Snorkeling and scuba diving are terrific outdoor sports. Yet, if you have a beard, you know all too well how they can get in the way. Because I know the hassle of finding a good snorkeling mask for people with beards, I decided to put together this guide.
As a general rule, a pair of swimming goggles and a nose clip is the best snorkel mask for people with beards. They’re good at preventing leakage regardless of how thick your beard is. In addition, this duo is safe, practical, and easy to maintain.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can enjoy a day of fun-filled snorkeling without your beard getting in the way.
What Is the Best Snorkel Mask for People With Beards?
Before we dive in, pun intended, let’s go through my top seven tips on how to go about choosing the snorkel mask that will best suit both your beard and facial structure.
- Swimming goggles plus a fitted pair of nose clips are the best way to go. From experience, this ‘snorkel mask’ will give you optimal safety while at sea. On the plus side, your beard won’t tamper with it at all
- Don’t go for a full-face snorkel mask. It might look like it does a better job of staying sealed, but they’re dangerous and may pose a health risk.
- Consider purchasing a dive hood. These lifesavers won’t just protect your beard from getting wet, but they’ll also prevent it from breaking the mask’s seal.
- Make sure you’re buying silicone skirted snorkel masks. They feature a top-quality seal that prevents leaks and offers a comfortable fit for bearded folks.
- Remember to take your time and make sure the goggles aren’t too small, and they properly seal your nose to help prevent accidents while you’re underwater.
- Test the mask’s seal before purchase. You can do this by inhaling and exhaling with the mask on. If there’s no air escaping, that means the mask is a perfect fit.
- Go big with your money. While I understand how this tip might be inconvenient for some, it’s in your best interest to know that a low-quality mask can be lethal. That’s due to its carbon imprint and possible design flaws
How to Make Snorkeling With a Beard Easier
After choosing the perfect snorkel mask that checks off what we mentioned above, it’s time to take you through a couple of tricks that’ll make snorkeling with a thick beard easier:
Moisturize
Apply a silicone-based cream to the contact points between your facial hair and mask. It’s been proven to be effective in stopping leaks before they happen.
That’s because the silicone works to tighten the grip of the mask on your face when underwater. I know how that sounds, but don’t worry, it doesn’t tamper with the mask’s fit or material.
In fact, lubing up your snorkeling gear is the safest method to ensure a leakage-free experience for light-bearded men. Just make sure you go with an option specifically made for this purpose. Also, pick one with a food-grade classification in case any of it gets in your mouth.
That said, if you don’t have access to a silicon-based cream, there are other alternatives you can use. For example, mustache or beard wax would be great options too. In short, products made from beeswax can be a good substitute for silicone-based ones.
However, try to avoid petroleum-jelly based creams. I know Vaseline can be a tempting option because of its availability. Yet, it’s neither practical nor safe.
For starters, water can quickly get rid of a Vaseline seal. Plus, Vaseline tends to erode your mask over time.
Shave
Hear me out first. I don’t actually want you to shave it clean off. What I do mean is work your way around your beard to make it snorkeling-compatible. Here’s how:
- Take note of where your facial hair makes contact with the mask
- Trim and shave those areas accordingly
- Repeat those two steps till your snorkel mask is adequately sealed and fitted on your face
By now, you’ve probably guessed it’s your mustache that’s the real culprit. So, if you have a big, thick mustache, my advice is to focus your trimming and shaping on that area.
Why You Shouldn’t Choose a Full-Face Snorkel Mask
As I mentioned above, a full-face mask isn’t the most optimal solution for us bearded folk. While it does an excellent job of covering your mustache, it won’t do the same for your beard.
Not just that, but there are several health risks involved when using this type of mask. For example, the potential build-up of carbon dioxide inside the mask can be lethal to the average diver.
That’s why full-face snorkel masks should only be used by professional divers or under the supervision of one.
How to Keep Your Beard Safe From Seawater Damage
You now know how to both effectively choose and seal your snorkel mask without losing your beard. Next, it’s time I tell you how to keep your facial hair in good shape, before and after snorkeling.
Here are three things you can try:
Water and Oil
Before heading out in the water, make sure to rinse and wash your beard first. After drying it off, apply a thin layer of beard oil.
By doing this simple two-step process, you’ll create a barrier that keeps away harmful seawater minerals, such as copper and salt. It’s an easy way to prevent them from damaging and fraying your facial hair.
After-Snorkel Care
Cleaning your beard after being out at sea is just as important as doing it beforehand. This is also a step that needs to be done as soon as possible. This way, you can avoid the ocean’s minerals from setting in your luxurious beard.
That’s why we recommend shampooing your beard when hitting the showers. Also, you should go for a citrus-based shampoo to help eliminate chemical build-up from the salty water.
As an added measure, apply an antioxidant softener to restore your facial hair’s natural oils. You can treat this as an aftershave step and leave the product in.
Rehydrate and Restore
Salty seawater is known to dry out facial hair–especially if frequently subjected to it. Thus, you’ll need to properly rehydrate your beard after every dive.
That’s why you should apply organic or even homemade oil on your beard following snorkeling. Afterward, comb your beard with a clean brush. This will help your hair absorb the oil more efficiently.
To Sum Up
What is the best snorkel mask for people with beards? The answer is a good pair of swimming goggles and a nose piece that fits you well.
Otherwise, you’ll have to go through a lot to find a snorkel mask that adequately protects your eyes and nose without your beard causing any leaks. Not only that but, you might need to go through extra safety measures if your beard is thick.
Nevertheless, it’s still possible to enjoy snorkeling with a beard. Just make sure to use oils that effectively protect your facial hair from any subsequent seawater damage.