You arrive at the office in the fresh and dapper morning and you leave in the faded evening like a flower over time. Fatigue would not be the sole responsible for this “Glow Down”. On Tiktok, many Internet users wondered if this phenomenon was really natural and inevitable or if it had a link with the ambient air in the office. This is the case of the influencer Lexi Mary who posted this message on the social network: “Can we talk about the air of the office? Why, every time I spend a day in the office, I leave with oily hair, dry skin and pimples? “.
Can we really impute these effects in the ambient air?
The site The Guardian became interested in this theory of the “Office Air” which panics social networks. He questioned several skin experts on possible negative effects of ambient air at work on skin and hair. For Dr Anneliese Willems, a general practitioner specializing in skin care, there may be a cause and effect link due to several factors. According to her, air conditioning and heating systems can reduce air humidity, which can increase in transepidermal water loss. “”This is where hydration is done by the skin “she explains. “”The skin can then become drier, more tense or scattered, which is particularly aggravated in people prone to conditions such as eczema or having sensitive skin “she adds.
An observation confirmed by Dr Pooja Kadam, dermatologist in Sidney. In addition to drying the skin, ambient air can make hair greater. “”When the scalp is dry, the body can produce more sebum to compensate, which gives a fatty appearance “.
Poor ventilation and very polluted air
After a day spent in the office, the skin of the face can also be irritated and present redness. For Dr. Willems, this is due to poor ventilation which promotes the presence of pollutants in indoor air (coming from new furniture, curtains, carpets, etc.), likely to irritate the skin.
Poor indoor air quality does not only have effects on the skin and hair. Studies have shown that this could affect the cognitive functions and employee performance, but also cause respiratory problems, headaches and sleep disorders.
If you are worried about the appearance of your skin after a day’s work day, bet on hydration. In the morning, apply a moisturizer that contains ceramids, hyaluronic acid and lipids naturally present in the skin. They help retain water in the skin and help restore the skin barrier to prevent irritants from penetrating.
Also favor products that contain niacinamide because it soothes and strengthens the skin over time.