Latest news with #agingSkin
Fox News
07-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
'Old people smell' is real, experts say — here's how to avoid it as you age
Many people have posted on social media about the so-called "old people smell," described as a faintly musty or greasy scent sometimes associated with older adults. This phenomenon is more science than stigma, experts say. "I think we all know this smell," Dr. Dan Wesson, professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "Some describe it as dusty, like an old book. Others as oily or greasy. None of these, of course, are flattering descriptions, and that's why this isn't the kind of smell you want to label a person with," he noted. The skin is the largest organ in the body, so it makes sense that it will undergo significant changes as the body ages, according to Wesson. For most of our lives, body odor stems from sweat, bacteria and dead skin, which can be addressed with basic hygiene. But with aging, changes in skin composition and oil production make smells more complex, the expert noted. "Skin cells accumulate damage over time," he said — and those damaged cells can release compounds that contribute to odor. A key culprit is 2-nonenal, a compound that emerges from lipid oxidation, which is the process of fats in the cells breaking down due to imbalances in the body, studies show. This compound is unique to aging skin and has a greasy, cardboard-like odor. 2-nonenal is not easily washed off with regular hygiene practices, "by nature of its fatty composition," Wesson said. "This is why managing this body odor requires more complex solutions," he said. Wesson suggests taking a more holistic approach by eating antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated and using antioxidant skincare. Some medications — including those for high cholesterol, ADHD or depression — could also impact the body's metabolism and how much it sweats, contributing to odor, according to Wesson. Hormones can also influence how people smell. Post-menopausal women often experience changes in skin and scent due to declining estrogen levels, studies show. "Hormone replacement therapy can ward off some changes that may alter body odor – though [HRT] is not without risks and should be discussed carefully with your doctor," Wesson said. Not all odor changes are normal, experts warn. "A sudden change in body odor can be a warning sign of an underlying health issue," Wesson warned. Diseases like cancer and dementia, for example, can alter body chemistry and scent. "If your loved ones report a sudden change, you should consult your doctor," Wesson advised. Some people may worry about how they smell even when others wouldn't notice. That concern could stem from parosmia, a distorted sense of smell, or olfactory hallucinations, where unpleasant smells are imagined. "People can perceive odors that aren't there at all," Wesson said. "It's important to consider whether it's a real odor or just a change in perception." For more Health articles, visit By understanding the biology behind age-related odor and taking a proactive approach to health and skincare, this condition can be managed, experts say.
Fox News
05-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
'Old people smell' is real, experts say — here's how to avoid it as you age
Many people have posted on social media about the so-called "old people smell," described as a faintly musty or greasy scent sometimes associated with older adults. This phenomenon is more science than stigma, experts say. "I think we all know this smell," Dr. Dan Wesson, professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "Some describe it as dusty, like an old book. Others as oily or greasy. None of these, of course, are flattering descriptions, and that's why this isn't the kind of smell you want to label a person with," he noted. The skin is the largest organ in the body, so it makes sense that it will undergo significant changes as the body ages, according to Wesson. For most of our lives, body odor stems from sweat, bacteria and dead skin, which can be addressed with basic hygiene. But with aging, changes in skin composition and oil production make smells more complex, the expert noted. "Skin cells accumulate damage over time," he said — and those damaged cells can release compounds that contribute to odor. A key culprit is 2-nonenal, a compound that emerges from lipid oxidation, which is the process of fats in the cells breaking down due to imbalances in the body, studies show. This compound is unique to aging skin and has a greasy, cardboard-like odor. 2-nonenal is not easily washed off with regular hygiene practices, "by nature of its fatty composition," Wesson said. "This is why managing this body odor requires more complex solutions," he said. Wesson suggests taking a more holistic approach by eating antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated and using antioxidant skincare. Some medications — including those for high cholesterol, ADHD or depression — could also impact the body's metabolism and how much it sweats, contributing to odor, according to Wesson. Hormones can also influence how people smell. Post-menopausal women often experience changes in skin and scent due to declining estrogen levels, studies show. "Hormone replacement therapy can ward off some changes that may alter body odor – though [HRT] is not without risks and should be discussed carefully with your doctor," Wesson said. Not all odor changes are normal, experts warn. "A sudden change in body odor can be a warning sign of an underlying health issue," Wesson warned. Diseases like cancer and dementia, for example, can alter body chemistry and scent. "If your loved ones report a sudden change, you should consult your doctor," Wesson advised. Some people may worry about how they smell even when others wouldn't notice. That concern could stem from parosmia, a distorted sense of smell, or olfactory hallucinations, where unpleasant smells are imagined. "People can perceive odors that aren't there at all," Wesson said. "It's important to consider whether it's a real odor or just a change in perception." For more Health articles, visit By understanding the biology behind age-related odor and taking a proactive approach to health and skincare, this condition can be managed, experts say.
Vogue
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
This Styling Trick Makes No Sense–Unless You're Sarah Jessica Parker
One of my first assignments at British Vogue was to interview Sarah Jessica Parker about how best to care for aging skin. The actor was in town to promote her partnership with RoC skincare, and despite the creeping presence of a PR sat on a neighboring sofa, her responses were refreshingly candid. 'I pretty much wash my face old-school style with whatever's at hand,' she said. 'I don't even buy cleansers. Most days, I just use a bar of soap. I would really use anything!' I nodded and smiled, far more interested in why she had arrived with a necklace caught in the straps of her bra. SJP in New York, April 2025. XNY/Star Max Sarah Jessica Parker in Utah, January 2025. London Entertainment I asked, and she replied: 'It's a small gesture that will make everyone think, 'Yep, that's her.' We spend a huge amount of time just wanting to be like everyone else, because we just want to make connections, but it takes such a long time to learn that you can be unique.' Much like her habit of wearing mismatched heels–or captioning Instagram posts with a little 'x' despite not being British–it's a flourish she's developed as her own. Just this morning, for example, SJP was photographed at the Paris photocall for And Just Like That… with a long, beaded necklace lurching across her chest.
