11 winter face masks to keep you warm in colder weather

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• Wearing a face mask is important to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
• Face masks will likely be essential for months to come, so it's a good idea to find ones you like if you haven't already. 
• With the weather getting colder, we'll soon be looking for masks that keep our faces warm and prevent us from spreading germs. 
• This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Syra Madad, an infectious disease epidemiologist in New York City.
• Read more: The CDC recommends everyone wear a cloth face mask in public — here are 12 of the highest-rated options on Etsy

The CDC recommends that everyone wear a cloth face covering in public, whether that means taking a walk outside or going into the grocery store. In many states, it's not even a recommendation, but a requirement that you wear a face mask when in public. Since many people are asymptomatic or presymptomatic carriers and may not know that they're carrying the virus, it's important to still wear a face mask even if you feel perfectly fine. 

Of course, a face mask is just part of the equation. It's important to follow the other CDC guidelines like maintaining six feet of social distance and washing your hands frequently. 

With winter here, many people are looking for face masks that can help keep warm while still preventing germs from spreading. Below, we rounded up a selection of face masks that are great for winter weather. It's worth noting that according to the CDC, the traditional cold-weather gear like scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas are not substitutes for masks. They should be worn over your cloth face mask.

While we haven't tried every one of these personally, they're all highly rated, made to keep you covered while adding warmth, and most importantly, they all meet the CDC's recommendations for cloth face masks.

The CDC recommends that face masks have the following features:

• • Ties or ear loops that keep it secure
  • Two or more layers of fabric
  • A snug fit that sits comfortably against the side of the face without gaps
  • Allow for breathing without restriction
  • The ability to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

11 face masks to help you stay warm this winter:

Updated on 1/6/2021 by Amir Ismael: Added two new masks. Updated with CDC recommendation to not use cold-weather gear like scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas as face mask replacements.