The so-called "old person smell" that is often associated with older people is not related to lack of hygiene, as many might think. According to specialists cited by HuffPost and published by Notícias ao Minuto, the explanation for this phenomenon has a biological origin and is linked to natural changes that occur in the skin as we age.
The main cause identified by science is a compound called 2-nonenal, belonging to the aldehyde family. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology identified this compound in the body odor of older individuals, linking its formation to changes in the lipids present on the skin's surface. With aging, oxidation processes favor the formation of this compound, which explains why a person may maintain the same hygiene habits and still notice a change in their body odor.
The changes can begin earlier than many imagine. Dermatologists cited by the publication indicate that from the age of 40, the likelihood of changes capable of altering skin smell begins to increase. Dermatologist Sonal Choudhary, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, explains that aging causes a decrease in antioxidant defenses, changes in sebum composition, and accumulated oxidative damage over the years, factors that favor the presence of 2-nonenal.
Although aging is inevitable, not everyone develops exactly the same odor or with the same intensity. Skin composition, genetics, environment, and different individual habits can influence body odor. What research demonstrates is that there is a biological explanation for this characteristic that for a long time was simply associated with age or hygiene.
