Short answer: Body odour in older men can change because the oils on the skin change with age, and some of them break down into smell compounds such as nonenal. Sweat, skin bacteria, clothes and some medicines play a part too. A steady routine helps most: wash daily with attention to the neck, ears, chest and back, put on clean clothes in breathable fabrics, and change pillowcases often.
It is not something men tend to talk about. You may have noticed it yourself, or a partner may have mentioned it: not the sharp smell of sweat, but a duller, slightly greasy smell in a shirt collar, on the pillow or in a favourite chair. It has nothing to do with being careless. Below is what changes with age and a simple routine that takes a few minutes a day.
Why body odour changes in older men
There is rarely a single cause. It is usually a mix of changing skin oil, sweat and bacteria, clothing and everyday habits.
Nonenal: a smell from skin oil
Your skin makes a thin film of oil every day. In 2001, researchers at the Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido reported that certain fatty acids in that film, and fats that had already reacted with oxygen, increase with age. When those fatty acids break down, they release 2-nonenal, a compound with a greasy, grassy smell. The team found it only in participants aged 40 and over (Haze et al., 2001, Journal of Investigative Dermatology).
It is not only a male issue. A Japanese study that sampled the back of the neck found that 2-nonenal given off by the skin rose with age in both men and women (Kimura et al., 2016, Journal of Chromatography B). And a US study did not detect 2-nonenal at all, though other compounds were higher in older adults (Gallagher et al., 2008, British Journal of Dermatology). For the full background, see what is nonenal?
Diacetyl: the "middle-aged" smell
In Japan, another compound, diacetyl, is known as a middle-aged man's smell. The same neck study found that diacetyl was highest in people in their thirties and fell after their forties, and that it was not specific to men (Kimura et al., 2016). For men over 50, nonenal looks the more relevant of the two.
Sweat and bacteria
Body odour is produced when bacteria on the skin break down sweat, as nidirect, the Northern Ireland government's information site, explains. The longer sweat stays on your skin or in your clothes, the more time those bacteria have to work.
Medicines and health
The NHS lists certain medicines, such as antidepressants, among the things that can make body odour worse, along with being overweight and conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease. Its night sweats page adds that some antidepressants, steroids and painkillers can cause sweating at night. Never stop a medicine on your own; talk to your GP or pharmacist first.
Clothes and habits
Fabric makes a difference. In a Belgian study of T-shirts worn during an intensive indoor cycling session, polyester shirts smelled stronger and less pleasant than cotton ones (Callewaert et al., 2014, Applied and Environmental Microbiology). That study looked at sweat rather than age, but it shows synthetic fabrics can hang on to smells. A jumper or fleece worn day after day also holds on to skin oil. The NHS suggests not eating too much strong-smelling or spicy food and not drinking too much alcohol.
A simple daily routine
Nothing complicated is needed. This routine takes a few minutes a day.
Washing
- Wash every day with soap and water. Soap helps wash away the oily residue that carries the smell.
- Start with the back of the neck and behind the ears. The nape of the neck has dense networks of oil and sweat glands, which is why researchers chose it for measuring nonenal.
- Include the chest and back. The back is easy to forget; a flannel held at both ends or a long-handled brush makes it easier.
- Wash armpits, groin and feet thoroughly and dry them well. The NHS suggests doing this at least twice a day.
- Use a deodorant or antiperspirant under your arms. A pharmacist can advise on stronger antiperspirants if you need one.
Clothes
- Put on clean underwear, socks and a clean shirt every day.
- Choose breathable fabrics such as cotton and wool; the NHS recommends natural fabrics and advises against tight, man-made ones.
- Wash jumpers, cardigans and collared shirts more often than you might be used to.
- Don't forget coats, caps and scarves. They rarely go in the wash, yet they sit against your neck.
Bed and home
- Change your pillowcase once or twice a week, and your sheets regularly.
- Open the bedroom window every morning.
- Wash the cover or throw on your usual chair. Our guide on getting the smell out of clothes and the home has more ideas.
The routine at a glance
| When | What | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Every day | Wash with soap: neck, ears, chest, back | Clears skin oil before it goes stale |
| Every day | Clean underwear, socks and shirt | Sweat and skin oil collect in fabric |
| Every morning | Air the bedroom | Smells linger less in fresh air |
| Once or twice a week | Change the pillowcase | Your head and neck rest on it every night |
| Regularly | Wash jumpers, coats and chair covers | Fabrics that rarely see the washing machine |
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When to see your GP
Make an appointment if your body odour changes noticeably from how it usually smells, or if you suddenly start sweating much more than usual; the NHS lists both as reasons to get advice. The same goes for night sweats that happen regularly and wake you or worry you, or that come with weight loss you can't explain. Changes like these can have causes other than getting older. In the US, speak to your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Do men have more of an ageing smell than women?
That isn't clear. In the Japanese neck study, nonenal rose with age in both sexes. The only soap study on ageing body odour we found was carried out in men only (Tatsuguchi et al., 2012, Journal of Japan Association on Odor Environment), so there is less information about women on that point.
Does showering more often help?
Washing well every day is the foundation, and the NHS suggests washing armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day. If your skin gets dry, use a mild soap or a soap substitute and moisturise afterwards.
My partner says I smell different. What now?
Take it as help rather than criticism. Try the routine above for a month, then ask again. Your own nose gets used to your smell, so an honest second opinion is worth a lot.
Does aftershave help?
It covers the smell for a while but leaves the cause in place. Start with washing and clean clothes; you can add a scent you like afterwards.