Surviving the Scorching Korean Summer: My Go-To Cooling Essentials
I used to be someone who barely broke a sweat, but somehow, I gained weight, and over the past few years, my body drastically changed. Now, I sweat like crazy during the summer.
To be honest, the weather has become unbearably hot, making my daily commute a real struggle.
This constant battle against uncontrollable sweating and heat makes every summer miserable.
It's gotten to the point where arriving at the office feeling fresh and clean after my commute is impossible, as I'm already drenched in sweat.
No matter what I try, I've never managed to have a sweat-free commute.
How did I end up like this? But honestly, the weather is just too much. I even bought a handheld fan, something I never used to do, no matter how hot it was. And even with the fan, it's barely enough to cool me down.
On sunny days, I'm drenched in sweat because of the intense heat. During the rainy season, the combination of rain and humidity makes me sweat even more.
Spring and fall seem to be getting shorter, while summer keeps dragging on. It's exhausting, and I feel like my overall efficiency is plummeting.
So, I decided to share some items that, while not perfect, can at least help me cool down and maintain a somewhat pleasant state, even if just for a short while.
I hope these can be helpful for those who are also sensitive to the heat like me!
I discovered Biore Sarasara Powder Sheets during a trip to Tokyo several years ago, and it was a game-changer.
Back then, there weren't as many scents or types available, so my options were limited. Also, these powder sheets weren't available in Korea at the time, so I was so surprised at how they came up with this idea.
Now, there are many cooling and powder sheets available in Korea, but personally, I find the artificial powder scent too strong, so I rarely buy them unless I'm desperate.
After that, they became a must-buy item on every trip to Japan. Nowadays, there's a wide variety of scents and uses to choose from.
There are so many options like soap scent, flash-freeze sheets, floral, peach scent, zero, etc.
As always, the scent isn't overpowering, and the finish is smooth and not sticky at all. Even if I go to Japan in the winter, I always buy some. It's still an item that I've been using for many years!
During a short trip to Fukuoka recently, I realized that while I still love the Biore sheets, I'm only using the same type.
So, I decided to try the Gatsby Ice-Type Body Paper, and wow...
While Biore has a refreshing feeling, Gatsby has an intense cooling sensation.
So, I use Biore sheets for on-the-go situations, and I keep the Gatsby sheets at the office.
If you're looking for a strong cooling effect, Gatsby is definitely better than Biore.
My commute from home to work is quite long. I have to transfer between the subway and bus twice, and then walk from the station to the office. By the time I start my work day, I'm already exhausted from the heat, my makeup is ruined, and my face and body are covered in sweat.
If you enjoy a super cool, almost tingling sensation, I highly recommend it!
This time, it was Gatsby Crazy Cool Spray that I purchased in Fukuoka.
The name says it all. Since I was already impressed by Gatsby's cooling wipes, I didn't have any doubts about the spray.
The spray isn't quite a mist, which is a bit of a shame...
But after spraying it, the tingling sensation down my back is incredibly powerful.
So, I spray it on my back before walking to the bus stop on my way to work.
Waiting for the bus with that tingling feeling definitely helps me forget about the heat for a little while.
It's only a 6-7 minute walk from my house to the bus stop, but on days like these, distance doesn't matter.
I start sweating as soon as I step outside... But I can definitely feel the difference between spraying this on and not.
I only knew about Biore's Sarasara sheets and cool spray, but it seems like they came out with a cooling towel.
Or maybe it's been out for a while and I'm just discovering it now because I haven't been out shopping in a while...?
They had two lengths available, and I bought one of each.
The 92cm one seems like a good length for the back or waist, while the 46cm one seems perfect for the neck.
I bought them with the intention of using them when I go on trips rather than for everyday use, so I haven't tried them yet.
But since I was satisfied with the Biore sheets, I'm sure it will do a good job of keeping me feeling refreshed.
This summer has been so hot that I've barely left the house except for work, and I even skipped my vacation this year.
So... I might not be able to see their true potential until next year?
I wasn't really interested in handheld fans, but I started to wonder if they could help me escape the heat even a little bit.
There are so many different kinds of handheld fans, and I didn't know which one to buy.
I saw Turtle Izumi recommending the JAJU handheld fan, so I trusted her pick and bought it!
I was curious about what made cooling fans different from regular handheld fans, but I don't have any experience with regular handheld fans, so I don't really know the difference.
I can't really feel the cooling effect.
I'm not sure if the cooling function isn't working properly or if it's just too hot for me to notice.
Still, it seems to have about 3 levels of wind speed, and the wind power is pretty strong for such a small device.
After the Gatsby sheets, this is the best cooling item I've bought this year!
I saw it on Cha Jung-won's YouTube channel and was drawn to buy it out of curiosity.
I usually keep most of my cosmetics in the refrigerator, but this product is meant to be kept in the freezer.
The formula is contained in a patented container, so it doesn't freeze even when you put the cream in the freezer.
When you squeeze out the formula through the applicator and gently roll it on your face, you can enjoy both cooling and massage at the same time.
As you can see in the picture, that applicator is so cool.
It also claims to maintain moisture for 72 hours and help with lifting, so I've been using it every day to reduce puffiness.
It goes on smoothly, and I think it will be my go-to item for surviving the hot summer for a while.
I don't usually use toner in my skincare routine; I usually apply essence right after using toner pads.
I've tried toner pads from so many brands.
A few years ago, I was influenced by a YouTube recommendation and bought the Cell Fusion C Post Alpha Cooling Pad, and I've been using it ever since.
I usually rotate between toner pads from different brands, but I always have this on hand for the peak of summer or when I really need to cool down my face.
I can feel the immediate cooling effect even without putting it in the refrigerator.
So, I stock up on it whenever there's an Olive Young sale, and I think I've used over 7 containers so far.
It seems like the packaging has been updated, but I personally like the older design better. It also stands out more from the Cica line!
I'm currently using the Cica line, but I personally think the original is better.
It feels even cooler.
I've also used the same line of sheet masks a lot, and I highly recommend the Cell Fusion C Post Alpha line for cooling.
I've recommended it to a lot of my friends, and I hope they're enjoying it. I highly recommend it!
As someone who really struggles with summer, I'm always searching for new cooling items to improve my quality of life. Thanks to these products, I think I've been able to endure the heat a little better.
When I'm dripping with sweat, I can't help but wonder if I'm the only one suffering from the heat every summer. I really hate going outside.
I hope more and more improved products will come out in the future. For people like me!
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