Sweating is useful. It helps to maintain body temperature, and hydrates and protects the skin. Sweating also helps regulate the body's levels of fluid and electrolytes such as sodium and calcium.
Skin contains two types of sweat gland—eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are found all over the body, especially in the soles of feet and palms of hands. These glands discharge a salty perspiration on to the surface of the skin, which has a cooling effect as it evaporates.
Apocrine glands are found in the armpit and groin where they secrete an oily sweat into the canal of the hair follicle. These glands start secreting at puberty, and the sweat they produce may contain pheromones. But once this oily sweat reaches the surface of the skin, bacteria start to break it down, a process that can produce a noticeable odor and drives us to use deodorant.
But not everyone produces underarm (axillary) odor. Individuals who have a certain variant of the ABCC11 gene produce less odorous sweat. They also happen to have dry earwax, as discussed in an earlier Coffee Break.
Axillary odor and the type of earwax (wet or dry) are genetically determined by the variant rs17822931, which is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ABCC11 gene. One of the functions of the transporter protein encoded by the ABCC11 gene is to secrete amino acid conjugates of human odorants that lead to the production of axillary odor. The SNP is a 538G>A substitution and at least one functional G allele is needed for the transporter to be active. Therefore, individuals who have the GA or GG genotype are "genetically odorous", whereas the "genetically non-odorous" have the AA genotype.
In light of intriguing new research, the ABCC11 gene is now being brandished as the "deodorant gene". A large study (n~6500) (1) has found that how often people used deodorant is strongly associated with which variant of the rs17822931 SNP they have. The non-odorous individuals (AA genotype) were five times less likely to use deodorant than the odorous (GG and GA genotypes).
The frequencies of the A and G alleles vary markedly across different ethnic groups. The A allele is very common in East Asians, and as expected, most people in this population don't need to use deodorant. And so they don't use it—it's estimated that only 7% of North East Asians regularly use deodorant. In contrast, the G allele is by far the more common allele in African and European populations.
In the UK, where the study took place, only 2% of the population (just over 1 million) is estimated to have the AA genotype. Interestingly though, the study found that only a quarter of the non-odorous individuals seemed to recognize that they don't produce odor and chose not to use deodorant. The remaining three quarters regularly used deodorant, perhaps only because it is the social norm. The study goes on to predict that around ~$14 million is wasted each year in the UK by non-odorous people buying deodorants, not to mention the needless exposure to chemicals and possible skin irritation that could be avoided.
So, are you one of the lucky individuals who can stop buying deodorant? A genetic test of your ABCC11 gene would give you the answer, or much simpler, a quick check inside your ear to look for dry (gray and flakey) earwax. Or simpler still, just do the sniff test!
However, genotypes and earwax aside, the use of deodorant will most likely continue as it is now—an entirely personal choice.
This tutorial highlights some of the NCBI resources that provide information about the "deodorant gene".
References
- 1.
Rodriguez S, Steer C.D., Farrow A, Golding J, Day I.N. Dependence of Deodorant Usage on ABCC11 Genotype: Scope for Personalized Genetics in Personal Hygiene. J Invest Dermatol. 2013 [PMC free article: PMC3674910] [PubMed: 23325016]
FAQs
Rose Water
Natural astringent, rose water can reduce the size of the pores present on the skin, and this subsequently can potentially decrease sweat production. To use this: mix rose water with apple cider vinegar. Store this mixture in a bottle and spray on your underarms and other body parts as and when required.
What race has the ABCC11 gene? ›
ABCC11: the “no body odor gene”
Genetic variants that cause a loss of function of the ABCC11 gene are very common among East Asian ethnicities (80-90% of the population). In other population groups, it is rare to have no body odor. In fact, only around 2% of Caucasians carry the 'no body odor' version of the gene.
What is the Korean armpit smell gene? ›
Most East Asians and almost all Koreans possess a variant of the ABCC11 gene which means that they sweat less. Less sweat means fewer nutrients for bacteria to feed on and release smelly compounds. P.S: This gene variant also causes the production of 'dry' earwax versus the 'wet' type - check your ears!
What kills underarm bacteria? ›
Apple cider vinegar: Mix apple cider vinegar with a small amount of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your armpits. The acid in vinegar helps kill bacteria. Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle.
Can I use rose water on my armpits? ›
5. Rosewater and baking soda. Rose water has soothing and brightening powers, its fragrance also combats body odour and keeps the underarm area smooth. How to use: Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to rosewater, and stir this mixture evenly.
What naturally kills body odor? ›
Popular Kitchen Ingredients That Significantly Reduce Body Odour:
- Rock Salt. Rock salt or sendha namak possesses powerful cleansing properties, which eliminates surplus sweat and influences the action of microbes dwelling on the surface of the skin. ...
- Green Tea Bags. ...
- Baking Soda. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Tomato Juice.
While only 2 percent of Europeans lack the genes for smelly armpits, most East Asians and almost all Koreans lack this gene, Day told LiveScience.
What diseases are associated with the ABCC11 gene? ›
Diseases associated with ABCC11 include Apocrine Gland Secretion, Variation In and Lateral Sinus Thrombosis.
How do you tell if you have ABCC11? ›
The genetic link
People who have 1 or 2 copies of the C variant in the ABCC11 gene have more fat in their earwax, making it wet and sticky. People who have two copies of the T variant have less fat in their earwax, making it dry, light-colored, and flaky.
What ethnicity has the most body odor? ›
Africa. Humans have a gene that produces a protein that feeds the bacteria responsible for body odor. Most African-Americans and Africans carry this gene. Nearly 97% of people of European or African descent carry the odorous underarm sweat gene.
Pheromones in humans may be present in bodily secretions such as urine, sem*n or vagin*l secretions, breast milk and potentially also saliva and breath, yet most attention thus far has been directed toward axillary sweat.
Why do some cultures not wear deodorant? ›
Many factors--including genetic makeup, temperature, and social norms--contribute to whether people in different cultures choose to use deodorant. While deodorant is available around the world, it's more commonly used in some places than others.
Why do I smell urine when there is none? ›
An olfactory hallucination (phantosmia) makes you detect smells that aren't really there in your environment. The odors you notice in phantosmia are different from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. You may notice the smells in one or both nostrils.
Why does my husband smell musty? ›
The malodour typically results from bacterial degradation of fatty acids secreted in apocrine sweat. Risk factors include a family history of bromhidrosis, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or increased size/number of apocrine glands.
Does shaving armpits reduce smell? ›
Because hair holds onto moisture, shaving your armpits may result in less sweating, or at least less noticeable sweating (sweat rings on your shirt sleeves, for example). Shaving may also cut down on the odor associated with sweat. Most hair is porous, meaning it's able to absorb and hold onto sweat.
How do you use rose water for body odor? ›
Crush some mint leaves and add them too. * Add 2 drops of tea tree oil to two tablespoons of water or rose water. Apply this under the arms with cotton wool. * To remove odour from the hair, add the juice of a lemon and half a cup of rose water to a mug of water and use as a last rinse.
How to get rid of vagin*l odor? ›
Shower regularly and only use mild, unscented soap and warm water to clean your vulva. Bathe and put on a clean outfit shortly after exercising so that you're not sitting for too long in hot, sweaty clothes or a damp swimsuit. Warm and wet environments are ideal places for harmful bacteria growth. Don't douche.
What can I bathe in to get rid of body odor? ›
We put vinegar in our girls baths instead of bleach. It gets rid of any smell. I believe bleach, Epsom salt, and baking soda baths are the best. You need to cut the bacteria that adheres to the skin build up.
Is there a way to permanently remove body odor? ›
From Botox injections to medical-grade antiperspirant, you may have found temporary relief, but no permanent solution. MiraDry is the only treatment that provides permanent and clinically proven results.
