The 11 Best Ways to Keep Glasses from Fogging up with a Mask

Co-authored by David Felsted, DO and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: January 13, 2023 References

Wearing a mask is the new normal, but what are you supposed to do when it fogs up your glasses and makes it hard to see? If you’re tired of wiping your glasses or waiting for the fog to disappear, it’s really easy for you to prevent them from clouding up. Scroll down for all of the best tips and tricks to keep your lenses looking clean and clear!

1

Pull your mask over the bridge of your nose.

Wearing your mask higher up on your nose directs the air down. Take the top of your mask and pull it up as high as it can go on your nose. Set your glasses on top of your mask on the bridge of your nose to hold it in place. Now your breath won’t be able to escape through the top of your mask.^{[1]
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- If your mask doesn’t reach up to the bridge of your nose, consider buying a bigger one that gives you better coverage.

2

Shape the nose wire tight against your face.

A tight-fitting mask keeps any warm air from leaking out. Many masks have a bendable metal nose wire so you can fit it better to your nose. Squeeze the top edge of the mask against the bridge of your nose and press it tightly against your face.^{[2]
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- If your mask doesn’t have a nose wire, you shape the top of the mask with a pipe cleaner or attach an adhesive nose wire.
- A mask fitter or brace that sits on top of your mask also keeps it tight against your face.

3

Tighten the ear loops.

You’re less likely to fog up your glasses with a more secure mask. If you can feel air escaping through the top or sides of your mask, adjust the ear loops so your mask presses against your face. If you have a tied mask, tighten the knot. If you only have ear loops, try wrapping them around your ear twice to pull the mask tighter.^{[3]
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- If your mask has a set of upper and lower ties, loop the upper ties below your ear and the lower ties above your ear for a tighter fit.

4

Breathe out through your nose.

Exhaling through your nose directs the air downward. Close your mouth while you’re breathing since it could direct air back up through the top of your mask. Keep your upper lip directly over your lower lip so the air goes straight down when you exhale.^{[4]
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5

Push your glasses lower on your nose.

Moving your glasses over your mask gives the air more room to escape. Gently slide your glasses a little further down your nose while you’re wearing your mask. Stop moving them as soon as you don’t see any more fog on the lenses. Make sure the glasses don’t slip off of your face when you let them go.^{[5]
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- Attach a strap to the arms of your glasses so they won’t fall down.
- Wearing your glasses lower could slightly affect how you see through your lenses. If you have a strong prescription, you may want to try a different fix.

6

Warm your glasses up.

Your lenses will fog up more if they’re cold. Before you need to wear your mask, put on your glasses or keep them in your pocket so they can warm up for a little while. Once they’re warmed up, put your mask on tightly so they stay clear.^{[6]
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7

Fold a tissue under your mask.

Tissues trap the warm air before it can fog up your glasses. Take any tissue and fold it into a small square. Tuck the tissue underneath your mask near the bridge of your nose. Make sure the top of your mask still fits tightly so the air has to pass through the tissue.^{[7]
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- If your mask still fits loosely, then the warm air might move around the tissue.

8

Tape your mask to the bridge of your nose.

Athletic tape seals the gap between the top of your mask and your skin. Place a strip of athletic tape on the bridge of your nose where you want your mask to sit. Put on your mask and press the top edge tightly against the tape so it stays put.^{[8]
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- Avoid using any masking or duct tape since the adhesive could irritate your skin.

9

Clean your glasses with soapy water.

Hand soap creates a film on your lenses that keeps them clear. Mix a pump of liquid hand soap with some warm water, and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe your glasses. Dry your glasses with another cloth or let them air-dry before wearing them.^{[9]
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- Cleaning your glasses with baby shampoo, toothpaste, or shaving cream could damage the lenses, so stick with mild hand soap.

10

Apply an anti-fog spray.

Anti-fog sprays put a protective coat over your lenses. Open your anti-fog spray and spritz a few drops onto your glasses. Use a glasses cleaning cloth to gently wipe the solution over the lenses.^{[10]
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- You can also buy anti-fog wipes if you don’t want to use a spray.

11

Have your glasses professionally fitted.

A proper fit ensures your glasses are in the best position. If you’re still having issues no matter what you try, talk to an optometrist about the problem. When you go in for your appointment, bring your glasses and a mask so your optometrist can make the proper adjustments to the fit.^{[12]
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- This is especially important if you have prescription bifocal or varifocal lenses since they need to sit in a certain spot to help you see.
- Ask your optometrist about getting anti-fog lenses for your glasses since they have a special coating that prevents moisture from sticking on them.

Warnings

Avoid using home remedies like toothpaste, hand sanitizer, saliva, baby shampoo, shaving cream, or vinegar on your glasses since they could damage the protective coating on your lenses.^{[14]
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