How to Avoid Fogging Up Your Glasses While Wearing a Face Mask

I've been wearing glasses for so long that they've basically become part of who I am. And while I do love my glasses, that doesn't mean they don't get in the way sometimes. Perhaps the biggest inconvenience is during the winter months. If you wear glasses, you know what I'm talking about. You walk into a warm building and are immediately bombarded by a wave of hot air fogging up your glasses, and no matter how many times you try to clean them, they fog right back up. And now this summer, it's face masks.

Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, starting on 15 June, it will be mandatory to wear face masks while riding public transport in England. While many popular retailers have started selling comfortable face masks, those of us who wear glasses are dealing with the small but annoying obstacle of our glasses fogging up while doing so.

To prevent this, there are a few steps you can take:

• Make sure your mask is tightly secured around your ears. If your mask ties around your head, make sure it's tied firmly so it doesn't loosen. A loose mask means more air will be circulating, thus a greater chance of hot air (AKA your breath) fogging up your glasses.
• Position your mask so it's a few inches below your eyes, but still covers a majority of the bridge of your nose. Some masks include a metal band at the top, so adjust this so it's in a position that won't slide down your nose. Then, put your glasses on over your mask; the nose pads of your glasses should be resting on your mask. Not only does this help keep your mask sturdy in place, it also seals off any hot air that might be trying to escape from inside the mask up into your glasses.

If you find that your store-bought mask isn't giving you enough room, fabric, or flexibility to work with, try making your own face mask at home.