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How to stop glasses fogging up when you're wearing a face mask

Tips for dealing with the infuriating side effect.

Getting used to wearing face masks can take some time. They can be hot and uncomfortable, while the straps can irritate skin around the ears. But spare a thought for those who wear glasses, because on top of that list of annoyances they can add another: fogged lenses.

Vision is obscured within moments of putting the mask on, which is not only frustrating but unsafe, too. However, spectacle wearers can take steps to prevent this from happening.

Sitting your glasses over the mask can make a difference. (Gryffn_m/Unsplash)

As Jillian Evans of NHS Grampian explained on Mornings, the fogging occurs when warm breath is directed towards the cold lenses.

"One tip is to put your glasses in soapy water and let them dry out by themselves, suggested Jillian. "This creates a thin anti-fog layer on the lens."

If this doesn't work, or sounds as if it may smear your specs, another option is to rub the lenses with anti-mist wipes which can be bought from opticians and chemists.

Gillian advises that focusing on the position of the mask may also help as this can stem the flow of warm air reaching the lenses.

"You’ve got to try and make the mask as tight as you possibly can around the bridge of your nose," said Jillian.

"Play about with your glasses and try and sit them just on the mask."

But if none of that works for you, Jillian has one final option.

"You could just wait for five minutes. As the lens warms up the fog disappears. You can try and put up with it, if you’ve got the patience to do so."