The 5 Best Personal Fans Keep Me Cool Even During a Heat Wave

Because sweaty girls know the struggle.

a woman with dark hair in a yellow bikini top holding a yellow fan against the sun and sky background
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

a black woman with dark hair in a white t-shirt and glasses holding a red personal fan

Beauty Writer Ariel Baker is a fan of the Shark Beauty Shark Chillpill 3-In-1 Personal Cooling System.

(Image credit: Ariel Baker)

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.

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Meet the Expert

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Dr. Kseniya Kobets

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
Beauty Director

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.