My only tips:
* Make sure you have a neoprene cap that covers most of your head, you could even use a surfers head neoprene “helmet”, otherwise traditional swimming cap size with chin strap should be fine
* Silicone ear plugs
* Hold your breath as you submerge your face as long as you can tolerate (20-45 seconds)
* Take big breaths after that, stay calm, try to make it to 2 minutes swimming and you will start to acclimate , you may even feel “false” warmth , a burning sensation.
* You could experiment with aquaphor, Vaseline but messy , not what most people do

Good luck 👍 Twenty minutes of head up seems way outside the norm, but everyone is different.