Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to Avoid Foggy Glasses While Wearing a Face Mask

Wearing a face mask is a civic duty, despite inconveniences like maskne, slight discomfort, and of course, foggy glasses. What’s the cause of this hazy phenomenon? Think of it like a heated car on a cool evening, which leads to cloudy windows.

facemask glasses
Julian Wan/Unsplash

“When you have a poor seal on the top part of your mask, this allows vapor that you’re exhaling to condense onto your glasses causing them to fog,” Susan Bard, a dermatologist with Vive Dermatology, tells The Manual.

Recommended Videos

Pesky science, getting in the way of our vision. But fret not, fellow glasses-wearers. You don’t have to wear contact lenses or get Lasik eye surgery to be able to see clearly while wearing a face covering. We talked to Dr. Bard, along with other experts on how you can clear up your glasses once and for all.

Seal Your Face Mask

Not surprisingly, the best way to prevent cloudy glasses is through sealing your face mask to make sure your warm breath doesn’t reach your peepers. There are plenty of ways to do this. For example, you can apply scotch tape at the top of your mask to improve the seal.

Meanwhile Leann Poston, a pediatrician at Invigor Medical, says that if you have a cloth mask, take a length of fabric and fold it lengthwise, put either a pipe cleaner, twist tie, or florist wire inside the fold of your mask, then sew the fabric to the top of your mask. Then bend the wire so it follows the shape of your face.

“Another option is to fold a tissue and place it between the top of the mask and your skin to absorb the moisture in the air you breathe out,” Poston says.

Stick to Breathable Face Masks

Another way to keep heat from rising to your glasses is by using a breathable face mask. Stick to fabrics like cotton, linens, and bamboo.

Apply Shaving Cream or Soap

Put your favorite skincare products to work, particularly your shaving cream or soap, by applying them to your glasses, then wiping them off with a cloth. They create a thin film that buffers condensation, so your glasses will stay clear for a little while longer.

Adjust Your Glasses

“Another option to prevent foggy glasses is to pull your mask up under your glasses so your glasses sit on top of the mask,” says Dr. Poston. This way, the heat doesn’t get trapped behind your glasses, which can cloud them.

Use a Commercial Anti-Fog Spray

If you’re looking for a stronger solution, we recommend buying an anti-fog spray, and this one from Splaqua does what it says. Simply spray on your peepers, then wipe off with a dry cloth, and your glasses will be fog-free for hours.

And there you have it! Make sure to read up on our guides on how to remove scratches from your glasses, and choosing the best blue-light-blocking peepers.

Christian Gollayan
Former Former contributor
As the former Associate Managing Editor, Christian Gollayan was in charge of the entire editorial team across The Manual. He…
Style corner: How to wear a blazer with jeans
The best smart casual trick in your closet
Man in blazer and jeans looking down

Dress codes are the bane of our existence. So many of them are vague and indecipherable to the everyday man. But there are tricks you can implement into your wardrobe that will give you versatility and help you navigate the world of dress codes. One of the greatest tricks you can learn is to wear a blazer or sports coat with a good pair of jeans. Adding a sports coat will elevate your denim look and take you from casual to smart casual.

Swapping denim out for your dress pants with your sports coat will take you from business professional to smart casual. The combination of a blazer and jeans will be your number one trick in your wardrobe if you do it right. And here at The Manual, we are all about helping you do it right.
Wear it with a collared shirt

Read more
Style corner: How to wear brown pants
Elevate your boring brown pants to stylish
Man on a dock in a coat

Fall is the introduction of a blast of colors into the world. The green outdoors becomes a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Your wardrobe may be going the other way at times when you lose the bright hues of the summertime wardrobe to substitute the fall browns, grays, and blues. In particular, you may have found that your pant wardrobe is full of brown pants.

Whether they are wool, cotton, flannel, fleece lined, or corduroy, brown seems to be the color that is always on display during this time of year. While they may be in style, knowing how to wear brown pants is the best way to keep them from feeling stale and boring. Here is all you need to know to keep your brown pants (lighter beiges all the way to darker chocolates) stylish this fall.
Wear neutrals and earth tones

Read more
Style corner: How to wear black jeans
Mastering the men's style staple
Man in all denim outfit

Every man should have a good pair of jeans. They are his best friend, the one garment in his closet that will never let him down. When he is celebrating a victory, the jeans show off his best side at the party. They are in a comfort zone when he is down, keeping him safe and secure. For the same reason, every man must own a good pair of black jeans. They are a men's staple and are good all year round for dressed-up moments or casual engagements. But having a good pair and knowing how to wear black jeans are very different situations. If you wear them right, they will never do you wrong. If you fumble the jean, they can be your worst enemy. So, like always, we here at The Manual have the answers for you on what to wear with black jeans to ensure you are always on the right side of style when you're rocking black denim.

There are a few things you have to know first when it comes to black denim; here are some tips to lock into your memory before we dive into the right outfits:

Read more