Why Does Our Body Odor Change With Age? And What Is the Connection to Hormones and Skin?

Skin & Wellness Magazine

There are smells we recognize immediately. The smell of a beloved perfume, clean laundry, first rain or a home that reminds us of childhood.

But did you know that our body also has a smell that changes throughout life?

Sometimes we notice that the deodorant that worked excellently for years no longer gives the same result. Sometimes the sweat smells different, even when we have changed nothing in our diet or hygiene habits.

And sometimes we do not notice the change at all, until someone else mentions it.

So why does this happen? Is there really such a thing as a body odor that characterizes a certain age? And can we influence it?

First of all, sweat itself barely smells

It may sound surprising, but the sweat secreted from our eccrine sweat glands is composed mainly of water and salts, and usually has no strong smell.

The smell we recognize is created mainly when bacteria that live naturally on the skin break down substances secreted from the body.

In areas such as the armpits and groin, apocrine sweat glands also operate, secreting a fluid that contains components that skin bacteria can break down into odorous compounds.

Therefore, two women can sweat to the same extent, but their body odor will be completely different.

The difference is related, among other things, to the composition of the secretions, the skin bacteria, genetics and the environment we are in.

Is there really a body odor connected to aging?

Yes. Studies have found that the composition of the volatile substances emitted from the skin may change with age.

One of the substances researched in this context is called 2-nonenal (2-Nonenal).

It is a compound created in oxidation processes of certain fats in the skin, and it may contribute to the smell sometimes described as fatty, grassy or slightly musty.

In a small study published in 2001 it was found that the compound was detectable in odor samples of participants over age 40, while in the younger groups it was not identified by the same method.

But it is important to understand what this study does not say.

It does not prove that every person over age 40 develops a certain smell, nor that the body odor of older people is necessarily stronger or more unpleasant.

In fact, other studies found that people are able to identify differences between body odors of different age groups, but did not necessarily rate the body odor of older people as more unpleasant.

That is, there is a change in the composition of the smell, but it does not mean that something in our body has become less clean.

And what is the connection to menopause?

During perimenopause and menopause hormone levels change, and this may also affect sweating and the sensation of body heat.

Hot flashes and night sweats can cause us to sweat more frequently, even when the weather is pleasant.

When the skin stays moist for a long time, skin bacteria get different conditions for their activity, and so sometimes body odor changes too.

Hormonal changes may also affect the skin's secretions and the skin environment, but the exact connection between menopause and a specific body odor is still not sufficiently established in research.

Therefore, if we feel that body odor changed around age 50, there may be a connection to the hormonal changes, but it is not necessarily the only reason.

Our skin bacteria change throughout life

On the surface of our skin live billions of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi.

Together they create the skin's microbiome.

The composition of the microbiome is affected by many factors: age, hormones, moisture level, area of the body, use of skincare products, medications and even the climate we live in.

When the balance between the bacterial populations changes, the substances they produce may also change.

This is one of the reasons why body odor is not a constant thing.

It can change even between the seasons of the year.

Does what we eat also affect the smell?

Definitely.

Garlic, onion, alcohol and certain spices can affect the smell of the breath and sometimes body odor as well.

Some of the substances we consume undergo breakdown in the body, and their products may be emitted through the breath, urine or sweat.

Significant changes in diet can also affect the smell.

For example, during periods of prolonged fasting or a very low-carbohydrate diet, the body may produce more ketone bodies, and one of them, acetone, can cause a fruity or nail-polish-remover-like smell in the breath.

However, there is no need to avoid healthy foods only because of the fear that they will affect body odor. In most cases it is a temporary effect.

Why do we sometimes smell different specifically after a shower?

Sometimes the reason is in the products we use.

Scented soap, body cream, deodorant and perfume can mix with the skin's natural smell.

Laundry detergents and fabric softeners also leave fragrant substances on the clothes, which in combination with body heat and sweat can create a different smell from the one we know.

In other cases, clothes that did not dry well or synthetic fabrics that keep residues of sweat and bacteria can be the source of the smell.

Therefore, before replacing all the skincare products, it is worth checking whether the smell comes from the skin itself or actually from the clothes.

Do deodorant and antiperspirant do the same thing?

Not exactly.

A deodorant is intended mainly to reduce or mask body odor. It may contain antimicrobial components, odor-neutralizing substances or fragrance.

An antiperspirant is intended to reduce the amount of sweat that reaches the skin's surface, usually by means of aluminum salts that create a temporary blockage in the ducts of the sweat glands.

There are products that combine both actions.

If the central problem is odor, a suitable deodorant may suffice. If there is also excessive sweating, an antiperspirant may help more.

Will more frequent showers solve the problem?

Not necessarily.

Keeping the body clean is important, but excessive washing with strong soaps can dry the skin and damage its natural protective barrier.

When the skin is irritated and dry, we may feel the need to use more and more products, although the problem is not necessarily related to a lack of cleanliness.

I prefer a simple approach: gentle cleansing, good drying of areas where moisture accumulates and choosing products that suit the skin.

Sometimes less fragrance and more adaptation to the body's real needs do a better job.

What can be done to keep a pleasant body odor?

There are a few habits that can help:

• Gently clean the armpits and areas where sweat accumulates, without scrubbing the skin aggressively.
• Dry the skin well after a shower, especially in the body's folds.
• Change clothes after significant sweating, and allow fabrics to dry completely after washing.
• Choose a deodorant or antiperspirant that suits the personal need, and not only by its smell.
• Prefer ventilated clothes when it is hot, and check which fabrics keep odors less.
• Pay attention to changes in diet, medications and nutritional supplements, if body odor has changed recently.

When does a change in body odor require a medical examination?

In most cases a slight and gradual change in body odor does not indicate a medical problem.

But if an unusual and new smell appears that persists over time, especially if it is accompanied by increased sweating, fever, unexplained weight loss or additional symptoms, it is worth looking into the reason.

Certain diseases, medications, infections and metabolic disorders can affect body odor or breath.

For example, an unusual fruity smell from the breath accompanied by extreme thirst, nausea, vomiting or rapid breathing can be a sign of an urgent medical condition, especially in people with diabetes.

Not every change in smell justifies concern, but a significant and unexplained change definitely deserves attention.

And to finish — our body odor is not a measure of cleanliness

I think it is important to talk about this topic precisely because we do not always feel comfortable raising it.

We are used to linking body odor to hygiene, but reality is much more complex.

Our natural smell is affected by genetics, by the skin, by the bacteria living on it, by the hormones and by the processes taking place in the body throughout life.

It can change even when we keep exactly the same cleanliness and care habits.

In my eyes, this understanding is more important than any promise of a deodorant that will last 72 hours.

Because our body does not remain the same at age 20, 40 or 60.

Its smell can also change.

And this is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Sometimes it is simply another way in which our body tells us that it is changing.

Skin & Wellness Magazine | OrOrgani

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