How to Keep a Snorkel Mask From Fogging: A Snorkel Expert’s Tips

Here’s the deal: condensation happens when warm air hits the cooler mask lens, creating tiny water droplets.

And the dirt and oils on the lens give those droplets something to cling to.

So, step one? A clean lens is your best friend.

I learned this the hard way during my first snorkeling trip to Maui when I spent half my time clearing fog instead of enjoying the turtles gliding past me at Black Rock.

Yep, that’s me in the photo above. Foggy mask and all.

Over the years, I’ve tested many tricks in the book except the last one I’m going to share, which is the “burning technique.”

I’ve included it though because other experienced snorkelers and divers vouch for it.

Here’s what works:

Toothpaste Trick

Gently scrub a non-gel toothpaste (think basic Colgate) on the outside and inside lens with a new soft toothbrush (no fingers) for a good 5 minutes in a circular motion.

Make sure to get into those difficult corners of the mask next to the seal. The silica in the toothpaste will work its magic to remove the factory silicone residue that loves to attract fog. 

Rinse the mask (and all those little corners) with warm water and dry thoroughly. 

Repeat this process several times with a new mask.

Some snorkelers will even carry a travel-sized toothpaste with them on their trip to periodically clean their mask.

Skip the toothpaste trick though if your mask already has an anti-fog coating to avoid any scratches. Always read your mask’s instructions before you do the toothpaste trick because some masks have been pre-treated or do not have the silicone film.

Baby Shampoo Hack

For the first few washes on a new mask, I use toothpaste to get rid of the silicone residue.

After that, I stick to good old baby shampoo for all future cleanings. Just squirt a little onto your mask, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, and rinse with warm water.

I’ve been using this baby shampoo trick for years!

Burn It Off (Yes, Really)

Some snorkelers swear by using a lighter to gently burn off the silicone residue from a new glass mask.

Do not try this though with a plastic lens unless you enjoy melted disasters.

The trick is to hold the mask horizontally and carefully pass just the tip of the flame over the glass (avoiding the silicone skirt!). Keep the flame moving, and supposedly, the lens turns black, which you then wipe away.

Sounds easy, right? Well, one wrong move, and you’ve got yourself a very expensive paperweight.

This is exactly why I’ve never attempted it. I’d rather not set $100 on fire, literally.

Sometimes despite your best efforts, your mask decides to fog. 

Here’s what to do when that happens when you’re out in the middle of the ocean:

Commercial Defoggers

Brands like Stream2Sea offer reef-safe defoggers that work well.

Spread the defogger with your CLEAN finger, leave a few bubbles behind, and don’t rinse too much!

Apply before you jump in the water. You can also carry it in your swim shorts or leggings (which usually have a pocket) for emergency defogging when snorkeling.

Stream2Sea Mask Defogger

Spit Like a Pro

Spit on the lens, rub it in with your finger, and rinse quickly in saltwater.

Free, always available, and surprisingly effective.

This is not my favorite method. I’m just not a spitter and your mouth has bacteria, but I’ve used it in a pinch if I’m out of baby shampoo (discussed next).

Baby Shampoo

Besides using baby shampoo to clean my mask before a snorkeling session, I also apply a little to a dry mask right before snorkeling and even mid-snorkel if it starts to fog.

Grab a small silicone bottle from Amazon and some baby shampoo.

Fill about a third of the bottle with shampoo, then top it off with water to dilute.

If I’m snorkeling with my favorite waterproof pouch, I clip the silicone bottle containing the diluted baby shampoo to my pouch with a carabiner.

If my mask fogs while I’m out in the ocean, I just pop up, give it a quick squirt, and rinse.

The key is not to rinse it completely. Leaving a tiny bit helps coat the mask and keeps fog at bay.

That’s the magic of baby shampoo. No stinging eyes!

Maintenance matters. I learned early on that taking care of my snorkeling gear is just as important as using it right.

Always rinse

Rinse your mask with fresh water after every session to get all that saltwater off.

Then clean it with baby shampoo when you get home. Dry it with a microfiber cloth and store it somewhere cool and dry.

Your snorkel mask should come with a storage container.

Avoid Makeup & Oils

Greasy sunscreen or foundation? Fog magnets!

Wipe your face before masking up. It’s worth it for those uninterrupted views like when we snorkeled at the Coral Garden at Taha’a!

Best to apply a mask to a DRY face.

I put reef-safe sunscreen on my upper forehead, sides of the cheeks, chin, and neck, avoiding the mask area. This helps to get a better seal and avoid fogging.

Skip Communal Mask Buckets 

I think they are bacteria factories.

I know we are all friends, but someone could be getting over a Staph infection or conjunctivitis.

No thank you. Bring your own rinse to clean your mask.

Mask fit is important

An improper mask seal can also cause fogging.

Get fitted at your local dive shop, or take a look at some of the top snorkel mask brands I recommend to get you started on finding your Goldilocks fit.

Move that hair out of the way too. One little baby hair trapped under your mask can break your seal.

Guys, shaving that facial hair makes a difference. Or you could try taming it with a thin coat of Vaseline.

Temperature Control

Remember condensation occurs when there’s a temperature difference. Think of your bathroom mirror when you get out of a hot shower. Your snorkel mask is like the bathroom mirror.

So, when you pop your head up while you are snorkeling in the Maldives to excitedly tell your partner about the awesome octopus you just spotted, make sure to turn your back to the sun.

Otherwise, the moment you dip back in, the rapid shift from the warm air inside your mask to the cooler water will instantly fog it up.

When it fogs, this is what you’ll see …

Instead of this cute curious face …

Avoid nose breathing

Exhaling a lot through your nose can also cause fogging. Only breathe through your snorkel.

No touching!

Do not touch the inside of your mask, ever.

Your fingers have oils and debris, which are huge culprits for fogging.

Remember … A dirty mask = a foggy mask.

✔️   Scrub new masks with toothpaste before use.

✔️   Pre and mid-snorkel: use baby shampoo spray or an eco-friendly defogger (like Stream2Sea).

✔️   Keep your mask clean, dry, and out of direct sunlight post-snorkel.

Whether you’re keeping up with a whale shark at Isla Mujeres or gliding with eagle rays in Bonaire, these tips will keep your views of the world’s most stunning reefs crystal clear.

Now go enjoy those cute sea turtles in Aruba fog-free!

And if you are brand new to this beautiful underwater world, be sure to check out my 7 must-know snorkeling tips for beginners!

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Questions about my anti-fogging tips? Did you find any of these beginner tips useful? Any other useful tricks you’ve tried? 

Let me know in the comments below!