Many
people are familiar with it: the grassy or greasy odor that permeates
elder care facilities, grandparents' homes and other similar places.
Commonly referred to as "old people smell," this odor is called
"Nonenal," and it is widely misunderstood in the United States.
According to a study published by the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" in 2011, an increase of Nonenal is associated with aging. Found frequently in subjects aged 40 and older, but not in those under 40 years of age, Nonenal was the only body odor component with a significant change in the detection frequency with older subjects.
Despite these findings, many people think that Nonenal is the result of poor bathing habits. Others believe that the smell, which is difficult to detect on oneself but lingers on pillowcases, shirt collars and other such fabrics, is completely impossible to combat. However, neither of these assumptions has any basis in fact; it is time to illuminate the truth about Nonenal.
What causes old people smell?
Nonenal production is a natural by-product of the aging process. Caused by the deterioration of the skin's antioxidant defenses, Nonenal production usually begins around age 40 in both men and women, and may be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopause.
As the skin grows weaker, its natural oils become oxidized more quickly; this is caused by fatty acids, which are secreted by the sebaceous glands and react to the oxygen in the air to form Nonenal. Because it isn't water soluble, Nonenal can remain on the skin despite washing, even remaining after intense scrubbing. Therefore, the smell caused by Nonenal persists, even in extremely clean environments.
How do you get rid of old people smell?
Reducing Nonenal odor can be accomplished by following a healthy lifestyle: exercising regularly, avoiding stress, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a clean diet and getting enough rest.
Certain ingredients can also help combat Nonenal, such as persimmon extract and Japanese green tea. Conventional soaps in the U.S. use deodorants to eliminate odors such as ammonia (caused by urine), trimethylamine and sulfide oxygen (caused by feces and urine), acetic acid (caused by sweat) and isovaleric acid (caused by feet). However, due to lack of understanding about aging odor in the United States, brands have yet to incorporate ingredients to address this issue.
The truth about "old people smell" is: it's a natural part of the aging process, and no one experiencing it should feel ashamed.
Instead, we should continue to promote dialogue about it, and ensure that anyone dealing with Nonenal is equipped with the information they need to adopt healthy habits and care for their skin effectively. Then "old people smell" can, and will, be a thing of the past.
According to a study published by the "Journal of Investigative Dermatology" in 2011, an increase of Nonenal is associated with aging. Found frequently in subjects aged 40 and older, but not in those under 40 years of age, Nonenal was the only body odor component with a significant change in the detection frequency with older subjects.
Despite these findings, many people think that Nonenal is the result of poor bathing habits. Others believe that the smell, which is difficult to detect on oneself but lingers on pillowcases, shirt collars and other such fabrics, is completely impossible to combat. However, neither of these assumptions has any basis in fact; it is time to illuminate the truth about Nonenal.
What causes old people smell?
Nonenal production is a natural by-product of the aging process. Caused by the deterioration of the skin's antioxidant defenses, Nonenal production usually begins around age 40 in both men and women, and may be exacerbated by hormonal changes such as menopause.
As the skin grows weaker, its natural oils become oxidized more quickly; this is caused by fatty acids, which are secreted by the sebaceous glands and react to the oxygen in the air to form Nonenal. Because it isn't water soluble, Nonenal can remain on the skin despite washing, even remaining after intense scrubbing. Therefore, the smell caused by Nonenal persists, even in extremely clean environments.
How do you get rid of old people smell?
Reducing Nonenal odor can be accomplished by following a healthy lifestyle: exercising regularly, avoiding stress, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a clean diet and getting enough rest.
Certain ingredients can also help combat Nonenal, such as persimmon extract and Japanese green tea. Conventional soaps in the U.S. use deodorants to eliminate odors such as ammonia (caused by urine), trimethylamine and sulfide oxygen (caused by feces and urine), acetic acid (caused by sweat) and isovaleric acid (caused by feet). However, due to lack of understanding about aging odor in the United States, brands have yet to incorporate ingredients to address this issue.
The truth about "old people smell" is: it's a natural part of the aging process, and no one experiencing it should feel ashamed.
Instead, we should continue to promote dialogue about it, and ensure that anyone dealing with Nonenal is equipped with the information they need to adopt healthy habits and care for their skin effectively. Then "old people smell" can, and will, be a thing of the past.
Dr. Charlene Brannon is the Product Development Manager for Mirai Clinical,
a company devoted to developing ground-breaking, naturally safe body
and skin care products. Dr. Brannon was a tenured professor at the
University of Washington for 25 years, before joining the Mirai Clinical
team.
