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One of the biggest misconceptions about body odour is that sweat itself smells bad.
In reality, freshly produced sweat is almost odorless. Body odour develops when naturally occurring skin bacteria break down components of sweat into volatile compounds, including sulphur-containing molecules and short-chain fatty acids.
Found almost everywhere on the body
Approximately 2–4 million eccrine sweat glands are distributed across human skin.
• Regulate body temperature
• Cool the body through evaporation
• Maintain normal skin hydration
Mostly:
• Water (~99%)
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Small amounts of urea, lactate and minerals
Fresh eccrine sweat is virtually odorless.
• Underarms (Axillae)
• Around the nipples
• Groin region
These glands become active after puberty.
Unlike eccrine sweat, apocrine sweat contains:
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Amino acid derivatives
• Steroid-like compounds
Although freshly secreted apocrine sweat is also nearly odorless, these compounds become food for naturally occurring skin bacteria, which transform them into odour-active molecules.
Apocrine Sweat
↓
Skin Microbiome
↓
Bacterial Metabolism
↓
Sulphur Compounds + Short-Chain Fatty Acids + Other Volatile Molecules
↓
This is why sweating alone does not necessarily cause body odour.
Sweating is one of the body’s most important physiological processes.
• Regulate body temperature
• Prevent overheating
• Support exercise performance
• Maintain normal skin function
