“Old person smell” is a real change in body odor that can occur with aging, but it isn’t necessarily a sign that someone isn’t bathing or taking care of themselves. In fact, changes in the skin’s chemistry may be responsible for the dusty, grassy or musty smell in elderly people. Here’s what experts say about the causes of old person smell, why good hygiene may not completely eliminate it, and what you can do to reduce it.
What Is “Old Person Smell”?
The term “old person smell” is an informal description for a characteristic body odor that some people notice as they age. The odor has often been blamed on poor hygiene, but that explanation is overly simplistic. “It is a chemistry-related issue connected to aging skin,” says Eleonora Fedonenko, MD, a board-certified internist and medical director of Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles.
“Many of my patients apologize about their smell before I even mentioned it because years of soap and deodorant commercials have placed body odor as a hygiene-related failure rather than a natural process related to aging skin changes,” Dr. Fedonenko says. “My recommendation to patients is to consider this a skin chemistry issue instead of a hygiene problem.”
The Science Behind the Scent
One of the compounds associated with changes in body odor and aging is 2-nonenal, a chemical compound called an unsaturated aldehyde that forms when omega-7 fatty acids in skin oils undergo oxidation. Research dating to 2001 identified the compound in people over age 40 and linked its presence with age-related changes in fatty acids and skin lipids.
Why Good Hygiene Isn’t Always Enough
If you’re concerned about old person smell, taking an extra shower may not solve the problem. That’s because 2-nonenal doesn’t behave like water-based sweat.
“Regular soap and water will not get rid of this smell completely because 2-nonenal is fat-soluble and adheres to the skin and clothing rather than being washed away easily,” Dr. Fedonenko says.
How to Reduce Old Person Smell
Although there is no guaranteed way to eliminate age-related body odor, several strategies may help reduce or manage it.
Wash regularly, but don’t overdo it
Regular bathing remains important for overall skin health and hygiene, but scrubbing excessively or using harsh products may irritate aging skin.
Pay attention to clothing and bedding
Because odor-producing compounds can adhere to fabrics, regularly washing clothes, towels, sheets, and blankets may help. Try detergents formulated to remove grease when persistent odors are a problem.
Be cautious about products promising a cure
Many products marketed for nonenal removal may simply mask odor with fragrance rather than eliminating the 2-nonenal itself, Dr. Fedonenko says.
Some ingredients, however, do have a plausible mechanism for reducing the odor, she adds. Persimmon tannins and polyphenols in green tea may bind to 2-nonenal rather than merely mask it. However, she emphasizes that large, controlled clinical trials have not confirmed that these approaches work.
“In 2002, Japanese researchers reported that cyclodextrins, which bind structurally to odor molecules, could reduce the amount of 2-nonenal,” adds David Ghozland, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN and founder of Intimate Health Center. The researchers found that cyclodextrins formed inclusion complexes with these odor-producing molecules, effectively reducing their concentration. “However, that’s a lab test, and not a full clinical trial on people using it every day.”
Address Body Odor Overall
While 2-nonenal has been identified as a factor in some body odors, it is not the whole explanation, Dr. Ghozland adds. “It is real, but it’s talked about like it’s more settled than it is,” he says. Other factors can affect body odor as people get older, including changes in skin bacteria, sweat, and overall health. Even food can affect it. Several strategies can help you address body odor at any age.
- Keep aging skin healthy.Aging skin tends to become thinner and drier, so aggressive scrubbing can do more harm than good. Use a gentle cleanser on areas prone to odor, such as the underarms, groin and feet, and moisturize afterward if your skin is dry. Keeping the skin barrier healthy may help prevent irritation that can occur when trying to manage body odor.
- Don’t forget the scalp and hair.Sebum and sweat can accumulate on the scalp and hair, particularly if you wash your hair less frequently as you get older. Regular shampooing can help remove oils and odor-causing substances. Also, wash hats, scarves, and other items that come into frequent contact with the head and neck.
- Wash areas that are easy to overlook.Body odor isn’t limited to the underarms. Feet, skin folds, and the groin can harbor sweat, oils, and bacteria that contribute to odor. Pay particular attention to these areas during bathing, and dry them thoroughly afterward. If mobility problems make bathing difficult, targeted washing with a washcloth may be a practical alternative to taking a full shower every day.
- Consider your skin-care products.Fragranced soaps, lotions, and deodorants may make an odor less noticeable, but they can also irritate sensitive or aging skin. If a product causes redness, itching or burning, stop using it. Look for gentle, fragrance-free products if your skin is easily irritated.
Remember that body odor can have many causes. Medications, diet, infections, metabolic conditions, and changes in sweating can all affect how a person’s body smells. If an odor is new, unusually strong or noticeably different from your usual body odor, don’t automatically attribute it to aging. A healthcare professional can help determine whether an underlying problem needs attention.
