'Old Person Smell'
Dermatologists explain that the phenomenon known as 'old person smell' is a natural biological process caused by the oxidation of skin lipids. The chemical compound 2-nonenal is responsible for this scent, which is unrelated to hygiene.
Why it matters
Understanding the biological basis of aging helps destigmatize natural human physical changes and addresses common social anxieties.
‘It’s just a natural byproduct of skin ageing – not dirt, not poor hygiene.’ ‘It’s just a natural byproduct of skin ageing – not dirt, not poor hygiene.’ Well actually Do people really smell different as they get older? The truth behind ‘old person smell’ Experts say that the smell comes from a chemical compound called 2-nonenal, and it can show up much earlier than one expects
Prefer the Guardian on Google Last week, my mom complained that she’s starting to smell “like an old person”.
She had grabbed her favorite sweater and draped it over herself at the movie theater. “It smelled like my grandmother,” she said, almost whispering. “I thought someone must have borrowed the jacket. But it was just me.”
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