Snorkel masks fog up because they are either dirty, brand new and have silicone grease on the glass, or moisture is getting inside. The best thing to do is clear the manufacturing residue off, thoroughly clean before every snorkeling adventure, and make sure the mask is dried and worn correctly.

Nobody wants to find themselves with a foggy mask during their snorkeling session. Suddenly, those beautiful sea creatures and sea life will look something of a mess, and you simply won’t get the best experience. Aside from a ruined snorkeling excursion, fogged-up lenses of any kind are downright annoying. So why do snorkel masks fog up and how can you stop it?

Struggling with a foggy snorkel mask is no fun and can really put a damper on your trip. But you are in luck, there are seven different efficient ways to get rid of the fogginess once and for all. I am going to discuss all the best ways to stop foggy flare-ups as well as some top-notch product suggestions that will leave your snorkel mask clear and ready for action. 

Why do Snorkel Masks Fog Up?

There are three reasons why your snorkel mask will fog up:

  1. It’s dirty. When leftover dirt and oils are left on the lens, then moisture will attach to it instantaneously, giving you that horrid foggy appearance. Aside from that, moisture will also attach to imperfections on the glass, so you should clean it every time before use.
  2. It’s new. You might think that a new snorkeling mask should be ready to go right after purchasing, but this simply is not the case (my break-in advice.) In fact, most snorkel masks will have a leftover residue, known as silicone grease, left on the glass. The silicone will attract moisture, which leads to fogginess. 
  3. Moisture is getting inside. We know that a dirty or brand-new snorkel mask will attract moisture, so the best thing to do (aside from a thorough cleaning) is to make sure that moisture does not get inside in the first place. Dry your snorkel mask thoroughly before wearing and wear it properly. Try to avoid removing the mask during the snorkel session. Try to not exhale through your nose.

7 Ways to Stop a Snorkeling Mask from Fogging Up

If you are struggling with fog in your snorkel mask, you have come to the right place. Here are my 7 tips and tricks to avoid this. Some of these tips and tricks are truly ingenious, and most will utilize materials you likely have on-hand, making these not only handy tricks but convenient ones, too. Let’s dive in:

Use Toothpaste on Your New Mask

When you purchase a new mask it will have leftover silicone coating from the manufacturer on the lens. If you do not remove this residue, then you will end up with fog. So what can you do to make sure your snorkel mask is cleaned from this unwanted coating?

One idea is to use the toothpaste trick for cleaning. With this cleaning method, you will need to do the following:

  1. Squirt a few drops of toothpaste onto the lens. Keep in mind that it needs to be paste, not gel. The toothpaste should also be ‘basic’, meaning there is no confetti, bleaching agents, or anything else that is razzle-dazzle as this can hurt the lens.
  2. Rub the toothpaste around with your fingertips. You can also use a small cloth. The goal is to do this gently. Pushing too hard, either with your fingertips or cloth, can also cause damage to the lens. Always be gentle during this process, but make sure the entirety of the mask is covered with toothpaste.
  3. Leave the toothpaste overnight. Leaving the toothpaste solution on the lens overnight will help to draw out any extra coating or residue. 
  4. If you can’t leave it on overnight, then perform the first 2 steps a few more times. If you are in a rush and the family is ready to leave for snorkeling in 20 minutes, then you won’t have time to leave toothpaste overnight. If this is the case, then simply repeat the first two steps. 
  5. Rinse the snorkel mask. When you have completed the toothpaste cleaning trick, you will need to clean the mask. Simply rinse it off with some water. If you are struggling to remove the toothpaste, use your fingertips or cloth to remove stubborn toothpaste.

Use Fire on Your New Mask

For the best overall results, use the flame trick to clean off the residue from your new snorkel mask. This is the best way to clean off the manufacturer’s leftover coating, but not everyone feels comfortable around flames- even small ones. If that is the case, stick to the toothpaste remedy. FWIW, my wife uses this method while I use toothpaste and a good defogger.

If you’re all for using fire to ignite the coating right off your snorkel mask, then all you need to do is this the following:

  1. Run the tip of a flame (from a lighter or tapered candle) over the entirety of the lens. Continue to do so until the lens turns completely black. Don’t be nervous during this part! Letting your snorkel mask lens turn black is okay, but once it is black, do not continue to run the flame over it. 
  2. Once the glass is black, wait for the lens to cool off completely. You do not want to burn yourself during this process. 
  3. Once cooled, use a cloth to wipe away the soot on the lens. 
  4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until the glass no longer turns black. That’s right- you are going to continue to burn the snorkel mask lens until it becomes difficult to turn the lens black. This is an indicator that there is no longer any type of residue coating the lens.

Tip: You should never allow the glass to become too hot. Once it is black, remove the flame from that section entirely, otherwise, it could damage or break the glass. You should also never use this trick on any type of plastic lens as they will automatically burn. Lastly, take care to keep the flame far away from the silicone skirt of the snorkel mask, as they can melt.

Clean Using Your Spit

Most people don’t think of using their spit as a cleaning solution, especially in something that is going to be attached to their faces. But it works. All you need to do is spit on the glass, rinse it (without using your fingers), and empty. Your fog problem is fixed. I used only this method for my scuba mask for years before I learned the toothpaste method above.

This is one of the best options for when you are out on the ocean and do not have access to your usual cleaning products. Think about it- your go-to anti-fog spray is not likely to be hiding somewhere in your bathing suit, so you will need to find an alternative. And while you shouldn’t remove your snorkel mask in the first place, sometimes you have to.

When this happens, you are likely going to run into some unwanted fog. Well, utilize your spit once more. Spit in the snorkel mask, dip into the seawater and swirl it around a bit before emptying. Don’t put too much saltwater, though, as this can have the opposite effect and create more obstruction to your snorkel mask.

Tip: While utilizing your spit for cleaning is a wonderful choice, you should refrain from trying to use your breath as a cleaner. While this might work on your reading glasses, it will not work for your snorkel glass. Breathing into your snorkel mask, in general, is a bad idea as it adds moisture, which we know now leads to fog.

Clean Using Baby Shampoo

Baby shampoo is an excellent option for keeping your snorkel mask fog-free. The benefit to using baby shampoo is that it is relatively cheap (you can find baby shampoo at dollar stores), and they are hypo-allergenic and biodegradable. This means that they won’t cause any irritation to your eyes and will not leave any unwanted residue on the lens.

To use baby shampoo, all you will need to do is squirt a few drops onto the lens, rub all over, using your fingertips, and rinse with fresh water. Remember- just like any other cleaning agent, you do not want to rub the baby shampoo off entirely, or else you will lose the anti-fog coating.

Clean Using a Potato

This method might be hit or miss, but if you have a potato in your pantry that has seen better days, then why not give it a shot? All you need to do is cut a potato and use the inside to rub against your snorkel mask lens. Give it a quick rinse in some fresh water and that’s it! The potato should work as an anti-fogging agent to keep your mask clear and clean while snorkeling.

Use an Anti-Fog Product

If you prefer to use commercial products, then you will be happy to know that there are many commercial products for keeping your snorkel mask from fogging up. These products are specifically designed to coat the mask with an anti-fogging agent that you can feel confident in. 

Most anti-fog products work the same way- you will place a few drops of the product directly on the snorkel mask lens. Then, dunk the snorkel mask in a bit of fresh water (not salt water) to rinse ever-so-slightly. Don’t wipe off afterward, though, as you want enough of the product to stay on the lens in order to work properly.

There are several different anti-fog products specifically designed for snorkel masks. At the end of the article we will discuss the top 3 products on the market to help make your decision easier. If you are sure you will be using an anti-fog product, go ahead and jump ahead!

Wear the Mask Properly

When it comes to wearing your mask properly, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you should always dry off your face and the snorkel mask before wearing it. Any leftover moisture can quickly (and easily) lead to fogs when you are out in the water. Be diligent when drying off your face. Your snorkel mask can simply be shaken to remove any extra water droplets. 

Make sure that your snorkel mask has a good seal. Not only will lack of a seal produce unwanted fogginess, but it can also allow water to enter altogether. This will lead to a lack of visibility and irritated eyes as they come in contact with the saltwater. Therefore, pay extra close attention that the snorkel mask is thoroughly sealed all the way around.

Try not to remove your snorkel mask while snorkeling. Removing the snorkel mask will make it susceptible to dirt and grime or moisture that will lead to fogginess when you reapply the mask.

Conclusion

A fogged up snorkel mask is an easy way to foul up your snorkeling adventure. Using the right tips and tricks will prevent this issue. Whether you utilize toothpaste, baby shampoo, anti-fog spray, or even your own spit, you can feel confident that your cleaning solutions will leave you with a fog-free trip that leads to endless memories. 

Tim started boating in 1974. He has been involved in recreational boating continuously since then. The doctor has been active in boating and watersports safety education for decades.

He rode his first jet ski in 1997, and rejoined the personal watercraft arena in 2012 with a Sea-Doo GTX 155, followed by 2 supercharged SeaDoos. Scuba certification came in 1988, and he and the family have traveled the world snorkeling and scuba diving for decades. The family has recently taken up paddle boarding, with wakeboards and kitesurfing the next challenges for my adult kids. See the About page for more.