Best Face Masks In 2022

Features To Look For In Face Masks

Materials – The main purpose of face masks is to prevent you from inhaling nasty substances. There’s not much point in wearing a face mask if the materials aren’t safe. Look for face masks that are made from non-toxic, latex and fiberglass free and are soft on the skin. You may not think the softness is important but after you’ve had to wear a face mask for several hours, this softness is something you will really appreciate.

Coverage – Most of the face masks in our selection are one-size-fits-all. They can be easily adjusted to cover the lower half of your face from the top of your nose to under your chin. This coverage is crucial in preventing you from inhaling any airborne particles, viruses, and bacteria that don’t belong in your respiratory system. Coverage is also important if you are a medical professional or care for the frail or elderly. You may not be able to avoid contact with people who are vulnerable to viral or bacterial infections, but you can prevent their spread by covering your mouth and nose. This is especially important as we often do not know we are carrying an infection until we feel quite ill. The trouble is, we can infect a large number of people before we even know we have been exposed.

Ear Bands / Loops – Keeping face masks on securely depends largely on how well they can be placed over the nose and mouth and held into place over the ears. Look for ear bands or loop that can be fitted quickly and easily over the ears in a matter of seconds. This is especially important in an emergency situation. Not all heads are the same so look for ear bands or loops that are made of elastic and ensure its soft elastic that won’t pinch into the side of your face after prolonged use.

Nose Piece – A face mask that sits over your nose and mouth is better than nothing, but if there are too many gaps around your nose, you may still be exposed to inhaling these nasties. Look for face masks that have a flexible and adjustable nose bridge. Once you have put on your mask, you should be able to press the metal bridge securely over your nose for a complete fit leaving much less to chance.

Layers – The more layers a face mask has, the better the filtration. However, you still need to be able to breathe unhindered. Most face masks feature 3 layers which are more than adequate to absorb airborne particles. These three layers should work at both preventing you from inhaling pathogens and irritants, but also limit the level of these substances from being exhaled.

Breathability – A face mask’s main purpose is to protect you while you breathe, but this purpose is somewhat defeated if you find yourself struggling to breathe. Look for face masks that allow for unhindered breathing. You should be able to inhale and exhale without any problems.

Durability – We are talking about disposable face masks, but you should still be looking for a mask that will last for a few hours. Look for soft but strong materials and an elastic that won’t lose its effectiveness after short use. You should be discarding disposable face masks once you return to your home, car or after leaving those who are convalescing, but you don’t want to be changing and tossing masks out every half an hour or so.

Fluid Resistance – Although most viral and bacterial infections are airborne, they are usually contained within the moisture people exhale. The air we exhale contains a considerable amount of moisture and this moisture will be absorbed in the face mask when we breathe out. Look for face masks with a decent level of fluid resistance to prevent the mask from becoming wet. Otherwise, you will find you need to replace them with increased frequency.

Bacterial Filtration – In these uncertain times, the main purpose of face masks is to decrease the chances of contracting a bacterial or viral infection. Look for a high BFE or Bacterial Filtration Efficiency. The BFE determines how well the mask will protect you from inhaling bacterial pathogens or exhaling them onto others. The higher the BFE, the more protection the face mask will offer. Some of these may also be effective at filtering viral pathogens but your safest bet is to steer clear of infection hotspots.

Particulate Filtration – If you’ve ever looked at a city skyline from a distance you may have seen the city covered in a thick layer of dirty smog. Now imagine being in that city and knowing you are inhaling all manner of particulates. Pollution and smog are considered problematic in big cities and some often go on high alert when the smog is at dangerous levels. While face masks can be effective at limiting your exposure to viral and bacterial disease outbreaks, they should also be effective at filtering all the particulates caused by excessive exhaust fumes from cars and factories. Check the specifications to ensure the face masks you purchase have a particulate filtration level that is adequate at preventing you from inhaling the harmful substances present in city air or even construction sites or factories.

The best way to avoid a viral infection like the Coronavirus is to steer clear of outbreak areas. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible to take all the necessary precautions such as wearing face masks when you visit crowded areas where the infection has been detected. Face masks may not be able to offer complete protection from such infections, but they do help in limiting the spread of viral diseases.

If you need to be around the elderly or the very young, wearing a face mask can prevent you from passing any pathogens on to these vulnerable groups. In addition to wearing face masks, pay closer attention to your personal hygiene as well. Wash your hands before and after visiting those whose health is already compromised, and certainly upon your return to the relative safety of your home. If you, or anyone you know start to show symptoms of the Coronavirus call your local health authorities and stay quarantined in your own home. Don’t visit your local clinic or hospital as this will increase the chances of spreading such diseases. Stay put and let the health authorities come to you. Do what you can to treat any symptoms, keep up your fluid intake and eat healthy whole foods. You may only have an ordinary viral infection like the flu, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Sources:

1. Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Respirators - CDC