How to Wear a Face Mask and Not Fog Glasses

Glasses wearer can plainly see (or not) that wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 causes lens to fog up.

While taking off your glasses and wiping them down is a simple enough solution in most circumstances, this isn't necessarily the best move if you're outdoors in the middle of a pandemic.

So, what's a bespeckled citizen to do? Luckily, there are a few simple tips to keep glasses from fogging up while wearing a face mask or covering.

Tighten the seal at the top of your mask

• Glasses fog up while you're wearing a face mask because the mask redirects your breath upwards, rather than forwards, forming droplets on the lenses that condense and fog your lenses up.
• To prevent this, a tighter seal on the top of the mask can reduce the amount of breath that releases droplets onto your lenses, reducing fogging.
• A nose clip, built-in-metal wire on some masks, or a bit of tape adhered to your mask can all be used to tighten your mask's seal.

Add tissues to the inside of your mask

• Adding folded tissues to the inside top of your face mask or covering can absorb warm droplets from your breath, also reducing fogging. (Editor's Note: This is what I do. It works better than I expected.)
• If you go this route, remember to dispose of the tissues after each use.

Use a commercial anti-fog spray

• Anti-fog sprays used for swimmers' or divers' goggles can also be used on glasses.
• Some anti-fog sprays can cause irritation, so be sure to research non-irritating sprays before purchase.
• If an anti-fog spray causes irritation, discontinue use immediately.

Share these tips with your glasses-wearing friends to help them stay safe and clear-sighted during the pandemic. And if you're found an effective way to stop your lenses from fogging while wearing a mask, share your tips in the comments below (or patent it).

—Lorelei Yang

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / freemixer)