By Meredith Marmurek 

Why Glasses Slip Down Your Nose 

Do you often find yourself having to push your glasses up to see through the lenses? If so, it’s time to fix that problem.   

There could be several reasons why your glasses slide down your nose: 

  • The eyeglass frame is too heavy. 
  • The frame is too big for your face.  
  • One or both of the screws in the hinges are loose.   
  • The temples, which are the arms of the frame that sit over your ears, need to be adjusted to fit better.   
  • The nose pads moved or loosened (if you have a metal frame) or are too far apart (if you have a plastic frame).  
  • You have oily skin.  

How to Keep Your Glasses from Slipping 

There are many do-it-yourself solutions you can try to keep your glasses from slipping. 

If Your Glasses Keep Slipping, Tighten the Screws 

Most glasses have tiny screws that attach the temples to the frame front. It’s normal for these screws to loosen through everyday wear. Using a tiny eyeglass screwdriver, you can tighten the screws by slowly and gently turning them clockwise. If you don’t have this type of screwdriver at home, you can get one in an eyeglasses repair kit online or in a local drugstore. 

Adjust the Nose Pads to Prevent Glasses from Slipping 

The nose pads are under the bridge of your glasses on either side of your nose. On most metal frames, they are separate parts connected to the glasses frame with very small arms.  

To make an adjustment on most metal frames:  

  • Hold your glasses by the bridge, which is the part that sits on your nose. Try to avoid touching the lenses. 
  • Gently push the nose pads together with your thumb and forefinger.  
  • Try on your glasses. If they still slip, push the pads closer together until the glasses feel secure.  

While the nose pads on most plastic frames are built in and can’t be moved, you can add adhesive silicone pads to help prevent slippage.  

Attach Silicone Nose Pads to Keep Glasses from Sliding Down Your Nose 

If you have a frame (plastic or otherwise) that doesn’t have separate, adjustable nose pads, consider adding adhesive silicone nose pads. This is another option you can try to stop your glasses from slipping down your nose. Make sure to clean your frame first, then attach one pad to each side of the bridge with the sticky side against the frame.  

Adjust the Temples for a More Secure Fit 

If you don’t like the idea of adhesive nose pads, it’s possible that a simple frame adjustment will help keep your glasses on. Follow these steps to adjust the temples of your plastic frames: 

  • Put some warm (not hot) water in a bowl and soak the temples of your glasses for 30 to 60 seconds. 
  • Gently press the ends of the temples down and in.  

Repeat this process until your glasses (including the temples) fit comfortably. 

Put Wax on the Bridge for Extra Traction 

Because wax is innately sticky, you can use it to help keep your glasses in place. You can buy wax that’s specifically made for glasses or you can use beeswax. Just rub a tiny bit of wax onto the nose pads and bridge of your frame as needed.   

Wash Your Face with an Oil-Free Cleanser 

If you have an oily complexion, it’s probably worse in your T-zone: your forehead, nose, and chin. A gentle oil-free facial cleanser may help keep your face’s oil production under control so that your glasses don’t slip as much.  

It may also help to keep blotting paper or oil-absorbing sheets on hand, as long as you blot your skin rather than rub the oils around your face. Be sure to talk to your dermatologist before you try any new skin care products. 

Try an Eyewear Band to Stop Glasses from Falling Off Your Face 

An eyewear band or eyewear retainer is a strap that attaches to the end of each temple and rests on the back of your head. These bands are typically made of a stretchy fabric like neoprene. By wearing them with a snug fit, the bands are able to lift your glasses and hold them in place. 

Wrap Hair Ties Around Each Temple to Secure Your Frames in Place 

This simple fix uses something you may already have at home. Wrap a thin hair tie (or ponytail holder) tightly around each temple. The hair ties should be wrapped near the ends of the temples so they sit behind your ears and keep your glasses from sliding forward.   

Use a Glasses Chain to Stop Glasses from Sliding 

A glasses chain has a small loop on each end that fits onto the temples. Slide the loops over the temples and push them forward toward the hinges.  

Since a chain isn’t as tight as an eyewear band, your glasses may move a little but they shouldn’t slide all the way down your nose. A glasses chain is an especially good option for readers because it lets you to keep your glasses close (by wearing them like a necklace) even when you aren’t using them. 

We have a wide variety of reading glasses in different sizes and styles so you’re sure to find your perfect fit. 

SOURCES 

  1. Glasses slipping down your face: Why it happens and how to fix it. Glasses.com. May 2023.* 
  2. How to tighten your glasses at home. FramesDirect. Accessed February 2024.* 
  3. What are the different types of eyeglass hinges? FramesDirect. Accessed February 2024.* 
  4. How to adjust your glasses at home. All About Vision. May 2020.* 
  5. How do you keep sunglasses from slipping down your nose? All About Vision. January 2019.* 
  6. 8 tips for getting rid of oily skin. Cleveland Clinic. May 2023.  

The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source.  

*Like Readers.com, Glasses.com, FramesDirect, All About Vision, and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.