Do people really smell different as they get older? The truth behind ‘old person smell’
Source: Guardian Health ↗
A chemical called 2‑nonenal, produced when skin lipids oxidize as we age, is responsible for the “old‑person smell” that many notice later in life. Dermatologist Dr Roya Javid explains that the fatty‑acid composition of skin oil changes with age, exposing the oils to oxidation and releasing 2‑nonenal, a natural by‑product of skin ageing rather than a sign of poor hygiene. Levels vary among individuals, influenced by genetics, microbiome, health, hygiene, clothing and environment, and the scent can appear well before people expect it; a 2001 Japanese study detected 2‑nonenal in subjects as young as 40, though geriatrician Dr Arshad Rather cautions that the increase is gradual, more like a dial turning up rather than a sudden switch.
The phenomenon is not unique to seniors; each life stage carries its own characteristic odor, from the sweet milky scent of infants to the muskier smell of puberty and the more consistent adult odor tied to sweat and daily activities. Research suggests the odor from older adults is not necessarily unpleasant. In a 2012 blind test, 41 young participants rated the smell of T‑shirts worn by people aged 75‑95 as less intense and less disagreeable than those from younger groups, contradicting expectations that older body odor would be perceived more negatively. Psychologist Dr Johan N Lundström, a co‑author of the study, noted the distinct quality of the elderly scent but emphasized that it was not rated as particularly off‑putting.
While 2‑nonenal cannot be eliminated, its presence can be managed. Regular bathing removes some of the compound, though soap and water do not fully eradicate it because it is continuously generated beneath the skin’s surface. Deodorants may mask the smell temporarily, and diligent laundering of clothing, sheets and ventilation of living spaces can reduce its lingering effect. Some body‑wash products, such as those containing persimmon, claim to neutralize 2‑nonenal, but scientific evidence for their efficacy remains anecdotal. Ultimately, the scent is a universal, biologically driven aspect of ageing, and awareness of its origins may help mitigate the social discomfort some experience.
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The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone — the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.