Cured middle of night mask leaks

[Iowamv]

I found I was having leaks in the middle of the night. And the telltale sign was that it didn't matter which mask I used. I tried Swift FX, Nano, and Eson. All fit great at the beginning of the night, but ended up aggravating me (and waking me up!) in the middle of the night. It finally dawned on me that the problem wasn't mask fit/design, it was my oily skin. So I started using a face soap belonging to one of my teenagers at bedtime (Cedaphil?); that cured a lot of it. On the remaining occasions when I wake up with a leak, I use one of the baby wipes (hypoallergenic, alcohol free) I normally use to wipe down my mask each morning to wipe off both my face and my mask. I keep the wipes on the stand next to my bed anyway, so they are just an arm's reach away. I just quickly scrub the area all around my nose where the mask touches my face. This works like a charm for me. Takes just a few seconds to reach over, grab a wipe and clean my face and mask. Then its back to La La Land.

I've been doing this for a couple of weeks now, and it has solved my mask leaks.

[Jeannh]

Wow-I'll give that a try. I've been wiping my face with only water, but if soap does the trick, what an easy fix! The Leak Monster chases me endlessly...thanks!

[Foggy1]

I have issues with skin oil during the warm weather months. I started using the RemZZZs mask liners and it resolved the issue. That way I don't have to wake up to wipe my face. Haven't noticed the issue when I use nasal pillows, but I've only had them since October.

[old dude]

+1.

It's inconvenient, but washing my face really well with soap and warm water just before masking up and then washing my mask seal with baby shampoo and warm water every morning really worked wonders with my leak problems. I highly recommend this protocol to anyone having excessive leak issues.

[Bill44133]

Funny you should mention Cetaphil. I bought it about a month ago, and local CVS Drug Store had it on sale buy 1 get the 2nd free.
It works good for me all night long,.

[Jeannh]

I've been struggling with leaks since I started in mid-Sept. 5 different masks. A week ago, I read a post here from someone I have to find and thank. Their suggestion was also not just rinsing off, but WASHING MY FACE WITH SOAP before bed, which has finally gotten me out of "large leak" territory!

The smallest things can make such a difference! It's different for everyone - keep at it! If I can do it, anyone can....

[Sheriff Buford]

Also note that your face (and face muscles) will relax at night and cause leaks. You adjust the mask tension when going to bed, but when the face starts to relax, sometimes leaks will occur.

Sheriff