Reading about kareishū, the so-called aging body odor, took me back to my childhood years. Every time I visited my grandmother, I remember noticing something different about her smell. As a child, I would innocently ask her, “How can you smell different, GrandMa?” I did not understand then that I was noticing one of the quiet changes that come with aging.
Now that I am older, I see that question in a different light. What I once thought was just a childhood curiosity was really my first lesson in how the human body changes with time. Aging does not only show up in the mirror. It also shows up in scent, in skin, in energy, and in the small details that make each stage of life unique.
In Japanese culture, this has a name: kareishū. It refers to the distinct odor that can become more noticeable as people age. Science tells us this has something to do with changes in the skin’s natural oils and the way the body produces certain compounds over time. It is not a sign of poor hygiene. It is simply part of the aging process. That understanding brings comfort, because so many older adults deserve dignity instead of embarrassment.
For me, this topic is not just about chemistry. It is about memory. It is about my grandmother’s home, her presence, and the way children notice things adults may never mention. In Filipino families, our elders are deeply respected, and yet we rarely talk openly about the physical realities of aging. We honor our grandparents for their wisdom, their sacrifices, and their love, but we may overlook the everyday changes that come with growing old.
That is why this subject feels important to me. Aging is not only about decline. It is also about transformation. The body changes, but so do our perspectives. What once seemed strange becomes understandable. What once felt uncomfortable becomes human. And what once was a child’s innocent question becomes an adult’s quiet reflection.
Today, I think back on my grandmother with more tenderness than curiosity. Her different scent was not something to judge. It was part of her life story, part of her age, and part of the memory I still carry. In that sense, kareishū is more than a scientific term. It is a reminder that aging touches every part of who we are, even the parts we cannot always see.
A Gentler Close
If I could ask my grandmother that question again today, I would ask it differently. Not with surprise, but with love. Because growing older is not something to hide. It is something to understand, respect, and honor.
AI Overview:
The Smell of aging is the Japanese concept of kareishū, or “aging body odor,” and the main compound often linked to it is 2-nonenal, an oily-smelling molecule that becomes more noticeable with age. The important thing is that this is a normal biology story, not a hygiene failure, and it has become a useful way to talk about how aging changes skin chemistry.
What the science says
Research associated with Shiseido in the early 2000s identified 2-nonenal as a distinctive odor compound that appears more strongly in older adults and is tied to the oxidation of skin oils. The scent is often described as greasy, grassy, or musty, and it tends to come from the body’s sebum rather than from sweat alone. Because it is oil-based, ordinary soap may not fully remove it the way people expect.
Why it happens
As people age, skin chemistry changes: sebum composition shifts, antioxidant defenses decline, and oxidation has more room to work. That creates more of the compounds associated with kareishū, especially around areas like the neck, chest, armpits, and upper back. It also helps explain why the odor can cling to clothes and furniture, not just skin.
How it is managed
Japanese skincare companies and consumer products have responded with persimmon-based soaps and odor-neutralizing formulas designed to target 2-nonenal more directly. Lifestyle steps such as frequent washing of skin, clothing, and linens, plus attention to overall skin health, are also commonly recommended. The broader takeaway is simple: aging changes body odor, and the solution is usually chemistry-aware care, not embarrassment
Lastly, My Photo of the Day: My Oldest Great Grandson, Graham King, 7/4/26
From the FaceBook of My Grand Son Ian Panda King
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