After being jolted awake by a blaring 6 a.m. alarm, you shuffle to the bathroom, half asleep, to prep for work. Drowsily, you apply makeup and spray dry shampoo at the roots before commuting to the office.

As lunchtime approaches, you steal a quick glance at your reflection. To your astonishment, foundation has seeped into your smile lines and under-eye creases, powder has splotched to form a patch hugging your dry skin, and mascara dust has crumbled onto your cheek. WTF? You think. Have I looked like this all morning?

According to TikTok, this experience is shared by many — and it’s all thanks to the “office air” phenomenon.

The “Office Air” Dilemma

The theory? Something in the workplace environment negatively affects makeup application and overall appearance. Some folks believe it’s the sterile fluorescent lighting, the inadequate air circulation, or the constant heating and air conditioning, while others blame “people’s bad vibes” as the culprit.

Whatever the case, nine-to-five girlies are humorously bonding over their shared experience of the office air dilemma. Some jokingly say, “My skin always looks terrible at work but amazing when I’m not there,” or put the onus on the “energy vampires disguised as colleagues.” Others have even provided step-by-step “office air-proof” makeup looks to lessen the damage.

This raises the question: Is office air truly the issue, or is it just a matter of changing your product rotation? Or could it be a deeper problem, like a stressful work environment plagued by long hours or a micromanaging colleague?

Something *Is* In The Air

According to Dr. Mary Sommerlad, a consultant dermatologist based in London, spending most of the day in an office can lead to skin dryness and even aggravate pre-existing conditions like eczema. In fact, she says clients frequently visit her practice, particularly in winter when the air is driest, to seek advice for skin or hair issues linked to environmental factors in the workplace.

Why might this be the case? Sommerlad explains that office environments often have low humidity due to constant air conditioning or central heating and a lack of ventilation due to sealed windows. This leads to moisture loss in the skin and hair, contributing to overall dryness.

Plus, despite being indoors, your complexion isn’t safe from sun damage when you’re at work. That UVA penetration through glass panes and visible sunlight beams can reach the skin and lead to premature skin aging (lines, wrinkles, sun spots, or large freckles), says Sommerlad, and may exacerbate pigmentary disorders like melasma.

She shares that repeated exposure to these office conditions can lead to various physical signs. “Hair will lose shine and become frizzy, particularly those with wavy, curled, or coiled (Afro-textured) hair types. Nails may become brittle. Lips and hands can be particularly prone to dehydration, leading to chapping,” she says.

It’s Written On Your Face

A poor work-life balance or a demanding role is hard enough, but it can truly affect how you present yourself in the office (both inside and out). Enduring long, demanding hours and inadequate sleep can manifest as visible signs on the exterior.

Arasteh Gatchpazian, Ph.D., a social psychologist, business owner, and content creator, suggests that overworking can damage the body. “Chronic work-related stress can show up in many ways physically: headaches, muscle tension, skin issues (acne, dullness), weakened immunity, and increased risk of cardiovascular problems,” she says.

“We all know how a bad night’s sleep, especially consecutively, can affect our mood, appearance, and focus the next day,” Gatchpazian says.

Combatting Workplace Uglies

Your first anti-office air tool is all about proper skin care. Sommerlad advises those with desks near windows to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and to use moisturizers suitable for their skin type.

There are ways to combat the workplace makeup melt, too. Dani Parkes, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City, echoes the importance of moisturizers. Her pro tip? Opt for hydrating makeup products that offer skin care benefits as a base to combat dehydration, and keep products such as Aquaphor or the Laneige lip mask in your desk drawer for those unexpected chapped moments.

As for application techniques, she says to ditch the excess powder, noting that makeup can separate when there is a surplus. “The quickest way for your makeup to break down or deteriorate is in dry air environments,” she says. “By focusing on cream-based products and using hydrating formulas for your skin, your makeup is bound to last longer.”

To benefit your overall well-being as well as your looks, turn to the classic good-for-you self-care techniques: set clear boundaries, schedule regular downtime, incorporate movement throughout the day, practice mindfulness, and go on outdoor walks.

The Verdict

While office air may be partly to blame for the shocked reaction following an impromptu work selfie under fluorescent lighting, it is clear that a mix of self-care, appropriate products with proper application, and indulging in a bit of office gossip about the “energy vampires” serves as your best coping mechanism — or perhaps establishing firm boundaries regarding those after-hours Slack messages to safeguard your skin (and your sanity).