‘Old Person Smell’ Is A Real Thing And Experts Say This Japanese Persimmon Soap May Get Rid Of It

As we have the privilege of aging, there are a number of perfectly normal changes that occur to our bodies. But for all the age-related talk that we hear about wrinkles, hair loss and general body pain, there’s a lesser-discussed conversation about smell. Sure, everyone, no matter what age, gets body odor. But the specific smell that comes with aging is distinct from regular BO, isn’t indicative of poor hygiene, and doesn’t come off with just normal soap and water. It may, however, with this special bar of Japanese soap.

The Mirai Clinical persimmon soap bar was first suggested to us as a possible solution when HuffPost contributor Julie Kendrick recently reported on the “old person smell” phenomenon, which is caused by the compound 2-nonenal.

Typically beginning after age 40 and caused by antioxidant defenses declining in the skin, nonenal odors can have a mild to moderate organic or musty smell that varies from person to person, we’re told by dermatologists. And you might not even be able to notice it on yourself due to something called olfactory adaptation, where you become accustomed to the scent since its development is so gradual. 

“Persimmon soap, which contains tannins, has a plausible mechanism and a long history of use, though large randomized trials are lacking,” dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye, founder of Bergen Dermatology, previously suggested. 

And while Boakye didn’t mention a specific brand, the Mirai bar soap appears to be the most popular and widely reviewed option. (The founder even appeared on “Shark Tank” last year.) This formula has a dense concentration of persimmon-derived tannins, along with green tea extract, an ingredient that’s rich in antioxidants for continual defense throughout the day. 

Molded into the perfect palm-sized round and delicately scented, the Mirai persimmon soap claims to be moisturizing, suitable for all skin types and works best when lathered onto key areas of the body where nonenal odors generally develop, such as the feet, under the armpits and along the back of the neck. 

One Amazon customer put it to the test behind their ears — another part of the body where this smell can commonly develop. 

“The results were pretty remarkable,” they claimed in their review. “I washed behind my ears on day one and then didn’t do it again for three days, constantly smelling that area each day. The smell stayed gone for two days, and by about the third day, it was starting to become slightly noticeable. That made me a believer.”

Others claim the soap worked on perimenopausal-related odors and just body odors in general that had previously been resistant to other soap formulas. 

But before you rush to buy yourself a bar of this tangerine-hued soap, experts assure us that the presence of nonenal odor is perfectly normal and not necessarily unpleasant to all humans, since smell is so subjective. But, if it is a concern for you, you’re only a click away from a possible solution.  

Promising Amazon reviews:

“Magical!! This stuff really works! No more perimenopause weird odor. I was going crazy! Bought a bunch more because it’s an essential now.” — An

“The perfect soap for seniors. This is a fantastic product. I had been changing soaps, shampoos, laundry soaps and sheets, and the unpleasant smell remained. Within days of using Mirai clinical persimmon soap I smell clean and fresh again. I also use the deodorant. I like the round shape of the bar and it makes a nice lather. I recommend this to everyone.” — Kindle customer

“Now get ready because I am going to get slightly gross for a minute. I rubbed my finger behind both my ears and smelled and yeah, it wasn’t great, even though I just washed that morning. So I gave the soap a shot and in particular focused on behind the ears. The result were pretty remarkable. I washed behind my ears on day one and then didn’t do it again for 3 days. Constantly smelling that area each day. The smell stayed gone for 2 days and by about the 3rd day it was starting to become slightly noticeable. That made me a believer. So I started using it in all the places the nonenal is at. I start by washing my entire body with regular soap and then at the end of my shower I use this soap in all the places they teach you that nonenal shows up. I have to say that I feel much more confident about how I smell after using it. No one wants to go through hormonal changes but we all have to. At least now we can be more comfortable in our skin while we go through it. I know it’s very expensive for a soap. But it is worth it. And if you only use it on the parts of the body that the nonenal smell comes from you won’t have to buy it again for a couple of months.” — L.B. (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)

“I’m glad I decided to try this soap despite the cost. It’s a large bar that hopefully will last for months and lathers very well with a pleasant clean smell. I noticed after using the bar the sour odor that I have been struggling with is absent. I hope this soap works as well for you as it has for me.” — Patricia Kroepel

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

This brand behind this game-changing soap offers more products to banish old person smell:

Amazon

A clarifying persimmon shampoo for nonenal scalp odor

Nonenal odor can accumulate on your scalp and in your hair, too, which this shampoo seeks to target. The clarifying formula is designed for mature hair and safe on color-treated locks, without sulfates, parabens or synthetic fragrances. It has the Japanese persimmon extract you’ll recognize from their soap, along with camellia oil and infused silk protein for shine, hydration and reduction of frizz. Some reviewers recommend letting the shampoo sit for a couple minutes before rinsing it off for best results. They also say that you only need to use a little at a time, which can make the relatively high cost go down a little easier.

Promising review: “My wife had been “noticing” that “old guy’s scent” on me and my clothing. After only a week using this she said there was a noticeable decrease, and now, a month later, she says it’s gone. The shampoo itself only takes a small squirt to work into a lot of lather. There’s no lotion-like residue that comes with regular shampoos, and no flowery perfume smells either. I’m going to be a repeat customer.” — Kindle Customer

$35 at Amazon

Amazon

The body soap for sensitive skin with nourishing plant-based oils

While the original soap is safe for all skin types, some with sensitive skin may want a soap that’s a little gentler on the skin. Those folks may prefer the sensitive skin version, which swaps out some of the botanical extracts for nourishing plant-based oils like coconut and sunflower seed oil. This rectangular soap bar is a different shape to the original round, but both weigh the same amount and contain persimmon and green tea to tackle nonenal odor. The sensitive skin bar also happens to be a dollar cheaper, and has no fragrance.

Promising review: “The soap is mild for someone that could only use Dove prior to learning about Mirai. I noticed when I hit menopause that my scent started changing I was afraid that others would notice too. I started looking into changing my soap and invested in different body soaps that claim to balance your PH balance only to get hives and other skin rashes. I came across an advertisement that made me pause. Everything she mentioned was what I was experiencing. A couple months into it and I love it. I feel fresh and my skin is feels great.” — Maria Marshall

$20+ at Amazon

Amazon

Some deodorizing persimmon body wipes you can keep in your car, bag or suitcase

Speaking of smelling great on the go, another option that’s convenient for travel is these deodorizing body wipes. If you don’t love reusing the same deodorant stick on your underarms and then other body parts, the wipes can be an alternative and are so easy to swipe over your neck, behind your ears, on your feet and more. The wipes are unscented and hydrating, using the persimmon tannin extract to do their thing like all of Mirai’s other products.

Your purchase comes with three packs of 50 wipes, so you can store them in various places. Perhaps one in the house, one in the car and one in your bag? That way, you’ll always have some in reach.

Promising review: “When I’m too lazy to take a bath, I use these wipes. They work very well. I like that they’re unscented. I’ve tried other brand-name wipes that are scented and have not been pleased. They’re a good size – I just use one because I’m usually just using them for the “pits and bits”, not for really dirty skin. I’m very pleased with them. They’re a nice fresher-upper.” — D. Staudt

3-pack: $28 at Amazon

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