Are you about to start your CPAP therapy but worrying about shaving off all your facial hair? Planning to grow a beard but hesitating because of how it might affect your mask seal?
Whether for grooming, religious, or cultural reasons, going clean-shaven is not an option for some. But thanks to the designs of today’s masks, it’s possible to use a CPAP machine with a beard and a mustache — all without experiencing mask leaks and other CPAP machine issues.
In this post, we’ll share some of the best CPAP masks for facial hair and tips for maintaining a leak-free seal.
Nasal Pillow Mask
With a minimal design, nasal pillow masks offer an easy solution to CPAP users with facial hair. These masks have the least amount of contact with your beard and mustache–with cushioned tips sealing the nostrils and a thin frame that usually rests above the beard.
Unless your prescribed pressure settings are on the higher end, you’ll definitely find nasal pillow masks comfortable to use with facial hair. They’re also a great choice if you’re claustrophobic, prefer a less bulky mask, or mostly breathe through your nose.
Best For New Users: ResMed AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask
Frame size: One-size-fits-all
Cushion sizes: S, M, L
Weighing 1.6 ounces and producing 21 decibels through its fine mesh vent, the AirFit P10 is one of the lightest and quietest nasal pillow masks on the market. It boasts a simple three-part design with fabric headgear (adjustable with a side clip) and flexible tubing, making it easy to use and maintain. For easier mask fitting, the package includes all three nasal pillow sizes (from small to large).
Combining ease of use and a simple open-face frame, this ResMed nasal pillow mask comes highly recommended by CPAP newbies with facial hair.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Lightweight and whisper-quiet ✔️Comfortable low-profile design ✔️Convenient nasal cushion sizing |
Headgear straps tend to stretch out over time |
Most Versatile: Philips Respironics DreamWear Silicone Nasal Pillow Mask
Frame sizes: S, M, L
Cushion sizes: S, M, L, Medium-Wide
Another great CPAP mask for beards is the DreamWear Silicone Nasal Pillow Mask. What makes this one stand out is its modular frame, which you can use with nasal pillow, nasal, and full face mask cushions.
For added versatility, this nasal pillow mask is designed with a top-of-the-head tubing connection, slip-resistant headgear with arms, and an open-face frame, letting you move freely and grow your beard without trouble. And to top it all off, the all-new DreamWear Silicone Nasal Pillows are gentler and seal better than the original Gel Nasal Pillows.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Lets you switch between different mask styles ✔️Allows for freedom of movement ✔️Comfortable silicone cushions seal well |
✖️The maintenance of and airflow from the hollow frame might take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to a traditional mask |
Nasal Mask
Find the air pressure from nasal pillow tips too uncomfortable? Your next option is a nasal mask. Like nasal pillow masks, many nasal mask frames are thin enough to offer users with facial hair a good mask seal. These masks come in two cushion designs: over-the-nose and under-the-nose.
Over-the-nose cushions have the triangular shape of traditional nasal masks, covering the entire nose. The newer design of under-the-nose cushions cradles only your nostrils, so they’re more low-profile and cover less of your face’s surface area.
Tried and True: ResMed AirFit N20 Nasal Mask
Headgear sizes: Standard, S, M, L
Cushion sizes: S, M, L
Released in 2016, the AirFit N20 has been a top choice of nasal mask in the sleep apnea community. Like other ResMed masks, this one features a user-friendly design. It has a quick-release elbow for easy tube attachment, which comes in handy when you get up in the middle of the night. It also has magnetic clips, so you can wear and take off the headgear and mask in a snap.
Its pride and glory, the InfinitySeal silicone AirFit N20 cushion, is carefully designed to fit 99% of all facial profiles. Made with a flexible, padded frame and plush headgear, this mask offers a comfortable and secure seal for bearded and mustached users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Easy to wear and remove ✔️Uses soft and comfortable materials that offer a good fit ✔️Mask frame is padded |
✖️Some users who slept on their sides experienced mask leaks |
Nasal Cradle: Fisher & Paykel Evora Nasal Mask
Headgear size: One-size-fits-all
Cushion sizes: S, M, L
Prefer an under-the-nose mask cushion? You’ll surely find the F&P Evora Nasal Mask a great option. Designed with Dynamic Support Technology, its floating nasal seal gently cradles your nose, giving you both freedom of movement and a secure fit. It also has laser-drilled exhalation ports for less noise and draft and more peaceful nights.
Putting on the F&P Evora Nasal Mask is as easy as wearing a baseball cap. Featuring a one-size-fits-all CapFit headgear with three points of adjustment, it lets you quickly fit and remove the mask. The headgear’s soft-knit fabric is designed with AirEdge Technology for comfortable support and reduced contact with your facial hair.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Easy to assemble, adjust, and put on ✔️Leaves no marks on the face |
✖️While the tube connector is short and flexible, it does not swivel |
Full Face Mask
Your provider might prescribe a full face mask if you have a deviated septum or chronic nasal congestion or primarily breathe through your mouth. This type of CPAP mask covers both your nose and mouth, taking up more of your face’s surface area than nasal and nasal pillow masks.
Compared to other mask styles, finding the best full face CPAP mask for beards is more difficult. So to get the fit right, you should look into the shape of the cushion.
Our recommendations below come in two shapes: a traditional mask cushion in a triangular shape (which rests lower on the chin and works best for beards) and a compact mask cushion (which sits over the mouth and under the nostrils).
Traditional: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask
Headgear sizes: S, M/L
Cushion sizes: S, M, L
Maintaining a good sleep apnea mask seal with facial hair is possible with the F&P Vitera Full Face Mask. Created with the RollFit XT Seal, this full face mask cushion adapts to your facial contours as you move in your sleep. Extending from the lightweight frame (with a swivel elbow) toward the forehead is the Stability Bar, which lets the cushion seal dynamically, reduces leaks, and provides both comfort and additional support.
For added comfort, the Vitera Headgear is made with VentiCool technology, a breathable fabric that helps you stay cool during the warmest nights. It also features a five-point adjustment design for a custom fit as well as quick-release clips for easy removal. Combining all these convenient features with its triangular cushion, the F&P Vitera is easily the best full face CPAP mask for beards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Great for active sleepers ✔️Soft fabric headgear provides cooling comfort ✔️Easy to adjust and take off ✔️Non-magnetic headgear clips makes this mask suitable for CPAP users with pacemakers/metallic medical implants |
✖️Few headgear size options ✖️Stability bar sits between the eyes, preventing users from wearing glasses |
Minimalist: ResMed AirFit F30i Full Face Mask
Frame sizes: S, M, L
Cushion sizes: S, M, Small-Wide, Wide
If you usually keep your facial hair trimmed, you’ll definitely love using the AirFit F30i Full Face Mask from ResMed. With an under-the-nose full face mask cushion and open-face design, it provides you with an unobstructed view, perfect for claustrophobic users. It also features ResMed's QuietAir Vent Technology for draft reduction and quieter nights.
Like the F&P Vitera, this mask lets you change sleeping positions without trouble. It has a top-of-the-head connection, swivel elbow, and flexible silicone frame. And as what you’d expect from a ResMed mask, it’s easy to fit, put on, and take off, thanks to its magnetic clips, a quick-release elbow, and four adjustment points on the headgear.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Provides an open line of sight for reading/watching TV ✔️Great for stomach sleeping as well side and back sleeping ✔️Easy to remove |
✖️Some users find the magnetic clips low-quality and fragile ✖️Amount of sizing combinations can be overwhelming |
Headgear-Free CPAP Mask
As you may already know, traditional CPAP masks have three main parts: the cushion, headgear, and frame. But believe it or not, there are masks designed without headgear. And just like any other quality mask, they offer a leak-free seal.
These no-headgear CPAP masks provide solutions to common mask problems. Without a headgear to hold these masks to your head, you won’t have to worry about waking up with unsightly strap marks on your skin. And because there’s no need to adjust the headgear, you’ll no longer suffer from a sore nose bridge or other problems caused by a loose or overtightened headgear.
More importantly, this kind of mask will never rub against your beard. Designed for minimal contact, it’s the perfect CPAP mask for those with facial hair or issues with bald spots or matted hair from headgear friction.
As of writing, the only popular manufacturer of this revolutionary mask design is BLEEP. The brand uses unique adhesive patches to keep the masks in place.
Here is BLEEP’s latest addition to its line of headgear-free CPAP masks:
No-Headgear: BLEEP Eclipse
Frame and cushion size: One-size-fits-all
From the makers of the DreamPort Sleep Solution, the BLEEP Eclipse offers a one-size-fits-all solution to leak-free sleep therapy. Included in the starter kit are a frame with a nasal cushion, 16-inch tubing with a diffuser, and two boxes of disposable Halos patches, which are hypoallergenic PBA adhesives that can be trimmed to fit your nose.
What’s new in this second-generation mask is that, unlike the DreamPort’s patches, the Eclipse’s Halos does not use adhesives to secure the frame. Instead, the Halos adhesive patches come with magnetic stainless steel rings.
Like the Halos adhesives, the Eclipse frame is equipped with magnetic ports. Together, they make up this clever design called MagSeal Magnetic Port Technology.
After sticking the Halos patches under your nostrils, simply connect these patches’ magnetic rings to the frame’s magnetic connectors. By letting you connect and disconnect the mask in a snap, the Eclipse’s MagSeal takes the guesswork out of aligning the mask with your nostrils.
The smallest CPAP mask on the market, the BLEEP Eclipse is truly a game-changer–especially for users with facial hair.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️Lightweight, low-profile, quiet, and leak-free ✔️Eliminates all issues caused by CPAP headgear ✔️Easy to put on and take off ✔️Requires minimal maintenance ✔️No nasal pillows to be inserted into the nostrils ✔️Ideal for back, side, and active sleepers |
✖️Non-reusable Halos need to be replaced after every use ✖️Magnetic seal should be kept at least 2 inches away from pacemakers, defibrillators, and other active metallic medical implants |
Mask Accessories and Supplies
Although the CPAP masks we reviewed work well with facial hair, you might still experience leaks from time to time, especially if you have a full beard and mustache. But sometimes, it’s not about finding the right CPAP mask for facial hair — it’s about using the right mask accessories.
Mask Liners
Do you often find yourself over-tightening your mask because of your facial hair? Placing a mask liner under your mask cushion can improve its fit and seal.
Since a mask liner flattens your facial hair, it provides your mask with a smoother surface to adhere to and keeps your beard and mustache from getting tangled. It also helps keep your mask clean and closes any gaps between the cushion and face, preventing CPAP mask leaks for users with and without facial hair.
CPAP Chin Straps
Mouth-breathers who feel uncomfortable with full face masks will want to consider CPAP chin straps. Since they keep your mouth closed as you sleep, they train you to breathe through your nose, making them the perfect accessories to pair with nasal and nasal pillow masks. Plus, they prevent your mask from moving out of place and help maintain a leak-free seal, convenient for users with beards.
While using a chin strap with nasal and nasal pillow masks is mostly safe and effective, it’s not advisable for those with a deviated septum, frequent nasal congestions, and incorrect CPAP pressure settings. If any of these apply to you, a full face mask is your best option.
Beard Care Products
For a better CPAP mask seal, you might want to use beard balms with lanolin, conditioners, creams, or mustache wax. These grooming products can keep your facial hair soft and flat, ensuring a more secure mask fit.
Make sure to wipe your mask after each use to remove any buildup from these products. And if possible, consider trimming the parts of your facial hair that touch your mask. Doing so can help improve your CPAP mask seal.
Tips and Tricks for a Good Mask Seal
Not too tight
Overtightening causes skin irritation and breakdown. It can also result in thinning and patchiness in your facial hair.
Over-tightening often makes leaks worse as well by moving the mask away from other critical points of contact. If a mask requires excessive tightening, it is either the wrong shape or the wrong size for you.
Bigger is not better
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that an oversized mask is a solution. It is your facial size that matters the most. Over-sizing a mask results in more mask leaks. Start smaller and step up if needed, or use mask cushion sizing templates to find the right CPAP mask size.
Trim a bit
Give thought to trimming your facial hair in the regions that your preferred CPAP mask touches. Keeping the hair shorter will help you achieve a better seal.
Find and maintain your happy place
If you change the pattern of your facial hair, grow it longer, or remove it on areas of your face, you will need to evaluate the fit of your CPAP mask again. Sometimes, this can mean you have to look for a new CPAP mask.
If you have any questions about finding the best CPAP mask for facial hair, feel free to get in touch. The RespShop team is here to provide personalized mask recommendations and answer your CPAP-related questions.
