"A Particular Substance Is Released from the Skin After Age 40"...Baek Ji-yeon Explains the Cause of 'Old-Person Smell' [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Broadcaster Baek Ji-yeon highlighted the importance of managing body odor, noting that it changes after age 40. The distinctive odor that develops with age is reportedly not a hygiene issue, but results from the production of a particular substance as the body ages.

On the 14th, Baek Ji-yeon uploaded a video titled "Become Someone People Like with Just This One Thing" to her YouTube channel, 'Jigeum Baek Ji-yeon,' discussing body odor management.
Baek Ji-yeon said, "Isn't a first impression the most important thing when you meet someone for the first time? Today, I want to talk about the subtle finishing touch to one's impression. That is body odor management." She added, "No matter how stylishly you dress, it is pointless if you have an unpleasant odor."
She continued, "The final step in completing one's impression is managing odor. The sad fact is that after age 40, a particular substance is released from the skin and determines the nature of one's body odor. I thought, 'Is this what people call old-person smell?'"
She emphasized, "Covering it with a pleasant fragrance will not solve the problem if an underlying bad odor remains. The most important thing is to wash thoroughly."

The musty body odor commonly called 'old-person smell' is caused by a substance called 2-Nonenal. It is produced when fatty acids in sebum oxidize. It is barely produced when people are young, but production increases after age 40.
When 2-Nonenal cannot be expelled and accumulates in the pores, it causes an odor. Because it results from the oxidation of fat in the skin, it is unrelated to the amount of fat in the body.
Because it is a natural physical phenomenon associated with aging, it is difficult to eliminate the odor completely. However, it can be improved through lifestyle and dietary habits.
Reducing fatty foods and eating plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit rich in dietary fiber can help. When the body lacks water, waste products are not expelled efficiently, which can intensify the odor, so it is advisable to drink water frequently.
When washing, thoroughly clean areas where body odor is strong, such as the armpits, behind the ears, and the groin. Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, at least three days a week, is also recommended to help expel sweat and waste products.

[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter