Distilled water first, then lens cleaner.

Don’t rub mineral deposits into the coating. Rinse the lens or glasses under gentle distilled water for 30 seconds to dissolve the salts and minerals. Then use a proper lens cleaner (with no alcohol if it’s coated) and a microfiber cloth. Dry with a fresh corner of the cloth.

The mist leaves microscopic calcium deposits. Rubbing dry = scratching. Rinsing first lifts them off without abrasive friction.

For preventive coatings: don’t bother. Hydrophobic or anti-static coatings sound good but wear off fast and can mess with lens performance if you’re a photographer. A good cleaning routine is cheaper and more reliable.

Final thought: A lens pen is a good investment for glasses, but for camera glass, stick to distilled water and a quality microfiber.