The UK heatwave is coming – 8 cooling essentials to buy before the weekend

3 weeks ago 1

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Handheld fan, sunglasses, water bottle. facial spray
Keep your cool with these handy items this week, and into the weekend! (Picture: Metro/Getty)

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In case you’ve been living under a rock, the UK is set to experience a heatwave this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 28 degrees. 

While we can’t wait for the temperatures to rise, enjoy a picnic in the park or drinks in the pub garden, we’d be remiss to ignore that the UK can be quite uncomfortable when it gets hot. 

From sweaty tube carriages to sticky bed sheets, lukewarm tap water and houses built to retain heat, a heatwave can sometimes involve terrible sleep, multiple cold showers a day, and a whole lot of misery. 

So, given we have some notice it’s coming, there are a few ways you can prepare to stay cool and not break a sweat this weekend. 

We’ve rounded up the products below that will improve your comfort, sleep quality, and skin health without breaking the bank. 

Our guide spans cooling gel pillow inserts, handheld fans, redness-reducing face mists and SPFs that won’t leave you sticky. 

It’s worth snapping them up now before the temperatures rise, and while they’re still in stock – fans always sell out in the UK when a heatwave is around the corner. 

Here’s what to shop ahead of the heatwave

Black fan in ice

AliExpress Handheld Fan

Do not leave your house without a fan, especially if you’re planning to get onto public transport. Compact enough to fit into your handbag or keep by your bedside, it has five speeds, comes with a wrist strap, and offers 100 levels to choose from, so you can blast yourself cool or pick a light breeze to stop you from sweating your way through the weekend.

Buy now for £3.20 (was £11.41)
Pink reuseable water bottle

Chilly’s Series 3 Water Bottle

Steering clear of dehydration headaches is essential when it’s hot. Chilly's has long been the gold standard of reusable bottles, and its new Series 3 left our shopping contributor Louise Whitbread impressed! In short, however, it’s entirely leak-proof, has a twist-up, spill-proof lid and keeps drinks cold for 24 hours.

Buy Now for £32
Silentnight Restore Cooling Pillow Pad

Silentnight Restore Cooling Pillow Pad

If you struggle to sleep when it’s hot, this cooling gel pillow pad could be the answer to a decent night’s sleep. Simply pop it into your pillow case (with your pillow) and keep night sweats at bay. If you want to dial up the cooling effect, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.

Buy Now for £8
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

If you’re prone to redness, skin irritation or rosacea, a heatwave can cause flare-ups if you’re not careful. A liberal spritz of this mist will soothe, calm, and help reduce redness while providing a refreshing boost throughout the day.

Buy Now for £10.50
Simba Cool Linen Bedding Bundle

Simba Cool Linen Bedding Bundle

If you’ve been in the market for a new bedding set, this cool linen bundle from Simba’s new range will serve you well in the summer months. Made from a blend of linen and tencel fibres, it’s heat-regulating and moisture-quicking, to prevent you waking up in a sweaty mess and keep you comfortable when temperatures climb. The bundle includes a duvet cover, a pair of pillowcases and a fitted sheet, but you can also buy the individual items too if you just want a quick refresh rather than a complete bedding overhaul. 

Buy Now from £389
E45 Sensitive Sun Face Cream SPF50+ for Dry & Sensitive Skin

E45 Sensitive Sun Face Cream SPF50+ for Dry & Sensitive Skin

Make sure you’re diligent with your SPF during this heatwave to avoid skin damage. This sensitive-skin-friendly one is ideal if you’re on the drier side. It’s also safe for eczema-prone skin, has a radiant but not overly glowy finish and has a fast-absorbing texture. It ticks every box.

Buy Now for £12.99
M&S Round Mask Sunglasses

M&S Round Mask Sunglasses

Sunglasses in the sunshine? A no-brainer. This affordable pair from M&S looks designer without the price tag, complete with UV-protective lenses. 

Buy Now for £16
Pink can of setting spray

One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray

If you have a wedding to attend, plans to be in the pub garden all weekend or have a dinner date you can’t miss, don’t let your carefully applied makeup slide off with sweat in the heatwave. Instead, reach for this setting spray that will keep your skin looking fresh all day long – in fact, it’s formulated to give up to 16 hours of wear time. 

Buy Now for £22

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