‘Office air’ trend claims workplace environment ruins skin and hair

Is the air in your office dulling your appearance? The internet and some experts think so.

‘Office vibe’, a new trend on social media, is a concept that suggests sitting in the office for an eight-hour shift changes skin, hair and overall appearance.

The TikTok trend has triggered many videos and millions of views from various creators, mostly women.

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One of the TikTok creators, Zoe Keels (@zoescoutt), posted her own before-and-after video of an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift at the office that received more than 300,000 views.

“It’s making your life miserable,” Keels wrote in the post’s caption. Others also commented, agreeing with her experience.

“It makes my skin look and feel awful! Ughh,” one user commented.

Another wrote: “Looks like I went to war every day at 3pm.”

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Keels described the “office vibe” as “a combination of dry, recycled air, bright fluorescent lighting, and staring at a screen for eight hours, mixed with the stress of work.”

“At the end of the day, it definitely shows in my skin, makeup, and hair,” she said.

“Many office workers say they feel ‘less fresh’ in the afternoon.”

Experts say this phenomenon has some scientific support.

Los Angeles-based dermatologist Dr. Most office environments rely on HVAC systems that “reduce ambient humidity,” Sandra Oska said.

Most office environments rely on HVAC systems that “lower the humidity in the environment,” a dermatologist said. (iStock)

According to Oska, this can cause skin to appear drier and duller due to increased “transepidermal water loss.”

“Dehydration of the skin can accentuate the appearance of fine lines, and makeup can settle in areas of dry skin,” she told Fox News Digital. “Eczema-prone or sensitive skin also doesn’t do well in low humidity environments.”

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The dermatologist noted that when skin feels dry, it “may try to compensate by producing more sebum, which can contribute to T-zone oiliness that gets worse at the end of the day.”

Low humidity environments can also cause hair to become dry and frizzy, leading to flyaways.

A dermatologist says “office air” can irritate skin and eyes, causing people to rub their eyes, which contributes to puffiness and dark circles. (iStock)

“That’s why hair starts to look worse in the afternoon,” he said. “When things get dry, the scalp compensates by producing more sebum, which means the roots look oilier and the volume at the roots can flatten out.”

Some irritants in the environment, such as dust particles, can also irritate the skin and eyes, according to Oska.

“This can cause people to rub their eyes, which contributes to puffiness and dark circles,” he said.

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According to career expert Amanda Augustine at CV.io, the “office vibe” trend affects not only physical appearance, but also employees’ mental health, confidence, and productivity throughout the workday.

“Many office workers on the app say they feel ‘less fresh’ in the afternoon because their environment is damaging to both their hair and skin,” she told Fox News Digital.

Experts say keeping skin moisturized and taking breaks for fresh air can also help prevent this effect. (iStock)

“The ‘office vibe’ trend on TikTok highlights a real concern about workplace environments affecting not just appearance but also employee confidence and well-being.”

Augustine highlighted how office factors such as excessive air conditioning or heating, artificial lighting, lack of natural sunlight, inadequate ventilation and long screen time can lead to dry skin, hair problems and fatigue.

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“All [those] “It may seem like a cheerful social media trend, but it highlights the importance of wellness in the workplace.”

“Employers should remember that creating a comfortable, well-ventilated office space can promote a healthier, more engaged workforce.”

A dermatologist says “office air” can irritate skin and eyes, causing people to rub their eyes, which contributes to puffiness and dark circles. (iStock)

Experts say keeping skin moisturized and taking breaks for fresh air can also help prevent this effect.

Some experts have noted that the “office weather” phenomenon is not a medical concept and that any changes in appearance may be due to other factors beyond environmental exposure.

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Fox News Digital reached out to several indoor air quality and occupational health organizations for comment.