Teenagers really do stink! Teen body odour contains unique compounds that smell of sweat, urine, musk and sandalwood, study finds

Most parents are familiar with the smell of a teenager’s bedroom.

Now scientists have confirmed that they actually have their own special scent – ​​of sweat, urine, musk and sandalwood.

The researchers compared the chemical composition of body odor samples from 18 infants aged zero to three years old and 18 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years old.

There was an equal mix of men and women in each age group.

Samples were collected from cotton pads sewn into the armpits of T-shirts and bodysuits worn by participants overnight.

Adolescent participants and parents of infant participants were instructed to avoid strongly flavored foods, scented products, and detergents for 48 hours before the study.

The analysis found that although the chemical composition of body odors was similar in the two groups, those collected from adolescents contained higher levels of certain acids.

The odors of these acids are described as “cheesy”, “fruity and dried plum”, “musty, coriander and oily”, “goat-like”, “waxy and soapy”, and “earthy, grassy and oily”. green pepper “.

The researchers also identified two compounds found exclusively in samples taken from adolescents that they say smell like “sweat, urine, and musk” as well as sandalwood.

Meanwhile, infants’ body odor samples were described as “purple-like” and “soap-and-perfume-like.”

The authors suggest that some of the differences in chemical composition could result from the difference in activity of sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands – both associated with the hair follicle – between adolescents and infants.

They speculate that the absence of unpleasant-smelling steroids as well as lower levels of certain acids in infant body odor samples may contribute to their generally being considered more pleasantly scented than infant body odors. adolescents.

The team, from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, published their results in the journal Communications Chemistry.

They wrote: “Body odors contribute differently to interpersonal communication between parents and their offspring at different developmental stages.

“Shortly after birth, infants learn to recognize their mother’s individual odor and parents are able to identify their own infant’s body odor, which is preferred over that of other infants.

“Infants’ body odors are pleasant and enriching for mothers and, as such, likely facilitate parental affection.

“In contrast, body odors of pubescent children are rated as less pleasant and parents are unable to identify their own child at this stage of development.”