ineffective.” Ultrasonic mosquito repellant devices and electric fly killer machines are not worth your money, while supplementing your diet with “B1, B12 or any other vitamins offers no protection”. Finally, garlic, Marmite and drinking gin and tonic are useless.
The ants’ nest
First, ask yourself whether you need to deal with a nest at all, says Claire Ratinon, a Guardian gardening columnist. “Ants are an important part of our ecosystem and are preyed on by many creatures who are welcome in our gardens, plus they can improve soil texture with their burrowing.” Encourage them to relocate by watering the nest, “not to drown the ants but to create damp conditions they’d prefer not to live in”. If they’re coming into your home, “keep food sealed and tidied away, and clean your surfaces with diluted white vinegar as it disrupts their scent trails”.
Fruit flies swarming
“Identify the fruit they are most attracted to, which will be obvious because they’ll be on it, then move it somewhere else, ideally outside, so they go to that rather than other fruit,” Quinn says. “If you’re preparing a barbecue and flies turn up, have a fan in the kitchen blowing over the food, so they can’t land.”
Houseflies invading
For the incessant buzzing of regular house flies, Jordan McCay, policy and campaigns officer at the British Pest Control Association, recommends “meticulous hygiene and promptly disposing of all rubbish. Ensure food is covered and place bins away from doors and windows. They should have tight-fitting lids and be treated with household insecticide inside and underneath during warm weather.” Still plagued? “Consider installing fly screens on windows or using sticky fly papers.”
Summer style fails – and how to avoid them
Creased linen
“Creases are part of the character of linen,” says the Guardian’s fashion editor, Jess Cartner-Morley. But you can avoid looking “like a walking ironing pile” if you choose carefully and accessorise elegantly. “Linen creases where it folds, so trousers and skirts are the worst culprits. Instead choose a linen shirt, roll the sleeves up, and tuck it into a pair of jeans or shorts. Offset any potential scruffiness with dashes of glamour: lipstick, a great belt, a gobstopper earring.”
Faded swimming cossies
“Pool chemicals are the bad guys,” Cartner-Morley says. “Shower before you jump in, because wet fabric will absorb less chlorine-filled water than dry fabric.” After swimming, “take your cossie off in the shower, rinse well and dry flat, in the shade, to avoid fading”.
Soggy shoes
Want a shoe that won’t have you sliding around in a downpour? “Thank Miu Miu for returning the boat shoe to the catwalk this summer,” says the Guardian’s styling editor, Melanie Wilkinson. “Great with shorts, linen trousers or a short summer dress.”
Summer squints
A hat is a must. Wilkinson recommends “a brim of three inches to keep the sun off your face, ears and neck”. For something casual, Wilkinson suggests a bucket hat style with a string or a classic baseball cap: “It may not offer as much protection, but the best summer hat is the one you want to keep on.
A poolside wedgie
“If your swimsuit is disappearing up your bottom, it is probably too short,” Cartner-Morley says. “If you are tall, pick one with adjustable straps.” With bikini bottoms, “wedgies happen if they are too small, or if the gusset is too narrow”. There is another option, for those brave enough. “Own the wedgie look: ‘cheeky’ silhouette bikini bottoms – between conventional knicker and thong – are the latest look on the beach.”
Overheating in the office
Can men wear shorts to work? “If you usually wear a suit, shorts won’t cut it. If there’s a more casual dress code, shorts are OK but not too short or sporty, and never wear flip-flops,” says the Guardian and Observer’s menswear editor, Helen Seamons. “Look for casual tailored styles in darker shades. Cos has Bermuda options, Luca Faloni offers smart cotton and linen, and Moss has cool seersucker. M&S’s new X collection, which the England team are wearing off the pitch at the Euros, includes tailored shorts. If they’re good enough for style icon Gareth Southgate, who are we to argue?”
Yellow sunscreen stains on your clothes
Wendy Graham, a sustainability expert at Moral Fibres, recommends an eco-friendly washing-up liquid, which “breaks down the grease and oils that make up the stain. Wet clothing with cold water, squirt a drop on to the stain and give it a scrub with a brush. Rinse under cold water, put on a cool wash with your regular laundry detergent, then line dry in the sun. A hot wash will set the stain.” It’s best treated asap, “but if you’re away, try washing it in cold water with shampoo and keep it damp until you get home”.
Travel dramas – and how to overcome them
Long, stressful travel days
“If we recognise that a long journey will be stressful, we can prepare,” says Dr Charlotte Russell, clinical psychologist and founder of the Travel Psychologist. “This might mean planning rest stops and activities, if driving, or on public transport, having a range of diversions: podcasts, a book or magazine, music and puzzles.” Try not to overdo it in the lead-up, which “will mean you spend the first few days of your break trying to wind down”.
Rip-off airport travel
Balk at the price of airport-specific express trains? “It may be cheaper to use other types of public transport or even, if you’re travelling as a family, a local cab firm,” says the Guardian’s consumer and money editor, Hilary Osborne. “Driving yourself is often the most expensive option as airport parking is costly.” Arriving tired and desperate to get to your accommodation, it’s easy to get ripped off, so do your research. “Most major airports have low-cost bus services into town, and unless it’s the early hours, you will probably be able to get onward transport from there. Use Google or Apple maps to find the route they recommend. Hosts will help and some hotels have a shuttle service.”
Kids driving you wild in transit
“Relax limits on the trip: more screentime, snacks or treats won’t matter long term for your child, but might matter a lot for your stress levels,” says Dr Emma Hepburn, clinical psychologist and author of A Toolkit for Your Emotions. “In fact it can feel special to a child – the only thing my daughter remembers about our trip to New York is the flight, with its limitless screen time and food service.” Jen Carr-Paias, founder of the Travel Mum, concurs. “The key to success is to scrap most of the rules. You want your iPad for four hours on the plane? Done. A third bag of crisps? No problem. When queueing for check-in, if our son wants to tire himself out doing laps of the room, excellent.” Finally, set the vibe. “Children feed off your energy. If they sense you are tense, they start to feel the same.”
Tantrums at 30,000 feet
“If children are getting tired or grumpy, don’t worry about what other people think and focus on them,” Hepburn says. “Plan ahead and strategise. Discuss with travel companions how you will work together if a child gets upset, have things to keep them amused (a backpack filled with stuff they enjoy and little surprises) and teddy, plasters and wipes to hand.”
Extra luggage charges
“Every airline seems to have a different system of charging for carry-on and hold luggage,” Osborne says. “What looks like a more expensive ticket may prove good value if it includes a case. Measure your bags, then get the scales out.” Divvy up and be smart. “If one member of the family has a bag entitlement but travels light, can they take some stuff on to the plane? What can you wear or carry in your pockets? If a bag weighs too much at the airport, check if you can ditch anything – a friend once paid for excess baggage and on arrival realised he had a bottle of water in his bag.”
Money mishaps
Exchange rates at the airport are rarely a good deal, but you may not even need physical cash. “Do some research,” Osborne says. “For cash, use Money Saving Expert’s Travel Money Max to compare costs.” Want to use your card instead? “Starling and First Direct allow unlimited payments and withdrawals overseas. Some banks have ways to keep a lid on charges; with Lloyds, for instance, you pay £7 a week to use your card as if you are at home so there are no nasty shocks.” If using an ATM overseas, look out for local bank charges, and choose to pay in the local currency rather than sterling.
Costly airport shopping
“The only things to buy in airport branches of high street shops are those with a set price – magazines, newspapers and books – or things you have forgotten that are likely to be more expensive at the other end,” Osborne says. Duty free “is generally a poor deal” and airport and in-flight food is pricey, so pack cereal bars, sandwiches and a reusable drink bottle.
Eye-watering car hire costs
“Don’t buy the extra insurance car hire companies try to push on you – a standalone excess insurance policy will be much cheaper,” Osborne says. “Check the car and take pictures of any damage before driving off, so no one can try to charge you for things that were not your fault. And most airlines let you check in a car seat for free, so take your own instead of hiring one.”
Swimming stresses – and how to swerve them
Stinky sewage water
It’s sad to even need advice for where to swim in clean water, but here we are. “Download the Safer Seas and Rivers Service app for pollution alerts,” says Kirsty Davies, community water quality manager at the charity Surfers Against Sewage. Stay out of the water after heavy rain and follow your nose: “If you smell or see anything different, don’t go in.” Avoid getting water in your mouth, as ingesting polluted water is the primary cause of sickness, but you can also exit the sea with it on your hands, eat something, then become ill, and broken skin can get infected.
Stolen valuables
Travel expert Rosie Bell recommends employing the “buddy system” to keep valuables safe. “I seek out a family or find a solo traveller and offer to be their eyes and ears in exchange.” Too shy? Use decoys. “Clean out an empty sunscreen bottle and put small valuables such as keys and cash in it. There are also decoy hairbrushes, bottles, beach towels and even skipping ropes that have secret compartments.” Be clever about where you set up camp. “If your beach is lifeguarded, sit close to the tower, as thieves are less likely to operate next to someone whose job it is to be vigilant.” Daniel Start, author of Wild Guide South West England, hides things behind a rock “but within sight, so I can keep an eye when swimming. The other option is to leave an obvious pile, so it looks like you’re nearby, but make it look a bit unappetising – leave your underwear on the top!”
Sand in your bits
The internet is full of tips about applying talcum powder, but Bell says it’s simpler than that. “Dry sand is easier to brush off than wet, clingy sand, so let the sun do its work before trying to shake it off. And pack your belongings in mesh beach bags as the holes let the sand fall through. Shake out the bag before you leave the beach to minimise sand transfer.”
Dining disasters – and how to eat in the heat
Sandy, sweaty sandwiches
Nostalgia-evoking it may be, but the crunch of sand in a warm cheese sandwich is suboptimal. “Take a small portable grill to the beach” – not a disposable barbecue, which can die out before everything’s cooked through – “and cook sausages to eat with a baguette, or put a whole brie in a small pan on the grill and have a cheese fondue. Or cook an onion down, so it gets nice and sweet,” says the Hidden Hut’s Stallard. Think beyond sandwiches: “On rainy days, take a flask of soup or last night’s curry, or start the day with porridge on the beach.
Burnt sausages
“People think cooking on fire needs to be much hotter than at home in a pan,” Quinn says. But if you begin when the coals are black or the flames orange, you’ll impart the bitter flavour of carbon to your food. “By waiting for coals to go white, with low to no smoke, something magical happens – food gets cooked in the flavour of its own juices. On the last embers, put a brownie in a basket of foil to finish with something sweet.” Quinn recommends “a kettle barbecue, or the ProQ Flip’n Grate”; for sustainable charcoal, try the National Coppice Federation website.
Warm wine
Lukewarm wine is far from tempting, so “keep the bottle in the fridge overnight, then pop it in an insulated bottle bag that has been in the freezer overnight”, says Debbie Warner from the Wild Wine School. Embrace bag-in-box wine, as glass is high energy to produce and recycle, and don’t be sniffy about cans (Warner rates Candour). Transport in a cool bag with reusable ice blocks, then pour into a glass, as “exposing the wine to oxygen will allow it to open up”.
Dodgy, undercooked meat
Be patient! “If you put your hand six inches above your charcoal grill and you have to whip it away before four seconds, that’s too hot to be cooking protein,” Quinn says. “You want to be able to wait six to eight seconds.” Once the fire is “quieter, calmer and cooler, the cooking time is longer. If a sausage takes 20 minutes in an oven, it’s half an hour on a barbecue.” There are three methods to check meat’s ready: visual, touch and digital. “If you’re cooking chicken thighs, the visual check is a cut – you’ll see pink juices or a pink bone if it needs longer. With a meat thermometer, 75-80C means you’re in a good place.”
Limp salads
“Go for ingredients that love to be at room temperature and marinated over time. We do a lot of chargrilled salads – courgette, say, rested in roasted tomato, chilli and golden raisins with olive oil and cider vinegar,” Quinn says. “That could sit all day and just get better.” Roast courgette, aubergine, tomatoes, onions or peppers “while you wait for the coals to be the right temperature for cooking your proteins. That way you haven’t wasted energy, carbon or time.” Desperate for crunchy lettuce? “In a cool box, pack a bag of ice, put that in an ice-cream tub with some water and submerge your iceberg or little gem, then dress with a squeeze of lemon. It will make the most crispy, fresh salad against the smoky savouriness of the grill.”
Garden nightmares – and how to fix them
Scorched earth
Concerned your garden will be reduced to scrubland by a dry spell? Alice Vincent, a Guardian gardening columnist, suggests putting pots “together on trays of water and gravel, in the shade”. Water first and last thing, with “long drenches to the soil rather than a shower”. But leave the lawn: “Let it grow and have faith it will green up again when the rain returns.”
Stubborn slugs
Exasperated by slugs, snails, aphids and caterpillars munching through your bounty? “Everything is connected,” Vincent says. “Leave the aphids alone and the ladybirds will turn up to eat them. Apply nematodes for a long-term slug solution, and give beer traps a go for now. Or admit defeat: they can’t eat everything and our gardens desperately need insects.”
Dry spells
No one to water the garden while you’re away? Take inspiration from an ancient practice, Ratinon says. “An olla is an unglazed terracotta vessel, buried in the ground next to your plants and filled with water that slowly seeps through.” Simply seal the drainage hole of a terracotta pot and find a lid to place on top.
Burnt sausages
“People think cooking on fire needs to be much hotter than at home in a pan,” Quinn says. But if you begin when the coals are black or the flames orange, you’ll impart the bitter flavour of carbon to your food. “By waiting for coals to go white, with low to no smoke, something magical happens – food gets cooked in the flavour of its own juices. On the last embers, put a brownie in a basket of foil to finish with something sweet.” Quinn recommends “a kettle barbecue, or the ProQ Flip’n Grate”; for sustainable charcoal, try the National Coppice Federation website.
Warm wine
Lukewarm wine is far from tempting, so “keep the bottle in the fridge overnight, then pop it in an insulated bottle bag that has been in the freezer overnight”, says Debbie Warner from the Wild Wine School. Embrace bag-in-box wine, as glass is high energy to produce and recycle, and don’t be sniffy about cans (Warner rates Candour). Transport in a cool bag with reusable ice blocks, then pour into a glass, as “exposing the wine to oxygen will allow it to open up”.
Dodgy, undercooked meat
Be patient! “If you put your hand six inches above your charcoal grill and you have to whip it away before four seconds, that’s too hot to be cooking protein,” Quinn says. “You want to be able to wait six to eight seconds.” Once the fire is “quieter, calmer and cooler, the cooking time is longer. If a sausage takes 20 minutes in an oven, it’s half an hour on a barbecue.” There are three methods to check meat’s ready: visual, touch and digital. “If you’re cooking chicken thighs, the visual check is a cut – you’ll see pink juices or a pink bone if it needs longer. With a meat thermometer, 75-80C means you’re in a good place.”
Limp salads
“Go for ingredients that love to be at room temperature and marinated over time. We do a lot of chargrilled salads – courgette, say, rested in roasted tomato, chilli and golden raisins with olive oil and cider vinegar,” Quinn says. “That could sit all day and just get better.” Roast courgette, aubergine, tomatoes, onions or peppers “while you wait for the coals to be the right temperature for cooking your proteins. That way you haven’t wasted energy, carbon or time.” Desperate for crunchy lettuce? “In a cool box, pack a bag of ice, put that in an ice-cream tub with some water and submerge your iceberg or little gem, then dress with a squeeze of lemon. It will make the most crispy, fresh salad against the smoky savouriness Wilting plants
Got home to find your prize-winning blooms reduced to sad sticks? Check for signs of life, Ratinon says. “For a woody perennial, such as a hydrangea or rosemary, remove some of the ailing growth and look for live wood. Cut back to that, then wait.” Give annuals “a generous drink”, she says. “If parts go from limp to firm, cut back the damaged leaves and stems, keep up the watering and cross your fingers.”
Hosepipe bans
“If you haven’t yet installed a water butt, put that on your to-do list for autumn,” Ratinon says. “Reuse household water and keep soil covered in a layer of mulch.” Also, choose plants carefully: “Perennials – raspberries, blackcurrants, marjoram, sorrel – once established, need far less water than annual crops.”
Home-alone houseplants – and how to save them
Plan ahead, and enlist help
Well-meaning plant-sitters can harm your plants, says Guardian houseplant expert Gynelle Leon, so leave detailed instructions on how and when to water each type of plant. Give them a good soaking before you go and if no one is on hand to help, try using self-watering pots or glass watering globes.
Relocate and group
Move plants away from windows, where they may get scorched. Place together on a table where they get light, but not direct sun. This helps create a more humid microenvironment which reduces water loss.
Revive a half-dead plant
Plants are resilient and can often bounce back. Trim dead or damaged leaves and check the roots: if they are still firm and white, the plant can be saved. Soak in water for 30 minutes, drain thoroughly, move to a spot with indirect light and monitor closely.
Hot dogs and cats – and how to protect them
Hydrate them
Vet Michael Lazaris recommends leaving bowls of cool, fresh water around the house and garden with ice cubes, and adding a splash of water to meals. “Fill a large ice tray with water and add your dog’s favourite treats, or mix in some bone broth and pop in the freezer. Fill toys with wet dog food or dog-safe peanut butter and stick them in the freezer, too.”
Change their walking schedule
Avoid strenuous exercise and walk early or late, ideally in shady woodland or a tree-lined park, particularly one with a pond or water fountain, though “make sure they don’t get overexcited as dogs can overheat this way”. Hot pavements can burn their soft pads, Lazaris says. “If the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it will be too hot for your dog.”
Instantly cool them
“Drape wet towels over your dog or let them lie on them, keep windows open and place a frozen water bottle in front of a fan, or wrap it in a towel and leave on their bed,” Lazaris says. Outdoors, create a water park: “Paddling pools, sprinklers and water games can help keep your dog cool and provide stimulation if they can’t go on their usual longer walks.”
Groom them
Brush your dog to remove excess heat-trapping fur, Lazaris says, and remember “dogs get sunburnt, so use pet-safe sunscreen for sensitive areas like their nose and ears, especially if they have white fur”.
How to have a cool cat
“Cats are generally a bit wiser than dogs, but can be vulnerable to overheating, especially if they have long, thick coats, are flat-faced or have health issues,” Lazaris says. Again, provide lots of fresh water, add ice to water bowls and water to meals. “Mix boiled chicken or tuna with water and freeze in ice trays.”
Summer health woes – and how to cure them
Sunburn
If a family member returns home pink, “get them out of the sun as soon as possible and cool their skin with wet flannels or a cool shower”, says Dr Nighat Arif, author of The Knowledge: Your Guide to Female Health from Menstruation to the Menopause. “But be careful that babies, infants and elderly people don’t get cold.” Once skin is cool, “apply after-sun or aloe vera – never oils, body butter, petroleum jelly or ice packs. Dress in loose-fitting clothing, keep away from direct sun, stay hydrated and take painkillers.” With children, “apply SPF50 sunscreen, keep out of the sun between 10am and 3pm, and dress in hats and sunglasses”.
Ear and eye infections
Don’t let days in the pool turn into a swimmer’s ear nightmare. “If you’re prone to ear infections, use earplugs or roll a cotton wool ball in Vaseline and mould to the outer bit of the ear,” Arif says. If water gets in and tipping your head doesn’t clear it, try drying the outer ear “with a hairdryer at a low setting at least 30cm away”. Avoid sore eyes by wearing goggles and removing contact lenses, and post-swim, “flush burning eyes with an eyewash solution or tap water for 15 minutes, and use lubricating eye drops”.
Jellyfish stings
“Try not to panic,” Arif says. Marlowe warns against touching the area with bare hands, “as the stingers remain in the skin”, and says rinsing with fresh water triggers them to release more venom: “Instead soak in seawater for 30 minutes to break down toxins.” If the spines are still present, Arif adds, “remove with tweezers or the edge of a bank card. Don’t rub the area, take paracetamol and ibuprofen, and call an ambulance if the person’s tongue and/or lips are swelling, they’re breathless, hoarse, dizzy, losing consciousness, or if the sting was in the eye or on a large area.” Marlowe advises not to “pee, use vinegar or ice on it” and says it’s normal to feel pain for a few hours and itching for a few weeks.
Weever fish stings
Buried in the sand, weever fish shoot up a black dorsal fin if disturbed, injecting venom into unsuspecting feet. If you fall victim, “immerse the area in water as hot as you can safely bear for 10 to 15 minutes, and remove any spines with tweezers,” Marlowe says, adding the best form of defence is swimming shoes.
Streaming hayfever
If grass pollen affects you, “combine a good oral antihistamine with eyedrops and a steroid-based nasal spray – and start before symptoms get worse,” Arif says. “Don’t hang laundry on the line as the fibres trap pollen, use allergy grade filters in your home and car, and avoid outdoor activities when pollen is high.”
Heat exhaustion
Michael Mosley’s death was a reminder we need to be careful in the heat. Precautions include taking a siesta, limiting alcohol intake, staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous exercise and covering up with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a hat. Early signs include “a headache that is worsening or throbbing, nausea, dizziness, skin that is red and hot, excessive sweating and sudden fainting”, Marlowe says. “This can progress to heat stroke when skin feels cold and clammy, there’s difficulty walking or talking and a sudden increase in tiredness, irritability, aggression or confusion.” Heat stroke is a medical emergency, so seek help. “Get the person out of the sun and cool them with cold drinks and clothing soaked in cold water.”
Sticky night sleeplessness
Tossing and turning and sweating – there’s a better way, according to Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, sleep expert and author of Tired But Wired. Swap spicy and rich foods, caffeine, alcohol or sugary snacks before bed for cucumber, watermelon or cold milk. Close bedroom curtains from mid-afternoon, and 20 minutes before bedtime “place a tray of ice cubes in front of a fan”. Swap your duvet for a thin sheet and “lightly mist it with water and place in a plastic bag in the fridge for an hour before bedtime”. Sleep “spread-eagled with bare feet hanging out” and if you wake up hot, pop to the bathroom and “run cool water on the inside of wrists – without checking the time or putting the light on”. For children, “line up bedtime audio stories and use cooling eucalyptus and menthol oil on the pillow”.
Feeling lethargic and floppy
“Feeling very hot can feel threatening to the body,” Ramlakhan warns. “To cool things down, with mouth closed, breathe slowly and gently through the nose to slow the heart rate and calm the nervous system.”
Beauty worries – and how to handle them
Sun cream ruining your makeup
“Fear of ruining makeup puts people off reapplying facial SPF, but it’s essential to do so every couple of hours, even in cloudy weather, and particularly after being in water,” says Anita Bhagwandas, a Guardian beauty columnist and author of Ugly: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards. She advocates using an SPF top-up spray, designed to be applied over makeup: “I’m a fan of Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF50 spray and Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist.”
The post-swim streaks
Love to swim, but not keen on doing it barefaced? “Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick combines concealer, foundation and powder in a single waterproof stick,” Bhagwandas says. “For eyes, Estée Lauder Double Wear 24 Hour Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil is my go-to, and L’Oréal Volume Million Lash Waterproof Mascara adds volume. For cheeks and lips, apply Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint.”
Dry, cracked heels
Sandals feel good, but can wreak havoc on heels. “Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Foot Cream uses exfoliating urea to soften dry skin, while delivering moisture,” Bhagwandas says. “For very dry, cracked feet, try Flexitol Rescue Heel Balm with 25% urea and wear socks after application – I wear them overnight.”
Sweaty, slidy makeup
Sali Hughes, beauty columnist for the Guardian, advocates a lighter base in warmer months. “Switch from foundation to tinted moisturiser or skin tint. Something sheer feels cooler. I love Ultra Violette’s Daydream Screen or Nars Tinted Moisturiser, which provide decent coverage and some sun protection (although you should wear sunscreen underneath). Carry a cooling skincare mist for an instant refresher and avoid the Salvador Dalí look by minimising makeup, Hughes says, “finishing with a very fine powder to mattify and set what’s there. MAC Skinfinish Natural or Kosas Cloud Set are ideal.”
Frizzy hair and sweaty necks
“A ponytail will keep your neck and shoulders cooler, but if you want to wear your hair down, consider air drying,” Hughes says. “Heatless styling balms and sprays give texture and gloss, and reduce the frizzing associated with mechanical heat. Rake a small amount through damp lengths, style and leave to dry.”
Chafing
“First Aid Beauty’s Anti-Chafe stick with shea butter and soothing oatmeal, and Megababe’s Thigh Rescue are both Pritt Stick-style twist-up moisture sticks that can be drawn swiftly across the affected area for better comfort on the move,” Hughes says, while Wilkinson suggests “a simple undershort; M&S do a two-pack”.
Sticky SPF
“Modern sunscreens come in every texture, so there’s no excuse for not wearing it daily,” Hughes says. “Children generally prefer sprays, teens and adults with oily skins like gels, dry types appreciate a rich SPF product that allows them to skip an additional moisturiser. If you’re very sensitive, pick an SPF marketed for babies.” Crucially, use enough: “At least two finger lengths for face and neck.”
A sweaty upper lip
Dr Aiza Jamil, consultant dermatologist at sk:n clinics, advises using “a gentle facial cleanser twice a day, exfoliate weekly and use a lightweight, non-clogging moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated but not greasy”. If it happens regularly, “apply a small amount of facial antiperspirant – look for products with aluminium chloride”. Natural solutions include “applying witch hazel (using cotton wool), aloe vera gel or a few drops of tea tree oil mixed with water”.
Underboob sweat
Jamil advises wearing bras and tops in moisture-wicking material, and washing the area daily with a gentle cleanser. After showering, dry thoroughly and use cornstarch or an anti-chafing powder to keep the area dry. Apply a small amount of clinical-strength antiperspirant under breasts, or dab with witch hazel. And drink plenty of water to regulate body temperature.
Sweat patches
“Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing in breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen,” Jamil says. “Take cool showers, apply antiperspirant morning and night, and use powder on sweat-prone areas.
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