When it comes to the aging process, there are lots of "fun" changes: needing to hold the menu further away to see it, having to make more bathroom stops on road trips, grunting every time you sit down. While it doesn't get as much attention as hair loss or wrinkles, another not-so-fun part of aging? Smell.
Think back to your grandparents' house. Sure, grandma may have worn too much perfume or your grandpa's closet had one too many mothballs, but for most of us, when we imagine being young at our grandparents', there's a distinct smell tied to that memory. And you're not imagining it. But why does old people smell happen? What actually is it? And how do you get rid of it?
“‘Old person smell’ has become a punchline online, but biologically it’s really a conversation about oxidative stress, inflammation, hormones, mitochondrial health and longevity,” explains Michelle Sands, licensed naturopathic physician with expertise in longevity and hormone health. “As we age, antioxidant defenses decline, hormone levels shift and the skin becomes more vulnerable to oxidative stress. That creates a distinct stale, greasy, slightly grassy odor that many people associate with aging,” she adds.
As a registered dietitian with a background working in nutrition research, I'm no stranger to the emerging role nutrition plays in healthy aging. But while I'm up to date on peptides, the MIND diet and creatine, I have to admit I knew pretty much nothing about "old people smell" going into researching this article. To help guide my research and fill in missing gaps along the way, I spoke with two longevity experts about what causes odors as we age and how — and even if — we can get rid of them or avoid them in the first place. Here's what I learned.
What is old people smell? And why does it happen?
"'Old person smell' is real — but it's not about poor hygiene. It's primarily linked to a compound called 2-nonenal, which forms when omega-7 fatty acids on the skin oxidize over time," Sands explains.
"As we age, our skin chemistry changes. We tend to have more oxidative stress, slower skin turnover, changes in sebum composition and less robust antioxidant defenses," adds Dr. Pablo Prichard, MD, host of Forever Young on NBC and cofounder of Vincere Cancer Center. Together, he says, these changes make it easier for omega-7 fatty acids on the skin to break down into an odor molecule called 2-nonenal.
The molecule, he adds, “forms when certain fats on the surface of the skin oxidize. These fats react with oxygen and free radicals. Think of it as the 'rancid oil' effect, but on a microscopic skin level. It is not dirt, and it is not simply poor hygiene.”
While both Prichard and Sands say that 2-nonenal starts to accumulate more around age 40, they both stress that this timeline varies by person and that it's not a dramatic change that happens overnight. "It's more of a gradual biological drift than a birthday switch," says Prichard.
Is it preventable?
While you can't fully prevent the formation of 2-nonenal, Prichard says you may be able to slow the oxidation of omega-7s on your skin: "Someone with lower oxidative stress, better metabolic health, better skin care, good nutrition, exercise, sleep and less toxin exposure may have less lipid oxidation than someone of the same chronological age who is inflamed, sedentary, insulin-resistant, sleep-deprived or exposed to more environmental stressors." That said, he cautions it's important not to overstate how much control we have over preventing or minimizing the smell until we have more robust research.
Prichard also points out the importance of getting on top of lifestyle factors and skin hygiene sooner rather than later. "The earlier you protect the system, the less repair work you have to do later. When damage accumulation outweighs the body's ability to repair, that's aging." Notably, he adds, two people of the same age can smell quite different based on how they live — suggesting 2-nonenal may track biological age more closely than chronological age.
Sands agrees, saying that if you want to slow the accumulation of 2-nonenal, your main focus should be on reducing oxidative stress by improving your metabolic health. "That means stabilizing blood sugar levels, building muscle, sleeping well, reducing alcohol intake and exercising consistently." From a dietary standpoint, foods rich in antioxidants and polyphenols — think colorful berries, green tea, omega-3-rich fish and sulfur-rich vegetables like broccoli and garlic — may help reduce the lipid oxidation that generates 2-nonenal in the first place. On the flip side, diets high in processed foods, excess sugar, fried foods and alcohol appear to accelerate exactly those oxidative reactions.
She also highlights the role of hormones, especially for women during perimenopause and menopause. "Declining estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can accelerate many of the processes associated with aging — including loss of muscle mass, increased inflammation, changes in skin integrity, slower metabolism and oxidative stress."
Can you get rid of old people smell?
Research hasn't caught up to this question quite yet, but Sands says the answer is likely yes — though don't expect to find it in the body wash aisle. Because 2-nonenal is oily and lipid-soluble, it clings to skin and fabrics in a way that a standard shower won't fully address. Instead, she recommends focusing on the lifestyle factors mentioned above: diet, exercise, sleep, stress and hydration.
"The exciting part is this: Many of the factors driving accelerated aging are modifiable. Your lifestyle changes your chemistry. And your chemistry influences everything — your energy, cognition, skin, hormones, metabolism and yes, even how you smell," she says.
Still, don’t automatically assume that the new scent you or your family notices is simply a sign of aging. “A sudden change in body scent can sometimes signal underlying metabolic or health issues. The body is constantly communicating with us — and scent is one of its warning signals," says Sands.
FAQs
Are there foods that can help reduce old people smell?
Research on diet and reducing 2-nonenal production is still limited. That said, because the compound forms through oxidative stress, your best bet is eating a diet rich in antioxidants. Sands recommends colorful berries, pomegranate seeds, dark leafy greens, sulfur-rich vegetables like broccoli and garlic, and omega-3-rich foods like fatty fish. She also calls out green tea for its high polyphenol content and suggests herbs and spices like turmeric and rosemary for their antioxidant properties.
What soap gets rid of old person smell?
Regular soap often isn't enough, since 2-nonenal is oily and lipid-soluble — it clings to skin in a way that a standard lather won't fully break down. Persimmon-based cleansers have gained attention as a more targeted option, with tannins and antioxidants in persimmons thought to bind and neutralize 2-nonenal molecules. Research is limited, though, and no cleanser addresses the underlying cause. Because 2-nonenal forms through the natural oxidation of skin fatty acids — a process that accelerates with age — the most effective long-term approach is reducing oxidative stress through diet, exercise, sleep and other lifestyle factors.
Meet our experts
Pablo Prichard, MD, host of Forever Young on NBC and cofounder of Vincere Cancer Center
Michelle Sands, licensed naturopathic physician, longevity and hormone health expert at Glow Natural Wellness
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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