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If you put your glasses on with the mask before you leave the house, there is a high chance that you will have a hazy journey. Whether you’re just taking your dog for a walk on a cold day or carrying your purchases to the front door, when your glasses fog up, it’s not just annoying enough to make you want to take them off – it can be beautiful It’s too risky if you don’t you can see where you’re going, not to mention it can make your vision even worse than without your prescription.
But why exactly does this happen in the first place? “The short answer: condensation,” explains Danielle Richardson, optometrist and director of clinical care for Zak’s West Coast in Los Angeles. “When the hot air hits a cold surface (the lens), condensation forms.” In other words, when you step outside in the winter, your breathing makes it harder for you to see. The good news: there are a few simple things you can do to make the world not look so confused.
How to prevent glasses from fogging up when wearing a face mask
If you are looking for the best facial mask to wear with glasses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today still require the use of masks that fit as closely as possible and include at least two layers of fabric. And if you are going to wear glasses with your mask, the CDC advises you to choose an option that “is very close to the nose or has a wire to limit fogging”.
Everything seems very simple, but it can still be a challenge to protect your mask so that your glasses don’t look like you just got out of the shower. Fortunately, more brands are launching masks that aim to give you a clearer view when you are wearing glasses, and there are specific features to note when you are buying one. It all comes down to how it fits in your face.
“The best type of mask to wear is one with a tight seal on the bridge of the nose,” says Dr. Richardson. “This can be done with a metal wire or other structure in the mask and / or adjustable ear straps.”
Look for masks with a flexible seal, which you can fold and shape to fit the contours of your nose. This will help you better frame your features and touch your face, eliminating the air pockets that usually cause mist and condensation when you breathe. You may also want to consider a good KN95 mask or a duckbill-style mask, which is away from your mouth, to direct your breathing front on the filter, instead of trapping it in the mask or directing your breath upward, where your glasses can fog up.
In addition to looking for the right mask features, there are a few things you can do that don’t have much to do with your mask, such as choosing the frames that fit correctly. “The best thing to do is make sure your glasses fit properly on your face and are adjusted correctly,” notes Dr. Richardson. “You will want to avoid styles in which the lenses touch your cheeks and instead choose styles that allow air to circulate. When glasses placed on the cheeks are unavoidable, I recommend that patients adjust their masks around the nose and cheeks and allow the lenses rest in the shade, instead of the face. “
Meanwhile, in addition to the best-fitting face masks, companies have launched other products to help prevent lens fogging, including Warby Parker, which sells a spray bottle for anti-fog lenses that you can also use to clean lenses.
What are the best face masks to buy if you wear glasses?
With this expert advice in mind, we’ve chosen some of the best face masks to wear with your glasses, to help you avoid a blurry walk in the process.
KN95 face mask for public goods
Public goods
If you are looking for a KN95 protective mask to wear with your glasses, consider this one from Public Goods, which you can buy in packs of 10. The Public Goods mask offers up to 95 percent filtration with a mechanical filter, according to the company, along with five layers of defense per mask. Each has a nose clip to help ensure that there is not much extra space between the face and the mask.
Public goods facial mask KN95 (pack of 10), $ 44, available in public goods
Large self-cleaning gray mask är logo
air
Our editors have tested är’s stylish face masks and recommend wearing them with glasses. You can get it with or without the exhalation valve and it comes with the company’s three-layer Nanofilter.
är Big logo Gray Self-cleaning face mask, $ 29.90, available at Concept är
Solid cotton masks with 5 units The Tie Bar
The Tie Bar
The company that sells some of your favorite ties and shirts now creates two-layer cotton masks that you can wear with any outfit. And with its built-in wire, this especially includes your glasses. This pack is machine washable and the masks come in one size.
The Tie Bar Cotton Solid Masks (5-pack), $ 30, available at The Tie Bar
WWDOLL KN95 face mask (pack of 25)
Amazon
These FDA-approved KN95 masks from the WWDOLL brand are not reusable like some of the other options on this list, but feature a convenient nasal clip and five layers to help filter out harmful particles. You can buy them in packs of 25 and 50 packs. They fit well on your face and allow you to wear your glasses over your mask comfortably.
WWDOLL KN95 face mask (pack of 25), $ 49.74, available on Amazon
Bonobos Riviera face mask
Bonobos
From houndstooth to a red checkered floral pattern, you’ll have no trouble finding a stylish mask at Bonobos. This machine washable Riviera model can accommodate a filter and has a double layer of cotton with a wire for better fit of the mask over the nose. Instead of earmuffs, Bonobos increased comfort and designed the mask straps to cover his head and neck, closing the gaps that can often lead to condensation and fogged glass.
Bonobos Riviera Face Mask (3-Pack), $ 25, available from Bonobos
Huckberry triple face mask (2 units)
Huckberry
Available in three colors, Huckberry’s own fabric masks contain a blend of polyester and cotton and feature elastic ear loops so you always have a secure fit. You can clean it in the washing machine and modify the bridge of the nose to make it more comfortable with your frames.
Huckberry Tri-fold Woven Face Mask (2-pack), $ 18, available from Huckberry
Bilio Facial Mask
Huckberry
Anyone with an eyeglass prescription should know about Bilio’s mask. When you use it, the “nose bead” provides a tighter fit, so you shouldn’t have to remove your glasses just to see what’s in front of you. The durable fabric is a mix of recycled polyester and silver thread, and the company says it should fit even better the more you use it. It is currently available in small / medium and large / extra large sizes and in three colors, including sage, onyx and dove.
Bilio Face Mask, $ 38, available at Huckberry
Under Armor Sportsmask
Under Armor
If you are exercising outdoors and wearing your glasses, try one of our best facial masks, such as the Under Armor Sports Mask, which can be adjusted to better fit your nose. Your fabric will help protect your face from sunlight, and you can buy it in five different sizes. The brand until recently designed it on the new ColdGear Mock long sleeve shirt. At the moment, Under Armor has an agreement that you can get two for $ 40, so you’ll always have a clean mask ready to wear when you’re ready for your next run.
Under Armor Sportsmask Face mask, 2 for $ 40 or $ 30 each, available from Under Armor
Classic fitted face mask from Herschel Supply Company
Herschel
From its elegant line of backpacks to its durable handbags and laptop bags, Herschel has a large stock of essential accessories. And now you can even choose the company’s face masks that fit closest to your nose. In addition to the fitted features, including smart ear loops that you can easily tighten or loosen, we like the brand to make eight versions of this mask, from an elegant stripe design made from coat to camouflage and more.
Classic fitted face mask from Herschel Supply Company, $ 14.99, available from Herschel
Face mask kit for essential outdoor research
KING
Outdoor Research Essential Facial Mask has a wire and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use, thanks to its polyester fabric, which can also absorb sweat. With the kit, you will receive your mask, three disposable filters and a carrying bag, so you don’t have to worry about dropping it on the floor.
$ 20 Outdoor Research Essential face mask kit, available from REI
Cotopaxi face mask
Cotopaxi
Available in packs of three or five and a ton of fun and unique color combinations, the Cotopaxi face mask includes a nasal wire along with two layers of woven cotton, so you’re ready when you’re out camping, in the store and anywhere another place. Cotopaxi says that if you buy one of its masks, the company will donate a mask to the non-profit organization Mercy Corps.