On social media, and on TikTok specifically as a new beauty guru, there is everything under the sun. There are rumors and advice that are best not followed, but if we separate fact from fiction, there are also undeniable truths. Situations that we may experience but until a TikToker opens our eyes, we may not interpret them. Or issues that we knew but forgot and it doesn't hurt to revisit... to fix the damage.
This time, the discussion was sparked by Noa Donlan, a user who in her TikTok and Instagram videos has exposed a personal frustration that has gone viral (with over 25 million views), due to its relatability. According to her, her beauty routines visibly deteriorate as the hours pass during her office days. The skin becomes dry or excessively shiny (not a natural glow, not shining with highlighter, it's greasy), makeup loses coverage and longevity (it fades), and the hair, lacking volume, seems to succumb to the stress of the environment. She told People: "I leave home feeling put together, but when I look in the office bathroom mirror at noon, my skin is dry, my hair is greasy and limp, and I no longer recognize myself!".
Her case has led to the so-called Office Air Theory, now viral, which, contrary to other viral trends not supported by experts, this time finds support, explanation, and yes, solutions among dermatologists, pharmacists, beauticians, hairdressers...
The office air conditioning, that great beauty enemy
The fact that the office air conditioning, whether cold or hot, works against the good appearance of the skin and hair is not a new issue, it simply resurfaces thanks to Donlan. Perhaps the reality behind the Office Air Theory is precisely what has made it go viral, because it is a true issue that affects to a greater or lesser extent those who work in an office.
"The (not so mythical) office air myth that has gone viral on social media in the form of air conditioning ruining the skin and hair throughout the day sounds exaggerated, but has a clear scientific basis: air-conditioned environments reduce environmental humidity, which directly impacts skin hydration," confirms Dr. José Luis Martínez Amo, Dermatology expert, member of GEDET (Group of Aesthetic and Therapeutic Dermatology of the AEDV) and owner of the Martínez Amo clinic in Almería.
Inmaculada Canterla, a pharmacist expert in dermocosmetics and founder of Cosmeceutical Center, confirms, "air conditioning and heating drastically reduce the relative humidity of the environment. The water from the epidermis migrates to the dry air, disrupting the balance of the skin barrier and activating subtle inflammatory pathways."
The issue is that air conditioning is a silent enemy and, precisely for that reason, "one of the most underestimated skin aggressors, since its impact is deeper than we perceive and it acts in environments where we spend many hours, such as the office or home," emphasizes Lucía Altozano, owner of the Skinpharmacy Jorge Juan 34 pharmacy. "Air conditioning systems can reduce environmental humidity by up to 30% or more, when the skin needs around 50% to function normally," she adds.
Regarding hair, María Baras, creative director of Cheska, delves into it: "I totally agree with this TikToker. I am in contact all day with women who work in offices and their experiences coincide, there is usually terrible air conditioning and heating, which dries out the hair fiber a lot."
Office Air Theory: effects on the skin
The immediate effects, visible within a few hours, as Donlan points out, include "tight, dull, lackluster skin with a sensation of tightness or fine flaking, and in skin prone to acne or rosacea, a rapid inflammatory flare-up is common," confirms Inmaculada Canterla.
She adds the silent effects (medium and long term): "increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), alteration of the skin's natural pH (from acidic 4.5-5.5 to more alkaline values), and progressive weakening of the lipid barrier due to a decrease in ceramides and essential fatty acids. This leads to chronic xerosis, increased sensitivity, and predisposition to dermatitis and accelerated aging."
Translating the technical terms to our daily lives, to the reflection on our faces every time we visit the office bathroom, "the skin feels tighter, less flexible, and with a dull tone," says Lucía Altozano. A fine flaking and increased sensitivity can also be observed, as Martínez Amo adds. But there is also a more silent effect, warns the doctor: "If this situation persists, the barrier function is altered, making the skin more reactive and vulnerable. In individuals with dermatitis, rosacea, or sensitive skin, the impact is greater." And, note, extreme air conditioning doesn't necessarily age the skin per se, however, "it does create the perfect environment for it to look worse and be more unprotected," points out the dermatologist.
The million-dollar question, is heating worse than cold air? "Both affect similarly because they share the same problem: they dry out the environment, the difference is more clinical than structural: cold air is usually associated with more dehydrated and lackluster skin, while hot air can accentuate redness or worsen rosacea. In any case, the real enemy is the lack of humidity," Martínez Amo responds.
Another effect of extreme and dry air, like the Atacama Desert of offices, is what we commonly describe as makeup melting:foundations crack, blush doesn't stay in place and seems like the skin absorbs it, lip color fades before our eyes... "When the skin is dehydrated, the epidermal cells do not adhere well to each other, and micro-irregularities appear that hinder the adhesion of makeup bases, causing them to degrade within a few hours. We must understand that when the skin is water-deficient, it tries to regain water by all available means, including absorbing some of the emollients and humectants present in makeup formulas," clarifies Lucía Altozano. At the same time, Inmaculada Canterla continues, "the skin responds with a compensatory production of sebum, which causes the famous melted makeup effect."
How to help the skin survive the Office Air
Preventing the effects involves strengthening the skin barrier, as José Luis Martínez Amo suggests. This can be achieved by using moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid and richer textures. It's also important to "avoid harsh cleansers and overuse exfoliants," he adds. If the air is very dry, a humidifier can make a difference. Inmaculada Canterla adds to these tips the application of "a daily sunscreen with filters against visible light and powerful antioxidants; for lips and hands, a balm and cream with ceramides reapplied several times a day; and, to prevent makeup from melting, hydrating primers and setting sprays with hyaluronic acid."
If there are already signs of dehydration or irritation, Dr. Martínez Amo usually "recommends barrier-repairing cosmetics (with ceramides, niacinamide, panthenol), simplifying routines, temporarily reducing irritating active ingredients such as acids or retinoids, and using more nourishing textures, especially at night."
And what do we do with the hair?
And what about our hair? From skin to hair, the same process takes its toll, as María Baras already predicted, extremely drying out the hair fiber, causing hairstyles to become flat as the hours pass between keyboard use, and making hair frizzy... "What I recommend is carrying a small bottle or spray of oil in your bag and applying it throughout the day, from mid-lengths to ends, with a good brushing, especially if we're talking about hair that's already very dry."
Updos, like buns or braids, are also great allies for ensuring your hair survives the workday, key to protecting it on many occasions, including this one, as Baras argues.
The opposite situation, which leads to oilier hair, especially bangs, is the constant touching we do, often precisely to keep our hair looking presentable. "One trick I use in these cases is to pin it back with small clips. For example, I twist my bangs back and that's it, securing them with a bobby pin or one of those little clips that don't leave marks." This gesture can be repeated throughout your hair, which, by the way, when you let it down at the end of the day, "will even leave you with beautiful hair, with waves and a bit of texture."
In conclusion, as Dr. Martínez del Amo states, "office air is not an invisible enemy or an unfounded viral myth, but a real environmental factor, albeit mild and perfectly controllable with a proper routine." All because of the 9-to-5 grind that Dolly Parton sang about, melting like Munch's The Scream.