As we have the privilege of aging, there are a number of perfectly normal changes that occur to our bodies. But for all the age-related talk that we hear about wrinkles, hair loss and general body pain, there’s a lesser-discussed conversation about smell. Sure, everyone, no matter what age, gets body odor. But the specific smell that comes with aging is distinct from regular BO, isn’t indicative of poor hygiene, and doesn’t come off with just normal soap and water. It may, however, with this special bar of Japanese soap.
The Mirai Clinical persimmon soap bar was first suggested to us as a possible solution when HuffPost contributor Julie Kendrick recently reported on the “old person smell” phenomenon, which is caused by the compound 2-nonenal.
Typically beginning after age 40 and caused by antioxidant defenses declining in the skin, nonenal odors can have a mild to moderate organic or musty smell that varies from person to person, we’re told by dermatologists. And you might not even be able to notice it on yourself due to something called olfactory adaptation, where you become accustomed to the scent since its development is so gradual.
“Persimmon soap, which contains tannins, has a plausible mechanism and a long history of use, though large randomized trials are lacking,” dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye, founder of Bergen Dermatology, previously suggested.
And while Boakye didn’t mention a specific brand, the Mirai bar soap appears to be the most popular and widely reviewed option. (The founder even appeared on “Shark Tank” last year.) This formula has a dense concentration of persimmon-derived tannins, along with green tea extract, an ingredient that’s rich in antioxidants for continual defense throughout the day.
Molded into the perfect palm-sized round and delicately scented, the Mirai persimmon soap claims to be moisturizing, suitable for all skin types and works best when lathered onto key areas of the body where nonenal odors generally develop, such as the feet, under the armpits and along the back of the neck.
One Amazon customer put it to the test behind their ears — another part of the body where this smell can commonly develop.
“The results were pretty remarkable,” they claimed in their review. “I washed behind my ears on day one and then didn’t do it again for three days, constantly smelling that area each day. The smell stayed gone for two days, and by about the third day, it was starting to become slightly noticeable. That made me a believer.”
Others claim the soap worked on perimenopausal-related odors and just body odors in general that had previously been resistant to other soap formulas.
But before you rush to buy yourself a bar of this tangerine-hued soap, experts assure us that the presence of nonenal odor is perfectly normal and not necessarily unpleasant to all humans, since smell is so subjective. But, if it is a concern for you, you’re only a click away from a possible solution.
Promising Amazon reviews:
“Magical!! This stuff really works! No more perimenopause weird odor. I was going crazy! Bought a bunch more because it’s an essential now.” — An
“The perfect soap for seniors. This is a fantastic product. I had been changing soaps, shampoos, laundry soaps and sheets, and the unpleasant smell remained. Within days of using Mirai clinical persimmon soap I smell clean and fresh again. I also use the deodorant. I like the round shape of the bar and it makes a nice lather. I recommend this to everyone.” — Kindle customer
“Now get ready because I am going to get slightly gross for a minute. I rubbed my finger behind both my ears and smelled and yeah, it wasn’t great, even though I just washed that morning. So I gave the soap a shot and in particular focused on behind the ears. The result were pretty remarkable. I washed behind my ears on day one and then didn’t do it again for 3 days. Constantly smelling that area each day. The smell stayed gone for 2 days and by about the 3rd day it was starting to become slightly noticeable. That made me a believer. So I started using it in all the places the nonenal is at. I start by washing my entire body with regular soap and then at the end of my shower I use this soap in all the places they teach you that nonenal shows up. I have to say that I feel much more confident about how I smell after using it. No one wants to go through hormonal changes but we all have to. At least now we can be more comfortable in our skin while we go through it. I know it’s very expensive for a soap. But it is worth it. And if you only use it on the parts of the body that the nonenal smell comes from you won’t have to buy it again for a couple of months.” — L.B. (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)
“I’m glad I decided to try this soap despite the cost. It’s a large bar that hopefully will last for months and lathers very well with a pleasant clean smell. I noticed after using the bar the sour odor that I have been struggling with is absent. I hope this soap works as well for you as it has for me.” — Patricia Kroepel
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
If you want to shop for more dermatologist-recommended bar soaps, take a look at this list from previous HuffPost coverage, written by senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe.
Expert Picks
Amazon
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser bar
Mraz is a fan of this multi-tasking, fragrance-free and hydrating cleansing bar from CeraVe. You can't go wrong with this dermatologist-beloved brand, and the bar soap is no exception. It's gentle enough to use on both face and body, effectively getting rid of grime, sweat and dirt while helping to boost your skin's natural moisture barrier.
Amazon
Vanicream cleansing bar
Both experts enthusiastically recommended this Vanicream bar soap. Mraz stated that it "is great for dry skin and skin prone to eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. It's very gentle, while also deeply hydrating." Both she and Camp made a point to mention that it's free of drying and irritating ingredients like dyes, fragrances and other common irritants while also being noncomedogenic.
Dermstore
Avène XeraCalm A.D Ultra-Rich cleansing bar
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, recommended this French pharmacy staple from Avène. Made with evening primrose oil and thermal spring water, he noted that this hydrating bar soap can effectively cleanse skin "without disrupting the skin's natural microbiome." It's a great option for people of all ages and can calm eczema-prone skin.
Read more about our favorite French pharmacy skin care products.
Amazon
Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile bar soap
According to Mraz, "Castile soap is a great choice for dry skin — it is vegetable-based and free of chemicals, synthetic ingredients and is hypoallergenic." Because Dr. Bronner's uses hemp seed oil in its formula, it creates a soft, smooth later that won't dry out skin. I love the peppermint scent, but the brand has quite a few options, all of which smell delightfully fresh.
Community Goods
Community Goods shampoo bar
And just in case you were looking to expand your package-free bar soap repertoire to hair care as well, Mraz recommends the shampoo and conditioner bars from Community Goods. She told HuffPost that this shampoo pairs the "eco-friendly benefits of bar soap with the formulations for hair." She recommends this gentle, nourishing shampoo for all your upcoming summer travels.
(I have been known to love a good bar shampoo as well, and tend to favor the Ethique one.)
Amazon
Aveeno moisturizing bar soap
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deanne Mraz, recommends this Aveeno bar soap for anyone looking for an ultra-gentle and nourishing formula, making it great for eczema-prone or sensitive skin. The colloidal oats are soothing and exfoliating, while glycerin and paraffin lock in moisture. It's available in "fragrance-free" and "unscented" options.
Editors' Picks
Amazon
Dove Antibacterial Care soap bar
Somehow my wife landed on "Clean Girl TikTok" and decided that we needed to double-cleanse our bodies as well as our faces. This led her to purchase multiple packs of Dove's antibacterial care bar soaps, which we've been using as a first step in our body cleansing routine. I was worried that having antibacterial properties in soap would strip the skin, but can confidently say that the opposite. This bar is highly nourishing and leaves skin with a soft finish and a nice, fresh smell that isn't overpowering.
Glossier
Glossier Body Hero exfoliating bar
Say what you will about millennial pink beauty brand Glossier, but I can attest to the fact that the body care products, including this exfoliating bar soap, are absolutely delicious. It has the brand's iconic "You" fragrance that smells clean and fresh, with a hint of sexy warmth. It's ergonomically designed to fit in your hand perfectly and is formulated with biodegradable bamboo powder that gently and effectively exfoliates the skin.
Flamingo Estate
Flamingo Estate Roman Parsley & Fresh Rosemary soap brick
Transport yourself to the French countryside with this soap brick from Flamingo Estate. It is a fragrant, herbaceous dream, designed to wake you up and leave your skin feeling cleansed, soft and fresh. The bar's extra-large size makes it a great investment; all you have to do is buy one and forget about it for quite some time.
Amazon
Dial Antibacterial Refresh & Renew bar soap
My colleague's tattoo artist recommends this antibacterial body bar soap from Dial. It thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture barrier, making it perfect for repairing damaged, dry or recently-tatted skin. It'll infuse the skin with a hefty dose of moisturizing ingredients that will leave skin feeling baby soft.
Amazon
Valitic Kojic Acid dark spot remover bar soap
This cult fave is also recommended by Flores, who uses it "on my arms for my KP and my underarms for any hyperpigmentation — and it really works," she proclaimed.
These bar soaps harness the power of active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol combined with the nourishing benefits of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, shea butter and olive oil to potentially help even out skin tone, lighten dark spots, smooth skin and reduce blemishes. This two-pack has myriad glowing reviews attesting to its prowess, and could be a good tool in your skin health arsenal.
Sephora
Soft Services Buffing Bar
Designed to provide fairly intense physical exfoliation on areas of the body that can withstand a more vigorous refresh, this body bar is as polishing as it is hydrating. Mineral microcrystals work to visibly slough away dead skin buildup, ingrown hairs and bumps, while glycerin and shea butter nourish and soften. It's a high-end option for someone who wants to give themselves a lovely spa experience from the comfort of home.
Nécessaire
Nécessaire The Body Exfoliant Bar
I'm a longtime fan of Nécessaire hair and skin care products, including this exfoliating bar soap. It's ultra-luxurious and made with nourishing and exfoliating ingredients that can help to soften and smooth skin. This soap is also unscented, making it a must-have for anyone who has sensitive skin or is prone to irritation. The price is surprisingly reasonable for such a high-end, well-made body care product.
Amazon
Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter beauty bar two-pack
There are lots of great options from Dove out there, but HuffPost Shopping writer Tessa Flores loves this shea butter soap, in particular. "The fragrance doesn't irritate my skin and it actually hydrates my dry skin," she said. This two-pack is as nourishing as it gets, drenching you in yummy ingredients but never feeling greasy, thick or like it leaves film behind on the skin.
Amazon
L'Occitane Shea Butter Extra-Gentle solid soap
My mother raised me in the cult of L'Occitane, if you ask us it's the height of luxury. I love the soft lavender scent of this bar soap, it makes me feel like I'm bathing in the French countryside. It's gentle and effective, leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed without that icky squeaky clean feeling that strips the skin. This bar soap is excellent for leaving skin deliciously balanced, soft and smooth.
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