Is the air in your office making you look tired and crumpled? Experts reveal how to avoid frizzy hair, flaky make-up and wrinkled clothes after a day of work

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You begin the day in the office with ironed clothes, styled hair and freshly-applied make-up - but come 2pm and your blouse is wrinkled, your neatly curled waves are frizzy, and your foundation is gathering on cracked bits of skin on your forehead.

The culprit, is a term dubbed 'office air' - and beauty experts say it's a real problem.

'Offices are almost always either centrally air conditioned or heated - both cause free radical damage in the skin, leading to dehydration which has a knock on effect on enzyme activity, cell turnover and barrier damage,' facialist Mariam Abbas told the Daily Mail.

'These environments also have recycled air and low humidity levels. This can lead to chronic inflammation and skin sensitivity.'

And it's not just something a bit of moisturiser can fix, beauty therapist Gemma Logan added.

Flat curls, smudged mascara and crumpled blazers are all unwelcome symptoms.

'Office air might be unavoidable, but looking polished at work does not have to be,' she added.

'With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can protect your skin, keep your hair under control and leave the office looking just as fresh as when you arrived.'

She suggested short bursts of activity to boost your circulation, keeping a stash of rescue products at your desk - and, if allowed, even getting a 'small plant' for your work space, to 'subtly increase humidity and make the space feel fresher'.

Here, hair, beauty and skincare experts reveal how to combat 'office air' - and how to still look human after your 9-5...

The culprit, according to young corporate Gen Z workers on TikTok is a term dubbed 'office air' - and beauty experts say it's a real problem. Stock image used

SKIN

Layer your face creams 

Beauty therapist Gemma says that office air 'quietly drains moisture from your skin all day long', which leads to to that 'tight yet oddly shiny' layer on our faces by lunchtime. 

To combat this, proper application of hydrating products is key. 

'The most effective fix is hydration in layers rather than relying on one heavy cream,' she continued.

'Start your morning routine with a hydrating serum containing ingredients like glycerin, panthenol or hyaluronic acid, then follow with a moisturiser that supports your skin barrier. Ceramides and squalane are especially helpful in dry indoor environments.'

Use a facial mist 

'During the day, resist the urge to pile on more product,' she added. 'Instead, use a fine facial mist and gently press it into the skin with clean hands. This helps refresh make-up rather than disturbing it.'

Have lip balm and hand-cream at the ready

According to Gemma, 'lip balm and hand cream are non negotiables in office air, as these areas lose moisture fastest'.

Start prepping at night

At night, Gemma explained, you must 'switch to repair mode'. This will help protect against the worst of office air from the get-go.

'A nourishing night cream or sleeping mask helps reset your skin so it does not start the next day already depleted,' she added.

Meanwhile skincare expert Kimberley Medd, a Clinic Lead at Face the Future, also said this can be achieved by avoiding overuse of foaming or exfoliating cleansers.

This, she advised, can 'weaken the skin barrier before you’ve even stepped into the office, making dehydration and irritation far more likely by midday'.

'Switching to a gentle, non-foaming cleanser in the morning helps preserve natural lipids and gives skin a stronger defence against air-conditioning,' she added.

Account for screen use 

'Another overlooked factor is screen exposure,' Kimberley revealed. 'Long hours in front of computers can contribute to oxidative stress and dullness, particularly in already dry environments.

MAKE-UP

Apply product to well hydrated skin

According to Gemma, one of the most important steps in making sure your make-up looks good by the end of the day is to keep on top of your skincare routine.

However, there are also application tips that could make your life easier.

'Dry air makes make-up cling, crease and fade faster,' she explained. 'Skin prep is where everything begins. Well hydrated skin helps foundation sit smoothly and last longer.'

Charlotte Murdock, beauty and skincare expert at Avant Skincare, also said a good primer can help.

'This is essential to keep your make-up in place and crack- and peel-free,' she added. 'Ingredients in primers are often overlooked, it’s a good idea to look for hydrating ingredients in your primer, too, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as silicones for that blurring effect and grip.'

Go for lighter bases

Gemma said that lighter bases such as skin tints, serum foundations or sheer coverage formulas are the go-to for offices.

This is because they 'cope better than heavy matte products, which can crack as moisture evaporates'.

'If concealer starts to look dry, avoid adding more,' she also added.

Use cream products for a more forgiving finish

As a general rule, powders may cause more issues than creams in dry offices. 

'Cream based blush, bronzer and highlighter melt into the skin and are easier to revive mid afternoon,' Gemma said.

'Warm a tiny amount between your fingers and gently tap it back into place.'

Setting spray over powder 

In the morning, the temptation is to seal everything in with a powder as we're worried the various creams and potions we've piled on are going to melt into our faces.

However, this may just lead to more dryness during the day. 

'A setting spray can be more forgiving than powder,' Gemma advised. 'Which often exaggerates dryness as the day goes on.'

CLOTHES 

Air your clothes out when you get home 

To make sure that your clothes that feel fresher for longer, beauty expert Gemma said that a lot of the work can be done before you even get into the office.

'A surprisingly effective trick is to hang jackets and scarves near an open window for ten minutes when you get home,' she explained.

This means that the musk, sweat and general wear-and-tear scents of the day won't cling onto the fabric as much.

Deal with static 

'Static cling is common in dry offices,' Gemma added. 'Lightly misting the inside of a garment with water or smoothing a tiny amount of hand cream over tights can reduce static without leaving marks.'

Pick the right materials 

Gemma said that 'stale smelling clothes are another side effect of recycled office air'.

Because of that, the fabric you choose makes a big difference.

'Natural fibres like cotton, wool and silk breathe better and stay fresher than synthetics,' she shared. 'A fabric refreshing spray can help revive clothes during the day.'

Avoid overly tight cuts

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Stylist Lisa Talbot said that the types of fits you go for will also make a big difference.

'Clothes with a little movement sit better, wrinkle less and feel more polished after hours at your desk,' she advised.

Layer smartly

Sometimes, Lisa added, a layer will not only accentuate your style, but protect the longevity of your outfit.

'A lightweight blazer or knit protects your outfit underneath and instantly sharpens your look for meetings or the commute home,' she said.

Skip head-to-toe black

Mid-tones like navy, charcoal, burgundy and deep olive are more forgiving under office lighting and show fewer sweat marks.

Prioritise supportive shoes

Comfort affects posture — and posture affects how clothes sit. Smart, supportive shoes keep your whole outfit looking sharper.

Dress for the whole day

The most effective work wardrobes are built for longevity, not just how you look first thing. When your clothes work harder, you feel more confident for longer.

HAIR 

Use a leave-in conditioner  

'Office air is one of the biggest hidden causes of bad hair days,' hair expert Tatiana Karelina told the Daily Mail.

'Constant air-conditioning and heating strip moisture from the hair shaft, leaving the cuticle rough and raised, that's when hair turns frizzy, dull and full of static by lunchtime.' 

Because of this, she shared, 'Hydration is just as important for hair as it is for skin.'

'I always recommend using a lightweight leave-in conditioner before work to create a protective veil,' Tatiana added.

'This stops the dry office environment from pulling moisture out of the strands. Static is the number one complaint I hear from clients who work in offices.

'A single drop of smoothing serum or argan oil warmed between the palms will instantly calm flyaways without making the hair greasy.'

Avoid over-styling in the morning 

'If you blast hair with very hot tools and no heat protection, you're sending it into a dry environment already damaged,' she added.

'Use a heat protectant and finish with a hydrating cream rather than heavy hairspray.' 

Keep some essentials at your desk 

Tatiana advised keeping a small 'hair first-aid kit' at your desk, with a mini brush, a nourishing oil and a silk scrunchie.

This helps not only refresh how your hair looks, but means you can treat it to some TLC through the day. 

Tie your hair up for an hour 

'Tying hair loosely for an hour gives it a break from friction against clothing and stops that fluffy halo effect,' the hair expert added.

It's the constant tousling back and forth which creates static - and this is one way to avoid it. 

Opt for silk scrunchies 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, hair experts at luxury pillowcase brand The Silk Club, said one of the small changes which could make a big difference is the materials of hair accessories.

'Traditional elastic hair ties and rough fabrics can worsen dryness and breakage throughout the day,' they explained.

'Silk scrunchies and ties help reduce friction, prevent kinks and keep hair smoother for longer - ideal for desks, meetings and post-work plans.

'Silk’s naturally smooth surface helps hair retain moisture rather than stripping it away, making it especially useful in dry, air-conditioned offices where frizz can creep in fast.'

Sit away from any vents 

Elsewhere, celebrity stylist Nicola Harrowell advised that it can be as simple as picking the right seat. 

'One smart habit is to reposition your workspace slightly away from direct vents if possible,' she shared.

'Air-conditioning and central heating strip moisture from the hair shaft, leaving it dehydrated and more prone to static and flyaways. Over time, this dry environment can make hair look dull, brittle and harder to style, even if it’s freshly washed.'

Deep condition once a week 

Moe Harb - Founder of Beauty Club London and Lead Hair Educator - said that a weekly refresh is crucial.

'Office air damage builds up over time, which is why weekly deep-conditioning masks are essential,' he explained. 

They help restore lost moisture and strengthen the hair so it’s more resilient day to day.'