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Body OdorAlthough human sweat is odorless, bacterial growth and the breakdown of sweat components—including organic acids and carbohydrates—give rise to what we know as body odor. A collection of bacteria contributes to such malodorous scents, but studies suggest Corynebacterium species, in particular, make adults smelly.
Humans have two types of sweat glands, the eccrine and apocrine. The latter, found primarily in our armpits and groin, opens up into hair follicles and contributes to body odor when bacteria naturally found on our skin mix with the sweat. Americans spent more money masking "BO" (an acronym coined by antiperspirant marketers in the early 1900s) than our counterparts in any other country in 2023—more than $6B.
Hormones, medications, food, body hair, and stage of life can all affect our scent. Sickness is also associated with different body odors, and mounting research has revealed that a variety of medical conditions have specific aromas. Some disorders may be detectable by their smell even before symptoms manifest, including Parkinson's disease.Explore Body Odor
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Americans spent $6.6 billion on body odor products in 2023This high figure from Euromonitor, a research firm, suggests Americans spent more on deodorant than in any other country. Beyond deodorant, there's also growing interest in "whole body" deodorant designed to mask smells from various parts of the body beyond the armpit. Forbes'Sweat dating' is a dating approach where partners specifically select by body odorWith dedicated events in major cities around the world, "sweat dating" offers people the chance to judge if a potential partner's smell is a match. Participants show up for an event, do calisthenics, wipe themselves with a cotton pad, and then place the smelly pad in a numbered jar for potential partners to sniff. This Podcast Will Kill YouAn antiperspirant ad campaign in the early 1900s dubbed body odor "B.O."The product was marketed toward women and framed excessive sweating as a medical disorder that needed to be addressed with the product. The WeekAmericans only became intolerant of body odor in the last centuryDaily bathing only became a societal norm in the last century. Today, Americans routinely bathe and buy more deodorant than any other country, spending roughly $6 billion annually on odor-reducing products. The rise of industrialized soaps, deodorants, and antiperspirants—and extensive marketing around them—stimulated this demand. The Saturday Evening PostA 2025 study explored the common words to describe body odor across 17 countriesThe work identified the 25 most frequent words used to describe body odors across languages, ranked by frequency, and found that "sweaty" topped the list, followed by "sour" and "stinky." NatureExplore the chemistry of undesired body odorsThis graphic highlights some of the main compounds in different body odors, including halitosis (bad breath), flatulence, and foot odor. Compound Interest Corynebacterium species are particularly responsible for our funky smellMyriad bacteria contribute to our body odor, but research suggests that Corynebacterium species are strongly associated with the bad smells emanating from adults. Staphylococcus and Cutibacterium genera may also play leading roles. National Library of MedicineRead a study documenting how 'old people' smell increases with ageAnalysis of body odors from individuals aged 26 to 75 confirmed that 2-nonenal, an unsaturated aldehyde with an unpleasant, greasy, and grassy odor, was detected only in subjects aged 40 and older. Journal of Investigative Dermatology'Old people' smell is real—it's a chemical buildup when fatty acids on the skin oxidizeThe chemical composition of body odor seems to change with age. Later in life, we harbor higher concentrations of a chemical compound called 2-nonenal that forms when omega-7 fatty acids on the skin oxidize, and the skin's natural antioxidant defenses weaken. Commonly called "nonenal", it's the smell widely associated with aging, and it's often described as a grassy or greasy odor. Assisting Hands Home CareSweat doesn't smell, but bacteria multiply in moist environments—and cause an odorBody odor is associated with sweat, but odor actually arises from the bacteria that multiply in moist environments on your skin. Hormones, medications, food, and body hair can all affect body odor. Cleveland ClinicHip-hop legends the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and DMX all attended the same New York high schoolAll four emcees attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, a vocational public school in downtown Brooklyn. Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes were well-known as rappers when they were in school, once even battle-rapping one another in the lunchroom. (Jay-Z won.) MicJudy Garland's body double wore a sepia dress in the movie's most famous sceneA famous scene from “The Wizard of Oz” features Dorothy leaving behind her home in Kansas and walking into Oz. The filmmakers wanted the character to exit a colorless world and enter a Technicolor one, though the nascent technology required more than some clever postproduction tricks. The scene was painted sepia, as was Judy Garland's body double's dress. As she walks through the door, into Oz, the camera turns away. Then, Judy Garland strides back into frame, wearing her iconic blue dress. Kevin LynchThe world's most famous portraits"Afghan Girl" (1984), "Migrant Mother" (1936), and Marilyn Monroe in a billowing skirt (1954) are among the most famous portraits of all time. Capturing both unbelievable tragedy and delight, these 15 images are some of the most captivating in human history. iPhotographyThere's a booming community of jumping spider pet ownersJumping spiders have become hugely popular pets, especially amongst women, and they can cost up to $100. Some get them in an attempt to overcome their fear of spiders, while others just find them adorable. The practice has led many people to appreciate the complexity of the animal that some would consider a pest. NPRNASCAR automobiles have become significantly more complex over timeThe first generation of NASCAR automobiles were nearly identical to on-the-street models, with no modifications allowed to the body or frame. They even raced with doors. Fast-forward 75 years and the cars are 670-horsepower machines designed for racing. Autoweek