The 5 Best Personal Fans Keep Me Cool Even During a Heat Wave
Because sweaty girls know the struggle.
It's hot outside, y'all. I just walked back inside from grabbing an afternoon latte, and even a stroll down the block (between two steaming subway grates, mind you) was enough to make me feel a human ice cream cone melting into the sidewalk. Even with my work bag stacked with cooling products, like hydrating face mists and cryotherapy tools (yes, I'm that girl) I'm finding that I need a little extra help to keep from sweating through my linen shirt and long shorts. Any babes that tend to run hot know the struggle. That's why I've decided to add a personal fan to my essentials list during the summer, and luckily, there are some incredibly chic options on the market right now; the kind that doesn't immediately scream "I'm on a family vacation to Disney World."
"I think people often underestimate how much heat itself, separate from UV light, can drive inflammation and skin dysfunction,” Kseniya Kobets, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, previously told Marie Claire. "“When skin overheats, blood vessels dilate, which increases redness, flushing, swelling, and can worsen conditions like rosacea, melasma, acne, eczema, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and allergy reactions.” Obviously, none of those heat-related issues are enjoyable, aside from just the pure discomfort of being outside in extremely high temperatures.
Beauty Writer Ariel Baker is a fan of the Shark Beauty Shark Chillpill 3-In-1 Personal Cooling System.
So, if you're also experiencing a relentless heat wave wherever you are in the world (Europe, you're in my thoughts) I highly suggest scrolling through the five best personal fans to help you survive the boiling temps without wasting away in a pool of sweat. These, plus a healthy dose of full-body deodorant, should be enough to get you through the summer heat in style.
Shop the Five Best Personal Fans
With turbo-charged air flow for powerful yet quiet evaporative cooling, this high-tech fan can we worn around your neck without sounding like you're on the sidelines of your kid's soccer game. The precision nozzle is also adjustable so you can get the exact air flow you crave on the street, in the train, or wherever you find yourself becoming a little too sweaty.
There are three functions in one with this personal fan: the fan itself, an InstaChill cooling plate, and a dry-touch mist. The fan has ten speeds so you can customize your cooling, and with an adjustable base you can set it up like you have your own personal cooling tent at Coachella.
For my hands-free or bust babes, this portable neck fan mimics the look of over-ear headphones while keeping you cool on the go. Four speeds and eight colorways will allow you to banish sweat and coordinate your fan to your summer outfit like a pro.
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Meet the Expert

Dr. Kseniya Kobets is a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in NYC.
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Hannah Baxter is the Beauty Director at Marie Claire. She has previously held roles at The Zoe Report, Coveteur, and Bust Magazine, covering beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She authors the Marie Claire newsletter Face Forward. Her writing has appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Allure, The Cut, Elle, InStyle, Glamour, Air Mail, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Byrdie, Nylon and more.
She is also the founder of Anxiety Beer, a weekly newsletter about the intersection of culture and mental health. In her spare time you can catch her reading too many overdue library books, thrifting, or hanging with her hairless cat, Norman. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @hannahbaxward.