Puberty brings about many changes in the body, including an increase in body odor. Scientists have identified some of the compounds responsible for the distinct aroma that develops during this stage of life. Teen body odor contains two smelly steroids and higher levels of carboxylic acids, compared to that of infants and toddlers. These chemicals are produced when bacteria break down armpit sweat and oily secretions, contributing to the changes in body odor during puberty.
Research conducted by Helene Loos and her team involved collecting body odor samples from teenagers aged 14 to 18 and young children aged 0 to 3. They discovered that teens and young children have over 40 compounds in common in their body odors. However, the scents of carboxylic acids were more prevalent in teens, with a mix of pleasant fruity, soapy, and grassy smells, as well as less-appealing cheesy, musty, and goatlike scents.
In addition to the carboxylic acids, the researchers identified two steroids that were present only in the body odor of the teenagers. One of these steroids, 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, emits a scent reminiscent of sweat, urine, and musk. The other, 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol, has a musk and sandalwood aroma. Despite participants avoiding scented products for two days prior to the study, some components of scented products were still detected in the samples.
While certain compounds known to contribute to strong body odor were not detected in the study, biochemist Andreas Natsch suggests that they may require different detection techniques or could appear more prominently after physical activity. Future research aims to explore these compounds further and investigate how body odor changes at other stages of development. Understanding the compounds responsible for body odor during puberty could lead to new insights on personal hygiene and skincare practices.
The findings of this study shed light on the complex composition of body odor during puberty and how it differs from that of younger children. By identifying specific compounds that contribute to teenage body odor, researchers are gaining a better understanding of the biological processes that occur during this transitional stage in life. Further research will be needed to explore additional components that may play a role in body odor and how these compounds change over time. This knowledge could ultimately lead to the development of new products and strategies for managing body odor effectively.
