A recent phenomenon “office air” has gained traction on TikTok through multiple videos from office workers going viral. This came as an extension of the “boyfriend air” trend which opens up a discussion about how our external environment can affect our appearance.
There has been growing conversation around many employers enforcing return-to-office mandates. A recent study by KPMG found that more than four-fifths (83%) of CEOs expect to see a full return to office within three years. Meaning that’s likely that we will be spending more time in the office.
The office air trend has led TikTok creators to share their experiences of looking less presentable by the end of the working day, attributing it to factors like air conditioning and indoor climate control.
One creator commented on a viral video by @morgmiles14 saying, “Ok can someone explain why this happens?! When I work from home I look fine by the end of the day, when I go into the office I look terrible after 3-4 hours.”
Career experts at resume.io have broken down the concept of office air and offered advice on how it can be avoided.
“The viral ‘office air’ trend on TikTok comments on how office environments can subtly affect not only employees’ physical appearance, but also their wellbeing, confidence, and productivity throughout the workday,” said Amanda Augustine, career expert at resume.io. “Many office workers on the app say they feel ‘less fresh’ by the afternoon as their surroundings take a toll on both their hair and skin.”
Resume.io enlisted the help of Nadia Iopel, a beauty expert at iBEAUTY CODE, who has highlighted the impact that office air can have on our skin and hair and offers ways to prevent it.
“Prolonged exposure to office air conditioning and artificial lighting can seriously affect skin hydration and texture. As they say, air conditioning systems dehumidify air; thus, transepidermal water loss rises, which in turn makes skin tight, dry, and flaky. Such dehydration, as a result, deteriorates the barrier of the skin, which thereafter may get irritated, develop redness, or even sensitivities,” Iopel said.
“A great hack is what many call the “moisture sandwich”: applying mist before sealing hydration in with a moisturizer keeps skin looking plump all day,” she continued. “Another tip would be to keep a green tea bag at your desk—if your skin starts to look tired, press a cooled tea bag under your eyes to reduce puffiness, thanks to the natural antioxidants and caffeine content in it.
“Office environments also can be harmful to maintaining good hair health because it might enhance dryness, breakage, or dullness,” Iopel added. “Lack of moisture in the air lifts the hair cuticles, causing frizz and making strands more prone to breakage. Color-treated or chemically processed hair may become even more brittle, as dehydrated hair lacks elasticity. A great way to maintain hair from becoming dry and building up static would be to use a leave-in conditioner or nourishing hair oil on your ends in the morning.”
While office air may seem like a lighthearted social media trend, it highlights the importance of workplace wellness,” Augustine said.
“Employers should note that creating a comfortable, well-ventilated office space can encourage a healthier and more engaged workforce,” she said.
Photo credit: Swoopedjobs via Instagram
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