How to stay fresh and sweat-free on your summer commute

A simple folding fan

I have been arriving sweaty every day since summer hit. Aside from wearing breathable cotton and linen, I’ve gone back to basics for keeping cool: A pack of tissues and a folding fan. — Carolyn Chua, senior associate food editor



Ivory Premium Paper Hand Fan, $5, Etsy.

A lot of water

I don’t own a desk fan, nor do I bring a change of clothes to the office (it’s challenging enough to choose one outfit for the day, let alone two), so once I arrive after my 20-minute bike commute, I chug a bunch of water and hope for the best! — Erinn Stewart, assistant style editor



S'well Gold Stars 17 oz. water bottle, $45, Indigo.

A wide-brimmed hat

I take transit with a short walk to the office, but I have sensitive skin, so I try I keep cool and protect my face by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. It either makes me look very fab or ridiculous, depending on the day. — Sadiya Ansari, associate editor



Nine West Packable Floppy Hat, $28, Hudson's Bay.

A lighter lotion

In the summer, when I know I will work up a sweat, I switch my usual heavy body lotion for a lighter one. My go-to is Aveeno’s Sheer Hydration Lotion. It absorbs super fast and doesn’t get all slick and slimy when I sweat, like heavier lotions tend to do. — Laura Brown, managing editor



Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Sheer Hydration Lotion, $10, Walmart.

A mini deodorant

I keep a mini deodorant in my purse all year long and a travel-sized baby powder to use in my shoes in the summer to keep my feet dry and my shoes scent-free. Baby wipes (for a full body wipe down) are also great if it was an extremely hot and sweaty commute. — Amanda Barnier, associate food editor



Secret Invisible pH Balanced Baby Powder Antiperspirant, $2, Walmart.

A dry shampoo-texturizer hybrid

I get sweaty, flat helmet hair from my half-hour bike ride, and end up looking like a soaked guinea pig when I arrive at the office. I use a dry shampoo–texturizer hybrid that soaks up the moisture and restores oomph. The best one is Kevin Murphy's Doo.Over. — Rachel Heinrichs, features director



Doo.Over Dry Powder Finishing Hairspray, $28, Kevin Murphy.

A desktop fan

I keep a mini wind machine on my desk. You can plug this one into the back of your computer — it’ll do a good job of cooling you down and it’s bladeless design won’t chop up your cords. — Katie Underwood, associate editor



Breezie Tabletop Bladeless Fan, $19, Bed Bath & Beyond.

A deodorizing foot powder

I totally put Dr. Scholl's foot deodorant on my feet (and sometimes in my shoes) before slipping my heels on in the morning. I’m sure I’m not the only one in the world with stinky feet made worse by a summer commute. — Sarah Boesveld, senior writer



Dr. Scholl's Odour Destroyers All Day Foot Powder, $8, Well.ca.

A refreshing face mist

I cycle to to work and the key is to dress simply for the ride — I pack any outfit add-ons (blazer, neck scarf, etc.) in my bag and put them on when I get to the office. That usually does the trick, but on the super hot and humid days, when the AC just isn't cooling me down fast enough, I spritz myself with my new favourite facial mist: Farmacy Skin Dew. — Dominique Lamberton, associate editor



Farmacy Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray, $57, Sephora. 

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