On SAT Peak
High-altitude nose and face cover
OuterU Face Glove recommended
ⓒ 바위타는 은설
Yes, the OuterU Face Glove worked for me. It blocks sun and wind physically, and after my Himalayan expedition I was only slightly tanned, clearly less than my teammates. I’m climbing instructor at the Korea Alpine School.
Why I tried a face glove
Recently, in my rock climbing class, a student asked during our “time with the instructor” session: “Do you have a secret for your fair skin?”
I said it was probably genetics and sunscreen. Then she asked what I used on my high-altitude expedition. In my expedition photos, I was the only one wearing something on my face.
I don’t usually wear a UV-blocking mask even in Korea, so genetics and sunscreen are still the biggest factors. But at altitude, reflected UV is much stronger, and I think the face glove (a face mask) really helped.
Today I’ll share my review of the OuterU Face Glove from my Himalayan expedition, and how I care for my skin after UV exposure.
OuterU Face Glove
What is the OuterU Face Glove?
It is a face glove (face mask) from a brand called OuterU. A younger friend of mine who goes on alpine expeditions found it and told me about it while I was preparing for the expedition.
I bought mine on Amazon. As of September 2026, it seems to be sold out there and available only on the company’s own website.
I often see it in foreign videos too. The product page says it is used not only for high-altitude climbing but also by people doing outdoor activities at ski resorts and in snowy winter conditions.
Price, sizes and material
It cost $35. The exchange rate was high at the time, so I paid a bit more than that. It was over KRW 50,000 then. Sizes are Kids, S, M and L. The material is Polartec, and it is handmade.
It physically blocks wind and UV, and I expected some warmth too. That is why I decided to buy it despite the price.
[Useful high-altitude sunglasses and nose guard (Korean)
고산등반에서 자외선 차단 기능을 가진 선글라스는 설맹을 방지하기 위해 필수적인 아이템입니다. 일전에 …
blog.naver.com](https://blog.naver.com/caramelsnow/224134289172)
UV-blocking sunglasses are essential on high-altitude climbs to prevent snow blindness (painful sunburn of the eyes from snow glare). Because the face glove covers a wide area of the face, I also hoped it would reduce fogging on my sunglasses.
Sizing: S or M?
I did a group buy with teammates who wanted one. I chose S and the men chose M. When I laid them over each other, M was clearly bigger.
Nobody has ever told me I have a small face, but I usually fit better in small sizes of masks and hats, so I think S was the right choice.
What comes in the box
The set is simple: the face glove and one spare strap.
There is an extra slot, so you can use two strings. I recommend this if you want a firmer hold.
It is folded in half, so it follows the curves of your face to some degree. The inside is a soft material, so it feels fine directly against your skin.
OuterU now also sells a version that hooks directly onto sunglasses. If you’re interested, check their website.
[Mountaineer
OuterU has been working with Sherpas, professional guides, and outdoor enthusiasts for over a decade. Our unique face protection system has been to the highest peaks on all seven continents.
outeru.com](https://outeru.com/collections/mountaineering)
Wearing the face glove
How to wear it
There are two ways. You can put it directly on your face and then add a buff or hood over it. Or you can put your hood on first and wear the face glove over it.
I wore it directly on my face, then added a beanie and a buff. These hold the face glove in place, but they don’t remove the stuffy feeling.
How it worked on the expedition
I wore the face glove while climbing, both during the acclimatization period and throughout the main climb.
At the 3rd bivouac point, I took it off inside the tent while waiting. Sunlight coming into the tent probably tanned me a little.
It felt a bit awkward and stuffy at times. Still, I clearly felt the warmth and the UV protection.
Vitamin C for whitening
Skin care after sun exposure: vitamin C
Even with careful care, sunscreen alone can’t block UV completely.
A pharmacy cream I’ve been using lately
I don’t usually put much effort into skin care. But when my skin gets very tanned or dull, I use vitamin C cosmetics.
The product that worked best for me is the Pura D’or 20% Vitamin C Serum (118 ml). A younger friend recommended it. I liked the results and still use it, and someone around me also saw good results.
Two cautions. Vitamin C can make skin more sensitive to UV, so be careful with sun protection when you use it. If you have sensitive skin, it may cause irritation.
Conclusion: sun protection for high-altitude climbing
Did it protect my skin?
Comparing me before base camp with me after the descent, I didn’t tan badly, but I was slightly more sun-browned than before. Compared with my teammates, I was clearly less tanned.
Some high-altitude expedition members treat a tan as a badge of honor. So I think the face glove is most useful for people who care about tanned skin when returning to daily life, or who have delicate skin.
After the descent, at Sekatium [CHECK]
At high altitude, UV is very strong and a lot reflects off the snow. It is hard to block completely when you can’t reapply sunscreen often. My conclusion is that the face glove clearly protected my skin through physical blocking.
If you worry about sunburn in high-altitude or snowy environments, I recommend trying it once, even if the price feels steep.
FAQ
Where can I buy the OuterU Face Glove?
I bought mine on Amazon. As of September 2026, it seems to be sold out there and available only on OuterU’s own website.
Which size should I choose?
Sizes are Kids, S, M and L. I chose S, and the men on my team chose M. M was clearly bigger than S. I usually fit small sizes of masks and hats.
Does it fully stop tanning?
Not completely. I wore it while climbing and still tanned slightly. Sunlight coming into the tent while I had it off at the 3rd bivouac probably played a part. Compared with my teammates, though, I was clearly less tanned.
Does it feel stuffy?
Yes, at times. A beanie and buff over it help hold it in place, but they don’t remove the stuffiness.